GAME WEEK 6 - WEEKLY ROUND UP

Welcome back! Another weekend of Premier League action is over and what a game week it was! Underdogs coming out on top and goals galore, what more could you need? Keep reading to find out everything that happened this weekend.

Coming soon on INMR: Brighton's European tour is underway, over the next few months they aim to prove themselves on the European stage. The Albion face AEK Athens, Ajax and Marseille in Group B of the Europa League; here at INMR you can follow all the action, from tactical previews to pitch side highlights. Keep an eye out for my Marseille vs Brighton Match Preview!

Goalless draw at Selhurst (Crystal Palace 0-0 Fulham)

The Premier League hasn't seen many goalless games so far this season but the opener of this week ended with just that. Fulham had plenty more chances than the home side, really testing Sam Johnstone from the first whistle all the way until full time. Crystal Palace on the other hand had been fairly quiet, with their only threat being Eberiche Eze going forward, the home managed just one shot on target in the first 45 minutes.

The Cottagers continued to pressure Palace's defence but couldn't find a way through. Sam Johnstone earned a point for his side, the Englishman was the only impressive part of Crystal Palace's performance. Neither side took their chances but Fulham will be more disappointed with the result in the end, although they'll be feeling optimistic about their next game, where they have a great chance to get three points against a struggling Chelsea side. Crystal Palace are now winless in their last four games against Fulham.

Luton get off the mark (Luton Town 1-1 Wolves)

Struggling Luton had a bright start to the game, Carlton Morris was very close to giving his side the lead as his curling effort struck the woodwork. In contrast, Wolves had a lacklustre first half, no shots on goal and down to 10 men after Jean-Ricner Bellegarde kicked out at Tom Lockyer; a disastrous start for the visitors who would have expected a much easier afternoon against a side yet to earn a point this campaign.

Wolves came out much better after the break, as Pedro Neto broke the deadlock; a proper wingers goal, the Portuese man chased a long ball to the byline, wriggled away from the Luton defenders and blasted the ball into the back of the net. The lead didn't last long though, Carlton Morris eventually got his well earned goal 15 minutes after Neto's opener. The end result was never in doubt, Morris has already been clinical from the spot this season, the striker sent Jose Sa the wrong way, tucking the ball nicely into the bottom left corner. A very controversial penalty but awarded nonetheless. That penalty meant Luton had secured their first point of the season, however they will feel as if this game was a missed opportunity for more, they dominated especially in the first half, and if they were more ruthless in front of goal they could have walked away with a victory.

Man City victorious despite Rodri’s red (Manchester City 2-0 Nottingham Forest)

Manchester City haven't lost to Nottingham Forest in the league since December 1997 so it was no surprise that the Champions managed to keep their perfect record in tact. Pep Guardiola's side controlled the game as expected and scored their two winning goals inside the first 15 minutes. The first came from Phil Foden, who drilled the ball home emphatically as Kyle Walker's set fell to him. Minutes later the main man Erling Haaland doubled City's advantage with a simple header at the back post, lacklustre defending from Forest who left the Norwegian unmarked for a free header in the 6 yard box.

In the second half, tensions boiled over as Champions League final goalscorer Rodri received a red card for violent conduct on Morgan Gibbs-White. The pair were challenging for the ball by the corner flag but things got out of hand and Rodri reacted to what he thought was a foul by choking gibs-White. Very out of character from Rodri who is usually the most composed man in the City side, but today left his teammates at a numerical disadvantage. Man City managed to see out the second half, not allowing Nottingham Forest to capitalise on their advantage; Rodri's absence is more of a worry in upcoming games rather than this one as City face total rivals Arsenal soon.

Tarkowski’s top performance helps Everton to first win of the season (Brentford 1-3 Everton)

In what should have been a simple win against a struggling Everton side, Brentford fell short to award the Toffees their 1st away win in London in 14 matches and their first of the 2023/24 campaign. Abdoulaye Doucouré broke the deadlock early on as Brentford failed to effectively clear the ball away from a corner; the ball was lofted back into the box, nodded down to Doucoure who fired the ball into the top corner, what a start!

Mathias Jensen drew Brentford level just before the half hour mark, Pickford got a hand to his powerful strike but not enough to prevent it from going in. Everton had lots of chance though and were the better side in the first half, however, they didn't have total control of the game. James Tarkowski and Dominic Calvert-Lewin punished Brentford for being sloppy with two goals in quick succession. Brentford have just one win so far this season, a poor start but the loss today was all their own doing.

Fernandes’ finish ensures United’s much needed win (Burnley 0-1 Manchester United)

Manchester United haven’t had the best start to their 2023/24 campaign, anything less than three points at Turf Moor would make things significantly worse. The visitors thought they’d taken the lead just before the half hour mark as Jonny Evans rose highest to Serge Reguilon’s delivery and nodded the ball home on his second full debut for the club. What a story it could have been, unfortunately for Evans, the goal was ruled out as Rasmussen Hojlund was obstructing the goalkeepers view and in an offside position too. It didn’t matter though as later on the centre back set up Bruno Fernandes’ volley, that one did count. His first start for United since 2015 and what an impact he was having. Evans diagonal ball impressively found Fernandes who took the strike on first time, volleying it into the far corner and putting his side into the lead.

Although both sides had chances in the second half, the scoreline remained 0-1 Manchester United. Bruno Fernandes’ goal was the difference on the day and Burnley’s wait for a first Premier League victory under Vincent Kompany continues.

