🔬 The Debrief as Liverpool stay top, Foxes get first win, goals galore

It was another wild Saturday in the Premier League with a total of 24 goals in the six games across the day.

Here is what we made of it all.

What happened?

In the early kick-off, Liverpool ensured they would stay top of the table for the international break with a 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace. Diogo Jota got the only goal in a dominant first-half, and they survived the loss of Alisson and a questionable no-penalty claim against Virgil van Dijk in the second, to continue Arne Slot’s dream start.

The two sides right behind them, and last season’s top two, both had to come from behind for their wins. Andreas Pereira gave Fulham the lead at Manchester City before Mateo Kovačić came up with a rare double to help his side to a 3-2 win in the end.

Arsenal went behind even later to a determined Southampton side, Cameron Archer opening the scoring at the Emirates in the 55th minute. But Kai Havertz quickly levelled things back up with another home goal, and Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka then struck to give Mikel Arteta’s side a 3-1 victory.

Elsewhere, Brentford continued their ridiculous run of early goals, scoring after 75 seconds against Wolves to kickstart a wild first half. The Bees were 4-2 up at half-time, and a goal apiece late on saw them win 5-3 in arguably the game of the season.

West Ham were also in the goals, beating Ipswich 4-1, and earning themselves a first home league win of the season. Leicester had their first win in general, seeing off Bournemouth 1-0 at the King Power Stadium,

In the last game of the day, Everton and Newcastle drew 0-0 in a game that was far more eventful than the score line suggests. The Toffees had a goal ruled out for offside before former player Anthony Gordon missed a penalty for the the visitors, sparking huge celebrations from the Goodison Park faithful.

Newcastle shaded the second half, with Gordon missing another great chance, but Everton held out to make it three games unbeaten.

Player of the day

As mentioned, Arsenal had to battle back to beat Southampton, who became the second promoted side to cause the Gunners trouble at the Emirates after Leicester last weekend.

Right at the heart of their three-goal salvo was Bukayo Saka, who got a pair of assists for Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli, before icing the game with a late strike of his own.

Havertz equalled Robin van Persie’s run of scoring in seven straight games at the Emirates, while Martinelli now has two in two league games, which is a welcome boost given his patchy form last season.

However, Saka went even further, making it seven assists for the season already in seven games, and becoming just the fifth player to reach a hugely impressive milestone by the age of 23 in the post-1992 league era.

In Martin Martin Ødegaard’s absence, it’s clearer by the game that Arsenal’s one-time star boy is fast becoming their main man.

Stat of the day

They can’t keep doing this, can they? Simply incredible from Thomas Frank’s side.

What this means

Liverpool sit one point clear at the top of Manchester City and Arsenal after their sixth win in seven games. Aston Villa and Chelsea could move back to within two points of the leaders with wins on Sunday.

At the bottom, five winless teams became four as Leicester moved away from the relegation zone. They now sit in 15th after seven games, and have been competitive in every single game, even if some fans are not happy with Steve Cooper’s tactics.

Wolves remain rooted to the bottom, on one point alongside Southampton, after their loss at Brentford. The Bees are into ninth, and have barely missed a beat without the departed Ivan Toney, as well the injured Yoane Wissa and Igor Julio.

Speaking of Wolves, their former manager Julen Lopetegui and his West Ham side will hope to have lift-off for the season after their win over Ipswich.

What they said

While Arne Slot was delighted with his side’s win, there were injury concerns, with both Alisson and Alexis Mac Allister going off. The Brazilian keeper is definitely out for a few weeks, but the Argentine midfielder’s situation is less certain.

“What is the exact situation – can he go to Argentina, can he go and play over there? That’s difficult for me to tell you now. His injury is in the groin area.”

Fulham might have got something at the Etihad if Adama Traore had finished one of his gilt-edged chances. Marco Silva accepted he should have scored, but stood by his player.

“Sad moment for him, he is really sad in the dressing room but that is football. We have to look for the reality at what happened this afternoon; it is not easy to create chances like that but he has to take some. We need to keep giving him the trust, belief and love for him to perform in the next game.”

Julen Lopetegui was clearly relived to get a first home win, and delighted for his players and the West Ham fans.

“I’m happy for the fans and the players too because they deserve this. It was a hard match, as all the matches in the Premier League are, but we did very well.”

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil took responsibility for his side’s chaotic 5-3 loss at Brentford, but couldn’t hide his devastation on what he called his “worst game as a coach.”

“It’s the furthest I’ve seen the group from what we wanted to look like. An unbelievably disappointing afternoon for us. Crazy, crazy goals we gave away. We were wide open. There’s a lot to think about and a lot to put right.”

What comes next?

Sunday sees the final three games before the latest international break. At Villa Park, high-flying Aston Villa host struggling Manchester United in a potentially critical game for Erik ten Hag’s Old Trafford future.

Elsewhere, Chelsea will look to continue their form at home against Nottingham Forest, and likewise Tottenham, who travel down south to face Brighton.