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Barnsley looked to continue their early season promise with a home game against a Man Utd side that needed to get going. Steve Outten’s team came to attack, and Ant Harris rotated his squad, Zak Vyner and Alfie Mawson coming into the heart of defence for rare outings. Surely there could only be outcome? But on 33 minutes Oakwell erupted, Doucoure and Mitoma combining for the latter to put Barnsley ahead, for the bus to be firmly parked up.Sensing a surprise victory, Mawson made way for Araujo at the interval and Outten locked the dressing room door. United came out looking wired, and Anthony Gordon equalised 4 minutes after the break to start the comeback. However, the winner was not to come as the Barnsley boys held firm, Maximiano saving everything that came at him, and Vyner playing like a man possessed. A valuable point was earned by the home side and United keep trying to find a way forward. There was worrying news for Barnsley as Mitoma was taken off on the hour, and he will miss the next game for sure.
MOM : Cheick Doucoure (Barnsley)
Burnley faced Sheffield Wednesday at home, the Owls looking for their first points and Burnley looking to climb. The home side relieved the fans when Morata’s stunner put them ahead on 25 minutes. 14 minutes later the same man doubled the lead as he hit his 6th of the season to make it 2-0. Just after half time Nkunku made it 3-0 and Burnley were home and dry. Paul Pogba then followed a first half booking with a late tackle to earn an early bath, and Wednesday pulled one back through Hogan who seemed particularly affectionate with boss Mike Bradwell when celebrating, but the Clarets held on for the 3 points.
MOM : Alvaro Morata (Burnley)
Cardiff, who are on a roll after promotion, faced Villa at home who have also started well, the sides both in the early top 6. The Bluebirds have stunned everyone with their start and today was no different - Lemar scoring after 2 minutes to give them the lead. Villa fought back with Raphina’s equaliser which was immediately cancelled out by Lemar’s second and it was 2-1 at half time. Villa again regrouped, and Martinez headed home Correa’s cross to level it up. An instant reply again from Harris to light up Cardiff City Stadium and give the Welshmen 3 points. Can these boyos keep up this amazing start? At this rate they are on for Europe and coming for the big boys!
MOM : Thomas Lemar (Cardiff)
Chelsea welcomed back keeper Dean Henderson for their home game against Liverpool as last years Real Madrid and Barcelona managers went head to head. A very cagey first half with little to report saw the sides go in goalless, and with 4 minutes left that’s how it looked like it was going to end. Up stepped Alain Saint-Maximin with 2 goals in 2 minutes for the home side to kill the game and take all 3 points for the Blues. Liverpool looked flat and only created 4 chances in the whole game, and slide into the bottom 3.
MOM : Allan Saint-Maximin (Chelsea)
Crystal Palace faced everyone’s least favourite visitors, Man City at Selhurst Park, and this felt like an away win was on the cards. Palace stuck to their task though, and got a massive stroke of luck when City keeper Ederson was injured in the 26th minute. Again this looked like it was going to end goalless, but Palace manager made a double substitution on 67 minutes, bringing on Diawara and Dike. Diawara then ghosted past Marquinhos and shot - sub keeper Nubel claimed to have clawed the ball off the line but the goal was given and Palace held on for a memorable victory against City who lose Ederson for 2 games.
MOM : Kevin Vogt (Palace)
After a stunning result at Elland Road, Leicester hosted Blackburn, and Simeone got them off to the perfect start with a goal after 2 minutes that started a riot in the stands. Several Blackburn fans were ejected in what seemed an odd and early missile protest, but the Rovers players seemed unaffected and Luke Ayling equalised after some Son magic, nutmegging keeper Areola. Right on the half time whistle Simeone again restored the home side's lead, and there were no missiles as the teams went in. Blackburn’s little group of ageing stars combined again as Grealish fed Salah who scored an absolute beauty in off the post to equalise, with half an hour left . 2-2 seemed like a fair result between two sides who will be both very pleased with their start to the season.
MOM : Giovanni Simeone (Leicester)
Newcastle were looking to get something from their home game against in-form Arsenal, and were dealt an early blow when Reece James somehow chipped and nutmegged the keeper at the same time to take the lead. James was fortunate to escape injury when Toni Kroos came through him late, and the Newcastle man received his marching orders for a terrible tackle. Just as they were coming round, Arsenal scored again through Asprilla to go into half time 2-0 ahead. The ten magpies battled on and pulled one back through Llorente, but Asprilla again scored a great goal to restore the 2 goal lead. Grimaldo scored with 2 minutes left to give Arsenal a nervous end to the match, but the game was won and 3 points to the Gunners moves them closer to the top.
MOM : Yaser Asprilla (Arsenal)
Southampton v Everton looked like a great opportunity for either side to grab 3 points and climb the table. Saints were about their business today, and Dejan Kulusevski, who regularly admits that he wishes he was still at Spurs, scored with a perfect lob in the 22nd minute. Alex Isak doubled the lead in the 35th, and Everton threw everyone forward. This left space for Isak again to score with a thundering drive to go in 3-0 at half time and seemingly home and dry. Lukaku pegged one back just after the break for the Toffees, but Southampton held on for a comprehensive win and a welcome 3 points at St Mary’s
MOM: Alexander Isak (Southampton)
Tottenham were at home to Leeds who were looking to bounce back from their first defeat at Leicester, and the sides went toe to toe in terms of formation and tactics. Leeds have a little more class and it really showed in this game, Chukwueze putting the visitors ahead on 20 minutes. Just before half time the home side became more frantic and were caught on the break as a wonderful piece of play by Rudiger put in Berardi to make it 2-0 and all to do for Spurs. They had a ray of light when Leeds striker Chukwueze was sent off for his second yellow when he took down Podence, but it was Leeds again who scored with Osimhen beating Militao to feed Fekir who made it 3-0. The score line does not reflect the nature of the game, but Leeds were far more clinical in taking their chances and stretch their lead at the top of the table to 2 points.
MOM : Antonio Rudiger (Leeds)
All the W’s were at Vicarage Road as Todd Fortune’s West Ham visited Watford in a London derby. West Ham came with 3 at the back and Thiago put them ahead after 16 minutes with an assist from Silva. Cole Palmer’s bright start to the season continued as he made it 2-0 just before half time for his 6th of the season, and Fortune directed the bus in from the car park to stick in front of the away goal. Kamara pulled one back but the second half was a dull affair as the Hammers came out 2-1 winners and back up the table
MOM : Andreas Christensen (West Ham)
Team of the Week: Maximiano (Barnsley), Christensen (West Ham), Vogt (Palace), Dunk (Leicester), Rudiger (Leeds), Fabinho (Palace), Lemar (Cardiff), Asprilla (Arsenal), Diaby (Southampton), Morata (Burnley), Saint-Maximin (Chelsea)
Performance of the Week: This time Crystal Palace pip Cardiff and Barnsley after their 1-0 home win against the Champions. Helped by the injury to Ederson but they stuck it out to take the 3 points
Shocker of the Week: A few contenders including Spurs, but this week it’s Liverpool for their performance at Chelsea. Just 4 attempts on goal for the Reds, manager Graeme Edwards will be asking questions, and will not be enjoying their league position, however early it may be.
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