Red Devils storm Chelsea: What happened on matchday 5 in the Premier League?

A storm across northern England played havoc with several fixtures on matchday 5 in the Premier League. It perhaps should’ve carried a ‘red alert’, as Manchester United and Chelsea both finished their match at Old Trafford with 10 men. As did Sunderland, who came from behind to draw 1 – 1 with struggling Aston Villa, despite Reinildo being sent off after 32 minutes. It wasn’t just the cards that were red either, with Liverpool winning the merseyside derby. Sports Talk United takes you through the biggest talking points.

Liverpool vs Everton

The Anfield crowd only had to wait 10 minutes before Ryan Gravenberch opened the scoring. He finished a difficult half-volley from 12 yards superbly, following Mohamed Salah’s bouncing ball into the box. 20 minutes later, the Dutchman turned provider, playing an inch-perfect pass into the path of Hugo Ekitike, who fired a low finish into the corner of the net. The French striker has had a brilliant start to his Liverpool career, providing a goal contribution for every 91 minutes played. In such form, it’s more understandable why he’s keeping Isak out of the starting line-up.

Half an hour gone, 2 goals up, and Liverpool were in control. That being said, they’ve already thrown away a 2-goal lead in 3 of their matches this season (vs Bournemouth, Newcastle United, and Atlético Madrid). Everton ended the half strongly, and despite not finding a goal of their own, Anfield sat uneasy during half-time.

It was Liverpool who had the first good chance after the break, with Salah firing at the ‘keeper from 14 yards, following a rapid counter-attack. He was made to rue his miss, as Everton pulled a goal back shortly after. Jack Grealish, who has registered the most assists in the Premier League this season, carried the ball down the left wing brilliantly, before crossing to the back post. His inch-perfect ball found Ndiaye, who laid it into the path of Gueye, who buried his effort from 12 yards. Grealish almost repeated the trick minutes later, again crossing to the back post after excellent work down the wing, but Gueye’s effort was blocked.

Despite the set-back, Liverpool had regular opportunities to extend their lead. The best chance came to Wirtz, following another breathless counter-attack, but a heavy touch in the Everton penalty area allowed Tarkowski to recover in time. As time ticked on, Everton applied more and more pressure, without creating another clear-cut opportunity, and the home side held on to maintain their 100% start to the season.

Wolves vs Leeds United

Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira was given a new 3-year contract this week, despite his side failing to pick up a single point thus far in the Premier League. His side made the best possible start, scoring after only 8 minutes. Some lovely passing between Arokodare and Fer Lopez allowed the latter to clip a ball into the Leeds box. Ladislav Krejčí had made a run from deep, and converted emphatically for the lead.

Despite conceding, Leeds continued pressing from the front, and regularly won the ball in the Wolves half. Speculative efforts from Ampadu and Aaronson served as warnings for the increased momentum building for Leeds. In the 31rd minute, a deep cross from the right by Bogle deflected high into the Wolves box. Dominic Calvert-Lewin adjusted, before powering a brilliant header past the ‘keeper for his first goal for Leeds. That goal seemed to give him a lease of life, and he made a nuisance for the Wolves’ defence throughout.

In the 39th minute, he won a free-kick on the edge of the area, after an excellent break from Leeds. Anton Stach stepped up, and fired a brilliant effort into the top corner of the goal, beating José Sá on his side of the goal. If the home side were hoping to get to half-time and regroup, their hopes were dashed just before the break. Mosquera played a loose pass into midfield, which was intercepted by Stach. He charged forward, before laying a pass into the path of Noah Okafor, who finished from the left of goal.

After the break, Leeds were able to manage the game for long periods. Wolves were allowed to have the ball, but struggled to create many ‘big chances’. Substitute Munetsi had a couple of half-chances; heading over from 10 yards following a corner, and shooting at the ‘keeper from the penalty spot late on. Apart from those, Wolves struggled to get back into the game, and Leeds claimed a precious 3 points at the home of an apparent relegation rival.

Arsenal vs Manchester City

The last match of matchday 5 saw a surprising encounter between these 2 title contenders. It was the visitors who took the lead, following a devastating counter-attack. After a scrappy bit of play in the City half, Haaland was able to find Tijjani Reijnders, who drove forwards. 30 yards from the Arsenal goal, he slipped the ball right for Haaland, who finished beyond Raya for his 13th goal in all competitions in just 8 games.

The reason this match has been described as ‘surprising’ is the tactics used by Pep Guardiola. City registered just 33.2% possession in this fixture; the lowest of Pep Guardiola’s managerial career. After taking the lead, his side were happy to drop deep, rather than press high up, as is their default. The longer the game went on, the more it seemed like the tactic would work, as Arsenal struggled to make any inroads in the City area. With 15 minutes remaining, Haaland was substituted off for Nico Gonzalez, and it appeared that City were happy to sit in a back-5 and see out the game; something almost unheard of in Guardiola’s illustrious career.

For 92 minutes, the plan worked. Then, in the 3rd minute of stoppage time, the first chink in the armour appeared. Eberechi Eze dropped deep, collecting the ball in his own half. Spotting the run of substitute Martinelli, he clipped a ball over the top of the City defence, into the path of the Brazilian. His first touch took him to the edge of the box, and with Donnarumma stranded near the penalty spot, the winger clipped a perfectly-weighted lob over the ‘keeper. As the ball bounced over the line, the Emirates erupted, and Guardiola sank into his seat.