This Past Weekend - Premier League Matchday 7 Recap

The winners and losers of this weekend’s matches.

Manchester United vs. Everton (1-1)

Manchester United endured a frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford as they were held to a draw by the traveling Blues. Anthony Martial found the top corner at the end of the first half, but Andros Townsend leveled the score around the hour mark, finishing a brilliant counterattack. The United offense was stifled in the second half, and failed to find a winner. The Blues continue to creep up the table after a difficult start, and Rafa Benitez will certainly be pleased at grabbing a point in Manchester.

MOTM: Demerai Gray

Photo by 90min

Chelsea vs. Southampton (3-1)

Chelsea grabbed all three points in a game shrouded by VAR controversy. Trevoh Chalobah found the back of the net in the 9th minute before Timo Werner’s goal was disallowed due to a foul in the build up play. James Ward-Prowse scored from the penalty spot in the second half, but was sent off for a challenge on Jorginho shortly after. Werner then scored after a Cesar Azipilicueta cross, and Ben Chilwell added a third shortly before the final whistle. Chelsea march on, picking up valuable points, and continue to be lauded by many as the favorites for the Premier League title.

MOTM: Timo Werner

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Newcastle United (2-1)

Wolves achieved their first home win of the season following a brace by new signing Hee-Chan Hwang, who scored in both halves. Newcastle’s lone goal scored by Jeff Hendrick was not without controversy: Wolves players and staff were furious that a foul was not given on their goalkeeper Jose Sa, but VAR allowed the goal to stand. Raul Jimenez, who is working to find his form again, impressed in the build-up to both Wolves goals, using his strength and vision to find Hwang for both.

MOTM: Hee-Chan Hwang

Photo by AP News

Burnley vs Norwich City (0-0)

Norwich earned their first point of the season following a dull match at Turf Moor. Burnley had four penalty shouts in the first half, none of which were given. It was a tough, physical game, with several yellow cards being dished out, as is the norm with any match Burnley play. While there were chances for both teams, neither seized the opportunity to grab all three points. Both teams will look to improve their form as they are both currently occupying the bottom half of the table.

MOTM: Mathias Normann

Leeds United vs. Watford (1-0)

In a hard-fought victory, Leeds United grabbed their first win of the season through a goal by Diego Llorente. Leeds proved to be extremely dominant in the first half, but their lone goal meant that fans were filled with nerves in the final few minutes. Watford, who had a goal ruled out, were still clearly the worse side, with sloppy possession and build-up. Leeds had several moments to double their lead, but will be happy with the clean sheet going into Matchweek 8.

MOTM: Diego Llorente

Photo by GettyImages

Brighton vs. Arsenal (0-0)

After an incredibly impressive performance against Tottenham last week, Arsenal put in an uninspiring performance against an in-form Brighton team. The game produced 29 shots, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hitting the post, and Shane Duffy coming close to scoring as well. The Arsenal defense have now only conceded one goal in the past four games, and have seemingly found new defensive solidity. Arsenal sit in 9th, and Brighton in 5th heading into the international break.

MOTM: Ben White

Tottenham Hotspur vs. Aston Villa (2-1)

Spurs found their winning ways again with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa. The first goal came through a mistake in the Villa defense that allowed for a quick counterattack finished off by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. Villa almost found an equalizer through McGinn, but went into half-time trailing. Ollie Watkins found the back of the net around the 70th minute mark, but Spurs again took the lead through a brilliant Heung-min Son effort finished off by Lucas Moura. Harry Kane continues his goal draught, having not scored a goal in six games.

MOTM: Heung-min Son

West Ham vs. Brentford (1-2)

Newly promoted Brentford have had an impressive start to life in the Premier League and now sit comfortably in 7th following their away win over West Ham, who have also performed early in the season. Brentford’s opener, scored by Bryan Mbeumo, was cancelled out in the 80th minute by Jarod Bowen following a corner. The Bees came back to strike late, with Yoane Wissa netting in the final minute of the game following a save by the West Ham keeper. This was West Ham’s 7th match in 22 days, and they will look to recover and recuperate during the international break before they travel to Goodison Park to face Everton.

MOTM: Yoane Wissa

Photo by Getty Images

Crystal Palace vs. Leicester City (2-2)

In a entertaining end-to-end match, Crystal Palace managed to fight back having gone two goals down. Kelechi Iheanacho and Jamie Vardy got on the scoresheet in the first half, but Palace managed to fight back and take control after the break. Former Leicester players Michael Olise and Jeffrey Sclupp scored as substitutes to rescue a point for Palace at home. Brendan Rodgers will be disappointed for not having grabbed all three points as Leicester City continue their mediocre form.

MOTM: Kelechi Iheanacho

Liverpool vs. Manchester City

One of the most exciting and highly anticipated games of the season did not disappoint. Both teams demonstrated the highest quality, with ferocious pace throughout the match. After complete domination by City in the first half, Liverpool opened the scoreline first with a Sadio Mane goal created by Mohamed Salah. Phil Foden equalized soon after with a low driven shot past Alisson into the bottom corner, but Salah answered quickly, with an incredible solo effort that could well become the Goal of the Season. Dribbling past four players, he somehow managed to find the back of the net at a tight angle. However, Kevin De Bruyne tied up the game late when his shot from the top of the box was deflected and found its way in. Both managers will likely be content with a point as they battle for the top of the table.

MOTM: Mohamed Salah

Source: Yahoo Images