The Premier League's third matchday delivered a series of compelling fixtures, each with significant implications for the early stages of the season. From last-minute winners to managerial pressures, the weekend's results have set the tone for the weeks ahead.
In a thrilling encounter at Anfield, Liverpool edged out Arsenal 1-0, with Dominik Szoboszlai's stunning 83rd-minute free-kick proving decisive. The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams entering the fixture with perfect records. Szoboszlai's goal, a 25-yard strike that struck the inside of the post before finding the net, underscored Liverpool's resilience and ambition in the early title race.
Brighton & Hove Albion secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Manchester City, thanks to a last-minute winner from Brajan Gruda. City initially took the lead in the 34th minute through Erling Haaland's close-range effort. Brighton's equaliser came in the 67th minute via a penalty converted by James Milner, who became the oldest penalty scorer in Premier League history at 39 years and 239 days. Gruda's decisive goal, where he broke the offside trap and rounded City's goalkeeper James Trafford, clinched the win for Brighton. This defeat marked City's second consecutive league loss, raising questions about their early-season form.
Aston Villa's woes continued with a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Crystal Palace, ending their 19-match unbeaten run at Villa Park. Palace took control early with a penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta and extended their lead with a goal from Marc Guehi in the 68th minute. Ismaila Sarr sealed the win, delivering Palace's first victory after two initial draws this season. The result lifted Palace to eighth in the standings, while Villa, second from bottom, remain winless and goalless after three games.
West Ham United manager Graham Potter expressed relief after his team's 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, marking their first win of the Premier League season. The win followed heavy losses to Sunderland and Chelsea, which had put Potter under pressure. West Ham secured the win with goals from Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta , and new signing Callum Wilson, who scored his first goal for the club. Potter praised his team's resilience and spirit, emphasizing that their character had never been in doubt despite earlier setbacks.
In other fixtures, Manchester United narrowly defeated Burnley 3-2, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a stoppage-time penalty to secure the win. Chelsea climbed to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory against Fulham, who were aggrieved by a disallowed goal via VAR. Tottenham Hotspur suffered their first major setback under new manager Thomas Frank, falling 1-0 at home to Bournemouth. Sunderland continued their strong return to the top flight with a 2-1 win over Brentford. Everton defeated winless Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-2, buoyed by three assists from loan signing Jack Grealish.
These results highlight the unpredictable nature of the Premier League, with established teams facing challenges and newcomers making their mark. As the season progresses, the performances and decisions made in these early matches will have lasting impacts on the league standings and the trajectory of each club.
