The Match of the Day running order has been revealed ahead of the programme, and didn’t the weekend produce some surprises.
You can see the highlights of all of those played so far along with all the talking points, replays and analysis from 10:30pm on BBC One.
Presenter Gary Lineker will as always be joined by pundits Martin Keown and Danny Murphy who’ll no doubt will have a lot to rant about. If you miss the show, you can view it over on the BBC iPlayer at any time on most devices.
1) FULHAM v BRENTFORD
Aleksandar Mitrovic grabs 98th Fulham goal to earn 3-2 win over west London rivals Brentford; Christian Norgaard, Ivan Toney earlier complete two-goal comeback from Bobby Decordova-Reid and Joao Palhinha’s first-half strikes
Player ratings
Fulham: Leno (6), Tete (6), Tosin (6), Ream (5), Robinson (6), Reed (7), Palhinha (7), Stansfield (6), Pereira (8), Decordova-Reid (7), Mitrovic (6).
Subs: Cairney (6), Mbabu (7), Duffy (n/a).
Brentford: Raya (7), Hickey (6), Mee (6), Jansson (6), Henry (6), Dasilva (5), Norgaard (6), Jensen (6), Mbeumo (5), Toney (7), Wissa (6).
Subs: Lewis-Potter (7), Janelt (6), Baptiste (6), Ghoddos (n/a).
Man of the match: Andreas Pereira.
Fulham head coach Marco Silva told Sky Sports:
“It’s a great afternoon for us, I think everyone enjoyed it. We deserved the three points, overall we were the best team on the pitch, in the first half we controlled almost all of the game, but unfortunately for us they then scored just on half-time.
“I asked our players to start the second half strongly, to not give them the belief, but they are strong, they started to play more direct, and they started to create some problems for us. We let the game to their way, direct balls, and they are stronger than us in those types of situations.
“But I have to congratulate our players, even after they equalised, our reaction was really good. We started to play again, and getting that winner was a very good feeling.
“These types of things, you keep learning and growing as a team; we should have shown more maturity when they started playing this type of game, but it’s all part of the process. We have shown the togetherness, everyone fighting for each other, and it’s a great afternoon for our fans too.”
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank told Sky Sports:
“What a game for the neutral, it must have been fantastic to watch.
“What we showed to come back in the game is extraordinary, fighting back and fully deserved to get back at 2-2. Then, of course, it’s heartbreaking to see the last one going in, but it’s quality from Fulham and Mitrovic knows what he’s doing.
“Unfortunately, David [Raya] couldn’t save the last one; he had three other chances where David did a top job. Apart from the last 20 minutes, perhaps the last 5-6 too, I was very pleased with the performance.
“This group of players’ mentality is extraordinary, the determination to keep going, the cool heads to keep trying to do the right thing. I think it was a 2-2 game, but it happens when you go for the gold, sometimes you lose. But if we keep going with this mentality, hopefully we win the next one, and then it’s three points rather than two which is better.”
2) BOURNEMOUTH v ARSENAL
William Saliba’s first Arsenal goal and a rare double from captain Martin Odegaard seal a third straight win for Gunners who were too good for Bournemouth; Gabriel Jesus impressed again, with a strike ruled out by VAR for offside
Player ratings
Bournemouth: Travers (6), Kelly (5), Mepham (5), Senesi (3), Smith (6), Lerma (5), Pearson (3), Billing (5), Zemura (5), Tavernier (5), Moore (6)
Subs: Cook (6), Christie (6), Anthony (6)
Arsenal: Ramsdale (6), White (7), Saliba (8), Gabriel (8), Zinchenko (8), Partey (7), Xhaka (8), Saka (7), Odegaard (8), Martinelli (7), Jesus (8)
Subs: Tomiyasu (6), Nketiah (6), Smith Rowe (6), Tierney (N/A), Lokonga (N/A)
Man of the Match: Gabriel Jesus (Arsenal)
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to Sky Sports: “Still far [from perfect]. We had some strong periods. In the second half we conceded too many chances for Bournemouth. I’m proud, it’s not easy to come here and win 3-0 but there are still things to prove.
“We started the game really well. We were dominant, precise. The two goals gave us a lot of confidence. Jesus was involved in the goals. His contribution to the team was outstanding.
“He can still improve his level. He’s got a huge desire to be the best.
“Winning makes life completely different. The atmosphere is good. The unity is incredible. Saliba, [the goal was the] last thing I’d expect.
“In life difficult experiences make you stronger and make you learn more than good moments. That moment was painful and we don’t want to go through that again.
