Thanks to the midweek round of EFL Cup action, matchweek 5 finished on Sunday. Chelsea and Liverpool still can’t be separated, same old story for Manchester United on the road, while Norwich are set for a long and tough season. Let’s dissect the action from matchweek 5, which began on Friday.
Matchweek 5 Roundup
Brentford continue fine start, Champions drop points
On Friday, Newcastle and Leeds played a 1-1 draw, leaving both clubs still in search of their first win. Saturday began with Brentford picking up an impressive 2-0 win away at Wolves. Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo were on target in the first half as the Bees secured their first away win the Premier League. Arsenal won for the first time away from home at Burnley, thanks to Martin Ødegaard’s goal and a controversial VAR decision. Successive wins for Mikel Arteta have lifted his team up to 13th, ideal preparation perhaps for the north London derby.
At the Etihad, things were far from ideal as a below par Manchester City failed to break down a resolute Southampton side. There were two huge VAR decisions, first overturning Southampton’s penalty and Kyle Walker’s red card, then disallowing Raheem Sterling’s 90th minute goal. It’s four successive draws for the Saints since their opening day defeat, but Man City are three points behind Liverpool, who won 3-0 against Crystal Palace.
Sadio Mané made history by scoring in his ninth successive appearance against Palace. Further goals from Mo Salah and Naby Keita inflicted a harsh defeat on Patrick Vieira. Norwich City lost again, this time at home to fellow newly promoted Watford. Five in five for the Canaries now, who sit bottom of the table and are the only side yet to pick up a point. In Saturday’s late game, Aston Villa ended Rafa Benítez’s unbeaten start as Everton boss with a 3-0 win.
Brighton surge into the top four, Chelsea win at Spurs
On Sunday, Brighton recorded a 2-1 win at home to Leicester City. It’s four wins out of five for the Seagulls, and they are just one point off the top in fourth place. It’s been a tough start for Brendan Rodgers, his team sit in 12th place having already suffered three defeats. At the London Stadium, West Ham’s unbeaten start was halted by Man United.
In a script familiar from last season, the Red Devils went behind in the first half. But they responded in kind, and You Know Who got the equalizer for them. All the drama was saved till the end as Jesse Lingard scored in the 89th minute, opting not to celebrate against his former club. Then in stoppage time, West Ham were awarded a penalty after VAR consultation. David Moyes sent Mark Noble on to take the penalty, but his penalty was saved by David De Gea. United continued their unbeaten start and joined Liverpool and Chelsea on top.
The Blues rounded the weekend with a convincing 3-0 rout of Tottenham. After paying tribute to late Jimmy Greaves, Thomas Tuchel’s men got down to business with a second half masterclass. Goals from Thiago Silva, N’Golo Kanté and Antonio Rudiger compounded Nuno Espírito Santo’s misery. Spurs sent thrashing down to seventh, while Chelsea surged to the top.