Tottenham Hotspur comfortably dispatched a struggling Everton with a 4-0 triumph at home, highlighting Everton’s early-season defensive woes as they have now conceded seven goals in their initial two matches of the Premier League campaign.
In the day’s earlier action, Manchester City’s Norwegian sensation, Erling Haaland, showcased his goal-scoring prowess once again. He celebrated after netting his first goal from the penalty spot during the comprehensive victory over Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium. The match saw City making a statement, requiring just four minutes to bring Ipswich Town’s dream start to a crashing halt.
Sam Szmodics gave Ipswich a brief glimmer of hope with a well-placed low shot in the seventh minute, earning them a lead reminiscent of their spirited display against Liverpool just a week prior. However, their optimism was short-lived. Haaland leveled the score within five minutes from the penalty spot. Just two minutes after equalizing, Kevin de Bruyne slotted home to give City the advantage. He then turned playmaker to assist Haaland’s second, making it 3-1 within the first 16 minutes of the game, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
Pep Guardiola’s team maintained unwavering control against their newly promoted opponents. Ilkay Gundogan, making his return in the second half, helped solidify City’s dominance. Haaland completed his hat-trick, the tenth of his Manchester City career, just two minutes before the final whistle, solidifying a 5-1 victory for the reigning champions.
Meanwhile, Arsenal secured a significant 2-0 win on the road against Aston Villa. Villa’s Ollie Watkins missed a golden opportunity in the first half to put his team ahead. After the break, Arsenal capitalized, with substitute Leandro Trossard converting a Bukayo Saka assist. Thomas Partey then sealed the win with a long-range effort, showcasing the team’s depth and attacking options.
Brighton & Hove Albion continued their impressive start to the season with a narrow 2-1 victory over Manchester United.
. Veteran striker Danny Welbeck put Brighton in the lead after 32 minutes, only for Amad Diallo to equalize for United after the hour mark. United seemed poised to take the lead when Alejandro Garnacho’s close-range finish was ruled out for offside. Brighton snatched victory in dramatic fashion, with Joao Pedro’s far post header in the fifth minute of injury time securing all three points. Manchester United’s defense will certainly come under scrutiny for their lapse that allowed Brighton to clinch the winner.
Back to North London, Tottenham Hotspur showcased a dominant performance against a beleaguered Everton side. Yves Bissouma opened the scoring with a powerful strike, and a rare error from Everton’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford gifted Son Heung-Min the second goal after 25 minutes. The floodgates opened as James Maddison set up Cristian Romero for the third goal, and Son completed the rout with his second goal of the match.
In other action, West Ham United rebounded from a recent defeat with a 2-0 victory away to Crystal Palace. Second-half goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen highlighted West Ham’s resilience and tactical discipline, whereas Palace seemed to struggle to find the form that saw them end last season on a high note.
Fulham notched their first win of the season by overcoming Leicester City 2-1. Emile Smith Rowe, a record signing, put Fulham ahead early with an 18th-minute goal. Leicester’s Wout Faes leveled the score in the 38th minute, but Alex Iwobi’s decisive strike ensured Fulham took home all three points.
At St Mary’s Stadium, Nottingham Forest edged out Southampton with a solitary goal from Morgan Gibbs-White. The Forest forward capitalized on a defensive mishap from a corner, a stark reminder for Southampton of their defensive vulnerabilities.
Overall, it was a thrilling weekend of Premier League football, filled with significant victories, dramatic late winners, and standout individual performances. As Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal continue their respective campaigns, all eyes will be on their ability to sustain this early momentum in what promises to be a fiercely competitive season.
