Elliot Anderson’s fourth start for Manchester City proved to be a masterclass in midfield efficiency, with statistics that would make even Rodri proud. In the match against Coventry, Anderson completed 143 passes, out‑doing the entire Coventry side, which managed 139 between them, and did so with a remarkable 92% accuracy. He touched the ball 178 times, won every one of his six ground duels, earned three fouls, and covered more ground than any other City player on the pitch. His contribution went far beyond simply recycling possession; he was the engine that propelled the ball forward, delivering 26 line‑breaking passes and 21 entries into the final third, underscoring his ability to turn defense into attack with precision.
While the headlines were dominated by Enzo Fernandez’s debut and Erling Haaland’s ever‑present goal threat, Anderson’s performance was equally eye‑catching. He cleaned up almost every loose end that City created, demonstrating a blend of composure and aggression that is rare for a player so early in his Premier League career.
Paired with Fernandez, City’s midfield now appears refreshed, more dynamic, and ready to take on any challenge the league can throw at them. Across the country, Liverpool’s fans gathered at Ipswich hoping to witness the arrival of new signing Bradley Barcola. Instead, the spotlight fell on a different player entirely – Cody Gakpo. The Dutch forward, who was the subject of intense transfer speculation involving Manchester City and Tottenham, has become a pivotal figure for Liverpool under Andoni Iraola.
Gakpo’s recent display on the right wing against Nottingham Forest was impressive, but his performance at Ipswich, where he operated from the opposite flank, was even more decisive. He provided two elegant assists for Alexander Isak, marking his third assist for the Swedish striker in as many games.
Jamie Carragher summed up the impact succinctly on social media, noting that Barcola would struggle to find a place in a side featuring this version of Gakpo. The implication is clear: retaining Gakpo may prove to be the defining transfer decision of Iraola’s inaugural season.
Ipswich’s own narrative was less flattering, particularly concerning their goalkeeping situation. Since their promotion, the club has cycled through several custodians, none of whom have managed to provide the stability required at the top level. Arijanet Muric’s tenure was riddled with costly errors, and his successor, Kjell Scherpen, arrived from Union Saint‑Gilloise with hopes of steadying the ship. Unfortunately, Scherpen’s debut against Liverpool was disastrous; he was directly responsible for both first‑half goals, each capitalised on by Isak.
In a league where margins are razor‑thin, a single lapse can erase an entire game plan, and Ipswich now face the dual challenge of improving both outfield play and goalkeeping reliability. Tottenham’s opening Premier League match ended in a goalless draw, despite the team matching Nottingham Forest in shots and surpassing them in expected goals. The lack of a finishing edge was evident, with Omar Marmoush failing to provide the cutting‑edge quality required in the final third, while Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke squandered clear‑cut chances with weak headers.
Roberto De Zerbi’s project may be taking a modest step forward, but the performance fell short of igniting optimism among the supporters, especially after a summer of heavy investment. Newcastle’s 88th‑minute winner from Jacob Ramsey secured another point for the visitors, keeping them unbeaten under new manager Matthias Jaissle. The goal highlighted Ramsey’s growing importance, while recent £51 million signing Matías Fernández‑Pardo made a promising cameo, showing flashes of skill and a willingness to take on defenders. His debut, though marked by a few hard challenges, demonstrated the energy and directness that Jaissle hopes will become a staple of Newcastle’s attacking play.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are looking to replace Elliot Anderson with James McAtee. The 23‑year‑old offers a more technical profile, comfortable under pressure and adept at unlocking defences. Against Tottenham, McAtee created five clear‑cut chances and completed 91% of his passes in the final third, even participating in the move that led to a disallowed goal. While his physical presence is less imposing than Anderson’s, his tactical awareness – evidenced by smart fouls and a respectable duel win rate – suggests he could evolve into a different but equally effective midfield solution for Forest.
Bournemouth’s early season woes continue as they have now failed to hold onto leads in three consecutive matches, conceding late goals that have cost them five points. Marco Rose’s side opened each of their first three games with a goal – a Premier League first – yet none resulted in a win. The pattern of allowing games to slip away in the final minutes is a concern that must be addressed if the Cherries hope to translate their early dominance into points. Fantasy Premier League enthusiasts have been left frustrated by Dominic Calvert‑Lewin’s underwhelming first‑half display against Leeds.
Despite three clear‑cut opportunities, including a one‑on‑one chance and a missed header, Calvert‑Lewin failed to find the net, finishing with an xG of 0.83 but no goals. The lack of clinical finishing has raised questions about his form and his prospects for an England call‑up, even though he has shown resilience in other matches. Brighton’s defensive options have been limited, with Pascal Struijk unable to break into a back line anchored by Luka Vuskovic and Lewis Dunk.
Vuskovic’s goal against Leeds highlighted his Bundesliga pedigree, while Dunk’s defensive heroics, including a crucial goal‑line clearance against Calvert‑Lewin, earned him man‑of‑the‑match honors. Meanwhile, Olivier Boscagli’s performance at left‑back, delivering five chances with his left foot, underscored the depth of talent already available to the Seagulls. The VAR debate resurfaced after Brentford’s match, where Keane Lewis‑Potter’s blatant fouls went unpunished, prompting criticism from both Brentford’s Keith Andrews and Sunderland’s Regis Le Bris. The delay in overturning a goal and the apparent hesitancy of officials have reignited calls for clearer guidelines and faster decision‑making.
Aston Villa’s start to the season has been dismal, with just one point from three games and a worrying lack of goals. Yet history shows that early-season slumps can be overturned, as the club did last season after a slow start.
Manager Unai Emery, now celebrating his 200th game, remains confident, pointing to the potential of new signings like Ibrahim Mbaye, George Hemmings, and Nicolas Jackson, even if immediate goal‑scoring returns are not yet evident. Finally, Crystal Palace’s new manager Pierre Sage celebrated a morale‑boosting 3‑2 victory over Fulham, describing the win as “petrol” for his squad. The result halted a potential run of three straight defeats, a scenario that has historically preceded relegation for the Eagles. The contrasting emotions between Sage and Fulham’s Alvaro Arbeola, who will rue missed opportunities, highlight the fine margins that define early‑season narratives in the Premier League.