Arsenal remain top of the Premier League having recorded four wins from four earlier in the season but this weekend belonged to others.
Liverpool shook off early-season rust, Erling Haaland’s hat-trick helped Manchester City come from behind (again) and Manchester United’s revival continued at Southampton.
Here the PA News Agency picks five things we learned this weekend.
crisis over
Losing to Manchester United on Monday night seemed unthinkable for Liverpool, but when it did come Jurgen Klopp’s side left it three games without a win and already worryingly off the pace. They could hardly have had a better opponent this weekend given their history against Bournemouth, but those already impressive records were shattered in a 9-0 defeat that ended any talk of a crisis at Anfield. The only surprise was Mo Salah not registering a goal or an assist – had the Egyptian brought his shooting shoes Liverpool would certainly have been in double figures.
Size doesn’t matter
When Manchester United spent just under £50m – excluding add-ons – to sign Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, many questioned the wisdom of attempting a 5ft 9 in the middle half in the Premier League. But after a rough introduction, Martinez now shows why Eric ten Hag brought him from the Eredivisie. He won every tie against Southampton, left his mark on more than one Saints player and, alongside Raphael Varane, showed why Harry Maguire might have to adjust to a place on the bench.
Bernardo shows his worth
Pep Guardiola had left the door open for Bernardo Silva in midweek to leave Manchester City this week if the right offer arrived. He closed them on Friday – insisting the Portugal international was not going anywhere. And on Saturday afternoon it became clear why. Haaland made the headlines when his first Etihad goals came in a spate – three in 20 minutes – but it was Bernardo who led the way as he pulled City back from 2-0 to lead Crystal Palace 4-2 hit, and scored the first goal early in the second half, then drove City forward with the relentless running that has made him such an important part of Guardiola’s squad.
villa dissatisfaction
There were boos at Sunday’s final whistle as Aston Villa lost 1-0 at home to West Ham, who had traveled to the West Midlands to start the season without a win. The offensive panache spurred by the arrival of Philippe Coutinho mid last season has faded and Villa have lost three of their first four games this season, nine of their last 15 in the Premier League. With Arsenal soaring and holders Manchester City next, things could get worse before they get better.
gross income
The loss of Neal Maupay to Everton has highlighted Brighton’s need for attacking reinforcements, but only on paper. All is well on the pitch for Graham Potter’s side, unbeaten in the top flight in the last nine and just two points adrift of the top after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leeds. Pascal Gross, who scored twice at Manchester United in the opening weekend, was on the mend again and has now scored more goals in his first four games this season than all of last season. “Pascal is probably playing at his career level,” Potter said. “Certainly his level since I’ve been working with him.”
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