🔬 The Debrief after an eventful Saturday afternoon in the Premier League | OneFootball

The Premier League always delivers, and Saturday was no different.

Here’s the low down on the day’s fixtures so far, with Chelsea v Arsenal and Sheffield United v Manchester United still to come.

What happened?

Erling Haaland ended his scoring drought as Manchester City overcame Brighton to get back to winning ways, while Newcastle moved up to fifth with a 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace.

Elsewhere, Luton came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Nottingham Forest, Brentford eased past Burnley, and Bournemouth’s wait for a first win of the season goes on after they lost 2-1 at home to Wolves.

And in the day’s early kick-off, Liverpool beat 10-man Everton in the Merseyside derby.

Player of the Day

Haaland now has nine Premier League goals this season and just behind him in the scoring charts is Mohamed Salah, whose Merseyside derby brace took his tally to seven in 2023/24.

The Egyptian was a threat throughout at Anfield and kept his cool to break the deadlock from the penalty spot, before sealing the victory with a clincher late on.

Salah has now scored 105 goals at Anfield, taking him ahead of Liverpool legends Kenny Dalglish and Steven Gerrard.

Key Detail

Gary O’Neil can be forgiven if he enjoys a wry chuckle to himself on the coach back to Wolverhampton this evening.

O’Neil was sacked at the end of last season despite saving Bournemouth from relegation, with Andoni Iraola brought in to replace him at the Vitality Stadium.

But the Cherries’ 2-1 defeat at home to O’Neil’s Wolves on Saturday was their sixth of the season so far, and they have now dropped 11 points from winning positions this term – the most in the league.

Iraola desperately needs a first win of the season soon, or he could find himself out of the door too.

Stats of the Day

There were not one but four red cards in the Premier League on Saturday, with Everton’s Ashley Young, Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji, Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook and Burnley’s Connor Roberts all sent for early baths.

There have now been 20 red cards in the Premier League this season, just one fewer than in the entirety of last season.

Elsewhere, Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier now leads the way for assists in the Premier League this season with six, notching up his fourth assist in his last four Premier League games for the club.

And Manchester City’s 2-1 win over Brighton was their 21st consecutive Premier League victory at the Etihad Stadium – a new record for consecutive home wins in the competition.

What this means

Champions City are back top of the table but could be leapfrogged by Arsenal in one of the day’s two late kick-offs, while Liverpool are currently second, and Newcastle have entered the top five.

Burnley and Bournemouth remain in the bottom three, but Luton’s comeback at the City Ground means they just are out of the relegation zone.

What they said

Everton manager Sean Dyche on the penalty given against his side: “It’s not a deliberate handball but defenders need to realise, that’s the modern rule. If you have a studio with 47 different views, I don’t know why the referee has to run over and kill the game further while we are stood there like donuts.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on the passing of football legend Sir Bobby Charlton: “I am sorry to the Manchester United family, to his family and England. These types of players and personalities represent English football like no-one else can do it.”

What comes next?

There’s a big London derby in one of the day’s late kick-offs with Chelsea hosting Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, before Manchester United travel to Bramall Lane to face bottom club Sheffield United.

There’s just one match on Sunday, with Aston Villa taking on West Ham, before Tottenham host Fulham on Monday night.