“We will try to the end [to sign more players]. The transfer market is tricky. We’d like to do something else. Let’s see what we can do.”
3) CRYSTAL PALACE v ASTON VILLA
Ollie Watkins opened for Aston Villa, but this was soon cancelled out by Wilfried Zaha; VAR awarded Crystal Palace a penalty, with Zaha netting after Emi Martinez’s initial save; Jean-Philippe Mateta scored with his first touch for 3-1
Player ratings
Crystal Palace: Guaita (6), Ward (7), Andersen (7), Guehi (7), Mitchell (6), Schlupp (7), Eze (8), Doucoure (6), Zaha (8), Edouard (8), Ayew (7).
Subs used: Olise (6), Mateta (6), Milvojevic (5), Hughes (5), Richards (n/a).
Aston Villa: Martinez (7), Cash (5), Konza (5), Mings (5), Digne (5), Kamara (5), McGinn (6), Ramsey (5), Buendia (4), Bailey (6), Watkins (6).
Subs used: Ings (4), Luiz (4), Coutinho (4).
Man of the match: Wilfried Zaha.
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira:
“It was a really good performance. From the first minute, we were into the game. We wanted to play with a lot of intensity, to press them high, to win the ball as high as we can and today, we did it.
“We went through a difficult period in the game, but we managed to keep our calm and organisation. I was really pleased with the attitude we showed and we showed some quality as well.
“We always have different tests in any games and going 1-0, we needed to answer straight away. The best way to do it is to keep going forward and with the next chance, Wilfried scored a fantastic goal. That helped us to get back into the game straight away.
“It wasn’t easy at all and you always question the team about how do we grow from game to game and today, character and personality wise, we went a step forward.
“In the first half, they were lucky to go in [at half-time] with a draw. We created chances but we didn’t score. What we want is to create those chances and with the quality we have, we know we can score goals. Outside of that, it is a well-deserved win for us.”
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard:
“We started extremely well. We got ourselves in front and scored a good goal, but we never kept the lead for long enough. We allowed Crystal Palace back into the game too soon.
“We got to half time at 1-1 and the game is in the balance. We were well in the game for an hour and the big turning point is the penalty.
“I’m not sure what the rules say but I’m sure there’s a rule in there that will go against us, but I felt for Lucas. I’m not sure what else he can do, he’s going up fairly to challenge for the ball, he’s trying to gain leverage and height and the header’s hit his arm from less than a metre away.
“Our ‘keeper makes a save so it’s not like he stopped a goal on purpose, but the punishment is really harsh.
“When you need full leverage at the back post and you’re in a duel, sometimes your body parts go into unnatural positions. The referees need to show common sense because for me, it’s a very harsh penalty and a very harsh rule.
“Up until then, it’s 1-1 at a tough place against a good team and you’d take that before the game. But to concede in the way we did, it was a huge setback for the players and we never reacted well in that moment.
“We didn’t defend long balls well enough, we didn’t win enough individual duels at the right times in the big moments. I’m not standing here complaining or saying we deserved to win, but for large parts of the game, we were well in it.
“We hit the bar at a key time too, so the moment didn’t go our way today and that’s the reason why we’re on the wrong side of the result.
“I need to get on the training pitch with this team and drill them more, push them more and challenge them more and hopefully we’ll improve from it.”
4) TOTTENHAM v WOLVES
Harry Kane edged nervy Spurs past Bruno Lage’s men at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; Wolves had 12 shots in the first half but could not capitalise; Kane now holds the Premier League record for most goals scored for a single club (185)
Player ratings
Tottenham Lloris (7), Sanchez (6), Dier (7), Davies (7), Royal (6), Bentancur (7), Hojbjerg (6), Perisic (7), Kulusevski (7), Son (6), Kane (8)
Subs: Richarlison (7), Bissouma (6), Sessegnon (6)
Wolves: Sa (7), Jonny (6), Collins (7), Kilman (7), Ait-Nouri (6), Nunes (7), Neves (7), Moutinho (7), Podence (6), Neto (6), Guedes (6)
Subs: Dendoncker (6), Jimenez (6), Hwang (6), Traore (6), Semedo (7)
Man of the Match: Harry Kane
Spurs boss Antonio Conte said: “Half-time was a moment to analyse with players to improve the situation. We struggled in the first half – we played against a fast team. We suffered together but Hugo Lloris didn’t make a save. I tried to fix it in the second half with tactical aspects but we had energy to press high and create chances. We played with important intensity and good pressure. The second half was difficult for Wolves.
