By TAS MAVRIDIS, SAM JARDEN, SHILADITYA BISWAS AND PARTH SONECHA
Cardiff and Newcastle fail to deliver
Cardiff City hosted their first Premier League match in over four years on Saturday as Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle United made the trip to South Wales to take on the Bluebirds.
The match settled into a dull rhythm early on, and there were few highlights to speak of until Newcastle’s Isaac Hayden received a red card for a reckless tackle barely 20 minutes after coming on as a substitute at half time.
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The first Premier League match at Cardiff City in more than four years.
Despite being down to 10 men, Newcastle seemed galvanized by Hayden’s sending off and looked more likely to break the deadlock coming down the stretch.
Just when it looked like neither team would be able to make the decisive breakthrough, Newcastle were given a huge opportunity to snatch all three points when the referee awarded a penalty in the final minute of stoppage time following a controversial handball in the box from Cardiff skipper Sean Morrison.
In a chance which summed up the entire game, Kenedy’s effort on goal – which was easily saved by Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge – capped off a miserable effort for the Toon, who will see the result as a missed opportunity.
– Sam Jarden
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Hector Bellerin of Arsenal challenges Eden Hazard of Chelsea during the Premier League match.
Chelsea edge Arsenal in London Derby
Chelsea edged past Arsenal 3-2 in a scintillating game of football that ultimately left many questions surrounding both defences.
Chelsea rushed to a two-goal lead through Pedro and Alvaro Morata within 20 minutes, before Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Alex Iwobi levelled the game by half time.
However, Chelsea’s introduction of Eden Hazard and Mateo Kovacic off the bench turned the tie back into Chelsea’s favour, with Hazard setting up Marcos Alonso for the winning goal.
While Chelsea will be glad about the victory, the defensive deficiencies caused by the shift to a more attacking system under Maurizio Sarri will take time to iron out.
On the other hand, despite their winless start to the season, Arsenal will be confident that results will come with the gunners already playing two tough games against Manchester City and Chelsea and Unai Emery’s philosophy sure to take time to pass onto his players.
– Shiladitya Biswas
Brighton upset Manchester United
Jose Mourinho’s men just don’t like the Amex. Following last season’s 1-0 defeat, you’d think they would be prepared for a fight from Brighton.
However, United turned in yet another weak performance. Brighton pressed United into their own half and caused massive problems for the visitors as they exposed United on the wings.
Shane Duffy and Glenn Murray both put in excellent shifts on either end of the field and were rewarded for their hard work with goals. With United already on shaky ground, Mourinho’s transfer policy has already been called into question.
United failed to reinforce their centre back position leaving both Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly, both have failed to fulfil the role of a commanding defender.
If these players who Mourinho brought in himself are failing, perhaps it is time for a new transfer policy.
– Parth Sonecha
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James Milner of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal.
Reds scrape past Palace
Liverpool recorded a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Tuesday morning thanks to goals from James Milner and Sadio Mane.
After a convincing and free flowing win against West Ham in the opening match, the scrappy win against Palace highlighted the two different styles that Jurgen Klopp’s men would have to play if they are to deliver a league title.
After struggling in past years with these types of matches against teams willing to sit back and defend, the reds now leave London with two wins, 6 goals scored, and none conceded, the perfect start to the season.
The January addition of Virgil Van Dijk and the summer arrival of Naby Keita and Alisson have no doubt played an important role in Klopp’s side ability to close out the first two matches of the season without much threat.
– Tas Mavridis
TAS MAVRIDIS'S TEAM OF THE WEEK
Neil Etheridge (CAR): Saved a penalty for the second game in a row to help Cardiff earn a critical point against Newcastle
Marcos Alonso (CHE): A goal and an assist for the Spaniard earned him a spot in the team of the week despite his side showing some defensive frailties.
Virgil Van Dijk (LIV): Man of the Match in the final game of the round, had the most clearances and aerial duels in the game and recorded yet another clean sheet for the Reds, is ninth in 16 PL games.
Steve Cook (BOU): Not only was he a rock defensively with 11 clearances, but also netted the winning goal for the Cherries.
Kieran Trippier (TOT): Scored another free kick for Spurs and provided a great attacking outlet, continues to get better and better week in week out.
David Silva (MCI): Scored as well as orchestrated much of City’s attacking play, and plays the role of the metronome of the side perfectly
James Maddison (LEI): Scored his first goal for the Foxes and was instrumental in Leicester’s win over Wolves.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (ARS): Scored and assisted and was everywhere against Chelsea. Despite the result, with the likes of Mkhitaryan, Arsenal should be able to turn the season around.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (EVE): Playing just behind the striker, the Iceland international was player of the game and provided the perfect support for Theo Walcott and Richarlison.
Callum Wilson (BOU): Continued his strong start to the season with another goal and was instrumental in helping the Cherries claw over the top of the Hammers
PLAYER OF THE WEEKSergio Aguero (MCI): Who else? The Argentine netted a hat-trick against Huddersfield from just the four shots on target. Clinical.