- Manchester United's late collapse vs. Brighton exposes defensive problem
- Chelsea displays attacking masterclass, but defensive worries remain
- Erling Haaland’s hat-trick powers Man City past Ipswich
The second week of Premier League action brought plenty of goals, late drama, and a few unexpected twists. Manchester United’s struggles continued as they faced yet another frustrating loss to Brighton, raising early questions about Erik ten Hag’s ability to fix their ongoing issues.
Meanwhile, Tottenham bounced back from a disappointing opening game with a dominant win over Everton, while Chelsea’s attacking prowess shone in their victory over Wolves, though defensive concerns linger.
Arsenal and Liverpool both secured crucial wins that kept their early momentum alive, and Manchester City reminded everyone why they are the defending champions with a commanding performance against Ipswich Town.
Below is a summary of the weekend’s key games.
Manchester United vs. Brighton (1-2)
Manchester United’s inconsistent start to the season continued as they suffered a late defeat to Brighton. Trailing at halftime to a goal from former United academy player Danny Welbeck, the Reds believed they had equalized through Marcus Rashford, only for VAR to disallow the goal. Amad did eventually level the score with a deflected effort, but Alejandro Garnacho's strike was controversially ruled out for offside after Joshua Zirkzee’s touch.
Just as United seemed poised to salvage a point, Joao Pedro struck in the 95th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to snatch the win for Brighton. Erik ten Hag, visibly frustrated, faces growing pressure with a tough fixture against Liverpool next.
Tottenham vs. Everton (4-0)
Tottenham bounced back in style, demolishing Everton 4-0 with a performance of clinical efficiency. Jordan Pickford’s costly error gifted Son Heung-min his second goal, while Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero also found the net.
Everton’s defence, already weakened by injuries, crumbled under Spurs’ relentless pressure, leaving manager Sean Dyche with much to ponder ahead of a crucial match against Bournemouth.
Chelsea vs. Wolves (6-2)
Chelsea’s attack fired on all cylinders as they crushed Wolves 6-2, with Noni Madueke stealing the show with a hat trick. The Blues' possession-based approach allowed them to dominate, but defensive frailties were still evident, as Wolves created several chances.
Enzo Maresca’s side, while ruthless upfront, must tighten up at the back, especially with a challenging run of fixtures ahead.
Arsenal vs. Aston Villa (2-0)
Arsenal secured a hard-fought 2-0 win at Aston Villa, though it was far from comfortable. Goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey were enough to seal the victory, but the Gunners had David Raya and William Saliba to thank for crucial defensive interventions.
Mikel Arteta’s side, who were let off by Ollie Watkins' missed chances, must improve ahead of tougher tests against Tottenham and Manchester City.
Liverpool vs. Brentford (2-0)
Liverpool continued their strong start under new manager Arne Slot, defeating Brentford 2-0 at Anfield. Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah were on target as the Reds controlled the game, with Brentford struggling to create clear chances in the absence of Ivan Toney.
Slot’s tactical brilliance is already evident, as Liverpool looks increasingly solid and more composed game after game.
Manchester City vs. Ipswich Town (4-1)
Manchester City recovered from an early shock to dispatch Ipswich Town 4-1, with Erling Haaland bagging a hat-trick. The visitors stunned the champions with an early goal, but City quickly turned the game around, capitalizing on defensive errors. Despite the win, Pep Guardiola’s side will be mindful of the vulnerabilities exposed by the newly-promoted side.
Matchweek 2 highlighted the fine margins that can define a season. As some teams start to find their rhythm, others are already under pressure to deliver.
With important matches coming up, the Premier League is set to bring even more excitement to fans in the coming weeks.
Match week 1 review: Arsenal leads Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea, others in standings
Previously, TheRadar reported that Match Week 1 saw champions Manchester City picking up where they left off with a commanding victory over a disjointed Chelsea side.
Arsenal and Liverpool both kicked off their campaigns with wins, showcasing early signs of title ambition, while Manchester United left it late to secure all three points against a stubborn Fulham.
However, it was Leicester City's return to the top flight that stole the show, as Jamie Vardy once again played the villain at Tottenham’s expense.
