The Premier League served as a reality check to many teams this week. As the League gets closer and closer to the World Cup break that will split the season in two, the pace in which games are played is speeding up. Many teams were able to fight off early deficits to gain three points, while some teams struggled to turn around their form and suffered tough results. Without further ado, here is the roundup of every English Premier League match in Matchweek 9.
Arsenal 3-2 Liverpool
The headline match of the weekend found top of the table Arsenal hosting an inconsistent Liverpool, and the Gunners were able to do just enough to keep themselves in pole position in the title race. Gabriel Martinelli immediately put Arsenal in front as he scored in the first minute of play from close distance. Liverpool found a response around the half-hour mark, as striker Darwin Nunez found the net off of a cross from Luis Diaz, marking the first time he had scored since the first PL game of Liverpool’s season. Arsenal put the lead back in their hands with a beautiful counter attacking goal finished by Bukayo Saka right before halftime, but Liverpool equalized again through Roberto Firmino. Later in the second half, however, Liverpool allowed Arsenal to get the lead again, as Bukayo Saka scored his second of the day from the penalty spot, and it would prove to be the winner. Arsenal’s win keeps them at the top of the table for yet another week, and they have not dropped a point at home. For Liverpool, they are stuck in the middle of the PL standings, and still have yet to win a game away from home in the league all season. A season that was meant to build off of a second place finish in the league last year looks to be going awry, as manager Jurgen Klopp remarked after the match: “We are not in the title race.”
Manchester City 4-0 Southampton
Manchester City took care of business in their game against a struggling Southampton this weekend, as they scored twice in each half to win their 4th consecutive game. Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez scored the first three for City before striker Erling Haaland netted his 15th PL goal of the season, and his 10th goal in the last six games in all competitions. He and Manchester City continue to go on a tear, as Southampton lost their fourth straight game, meaning they sit just above the relegation zone. Their manager Ralph Hassenhuttl now finds himself on the hot seat.
Chelsea 3-0 Wolves
Graham Potter continued his success so far as Chelsea manager, as the Blues swiftly put away their visitors. Kai Havertz found the net first, and American Christian Pulisic scored his first for the club this season. Armando Broja also scored his first goal for Chelsea late, keeping the Blues firmly in 4th place, while Wolves remain in the relegation zone and without a manager.
Bournemouth 2-1 Leicester
The Cherries found a way to come back from behind to beat Leicester, as Phillip Billing and Ryan Christie scored three minutes apart in the second half to hand Leicester their seventh loss of the season. Bournemouth stayed unbeaten under interim manager Gary O’Neil, and they now sit a surprising 8th in the table. For Leicester, they lose after having a lead for the fourth time this season, and that means they will spend time in the relegation zone for yet another week.
Everton 1-2 Manchester United
Man United rebounded from a poor performance in the Manchester Derby last weekend, as they came from behind at Goodison Park to beat the Toffees. Everton did go in front early via a curling effort from Alex Iwobi, but United’s Anthony provided the equalizer before Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 700th club goal in his career, and his first in the PL this season. That winning goal kept United in 5th place, while Everton’s seven-game unbeaten run came to a close.
Newcastle 5-1 Brentford
Everything that could’ve gone wrong for the Bees went wrong when they went up north to face Newcastle on Saturday. The Magpies scored five on Brentford that included a brace from midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and a late own goal by Brentford’s Ethan Pinnock. Ivan Toney did score a penalty, but it did little to waver Newcastle’s confidence, as the Magpies now have dominant back-to-back wins after going without a victory since opening day.
Brighton 0-1 Tottenham
A Harry Kane goal was all Spurs needed to put away a Brighton side who has been impressive thus far this season. He scored a header off of a pass from star teammate Son-Heung Min, as Spurs remained in third place with the victory. Brighton was shut out for only the second time this season, but still sit comfortably in seventh place after the loss.
West Ham 3-1 Fulham
West Ham won at home against visitors Fulham, as they staved off an early deficit to win comfortably. West Ham’s Jarrad Bowen canceled out Andreas Periera’s opener for Fulham with a penalty, while Gianluca Scamacca scored to give the hosts the lead and Micheal Antonio put the icing on the cake for the Hammers late on. After a nervy start to the season, West Ham now boast back to back wins and will hope to build off of that when they travel to Southampton.
Crystal Palace 2-1 Leeds United
The Eagles were yet another team to stave off an early deficit this weekend, as they came back from a goal down to get an important three points. Pascal Strujik scored the opener for Leeds off of a rebound, but Palace responded with a header by Odsonne Édouard in the first half and a goal from Eberechi Eze in the second. Palace and Leeds now find themselves at nine points a piece in the League, but still sit uncomfortably in the bottom half of the table.
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa
Forest and Villa capped off the weekend’s fixtures with a grinding, tense battle at the City ground that saw each side take a point from the match. Forest opened the scoring in the first quarter of an hour through a set piece header from Emmanuel Dennis, which was his first for the club. Aston Villa found the equalizer from 37-year-old Ashley Young, which was enough for them to get through their 4th game unbeaten. On the other hand, Forest did enough to leapfrog Leicester in the table, but they still sit second to last going into week 10.