Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes inspired a magnificent comeback and scored the winner in a thrilling 3-2 defeat of Nottingham Forest, Arsenal were held at home by Fulham and Everton’s woes continued in the Premier League on Saturday.
West Ham United top the table on goal difference with seven points after a 3-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion to stand ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who maintained their impressive start with a 2-0 victory at Bournemouth, and third-placed Arsenal.
James Ward-Prowse opened the scoring for the Hammers and Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio netted in the second half as West Ham clipped the wings of the Seagulls, who had led the standings after two games with six points.
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United began abysmally against Forest and conceded twice inside the opening five minutes to Steve Cooper’s enterprising outfit.
But captain Fernandes, so often United’s saviour, lifted the mood with an inspirational display and tucked away a penalty after Forest had been reduced to 10 men to seal the points.
We showed great character. We didn’t start the way we wanted but we came back,” the Portuguese said.
“Overall the performance was really good. We stayed patient, knew how to control the ball and that was important to get the three points.”
Forest took the lead with a lightning counter-attack from a United corner after two minutes, Taiwo Awoniyi showing electrifying pace to race from the centre circle and slot a fine finish past home goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Willy Boly was then left unmarked to head in Forest’s second and leave the home fans stunned.
United got the quick response they needed however with Marcus Rashford’s cut back being touched in by Cristian Eriksen.
Casemiro levelled early in the second half from a Fernandes knock down header and Forest had to play the latter stages with 10 men after Joe Worrall was red-carded for hauling down Fernandes outside the area in the 67th minute
Danilo then sent Rashford to the deck with a slight nudge in the 75th minute and Fernandes kept his cool to tuck away the penalty that leaves United sixth on six points.
TERRIBLE START
Arsenal suffered an even worse start than United as they took on Fulham at home.
Andreas Pereira gave the visitors the lead in the opening minute when he seized on a stray pass by Bukayo Saka and then beat out-of-position keeper Aaron Ramsdale from 30 metres.
Saka redeemed himself with a penalty equaliser after the break and within two minutes the fired-up hosts were ahead as substitute Eddie Nketiah fired in.
Fulham were reduced to 10 men in the 83rd when Calvin Bassey cynically fouled Nketiah to prevent a counter-attack but Marco Silva’s side equalised four minutes later when Palhinha’s half-volley found the corner of the net.
Arsenal’s first dropped points of the season left them on seven points, below north London rivals Spurs on goal difference after they impressed on the south coast.
New signing James Maddison was instrumental in Tottenham’s win, the England midfielder scoring his first goal for the club to put them ahead. Dejan Kulusevski sealed the points in the second half for new manager Ange Postecoglou’s side.
“Obviously it’s a really positive result but I thought our performance in general was really encouraging. First half I thought we were really good,” Australian Postecoglou, who has quickly changed the mood at Spurs, told reporters.
“What we’ve embarked on is not going to be easy. We’ve got a hell of a long way to go but if we have the most important people at this football club, the supporters, behind us that’s our way of giving back.”
Everton are rock bottom after a third successive defeat, this time falling 1-0 at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Sasa Kalajdzic scored three minutes from the end to hand Wolves their first win of the season and pile on the misery for the hosts who wasted several good chances.
Brentford remain unbeaten although they were denied victory as Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen cancelled out Kevin Schade’s first-half opener at a rain-soaked Community Stadium.
Darwin Nunez struck two late goals to complete a remarkable turnaround and give ten-man Liverpool a dramatic victory against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
Liverpool were battling against the odds and second best for much of a thrilling encounter, falling behind to Anthony Gordon’s 25th-minute goal after he cashed in on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mistake, then seeing captain Virgil van Dijk sent off for a foul on Alexander Isak three minutes later.
Alisson kept Liverpool in it by miraculously turning Miguel Almiron’s shot on to the woodwork in the first half, the forward also hitting the post after the break, before Uruguay striker Nunez was introduced to stunning effect.
Nunez ran through to rifle a shot past Newcastle keeper Nick Pope with nine minutes left, then took Mohamed Salah’s pass in his stride three minutes into stoppage time before applying an equally emphatic finish to give Liverpool an astonishing win.
Rodri scored a terrific late winner to earn Manchester City victory over battling Sheffield United at Bramall Lane and send the champions top of the Premier League.
Jayden Bogle thought he had earned the Blades a point with a drilled equaliser after 85 minutes, but Spain midfielder Rodri blasted into the top left corner three minutes later to give City the win.
Erling Haaland earlier missed a first-half penalty before heading the opener from Jack Grealish’s cross just after the hour mark.
No Pep, no problem as Manchester City maintain ‘hunger’
The win was Pep Guardiola’s 200th Premier League win as City manager in just his 269th game, the quickest any boss has reached 200 wins in English top-flight history.
Matty Cash scored twice as Aston Villa picked apart Burnley, who remain without a point since their Premier League return.
Villa suffered a 5-1 thumping at Newcastle in their opening game but have recovered in fine fashion with three consecutive victories in all competitions.
Full-back Cash was the unlikely hero at Turf Moor, scoring two fine goals as Unai Emery’s men showcased why they will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
It took just seven minutes for the visitors to prise open the Clarets backline as Ollie Watkins ran through and chipped the ball to the back post for Cash to finish.
The second was a fine team move volleyed in by Poland international Cash following a cutback from summer signing Moussa Diaby, who impressed once again.
But Vincent Kompany’s hosts hit back immediately after the break as Lyle Foster swivelled and struck a calm finish for his first top-flight goal.
Burnley were much improved in the second period and exerted real pressure on Villa, but the visitors scored a brilliant goal on the counter-attack as Diaby rolled home to seal a deserved victory.
