Late equalisers, rampant hat-tricks and glimpses of greatness – here’s everything you need to know about the weekend of football.
Liverpool Keep Winning Without Impressing
Another three points for Liverpool, another mediocre display. To be five points clear already despite not hitting form is remarkable. Slot left summer signings Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak on the bench, an indication of the strength in depth at his disposal.
Against Everton, Liverpool started imperiously, 2-0 up within half an hour thanks to goals from Gravenberch and Ekitike. However, they allowed Everton back into the game in the second half, setting up for a nervy final few minutes.
Arne Slot’s men aren’t showing the form of a team set to defend their title, but their ability to grind out results despite playing poorly is certainly the characteristic of a league winner.
City Pay The Price for Parking The Bus
This was a new type of tactical set up from Manchester City.
Never before has Pep shown so much respect to an opposition, completely sacrificing the possession-heavy style of play that has brought them so much success; instead opting for a deep defensive line and a reliance on a quick counter.
For 90 minutes, the game plan was working. Arsenal had all of the ball but little to show for it. City remained a threat through the electric pace of Jeremy Doku, who looks set to have his breakout season.
What will frustrate Guardiola the most is that the decisive equaliser came about from a rare City high line. Take nothing away from Martinelli’s smart finish, but if City had stuck to the deep line that had been suffocating Arsenal for 90 minutes, they’d have won the game.
A point each suits Liverpool more than it does Arsenal or City, who already have a mountain to climb to challenge Slot’s men.
Atlético Falter Again
Much has been made about Atlético’s poor start to the season. A spirited second-half performance against Liverpool was reminiscent of the Simeone mindset of old, but any hopes of a revival were dampened by a dreary draw away at Mallorca. A red card for substitute Sorloth compounded the misery. Something needs to change.
Kane Shows his Worth – Again
32 and still at the very top. Harry Kane’s hat-trick against Hoffenheim took his tally to 13 in 7 games for the season. Four games in, it already looks like Bayern’s title to lose.
The true test will come in the Champions League. If Kane truly wants to cement himself in the history books as one of the greatest strikers of all time, he needs European glory.
Roma Win Fiesty Derby
The Stadio Olimpico is one of Europe’s greatest atmospheres, especially on derby day.
It was Roma who came out on top, with Lazio left to rue missed chances and two red cards.
The two city rivals have had contrasting starts to the season – Lazio are lingering in the bottom half of the table with only one win. Roma are up in fourth, one point behind leaders Juventus.
Ferran Torres Steps Up in Yamal’s Absence
Barcelona were once again with star man Lamine Yamal, but were still able to win in dominant style.
Ferran Torres, playing off the left of Lewandowski, was unlucky not to complete a first half hat-trick. Torres has had a disjointed Barca career to date, often struggling to hold down a starting position. But on this showing, he’s given Hansi Flick some difficult decisions.
Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski, Rashford and Torres; Barcelona are stacked across the front three.
Madrid Continue Perfect Start
A similar story for Madrid – another Mbappé goal, another three points. Espanyol sat deep and made Real work hard for the win, but the three points never looked unlikely.
A goal for Mbappé and an assist for Vinícius Júnior; Alonso has got the pair working harmoniously. What a title race it is setting up to be between the El Clásico giants.
Ansu Fati With a Promising Start at Monaco
3 goals in 2 matches is a dream start for Ansu Fati at Monaco. Still only 22, Fati hasn’t yet been able to consistently deliver on the immense potential he displayed at Barcelona when he broke through as a teenager.
Whilst he didn’t start, he came off the bench for the second half and showed Ligue 1 what he is capable of. Monaco will need Fati to continue his goalscoring streak should they seek to compete against the PSG juggernaut.
