The recent victory over Tottenham marked a turning point for Newcastle United, and the standout performers were Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa. Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher summed up the scene perfectly, declaring that "Elanga and Wissa feel like two brand‑new players" after the Magpies secured their first win of the campaign. Elanga, who had already impressed with a goal in the 2-2 draw against Liverpool, added his second of the season against Spurs, while Wissa celebrated his inaugural goal for the club. Both forwards have finally begun to display the quality that justified their combined £110 million price tag last summer.
Matthias Jaissle, Newcastle’s new head coach, appears to have unlocked something that his predecessor, Eddie Howe, could not. Jaissle’s tactical adjustments and renewed confidence in his squad have allowed the pair to operate with greater freedom and purpose.
In the Tottenham match, Jaissle also gave midfielder Nico González his debut; González’s incisive pass set up Elanga’s opening strike, underlining Jaissle’s willingness to trust younger, less‑experienced players in high‑pressure moments. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after the win was electric.
Despite a season that many pundits had predicted would be riddled with struggles under the new manager, the Newcastle faithful sang chants about European qualification, half‑joking but half‑serious in their optimism. Jaissle’s fresh approach seems to have restored a sense of unity and ambition within the squad, suggesting that a push for a continental spot is now within reach. While Newcastle’s resurgence captured headlines, other Premier League storylines continued to unfold. Manchester City’s rising star Rayan Cherki, often described as the club’s talisman, delivered a dazzling performance at Selhurst Park.
Cherki, who already boasts two goals and two assists this season, showcased his versatility by weaving through Crystal Palace’s defence with a fluid slalom before unleashing a spectacular left‑foot strike from distance. His display prompted debate over the hierarchy of City’s creative midfielders. Traditionally, Kevin De Bruyne has been the chief architect, with Phil Foden playing a supporting role. However, Cherki’s audacious style has forced many to reconsider that order, positioning him as a potential new focal point for the team’s attacking play.
At the recent PFA awards, Bruno Fernandes hinted that Cherki could soon eclipse his own assist record, a claim that seems plausible given Cherki’s early‑season form. If the Frenchman continues to produce moments of brilliance, he could become the league’s premier provider, challenging established names for the coveted assist crown. Further north, Liverpool’s Dutch forward Cody Gakpo has attracted interest from several top clubs, including Tottenham and Manchester City, as the transfer deadline approaches. Despite speculation surrounding the arrival of Bradley Barcola, Gakpo has remained a key figure for Jurgen Iraola’s side, especially during Liverpool’s uneven start to the campaign.
He scored against Newcastle last weekend and, on Saturday, delivered a sublime cross that set up Alexander Isak’s goal. Even when shifted to the opposite flank, Gakpo’s adaptability shone through, providing Liverpool’s most compelling attacking spark in a half‑filled first period. His versatility aligns perfectly with Iraola’s tactical preference for wingers who can operate on either side of the pitch. Should Liverpool receive a substantial offer before the transfer window closes, Gakpo’s continued high‑level performances could persuade suitors to act quickly.
In the south, Bournemouth’s 23‑year‑old midfielder Alex Scott has emerged as the club’s heartbeat. Against Everton, Scott earned an early yellow card for a late tackle but quickly settled the midfield with composure and confidence. He opened the scoring just before halftime, a goal that epitomised his calm under pressure and precise execution. The statistics from that match underscore his influence: 85 touches (the most of any player), 15 defensive actions, 11 kilometres covered, and 11 passes into the final third.
Scott’s all‑round contribution highlights his importance on both ends of the pitch. Bournemouth manager Marco Rose expressed unwavering belief that Scott will remain at the club beyond the upcoming deadline, despite reported interest from Manchester City and Chelsea. With two years left on his contract, the Cherries have made it clear that they are not prepared to sell, hoping to retain the young talent for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, if Scott continues to deliver performances of this caliber, it is only a matter of time before larger clubs intensify their pursuit.
Meanwhile, newly promoted Coventry City entered the Premier League with high hopes after clinching the Championship title. However, after just two games, it is Hull City that has become the standard‑bearer for promoted sides.
Hull, who secured a playoff spot on the final day of last season, have already defeated both Manchester United and Coventry, sitting second in the table with six points from six matches. Their approach against Coventry was particularly instructive: they absorbed pressure, allowed the visitors to dominate possession, and waited for the decisive moment, which came through Liam Millar’s clinical finish. Hull’s manager, Liam Jakirović, has wisely ignored early-season title chatter despite vocal support from his fans.
By focusing on consistency and a pragmatic game plan, Hull has amassed two wins from two, positioning themselves as genuine contenders and giving other newly promoted teams a benchmark to emulate. Overall, the early weeks of the Premier League season have delivered a rich tapestry of narratives: Newcastle’s rejuvenated attacking duo, Manchester City’s emerging playmaker, Liverpool’s versatile forward, Bournemouth’s midfield prodigy, and Hull’s disciplined ascent. As the transfer window draws to a close and teams solidify their squads, the performances highlighted above suggest that the race for European qualification and even the championship will be fiercely contested, with several clubs already demonstrating the quality and depth needed to compete at the highest level.