Score: Chelsea 2 - 0 Fulham

Let’s get the controversy out of the way first. Young Joshua King is owed a goal. Not by an incorrect decision, not by VAR, but by the laws of the game. The call in the game, however distasteful is correct. Muniz must take care to find a place to put his foot that is not on top of Trevoh Chalobah’s foot. It is the definition of careless. In spite of what Robbie Mustoe says, touching the ball doesn’t stop it from being a challenge and therefore the careless law is disavowed. It really should have stayed with Rob Jones’ call on the field. The game doesn’t need this type of foul being given in this type of context. Even as it’s given in most other leagues regularly. The English game prides itself on being different. As a Chelsea fan, we got lucky that the VAR and the referee applied the strictest interpretation of the law. Fulham really should have been 1-0 ahead against a Chelsea team who were looking slow, lethargic, lacking any creativity or spark.

As it so often does in this sport, that moment would come back to bite Fulham. Partly a result of the lengthy review, and partly a result of Delap’s earlier injury, there was nearly 10 minutes added on to the first half and Chelsea took full advantage. Scoring from a corner, again. New London Stoke. Chelsea have been doggedly working at the near post corner this season and here Cucurella got a fine flick on and Signing Of The Summer Joao Pedro was given the freedom of Stamford Bridge to head home. Chelsea were improved in the second half, without really threatening. It wasn’t until Enzo Maresca rang the changes that the game really opened up in an attacking sense. From then the punters money would have been on Chelsea to score the next goal. Which they did. Enzo from the spot, after another lengthy VAR review (got the feeling they were trying their best to rule out the penalty award to make up for the earlier call), drilled it hard down the middle. Leno managed to get a toe on it, but it wasn’t enough to keep it out.

Fulham deserve a lot of credit and respect. They’ve been at the short end of some very contentious decisions already this season and they are just getting on with their jobs. Playing organized and effective football. Silva brought on Smith-Rowe, Jimenez, and Traore in an attempt to wrestle something from the game. Fulham finished the game on top, and Chelsea were holding on to protect their 2-0 victory. With a little bit more luck, and some better finishing, Fulham would be sniffing around Europe come May.

Score: Man U 3 - 2 Burnley

Burnley and Scott Parker should hold their heads high after this one. For a team whose summer window looked like a clown-shoe parade of baffling signings and creative substitutions, they still managed to go toe-to-toe with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Twice they roared back to level the game, silencing the Stretford End in the process. And twice their resolve was undone—inevitably—by that most United of endings: a late penalty that saved the day.

United never looked particularly dazzling. Their squad has been stripped of familiar names—Rashford is now plying his trade in La Liga, and Garnacho, Antony, Højlund, and Sancho have all moved on or out. Yet, economics and chaos aside, they've still got enough quality to turn games in their favor when it matters.

On the field, it was Fernandes pulling the strings in midfield, while the likes of Amad Diallo—that unpredictable lightbulb—once again showed flashes of brilliance when it counts. Even a ragtag version of United can rattle off the right moves when you're playing Burnley deep.

Burnley, for their part, offered more bite than they've shown all season. Koleosho flummoxed United full-backs, the midfield actually held shape for once, and Foster chased every lost cause. They left with empty hands, but no disgrace.

It’s another case of the Best League In The World™ giving you everything but the win. Because if you don’t bag your chances against United, rest assured: they have the referee—or diving, nervous defending—to do it for you.

Score: Sunderland 3 - 0 West Ham

Now that was a throwback at the Stadium of Light. Brentford probably thought they had this one in the bag after Thiago’s header put them ahead, but Sunderland refused to fold. VAR had already denied them an opener, Roefs had saved a penalty to keep things alive, and the noise inside the ground never really dipped. Eventually it paid off. Le Fée stepped up from the spot in the 82nd minute and buried it, and by that point you could feel Brentford wobbling. Then, deep into stoppage time, Wilson Isidor launched himself at a Xhaka cross and thundered home a header that nearly took the roof off.

This wasn’t polished, far from it. Sunderland still look raw, a bit chaotic, and reliant on moments rather than control. But it’s two wins from two at home for the first time in over twenty years, and suddenly you get the feeling something might be stirring up on Wearside. Brentford will be kicking themselves—they had the chances, they had the territory, and yet they let the whole thing slip away. Sunderland, though, simply refused to let go.

Score: Spurs 0 - 1 Bournemouth

Lol. Spurs. Only Spurs could turn over Manchester City one week and then immediately follow it up by tripping over themselves against Bournemouth. That’s Spursy with a capital S. And credit where it’s due, because this wasn’t a fluke. Iraola has Bournemouth looking like an actual proper side—aggressive, brave on the ball, and more than happy to drag a “big six” team into a dogfight.

Bournemouth pressed relentlessly from the start, frustrating Spurs at every turn. Their attackers made runs at the Spurs defense, midfielders tracked back tirelessly, and when the decisive goal finally came, it was the result of intelligent movement and clinical finishing. Every part of the team contributed to a performance that fully deserved the three points.

Spurs, on the other hand, did Spurs things. Wasteful in front of goal, sloppy at the back, and looking completely bereft of ideas once Bournemouth got their noses in front. That big, swaggering win against City suddenly feels a long way away. And that’s the thing with Tottenham—you never know whether you’re getting juggernaut or jelly. This weekend, it was jelly.

