Elliot Anderson’s debut for Manchester City quickly turned heads as he posted statistics that would make any seasoned midfielder proud. In just his fourth start, Anderson completed 143 successful passes—more than the entire Coventry side managed in total (139)—and did so with an impressive 92 percent accuracy. Those numbers are reminiscent of the precision typically associated with City’s own Rodri.
On the pitch, Anderson was a constant presence, touching the ball 178 times and winning every one of his six ground duels. He drew three fouls, covered more distance than any of his teammates, and consistently pushed the ball forward. In a match that also featured the debut of Enzo Fernández and a goal‑rich performance from Erling Haaland, Anderson’s contribution was subtle yet vital.
He delivered 26 line‑breaking passes and 21 entries into the final third, demonstrating that his role goes beyond simply recycling possession; he actively advances the ball into dangerous zones. Paired with Fernández, City’s midfield appears revitalised and ready to contend with any challenge the Premier League throws at them. Across the country, Liverpool’s recent fixture at Ipswich turned out to be a showcase for Cody Gakpo, a player whose future at the club has been the subject of intense speculation. While many fans travelled to see new signing Bradley Barcola, it was Gakpo who stole the limelight.
The Dutch forward, who was once linked with a move to Manchester City and also attracted interest from Tottenham, has now become a pivotal figure for Jurgen Klopp’s side. After an already impressive display on the right wing against Nottingham Forest, Gakpo switched to the opposite flank against Ipswich and provided two elegant assists for Alexander Isak, bringing his assist tally for the Swede to three in just two games. Jamie Carragher summed up the impact succinctly on social media, noting that Barcola will find it hard to secure a place in the starting eleven with Gakpo performing at such a high level.
In hindsight, Liverpool’s most valuable piece of business may not be the £123 million winger they purchased, but rather the talent they retained in Gakpo. Ipswich’s own story was less uplifting, particularly in the goalkeeping department. The club’s recent history suggests a strange curse surrounding the number one shirt.
When the Tractor Boys were promoted, they brought in Arijanet Muric from Burnley, only to endure a season riddled with costly errors. This season, they turned to Belgian keeper Kjell Scherpen, hoping a fresh face would bring stability. Instead, Scherpen’s first‑half performance against Liverpool was disastrous; he was directly responsible for both of Liverpool’s opening goals, each scored by Isak. Goalkeeping mistakes at this level are magnified because the margin for error is razor‑thin—a single lapse can undo an entire tactical plan.
Ipswich must find a reliable custodian quickly, as they cannot afford to fight two battles at once: one against the opposition and another against their own goalkeeper. Turning to Tottenham, the Spurs secured a point but still have not found the back of the net this season.
Despite matching Nottingham Forest’s shot count, they enjoyed three times as many touches inside the opposition box and doubled their expected‑goals figure. Yet key players like Omar Marmoush failed to provide the cutting edge required in the final third, and both Micky van de Ven and Dominic Solanke squandered promising crosses with weak headers. The performance, while a small step forward for Roberto De Zerbi’s rebuilding project, fell short of the standards fans expect after a significant summer investment. In the north, Newcastle’s 88th‑minute winner from Jacob Ramsey kept the team unbeaten under new manager Matthias Jaissle.
The victory was a narrow escape, with Bournemouth left to wonder how they missed out. Jaissle still has work to do, but Ramsey’s decisive strike highlighted his growing importance. The match also featured a promising cameo from recent £51 million signing Matías Fernández‑Pardo. The Belgian international, though new to the Premier League, showed flashes of skill, including a clever shoulder drop to evade pressure in the box, injecting much‑needed energy and directness into the side.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, have turned to James McAtee to fill the void left by Anderson’s departure. At 23, McAtee offers a different skill set: he is more technically adept, comfortable under pressure, and possesses a natural knack for unlocking defences.
While he may lack Anderson’s relentless intensity when the ball is off him, recent performances suggest he is adapting. Against Tottenham, McAtee created five clear chances, completed 91 percent of his passes in the final third, and was involved in the build‑up to a disallowed goal. His modest frame did not hinder him from winning six of eleven duels and timing tactical fouls to disrupt the opposition.
Forest’s manager, Steve Glassner, does not expect McAtee to become a replica of Anderson; instead, he values the fresh perspective McAtee brings while hoping he can handle the tougher aspects of central midfield. Bournemouth’s early season woes have been characterised by a pattern of conceding late goals.
After conceding in stoppage time against Manchester City, Everton, and now Newcastle, the team has dropped five points from three matches. Manager Marco Rose will be frustrated, as his side could have been atop the table had they held on.
Bournemouth made history by scoring the opening goal in each of their first three games, yet failed to secure a win in any of them—a dubious record that mirrors past seasons where early setbacks preceded relegation. The team’s inability to maintain intensity in the final minutes needs urgent attention if they are to convert strong performances into points. In the fantasy realm, Dominic Calvert‑Lewin’s half‑time display for Everton against Leeds United was a source of anguish for many managers.
He had three clear‑cut chances, including a one‑on‑one early on that was ruled out for a marginal offside, a missed header in the build‑up to Leeds’ opener, and a tame finish after rounding the goalkeeper that allowed Lewis Dunk to clear from the line. He finished with an xG of 0.83 but failed to score, prompting criticism from former manager Daniel Farke, who urged Calvert‑Lewin to be more ruthless if he hopes to regain an England call‑up and lift Everton’s fortunes. Brighton’s defensive lineup saw Pascal Struijk sidelined despite being signed to replace Jan Paul Van Hecke.
The centre‑back pairing of Luka Vuskovic and Lewis Dunk delivered a solid performance against Leeds, with Vuskovic scoring the equaliser and Dunk making a crucial goal‑line clearance. Meanwhile, left‑back Olivier Boscagli impressed with his attacking contributions, creating five chances—equal to the entire Leeds starting XI. With such depth, Struijk finds it difficult to break into a well‑functioning backline.
VAR controversies continued to dominate post‑match discussions. Brentford’s Keith Andrews criticised the handling of a penalty, while Sunderland’s Dan Ballard had his goal disallowed after a lengthy review, prompting manager Regis Le Bris to question the hesitation in decision‑making. These incidents underscore the growing impact of technology on the game’s flow and outcomes. Aston Villa’s start to the season has been bleak: one point from three games, no goals, and just one shot on target.
Key players such as Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Ollie Watkins have been absent, leaving Unai Emery with a daunting task. However, the club’s history offers a reminder that early struggles can be reversed. Last season, Villa failed to score in their first five league games and didn’t win until late September, yet they later flirted with a title challenge.
Emery’s recent signings—midfielder Ibrahim Mbaye, forward George Hemmings, and striker Nicolas Jackson—provide options, though none are expected to be prolific goal‑scorers immediately. The manager’s experience in navigating adversity suggests there is still hope for a turnaround.
Finally, the newly appointed managers at Crystal Palace and Fulham experienced contrasting emotions after a dramatic 3‑2 comeback at Craven Cottage. Both Alvaro Arbeola and Pierre Sage entered the match under pressure after losing their opening league fixtures. While Sage celebrated the “petrol” his win injected into the squad, Arbeola lamented missed opportunities in the first half that could have prevented a third consecutive defeat—an outcome that, historically, has often preceded relegation for Palace.
The result highlights the fine margins that define early-season narratives in the Premier League.