“To get seven points shows this team is improving in many aspects. We want to improve. It’s not enough to fight for something important. There is great chemistry and that is important.”
Wolves boss Bruno Lage: “It’s the same thing [lack of finishing]. It looks like the same beginning that we had in our first season the feeling is the same. We played very well against this great team with a top manager with a big personality. We controlled the game in the first half and created chances but in the end we go without any points.
“The same thing I said last year that the goals will come.”
5) LEICESTER v SOUTHAMPTON
Southampton come back from a goal down to stun Leicester; James Maddison’s free-kick gave hosts the lead but sub Che Adams’ double sparked Saints’ revival and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side held on for their first win of the season; Leicester’s wait for a win goes on
Player ratings
Leicester: Ward (6), Castagne (7), Amartey (6), Evans (6), Justin (6), Ndidi (6), Dewsbury-Hall (7), Maddison (7), Perez (6), Barnes (6), Vardy (6).
Subs: Daka (6), Tielemans (6), Iheanacho (n/a).
Southampton: Bazunu (7), Bella-Kotchap (7), Salisu (7), Walker-Peters (8), Ward-Prowse (7), Lavia (6), Djenepo (6), Elyounoussi (7), Mara (7), Aribo (6), Armstrong (6).
Subs: Adams (9), Armstrong (7), Lyanco (n/a).
Man of the match: Che Adams.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl:
“We had a tough start today with a very young group on the pitch. We made a few changes tactically and it took a little way for us to find a way in the game. Against the ball I think it was not so bad but with the ball we lost some balls and that conceded a bit mentally. The way we defended today was on a very high level. Set pieces were defended well and offensively good. A simple way of turning things around after conceding a goal which was, I think the only shot on target from the opponent in the second half. We didn’t accept that we don’t get anything here. The reaction of the team was fantastic. We knew we could turn things around.
“We now have Manchester United and Chelsea, two home games. We have four points, and it is a good start. Better than in previous years.”
Rodgers says he understands the frustrations of the fans.
“It’s a challenging time, there’s no doubt about that,” the Leicester boss told Sky Sports.
“From where the club has been over last few years, been up there challenging the top four and winning trophies, and of course supporters they look at the club over a course of the summer and they get excited by having new signings and seeing them develop and seeing us push on.
“We haven’t been able to do that. So, the atmosphere, it is difficult, and I totally understand it from the supporters because they want to see us continually push on.
“Obviously, the players, they themselves would like to have that competition in the squad as well, but at the moment, my concentration is purely on the players that are here – and the players that are here are fully committed to helping the team gain results.
“That is what I’ve always done in my career, look after the collective, and I’ll continue to do that.”
6) EVERTON v NOTT’M FOREST
Brennan Johnson’s opener looked to have condemned Everton to third straight loss; Demarai Gray’s late leveller ended a run of 21 appearances without a goal; Everton have registered one point in their opening three PL games, their fewest at this stage since 2010/11
Everton manager Frank Lampard was left with mixed emotions after his side secured their first point of the new season:
“We had a lot of chances through the game – 19 shots – then they take a chance,” he said.
“It’s hard when you have a lot of opportunities and a bit of control to sustain that confidence, but it was good spirit to come back from the position of 1-0 down and get a point. The frustration is that generally, when you have 19 shots at home, you expect to score more than one goal.
“We wanted to win the game and I thought we deserved to win the game but I understand the bigger picture.
“If we’d scored in the first 20 minutes – we had enough chances – I think the game looks completely different. To be more clinical is to find those moments and be ruthless. Some players have that by nature, some not so much.
“When you have a moment when the ball is flying around in the box, you just need someone with that bit of composure in that moment to be clinical.
“To be fair, Demarai showed that for the goal.”
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper was left to rue an opportunity missed after his side squandered a late lead at Goodison Park:
“Mixed feelings,” he reflected. “I’m disappointed we’ve not won after going ahead fairly late on. We should be seeing the game out.
“It’s quite a disappointing one. But at the same time we’ve come away from home and took the game to Everton and played really well.
“We got in between the lines well. I thought we could have provided more threat in the first half, because we’ve got players who can make a difference in those positions.
“That was the challenge at half-time, because I felt like we were getting enough service. We scored a good goal, in terms of the move, that’s how we want to play.
“Pleased with the performance, but if I’m really honest I’m disappointed we’ve not won.
“It’s a goal that we shouldn’t be conceding at this level. I’m not interested who is at fault, because we do good and bad things as a team.
“But the overriding feeling is that we can’t concede goals like that at this level. That’s how it is.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login