PL Matchday 3 Review: Everton flirt with relegation, United produce a comedy of errors

By Esosa Osa

Drama did not withhold itself in this latest round of fixtures in football’s most entertaining League. Referee controversy at the Emirates, a thrilling comeback at Goodison Park, and a comedy of errors from Manchester United. Drama, all the way characterised the fixtures.

10-man Arsenal were disappointingly held to a draw at home to Brighton. The Gunners were on top of things from kick-off, two good chances fell to Bukayo Saka, but he failed to beat Bart Verbruggen. Martin Ødegaard looked lost in his thoughts as he missed a glaring chance to open the scoring a few yards out. Deep into the half, Lewis Dunk mistimed a header which fell to Saka as he turned provider to Kai Havertz who placed it superbly over Verbruggen.

The start of the second half proved to be a nightmare for the Londoners as Declan Rice received a second booking for time-wasting after kicking the ball. An act of inconsistency as Chris Kavanagh failed to hand a yellow card to Joao Pedro earlier in the first half for kicking the ball metres away. Brighton equalised soon after through a Joao Pedro rebound. Last year’s runners-up continued to conjure chances but lacked the finishing touch and settled for a draw.

Aston Villa ran the show at the King Power with Leicester Goalkeeper, Mads Hermansen denying Ollie Watkins twice early on. An intelligently worked free-kick started by Youri Tielmansto set Morgan Rogers on was slotted home by Amadou Onana to score his second goal in three games. Leicester improved after the interval but Jhon Duran cut their wings with a powerful header from a Lucas Digne cross, two minutes after coming on. Facundo Buonanotte scored in the 73rd minute to set up a dramatic end but there were no theatrics as Villa escaped the scene as 2-1 winners.

Ipswich earned their first Premier League point after clinching a draw against Fulham. Liam Delap scored the first PL goal at Portman Road since 2002 to get the stadium bouncing but Adama Traore levelled matters not long after. Both sides could not find a winner with almost 60 minutes left. Brentfordworsened Southampton’s misery with a 3-1 victory which handed the Saints a hat-trick of defeats to begin their campaign. Bryan Mbeumo’s brace and Yaone Wissa’s goal meant YukinariSugawara’s stoppage-time finish was a mere consolation. 

Everton’s early flirt with relegation continued after losing 3-2 at home to Bournemouth despite leading by 2 goals up until the 87th minute. The Toffees looked the brightest and fought till opening the scoring through Michael Keane in the second half. Dominic Calvert-Lewin got the second in what most thought was the icing on the cake. That cake never left the bakery as nine minutes of madness saw Bournemouth snatch the win. Goals from Antoine Semenyo, Lewis Cook, and Luis Sinisterraset up one of the most mind-boggling comebacks to a Premier League game. Nottingham Forest continued their unbeaten start with a home draw against Wolves. Chris Wood and Jean-RicnerBellegarde were on the scoresheet.

Man City made it three wins in three as another Erling Haalandhat-trick clinched a 3-1 victory over West Ham. 10 minutes in, Haaland opened the scoring to the surprise of no one. Ruben Dias’ own goal handed West Ham a lifeline but two more goals by Haaland. Again, to the surprise of no one, secured a dominant win.

Chelsea settled for a 1-1 draw against visiting Crystal Palace, ending a streak of 13 league wins against their London counterparts. The Blues opened the scoring through Nicolas Jackson after an inch-perfect counter-attack spearheaded by Noni Madueke. Eberechi Eze equalised for the Eagles with a beautiful curler eight minutes into the second half. Afterwards, the hosts had the better of the chances but were unable to convert. Newcastle claimed a 2-1 home win over Tottenhamwith goals from Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak.

It was another day to forget for Erik Ten Hag as his side fell to a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at the Theatre of Dreams. All goals resulted from sloppiness in the midfield area, the first two byCasemiro. A Luis Diaz brace earned the visitors the lead at half-time and in the second half, Mo Salah arrowed home the third to the despair of the home ground, in what could be his last season as a Liverpool player after stating that a new contract has not been proposed. It’s now time for the international break, which provides an opportunity for coaches to get back to the drawing board.