Spoils are shared in the North London Derby (Arsenal 2-2 Tottenham)

The North London Derby, a highly anticipated affair no matter the circumstances, but this one was set to be of the most exciting in recent years. Last years title contenders Arsenal facing a brand new Spurs side, led by Ange Postecoglu, the man bringing Tottenham fans a whole new brand of football and the hope that very soon they can be more successful than ever before. Arsenal struck first, Christian Romero turned Bukayo Saka’s effort into his own goal; very lucky way to go into the lead but Arsenal didn’t care. Shortly after they had another great chance to get a goal, but Gabriel Jesus was unable to keep his shot on target and double his sides advantage. Jesus and Arsenal were punished for not taken their opportunities when they arose by Heung-Min Son and James Maddison. The super summer signing spun Saka out on the left flank, cut the ball back to Son waiting in the box. The Spurs captain remained composed to turn in the equaliser just before the interval.

A great first half full of action and the second didn’t disappoint either, Arsenal were awarded a penalty after Romero’s arm was deemed in an unnatural position when the ball struck him. Bukayo Saka made no mistake from the spot, as Vicario dived right, the Englishman rolled the ball down the middle. The lead didn’t last a minute though, Son claimed his braced immediately after the penalty; Jorginho lost the ball cheaply and was punished greatly. That goal set the result in stone, a point a piece for the rivalling sides.

Same old Chelsea defeated by the Villians (Chelsea 0-1 Aston Villa)

Neither side were able to break the deadlock in the first half, but not due to a lack of opportunities. Aston Villa had two brilliant chances, but both were thwarted by Robert Sanchez.  Chelsea managed to get the ball past Emiliano Martinez, but Axel Disasi’s was used offside to chalk the goal off. Nicolas Jackson also had a good opportunity to score but failed to take it.

At the start of the second half, Chelsea went down to 10 men as Malo Gusto’s yellow card was upgraded to a dismissal for catching Luca Digne’s ankle with an outstretched boot. Villa’s numerical advantage showed, and eventually they found a way through as Ollie Watkins produced a clinical finish. Chelsea didn’t try to see the game out, instead attempted to go for the win even with a man down. They were punished for throwing too many men forward and Ollie Watkins capitalised when the chance came his way.

Reds continue their impressive run (Liverpool 3-1 West Ham)

Liverpool have a had a great start to the season so far and are progressively looking like the Liverpool we knew two or three years ago. This fixture was now different as the asserted their dominance from the get go. Mohamed Salah converted from the spot 15 minutes in. The goalscorer earned the penalty himself as Aguerd brought him down inside the penalty area. West Ham got  back into the game on the stroke of half time. Vladimir Coufal has been in great form recently and showed his class to claimed the assist, getting his cross into the box despite two Liverpool players closing him down. The cross found Jarrod Bowen who managed to get on the right side of Virgil Van Dijk and dive to the ball to turn it goalwards.

Liverpool took the lead again on the hour mark, Alexis Mac Allister had all the time in the world to find Darwin Nunez as now West Ham players went to pressure the Argentine. Nunez watched the ball well and as it fell down he struck it well on the on the volley and past an outstretched Alphonse Areola. Virgil Van Dijk made up for his poor marking at the end of the first half with an assist at the end of the second. He nodded Andy Robertson’s cross down to Diogo Jota, who simply nudged the ball into the back of the net from close range.

Newcastle humiliate Sheffield United (Sheffield United 0-8 Newcastle)

Arguably the best game of the weekend, unless you are a Sheffield United fan of course! Newcastle United scored eight goals at Brammel Lane, totally humiliating the newly promoted side in their own backyard. After a fairly balanced first 20 minutes, Newcastle upped the tempo a gear and began to run riot; Sean Longstaff, Dan Burn and Sven Botman all got their names on the scoresheet in quick succession to put the visitors 3-0 up at the break. Captain Kieran Trippier was doing well out on the right hand side, claiming two assists in four minutes.

Things continued to deteriorate for the Blades in the second half as Newcastle got five more goals to embarrass their opponents. Trippier got his hat-trick of assists as Callum Wilson nodded the ball past Foderingham. Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron got involved as well, it was far too easy for the Magpies, Sheffield United were broken and just wanted the final whistle. After setting up South American teammate Almiron for the 6th, it was only right Guimaraes got got the 7th himself. The final goal of the game came from Alexander Isak, securing Newcastle’s biggest ever away win, not only that, but they did it with 8 different names on the scoresheet.

Brighton back to winning ways (Brighton 3-1 Bournemouth)

After a disappointing start to life in Europe, Brighton needed to bounce back quickly against Bournemouth, it initially looked to be another rough day for Albion fans, as Dominic Solanke gave the Cherries the advantage thanks to Ryan Christie forcing a mistake out of Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. Solanke shot into an open net was never going anywhere but the back of the net, a shocking start for the home side who haven’t looked themselves recently. Brighton were very fortunate to go in at half time on level terms, Billy Gilmour whipped a cross into the box, it found Milos Kerkez who directed his header the wrong way, past Neto in goal and into his own net. Very lucky for Brighton who had nothing to be proud of in the opening 45 minutes.

At half time Roberto De Zerbi opted to bring on Kaoru Mitoma as a substitute, what a decision that turned out to be. Straight from kick off the Japanese winger got a goal to put his side into the lead for the first time in the game. Mahmoud Dahoud flicked the ball smartly into Mitoma who did the rest just 16 seconds after the referee’s whistle to start the second half. Brighton put the game to bed thanks to Mitoma again, he met Pervis Estupinan’s header at the perfect time, escaping his marker well and directing his header powerfully past Neto. A shaky start for the Seagulls but they redeemed themselves in the second half, although their leaky defence still remains an issue, they haven’t kept a clean sheet since May last season.

Written by Isabelle Newnham