There’s never a boring weekend in the Premier League and Matchday 10 delivered. The weekend review unpacks the action and focuses on the biggest talking points.
By Sam McGuire, Premier League expert
Spurs lead the way
The table toppers weren’t able to claim another clean sheet but they did manage to pick up all three points away at Selhurst Park.
It wasn’t a classic on Friday evening but Spurs did enough to eke out a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace. The win ensured they would hold onto top spot for at least another weekend.
After a goalless first half, Joel Ward turned the ball past his own goalkeeper before Heung-Min Son doubled the lead for Tottenham with his eighth of the season. Only Erling Haaland boasts a higher return so far this campaign.
Jordan Ayew added a consolation for the Eagles in added time. In truth, it was a deserved result for Spurs. They dominated the ball, finishing the game with 76% possession, while also creating the better chances.
A sting in the tail for Chelsea
Heading into the game against Brentford, Chelsea appeared to have turned a corner. They were finally picking up results under new manager Mauricio Pochettino and the Blues certainly caught the eye in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last weekend.
The pressure was on the hosts and it is safe to say they didn’t deal with it.
Chelsea went toe-to-toe with Thomas Frank’s side, posting an almost identical Expected Goals total (2.03 to 2.16) but while the away side showcased their resilience, the Blues once again looked brittle in the 2-0 loss.
Brentford only had seven shots on Saturday afternoon but five of those were big chances. Ethan Pinnock opened the scoring in the second half and Bryan Mbeumo finished things off in added time, tapping the ball into an empty net after goalkeeper Robert Sánchez had pushed forward for a corner.
The result saw the Bees leapfrog Chelsea into 10th spot in the Premier League.
The Gunners flex their attacking muscles
With Arsenal hosting Sheffield United, manager Mikel Arteta took the opportunity to go full throttle with his team selection.
The Spanish tactician named a midfield three of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Emile Smith Rowe. In attack, the Gunners went with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.
It worked out well, with the hosts romping to a 5-0 win over the Blades. Nketiah bagged a hat-trick in what was a clinical display. The Gunners created five big chances and finished with an Expected Goals haul of 2.77. It was something of a statement performance after their struggles to create against Chelsea last weekend.
Arsenal are still one of only two unbeaten teams in the Premier League this year.
The Cherries triumph
Bournemouth finally got their first win of the season. They had to work for it too having fallen behind to Burnley after just 11 minutes.
Antoine Semenyo levelled things after 22 minutes with his only shot on target of the match. Philip Billing scored what turned out to be the winner in the 76th minute with his first of the season. It was a remarkable finish from 45 yards out as he hit a driven effort over James Trafford. The Burnley keeper got a hand to it but wasn’t able to palm it to safety.
The win lifts Bournemouth out of the relegation zone by a single point. The defeat means Vincent Kompany’s side are in 19th position, just three points off the bottom.
Manchester remains Blue
Old Trafford played host to the first Manchester derby of the season but it was the visitors who claimed bragging rights with a 3-0 win.
Manchester City were awarded a contentious penalty in the first half after Rasmus Højlund was adjudged to have impeded Rodri. Erling Haaland slotted past André Onana. The powerhouse forward doubled his tally not long after the break, nodding the ball past the United keeper. He then played his part in the third as he teed up Phil Foden.
On another day, it could’ve been an even more emphatic win for Pep Guardiola’s men. They look a completely different team with Rodri in the XI and created seven big chances at Old Trafford on their way to an Expected Goals haul of 3.94.
(Images from IMAGO)
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