The Premier League served up drama, shocks and statement wins across Matchweek 4, with Manchester City edging the Manchester derby, Brighton putting five past Coventry, and newly-promoted Hull extending their unbeaten start at Stamford Bridge.
Haaland settles derby as City hold on with 10
It was tight, tense, and controversial at Old Trafford. Manchester City left with all three points after a 1-0 win over Manchester United, but the talking point came after the final whistle.
Erling Haaland’s second-half strike proved the difference, but ex-Premier League referee on talkSPORT claimed it “shouldn’t have counted” as Michael Carrick fumed on the touchline. City were down to 10 men for more than an hour, yet they absorbed United pressure and hit on the break to move level on points at the top.
Carrick’s side will feel hard done by. United had the extra man and the crowd behind them, but lacked the cutting edge. For City, it’s a fourth win in a row in all competitions and another derby bragging right to take back to the Etihad.
Brighton smash Coventry as Seagulls find their rhythm
If City won ugly, Brighton won beautifully. The Seagulls travelled to the Coventry Building Society Arena and left with a 5-0 demolition.
It was 1-0 at half-time before Brighton poured in four more after the break. The result piles more misery on Coventry, who were also beaten 1-0 by City earlier this month, and sends a message that Fabian Hurzeler’s side are ready to push for Europe again. e94d1e55
Saturday stalemates: Liverpool and Chelsea drop points
Saturday was a day for frustration at the top.
Liverpool’s stuttering start continued with a flat 0-0 draw at home to Fulham. It’s now three draws from four for Andoni Iraola’s Reds, and despite a Champions League win over Atletico in midweek, Anfield is still waiting for the league attack to click. “Collectively, we didn’t play well,” Alisson admitted afterwards.
Chelsea also couldn’t find a winner. Xabi Alonso’s side went ahead early through Morgan Rogers, but Hull hit back through two Mohamed Belloumi goals. Joao Pedro’s 66th-minute equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw, but it leaves Chelsea with seven points and Hull sitting third with eight. Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic called it “a huge result”, and on this form, relegation talk looks premature.
Forest, Ipswich and Arsenal keep momentum
Nottingham Forest picked up their first win under Oliver Glasner, coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park. Liam Delap opened the scoring, Alysson equalised for Villa’s first league goal of the season, but Igor Jesus grabbed an 88th-minute winner. Villa are now in the relegation zone after three straight home defeats.
Promoted Ipswich also celebrated, edging a thriller 3-2 at 10-man Crystal Palace. It’s their second win of the season and leaves Palace still searching.
Arsenal kept their 100% start intact with a professional 2-0 win away at Sunderland, with Bruno Guimaraes opening the scoring. Tottenham and Everton played out a goalless draw, while Bournemouth and Brentford shared four goals in a 2-2. aa9a
What it means
After four games, Arsenal and City sit joint top, with Hull surprisingly in the mix. Liverpool’s slow start under Iraola is the big story, while United’s derby loss piles pressure on Carrick.
The week wraps up Monday with Newcastle hosting Leeds in a talkSPORT exclusive.
With 18 goals across seven Saturday and Sunday games, Matchweek 4 reminded us why the Premier League rarely does boring. Next weekend can’t come soon enough.
