Matchday 6 in the Premier League threw up several surprise results, with Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United losing on the same day for the first time since 1996. Before the first kick-off on Saturday, it was announced that Graeme Potter was being sacked as head coach of West Ham Utd. Former Nottingham Forest, Wolves, and Spurs manager Nuno Espírito Santo is his replacement. As ever, there were VAR controversies, a Manchester City demolition of a promoted club, and a Manchester United identity crisis. Sports Talk United takes you through the biggest moments of the Premier League weekend.
Man Utd’s Brentford nightmare (again)
The Gtech Community Stadium has been an unhappy place for Manchester United in recent years. They’ve managed to win just a single point there in the last 3 seasons, which has also seen them concede 4 goals on 2 separate occasions (0 – 4 in 2022/23, and 3 – 4 in 2024/25). Travelling fans were optimistic for a change, after their victory at home against Chelsea last week.
That optimism lasted precisely 8 minutes. Jordan Henderson controlled the ball deep in the Brentford half, before launching a looping 50-yard pass into the path of Igor Thiago. With Harry Maguire struggling to chase back, Thiago had the time to control the ball, before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net. It could’ve been a lot worse for Man Utd, who relied on 2 excellent saves from Bayindir to keep them in the game. Then, in the 20th minute, a lovely passing move saw Kevin Schade released down the left-side of the penalty area. He fired a powerful effort on target from a tight angle, which was well saved by Bayindir (again). Sadly for him, his parry fell right at the feet of Thiago 8 yards out, who instinctively poked the ball in the net.
There was a brief moment in the 1st-half where it seemed Man Utd were rallying. In the 26th minute, a cross came in from the left flank, which ‘keeper Kelleher missed as he left his goal. The ball was returned to the head of Benjamin Šeško, but his effort was straight at Kelleher. The ball fell back to the Slovenian, but again, his effort was blocked by the ‘keeper. Again, the ball fell kindly to the striker, and his 3rd effort finally found the back of the net, registering his first goal for his new side. Despite pulling a goal back, the away side weren’t generating any momentum, and failed to create any further chances before half-time.
Into the 2nd-half, and Brentford were causing issues with their direct play again. Bruno Fernandes was perhaps lucky to only receive a yellow card, after a high challenge on Ouattara. Bayindir had to make further saves, to keep his side within touching-distance. Then, the moment of controversy. Former Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo was clean through on goal, and about to finish a cross from the right. Just as he was about to strike the ball, defender Nathan Collins pulled him back, causing the striker to miss his chance. A penalty was awarded, and a yellow card shown to the defender. As he made no genuine attempt to play the ball, many experts and pundits believe that a red card should’ve been shown instead. A VAR check did consider that, but decided a yellow card was the right decision.
After a wait of more than 4 minutes (due to the VAR check and a Brentford substitution), Fernandes finally had the chance to convert the penalty. Instead, he sent a tame effort to the ‘keeper’s left, which was duly saved. Perhaps aggrieved that they weren’t playing against 10 men, the visitors seemed to become frustrated in their build-up, and rarely caused the Brentford defence issues. Then, deep into injury-time, a mistake by Mainoo allowed Brentford to break forward. Jensen took aim from 20 yards, and fired a vicious effort past Bayindir, who probably should’ve done better. It finished 3 – 1, and yet more pressure builds on Ruben Amorim and his hapless Devils.
The immovable object defeats the unstoppable force
Crystal Palace vs Liverpool saw the only 2 remaining undefeated teams this season come face-to-face. Palace’s unbeaten run actually stood at 17 games, which included winning the FA Cup (vs Manchester City) and the FA Community Shield (vs Liverpool).
The first-half saw Palace absolutely dominate the defending champions. They deservedly took the lead in the 9th minute; Ismaila Sarr finishing from close range, after Liverpool failed to clear a corner. They would’ve been 3 or 4 goals up by half-time, had it not been for Alisson in goal. He had to produce excellent saves to prevent efforts from Mitchell, Muñoz, and a 1-on-1 against Mateta, before the latter fired an effort from 20 yards against the post. The champions were reeling, and were fortunate to reach the brea only 1 goal down.
