THERE had been targets galore from the English Premier League’s (EPL) weekend fixtures performed so far, with champions Manchester Metropolis, once more, wanting imperious and the workforce to beat. There have been additionally three hat-trick heroes among the many video games final night time. Right here’s a roundup of the video games performed on Saturday (Sept 2).
Luton City 1 v West Ham United 2
Kenilworth Street hosted its first ever Premiership sport many years after being relegated from the highest flight however the vociferous house help couldn’t forestall the Hammers from claiming all three factors. Jared Bowen maintained his high-quality begin to the marketing campaign with one other well-taken purpose and is making a powerful case for England supervisor Gareth Southgate to make him a daily starter.
Luton did threaten on the counter but when they’re to outlive the drop, they may have to be extra incisive with their probabilities. Kurt Zouma sealed all three factors for West Ham with a late purpose.
Manchester Metropolis 5 v Fulham 1
The rating line suggests a one-sided affair however for one half the Cottagers greater than held their very own till a massively controversial purpose was allowed to face. Nathan Ake’s header deep into first-half stoppage time was deemed authorized regardless of teammate Manuel Akanji being in an offside place and clearly obstructing the Fulham goalkeeper’s sight line.
Fulham supervisor Marco Silva was furious that video assistant referee (VAR) didn’t chalk it off and even Metropolis striker Erling Haaland, who smacked in a second-half hat-trick, agreed it was offside. Such VAR controversies are threatening to smash many a contest, as they clearly did right here.
Burnley 2 v Tottenham Hotspurs 5
Vincent Kompany declared that Burnley’s opening day defeat to his previous membership Manchester Metropolis can be the worst that his aspect would play this season. Alas, that has not been the case because the Spurs sliced them open far too simply with Son Hueng-min bagging a hat-trick.
With James Maddison once more pulling the strings, Spurs appear to have discovered the answer to that Harry Kane-sized void. Ange Postecoglou couldn’t have dreamed of a greater begin to life as Spurs coach and he has supporters dreaming of an unlikely title tilt.
Brighton 3 v Newcastle 1
Newcastle had been seeking to bounce again from a morale-sapping house defeat to ten-men Liverpool final week however got here up in opposition to Brighton’s newest younger gem Evan Ferguson. The 18-year-old Republic of Eire worldwide struck his first ever senior hat-trick for the Seagulls to grow to be the fourth youngest participant to take action within the Premiership period, simply behind Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Chris Bart-Williams.
It could appear the scouts at Brighton have unearthed one other 100 million-pound footballer and this superlative efficiency would have put all the main European (and Saudi?) golf equipment on excessive alert. Eddie Howe will likely be pondering what he must do to select up his troops after one other damaging defeat that can have critics once more questioning his capacity to teach on the very highest stage.
Chelsea 0 v Nottingham Forest 1
Mauricio Pochettino has an unlimited squad to select from however as soon as once more, a completely match and functioning striker doesn’t appear to be amongst them. It was thought that Chelsea had lastly discovered a ahead who could lead on the road within the form of Nicolas Jackson however regardless of managing 20 photographs on purpose, Chelsea didn’t convert and allowed Forest to go away Stamford Bridge with most factors.
After squandering a two-goal result in ultimately lose the sport at Outdated Trafford final weekend, Forest had been decided to carry on to a a lot slender lead and this time succeeded, seeing them safe a well-known victory over the massively spending Londoners. – Sept 3, 2023
Principal picture credit score: The Guardian
