- Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United falls short against a dominant Liverpool
- Erling Haaland’s second hat trick propels Manchester City to another win
- Chelsea's inconsistent form continues with a draw against Crystal Palace
The Premier League's third matchweek of the 2024-25 season has already separated the contenders from the pretenders. As we head into the international break, only two teams boast perfect records, while the others as usual grapple with early-season setbacks. The stakes are already high, and in a league as competitive as the Premier League, even the smallest missteps can have lasting consequences.
Arsenal suffered their first setback, with a hard-fought draw against Brighton reminding them that no game in this league is a walkover. Despite a strong start, they’ll need to tighten up if they’re to keep pace with the likes of City and Liverpool. And then there’s Tottenham, who, despite some impressive play, were left frustrated by a resilient Newcastle side.
How the top 6 EPL clubs performed
Here's a breakdown of how the top 6 teams performed:
1. Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool
In a game that saw Manchester United outclassed, Erik ten Hag might rue the late arrival of Manuel Ugarte and Rasmus Højlund’s injury, but there’s little excuse for the team's overall performance.
Without Casemiro, the Red Devils’ midfield crumbled, exposing the inexperience of young Kobbie Mainoo.
Liverpool, under Arne Slot’s guidance, dominated after the first 20 minutes, with Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz shining. The Reds’ midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch were nearly flawless.
2. West Ham 1-3 Manchester City
Despite a few errors, Manchester City continues their flawless start, thanks to Erling Haaland’s second hat trick of the season. With key players like Rodri and Nathan Aké barely featuring, Pep Guardiola’s side remains dominant.
Haaland’s seven goals in three matches set a Premier League record, while Kevin De Bruyne’s form is equally impressive. The upcoming fixtures post-international break will be crucial as City prepare to face Arsenal and Newcastle.
3. Arsenal 1-1 Brighton
Arsenal’s early dominance was halted after Declan Rice received a second yellow card, disrupting their rhythm. Brighton’s aggressive play rattled the Gunners, who struggled to maintain composure.
Despite the controversial decision surrounding Rice’s booking, Arsenal must learn to control their emotions in high-pressure games. With matches against Tottenham and Manchester City looming, Arsenal’s title hopes will be tested.
4. Newcastle United 2-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle edged out Tottenham in a match where both teams missed key players. Spurs’ absence of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, combined with Newcastle’s defensive challenges, led to a game filled with chances but few goals.
Dan Burn and Emil Krafth filled in admirably for Newcastle, while Sandro Tonali’s introduction changed the dynamic. Both teams will look to regroup after the break.
5. Chelsea 1-1 Crystal Palace
Chelsea’s inconsistency continues as they were held to a draw by Crystal Palace. Cole Palmer was creative, crafting five chances, but the Blues only managed one goal through Nicolas Jackson.
Palace’s Eberechi Eze delivered a stunning goal, while Dean Henderson’s heroics in goal earned them a point. Despite some promising individual performances, Chelsea and Palace have work to do.
As the Premier League heads into the international break, Manchester City and Liverpool stand out as the only teams with perfect records. The next few weeks will be crucial for the other top 6 sides as they seek to close the gap and close in on the age-long duo rivals.
English Premier League Matchweek 2 Roundup: How the top 6 teams performed
Previously, TheRadar reported that the second week of Premier League action brought plenty of goals, late drama, and a few unexpected twists. Manchester United’s struggles continued as they faced yet another frustrating loss to Brighton, raising early questions about Erik ten Hag’s ability to fix their ongoing issues.
Arsenal and Liverpool both secured crucial wins that kept their early momentum alive, and Manchester City reminded everyone why they are the defending champions with a commanding performance against Ipswich Town.