The second-half saw the visitors begin to create more obvious chances. Florian Wirtz shot a difficult chance straight at Dean Henderson from 8 yards. Isak pushed an effort just wide of the post, after a mazy dribble in the box. Salah diverted a Szoboszlai effort over the bar from close range. The pressure finally told in the 87th minute, as Chris Richards’ defensive header fell at the feet of Federico Chiesa, who fired in from 10 yards. The Italian grabbed the ball from the net, and ran back to the centre-circle, with Liverpool eyeing yet another late victory.
Instead, it was Crystal Palace who pushed late-on. Long throws have been something of a theme this season across the Premier League, and their potency showed again. Lerma launched a throw-in from the right, which was only headed up. Will Hughes headed back into the danger area, where Marc Guéhi (whose transfer to Liverpool broke down on deadline day) nodded the ball into the path of substitute Eddie Nketiah. He took a touch, and powered a left-footed finish past Alisson, sending Selhurst Park into raptures.
Palace’s unbeaten run now stands at 18 matches in all competitions. In that sequence, they have played Liverpool 3 times (2 wins, 1 draw), beaten Manchester City, and drawn away at both Arsenal and Chelsea. The fact that they’re currently 3rd in the Premier League is no longer a surprise.
Late bombardment from the Gunners
With Liverpool finally dropping points, Arsenal had the opportunity to recover some ground in the early stages of the title race. Despite struggling in recent visits to St.James Park, Arsenal started the game in control. Eberechi Eze’s left-footed volley from 12 yards was close to opening the scoring, but Nick Pope produced an excellent save. Shortly after, a poor back-pass from Jacob Murphy played Viktor Gyökeres in on goal. Pope charged out, took out the striker, and a penalty was awarded. Despite no complaints from the Newcastle ‘keeper, VAR asked the referee to review at the monitor, where replays showed he got the slightest of touches on the ball. The penalty was overturned, much to the surprise of Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal players, and even Pope himself.
Shortly after, a breakaway from Arsenal, involving some impressive passing, led to Trossard shooting from a difficult angle, with the ball cannoning off the post. Pope then had to save well from efforts by Saka and Eze again, before Newcastle finally created their first big chance. A short corner routine led to Tonali crossing the ball into a dangerous area, and Nick Woltemade powerfully headed home from close range. Arsenal complained about a push on Gabriel in the build-up to the goal, but VAR concluded that it wasn’t strong enough contact to overturn.
In the 2nd-half, the pattern of play was the same, with Arsenal exerting signifiant control, and Newcastle threatening on the break. Pope gave an excellent performance throughout, and his save to deny Timber from close range was perhaps the pick of the bunch. He could do something to prevent Arsenal’s equaliser, coming from another short corner routine. Declan Rice crossing from the left, and Merino’s glancing header found the net via the post.
Shortly after, it was Newcastle who felt aggrieved that they weren’t awarded a penalty, after an Elanga effort hit the hand of Gabriel in the Arsenal box. VAR checked, and ruled that it first hit his foot, before ricocheting onto his hand, so no penalty. The away side pressed for the winner, and found it deep in stoppage time, from yet another set-piece routine. A corner from the right found the head of Gabriel, who beat the advancing Pope to the ball, and glanced the ball into the empty net.
After so many frustrating results away to Newcastle, this victory would’ve been all the more satisfying for the gunners, who close the gap to Liverpool to 2 points.
Premier League MD 6 Results
( ) = Premier League position
- (13) Brentford 3 – 1 Manchester United (14)
- (8) Chelsea 1 – 3 Brighton (10)
- (3) Crystal Palace 2 – 1 Liverpool (1)
- (12) Leeds United 2 – 2 Bournemouth (6)
- (7) Manchester City 5 – 1 Burnley (18)
- (17) Nottingham Forest 0 – 1 Sunderland (5)
- (4) Spurs 1 – 1 Wolves (20)
- (16) Aston Villa 3 – 1 Fulham (11)
- (15) Newcastle 1 – 2 Arsenal (2)
- (9) Everton 1 – 1 West Ham (19)
