🔬 The Debrief as Chelsea win big, Bournemouth complain and Slot delivers | OneFootball

On the second Sunday of the Premier League season there was plenty of drama to enjoy.

Let’s take a look at what went on.

What happened?

A 6-2 win for Chelsea was all thanks to a stunning second half performance and a 17-minute hat-trick for Noni Madueke, as Wolves had matched the Blues and gone in at half-time with the scores locked at 2-2.

Newcastle ended up with a 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth, but were lucky not to lose as a controversial VAR decision ruled out a late Dango Ouattara goal for handball for the home side.

And a controlled win for Liverpool over Brentford at Anfield kept Arne Slot’s 100% record intact, as Luis Díaz and Mohamed Salah both got themselves on the scoresheet.

Player of the day

It’s been a top week for Chelsea’s Cole Palmer.

Winning the PFA Young Player of the Year Award was just the start of it as he wowed the Chelsea supporters once again with a sublime chipped finish at the end of the first half against Wolves.

The second half saw him turn from scorer to provider as he assisted all three of Madueke’s goals, emphasising just how important he is to the side.

Palmer has been directly involved in 25 league goals (15 scored and ten assisted) in 2024, more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues.

Futhermore, since the start of last season, he has scored 14 goals that have given Chelsea the lead, more than any other player in this time.

And he’s only 22. Cold indeed.

Stat of the day

Aside from Palmer’s brilliance, this stat could make you think that Chelsea used up all their luck for the season in one game.

Six goals scored from expected goals tally of 1.56 could either mean they created from nothing and were exceptionally clinical, or simply that everything went in on the day.

Wolves fans will be scratching their head at the scoreline, especially since they had one goal disallowed and another hit the woodwork in an opening 45 minutes when they played very well.

Chelsea are at home to Crystal Palace next in the Premier League, and that might be the next opportunity to find out whether this result was a fluke…or not.

What this means

Chelsea have recorded their first win under new boss Enzo Maresca after their defeat at the hands of Manchester City on the opening day of the season.

Wolves are one of five teams yet to score a point in 2024/25, while Bournemouth feel aggrieved to have only two total points on the board.

And Liverpool are one of only four sides – along with Manchester City, Arsenal, and Brighton – to have taken maximum points from their opening two matches.

What they said

When asked about team-mate Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke  replied “He is cold and I am fire, so… it mixes well! He has always got the ability to play the right pass at the right time.”

Meanwhile Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca was quick to point out the difference between the two halves of the game. “I thought the intention in the first half was good,” the Italian revealed.”But we lost four or five easy balls from set-pieces and counter attacks.”

Bournemouth were furious that their stoppage time goal was ruled out for handball. “It was obviously three points for us,” fumed Andoni Iraola. ““It’s the most frustrated I’ve been on a touchline.”

What comes next?

There’s no midweek Premier League action, so it’s a case of waiting until next weekend for more. The pick of the bunch is Manchester United’s home clash with Liverpool on Sunday September 1st.