Hull City executed a game plan built around a robust five‑man defence that proved too physical for the likes of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Their wing‑backs, Lewie Coyle and Ryan Giles, consistently supplied target man Oli McBurnie, who thrived on the service. The match was less about intricate tactics from Sergej Jakirović and more about sheer determination and spirit. Hull won nearly two‑thirds of the ground battles and aerial duels before the interval, a direct reflection of the intensity, energy and belief they displayed – qualities that United simply failed to match.
It was perhaps inevitable that the Tigers would come out fired up after a season of promotion, yet Michael Carrick's side appeared oblivious to the challenge. Basic defensive responsibilities were neglected, leaving them vulnerable and ultimately punished. A clip of McBurnie weaving past a motionless Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans is already circulating online, perfectly encapsulating Hull's dominance on Humberside.
Critics may point to a lack of technical quality in United's ranks, but without the hunger and willingness to execute fundamental tasks, any talent would have struggled. In a separate story, Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi recently spoke about building "the team of my dreams" after securing Premier League survival last season. The new campaign, however, began in a nightmare.
In a 3‑0 loss to Brentford, Spurs resembled the side that fought relegation battles just a year ago. Despite splashing more than £230 million on new signings and fielding five debutants at the Gtech Community Stadium, the performance was far from transformative. The issue was not the skill level of the players on the pitch but a recurring mental deficit. De Zerbi admitted, "We were not ready to fight.
The first XI could compete, but the attitude was missing." New faces, a fresh captain, and a revamped back‑line could not mask the familiar problem that plagued Spurs last season. Statistics from that Saturday underline the issue: striker Richarlison won only two of eight duels, while new centre‑back Jan Paul van Hecke succeeded in just two of seven. Throughout the first half, Tottenham were out‑muscled, consistently second to the ball and overwhelmed by Brentford's relentless intensity. The second Brentford goal highlighted this disparity.
More signings are likely before the transfer window shuts, but unless De Zerbi can fundamentally change his squad's mindset, his lofty ambitions for Spurs will remain out of reach. Meanwhile, Everton enjoyed a convincing victory over Crystal Palace, a performance that showcased the maturation of a side under the shrewd guidance of David Moyes.
Moyes opted for the second‑youngest lineup of his second spell at Goodison Park, prompting questions about the experience in midfield. Yet young midfielder Harrison Armstrong and recent acquisition Hayden Hackney blended seamlessly, displaying confidence on the Premier League stage. Veteran Kiernan Dewsbury‑Hall delivered a superb opening goal, setting the tempo, while under‑the‑radar Iliman Ndiaye contributed significantly, tallying more Premier League goal involvements for Everton than any teammate since his debut in the 2024‑25 season (15 goals, 4 assists).
Everton have made considerable progress since Moyes' return, and with a few strategic signings—such as a right‑back before the window closes and potential talks of re‑uniting with Jack Grealish—the club could push higher up the table. Optimism is justified for the Merseyside side. Turning north, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is determined to eliminate any notion of anything beyond survival this season, yet his team started the campaign in a manner reminiscent of the previous year’s finish.
Only Arsenal have accumulated more points since early April than Leeds, who have suffered just one defeat in their last ten matches, underscoring their resilience. Their recent win over Nottingham Forest highlighted defensive solidity.
The back five that rescued them last season remains effective: the three‑centre‑back trio of Jaka Bijol, Joe Rodon and Tarik Muharemović combined for 18 clearances, while full‑backs James Justin and Anton Stach together won 21 duels. This defensive foundation secured Leeds their first clean sheet of the season—a notable improvement, considering they waited until New Year’s Day for a road shutout last term.
The question now is how far this disciplined unit can climb beyond the 14th‑place finish of last season. Arsenal, on the other hand, appear to have maximised their transfer window. New signing Christos Tzolis lit up the left wing, delivering two shots and creating two chances within four minutes after a sluggish start. He was directly involved in both goals: winning the ball high up the pitch for the first and crossing for Bukayo Saka’s second.
Midfielder Martin Ødegaard, who impressed in the Community Shield, continued his fine form by scoring his first league goal of the season, matching his tally from a campaign in which he missed 30 matches across all competitions. Saka praised Ødegaard, stating, "When he plays better, the team’s a lot better.
So we’re happy to have him at this level." Remarkably, this was only the second occasion since December 2024 that Saka, Ødegaard and Kai Havertz started together, and all three found the net against Coventry. Their synergy resembles that of fresh signings, and with three open‑play goals, Arsenal look like a rejuvenated side. In the East Anglian region, Ipswich Town’s new manager Gary O'Neil has already secured a significant early victory, easing the transition from former boss Kieran McKenna, who guided the club from League One to the Premier League and forged a distinct identity. O'Neil’s side displayed flashes of authority, aggressive pressing without the ball, and a willingness to commit bodies forward.
When Sunderland threatened to seize momentum, Ipswich responded with character and composure. While comparisons with McKenna are inevitable, the quickest way to silence doubters is through results, and Ipswich have delivered. Lastly, Nottingham Forest’s Brazilian forward Igor Jesus missed two golden opportunities against Leeds, yet his overall performance was promising.
He was central to Forest’s positive moments, winning 11 duels—seven more than opponent Dominic Calvert‑Lewin and four more than Forest’s other starting forwards. Manager Oliver Glasner has previously elevated Jean‑Philippe Mateta at Crystal Palace, and early signs suggest Jesus could develop into a key player for both club and country.
Strikers are ultimately judged on goals, but Jesus’s work rate, ability to create chances and positional sense indicate a bright future; dismissing him now would be premature.