TopNaija’s Premier League Wrap-up: Week 2

Manchester United were the biggest losers of the traditional top 6 sides in this weekend’s premier league games following a slender 2-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium thanks to defensive mishaps in the 12:30 pm clash.

With narratives pointing at a better season for the Red Devils, the visitors got into the banter discussion to mount pressure on Erik ten Hag once more after the Seagulls mounted a charge back to top spot after back to back premier league weekend wins. Goals by Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro, both former Manchester United players doomed the Red Devils to a 2-1 defeat that had Amad Diallo’s goal nothing but a consolation on the day.

For Crystal Palace versus West Ham United, it was a redemption premier league weekend for the Hammers who after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side, returned to winning ways against the Eagles, to doom them to a consecutive weekend of defeats following a 0-2 win at the Selhurst Park thanks to goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen.

Fulham versus Leicester City carried the same redemption narrative as the Cottagers following the sad 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on opening weekend, had to fight their way to a 2-1 win against the newly promoted side who credit to them, mounted some challenge on Fulham before crumbling to their first defeat of the season.

For Manchester City versus Ipswich Town, the Tractor Boys almost created a shocker when they took the lead in the 7th minute through winger Sammie Szmodics. However, the Cityzens woke up from their slumber with Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne combining to put Manchester City ahead in consecutive minutes before half-time for a 3-1 score line that Haaland was happy to finish at full time with a hattrick to improve the goal tally to a 4-1 score line.

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Premier League: How Chelsea mauled Wolves 2-6

The Norwegian became the first player of the weekend to score a hattrick, a feat Chelsea’s Noni Madueke will equal a day later when facing Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Southampton versus Nottingham Forest came with the ill-luck that followed newly promoted sides this week, with the Saints crumbling to Forest in a slender 1-0 defeat thanks to Morgan Gibbs White putting Forest ahead in the 70th minute. The game though, was made famous thanks to a number of yellow cards awarded by the match official.

Tottenham versus Everton gave us another redemption narrative for Spurs and for Heung Min-Son as the North London side returned to winning ways in a 4-0 rout to humiliate the Toffees and Sean Dyche in a consecutive weekend. Everton so far have conceded 7-goals in 2 games, a record that doesn’t look good for a side who has spent the last 3 seasons battling the drop zone.

Spurs courtesy of a brace from Son, Yves Bissouma and Cristian Romero was enough to send the Toffees back to Merseyside. As funny as it is, Tottenham Hotspur versus Everton is the only weekend game without a yellow card for either side.

Aston Villa and Arsenal wrapped up the Saturday affair in a 0-2 win for the Gunners who had to sweat for the victory thanks to goals from Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey.

Sunday continued the Premier League excitement with Bournemouth denied victory against Newcastle United after a late VAR ruling canceled the Cherries’ 90th minute winner. The tie ended in a 1-1 draw for both sides.

Wolverhampton Wanderers versus Chelsea was another tale entirely with the two sides battling an 8-goal thriller in a 2-6 defeat for Wolves. Noni Madueke scored a hattrick from a hattrick of assists by Cole Palmer who also got on the score sheet together with Nicolas Jackson and Joao Felix.

Nicolas Jackson, however created the highlight on the evening after going on Instagram to slam former Chelsea player, Mikel Obi.

Liverpool versus Brentford saw the Reds battle a 2-0 win at Anfield with Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah getting on the score sheet in both halves of the game. Salah now has 128 goal contributions for Liverpool in 128 games.