Score: Wolves 2 - 3 Everton

Only Jack Grealish could make a gloomy Molineux feel like a samba parade. Everton turned up, turned heads, and swaggered away with all three points. Grealish was the puppet master—two more assists, slinging them around like he owned the place—and in under 165 minutes for Everton, he’s already matched anything he delivered at City. Moyes couldn’t hide the grin: “He’s better than I thought,” he said, and who are we to argue when the stats back up the sass?

Everton struck first via Beto’s header, Wolves clawed back with Hee-Chan Hwang’s equaliser but couldn't hold serve. Ndiaye restored that Toffees spark before halftime, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall—making like a man possessed—sealed it with a falcon-strike second half. Wolves did find a late goal through Rodrigo Gomes, but it felt like pinning a ribbon on a funeral wreath—brave, but wasted on the wrong end.

As for Wolves, this result sums up their season so far: possession pretty, but points nada. Molineux might be beautiful from the stands, but right now it’s delivering blues for the home fans. Everton, though? They’ve got swagger again, and it’s all because Jack de Bryune decided to remember how to play football.

Score: Leeds 0 - 0 Newcastle

Not every game can be a classic, and this one certainly wasn’t. Leeds will be the happier of the two, taking a point and a clean sheet against a Newcastle side that still doesn’t quite know what it wants to be. There was plenty of huff and puff from both ends, but the final ball was either ballooned into the stands or dribbled harmlessly into a defender’s shins.

Leeds deserve some credit—they worked like dogs, pressed high, and made St James’ imports look rattled more often than they’d like. The problem, of course, is that all that running has to lead to something, and the only thing it led to here was sore legs and a round of applause for effort.

Newcastle had the clearer chances—Isak and Gordon both wasted good ones—but it was all a bit flat, like the team was stuck between gears. They’ve got the talent, no doubt, but right now they look more like a collection of good players than an actual team.

So a nil-nil, the most honest of scorelines. Leeds will say it’s progress, Newcastle will say it’s two points dropped, and the rest of us will say we could’ve done with those ninety minutes back.

Score: Seagulls 2 - 1 City

Oh, Brighton. If there’s ever been a team to remind Pep Guardiola that history isn’t on his side, it’s this one. Three games in, and City are already tasting their second defeat of the season—two losses in less than a month, when last year it took them seven games just to reach the same milestone. And guess who handed it to them? Brighton.

Credit where it’s due: this wasn’t luck. Brighton never, not for a second, looked like they were going to roll over. Pascal Gross, Enock Mwepu, and Kaoru Mitoma were everywhere, pressing, countering, and punishing every tiny slip from City. Every time City looked like they might pull level, Brighton came back with another shot, another cross, another dagger of a counterattack. It was relentless, fearless, and beautifully calculated.

City had the ball, sure, and their usual array of tiki-taka tricks, but when it mattered Brighton were just smarter, sharper, and hungrier. Guardiola will be replaying this one all season, wondering how his side got undone so quickly. Meanwhile, Brighton can hold their heads high—they didn’t just win; they sent a message: underestimate them at your peril.

Score: Forest 0 - 3 Hammers

Nottingham Forest, the team that spent over £160 million this summer, thought they were ready to take on the Premier League. But when West Ham rolled into the City Ground, they were reminded that money doesn’t always buy class. The Hammers, under pressure after a rough start to the season, delivered a masterclass in late-game execution, scoring three goals in the final ten minutes to seal a 3-0 victory.

Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock in the 84th minute, Lucas Paquetá doubled the lead with a penalty in the 88th, and Callum Wilson capped off the performance with a header in stoppage time. West Ham’s resilience shone through, and manager Graham Potter expressed relief and pride in his team's performance, emphasizing their belief in his leadership despite earlier setbacks.

For Forest, it was a different story. Despite a strong first half, they crumbled under pressure, with new signings failing to make an impact. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo faces growing scrutiny, with reports of strained relations with club owner Evangelos Marinakis. The loss highlighted the need for improvement, and discussions about the club's direction are expected in the coming days.

Score: Arsenal 0 - 1 Liverpool

Well, there you have it. One goal, one absolute stunner, and one goalkeeper left looking like he’d just witnessed a UFO. Szoboszlai let fly from distance, and Raya didn’t even get close—prompting him to blame the balls he’s been practicing with for weeks.. Though to be fair to Raya, he hasn’t had much, if any, live game practice. Such has been the dominance of the Gunners in front of him.

Arsenal had their moments, moved the ball nicely, and threatened a few times, but this is Anfield, and one moment of brilliance is all Liverpool need. They didn’t do much else, but why would they? One strike was enough, and the frantic presses, near misses, and general chaos kept the crowd on edge.

The takeaway? Liverpool still can’t put together a perfect 90, Arsenal still can’t close out a game, and one insane shot from Szoboszlai is enough to decide the day. Classic stuff.

Score: Villa 0 - 3 Palace

Villa Park was quiet enough to hear a pin drop, and by the end, it wasn’t just quiet—it was sulking. Palace came in, sharp, direct, and merciless, turning what should have been a tight game into a statement 3-0 victory. Guéhi opened the scoring with a screamer, Mateta doubled it from the spot, and Sarr added a late header to really hammer home the point.

Villa never really looked like they were in the fight. Their attacks lacked conviction, their midfield got steamrolled, and every time they pressed, Palace had an answer. Credit to Oliver Glasner’s side—they defended like a team with a plan, countered with precision, and showed a level of ruthlessness that Villa simply couldn’t match.

This one’s going to hurt for Villa fans. The pieces are there, the talent is there, but the cohesion isn’t. Palace, on the other hand, can leave Villa Park knowing they’re not just surviving—they’re coming for anyone who underestimates them.