After an hour of relentless effort, Arsenal finally achieved something at Stamford Bridge that had eluded them since September—scoring an away goal in the Premier League. Following lackluster performances at Newcastle and Inter, as well as last month's disappointing showing at Bournemouth, Gabriel Martinelli's deft finish brought a sense of relief. However, Mikel Arteta was left frustrated that his team couldn't secure a victory. Despite their expected goals figure being lower than Chelsea's (1.27 to 1.69), the Gunners' performance was marred by Leandro Trossard's costly miss near the end and Kai Havertz's offside would-be opener. Arsenal's dominance in games, especially with Martin Ødegaard back to his best, is almost assured, but their lack of ruthlessness and a true penalty box predator remains a concern.
Liverpool's impressive start to the season, with 28 points from their first 11 games, is their best in 34 years, matching their 2019-20 feat under Jürgen Klopp. Arne Slot, Liverpool's head coach, has not only guided the team to 15 wins in his first 17 matches but has also shown the temperament needed to handle the pressure of a title race. His humility, refusing to take credit for Liverpool's success, is appreciated by the players. The team's resilience, driven by Slot and the lessons learned from last season's late collapse, is evident. "We should have learned from last year," said Virgil van Dijk. "So far, so good."
Brighton's memorable comeback against Manchester City saw João Pedro and Matt O'Riley shine, but it was Carlos Baleba's second-half performance that truly impressed. The Cameroon midfielder's rapid progress under Fabian Hürzeler, following Moisés Caicedo's departure to Chelsea, has not gone unnoticed. Arsenal, Tottenham, and Liverpool are reportedly interested in Baleba, but Brighton's reputation for high transfer fees means any move would be costly. "I just need to work hard and keep a cool head," Baleba said before the City game.
With Rúben Amorim set to take over as Manchester United's new head coach, interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy declined to comment on whether the Portuguese's preferred 3-4-3 formation could be implemented. Van Nistelrooy focused on stabilizing the team and re-establishing their identity during his interim stint. The quality of the players is evident, but consistency remains a work in progress. "There is a foundation in the last four games of strong unity, good spirit," he said.
Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali's impact as substitutes against Nottingham Forest highlighted the value of patience with big-money signings. Both players faced challenges—injuries for Barnes and off-field issues for Tonali—but their talent is undeniable. Eddie Howe praised Barnes, noting his special move of cutting in from the left to score with his right. Tonali, signed to fill the void of a world-class midfielder, showed his potential in closing out the victory against Forest.
Ipswich's landmark win at Spurs showcased the talents of Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap, two of England's most promising young players. Their combined cost of £35m in the summer is already looking like a shrewd investment. Delap's opportunistic goal was his sixth of the season, while Hutchinson's relentless running and near-impossible dispossession were key to Ipswich's success. Despite their battle against relegation, Ipswich's future looks bright with these two players.
Brentford's impressive home form this season, despite losing Ivan Toney to Al-Ahli, is a testament to their attacking prowess. No team has earned more home points (16) or scored more goals (18) than the Bees. Yoane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo are leading the charge, with seven and eight goals respectively. However, Brentford's away form is a concern, with no points from five games. Thomas Frank acknowledges the team's imperfections but is eager to find their attacking swagger on the road.
Wolves' goalkeeper José Sá's dramatic fall, calling for medical attention and forcing a temporary halt to the game, raised questions about the integrity of such tactics. While Sá rested, his deputy, Sam Johnstone, didn't warm up, indicating no real issue. The incident highlighted the need for officials to address these breaks, which slow the game and offer an unfair advantage.
West Ham's summer signings, including Crysencio Summerville, are beginning to show promise. Summerville's quick feet and direct play make him a valuable asset, though questions remain about his decision-making. His performance against Everton, coming closest to scoring, suggests he could become a key player. However, fitting him into a side with Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paquetá remains a challenge.
Harry Wilson's impressive substitute appearances for Fulham, including a goal against Crystal Palace, have raised questions about his starting role. Marco Silva acknowledged Wilson's contributions but noted the competition for places. Fulham's attacking trio of Alex Iwobi, Reiss Nelson, and Emile Smith Rowe is formidable, making it difficult for Wilson to break into the starting lineup. "He is doing the right things," Silva said. "He is competing against very good players."
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