Full speed ahead. For the first time this season, the Premier League has surpassed the milestone of 30 goals in a single matchweek, and long may it continue.
The biggest contribution to the tally came from Newcastle United’s thrilling 3-3 draw with Manchester City, undoubtedly the game of the season so far. Elsewhere, Arsenal triumphed at Bournemouth to remain the only team in the league with a 100% record, whilst Leeds United demolished a sorry Chelsea side and new boys Nottingham Forest claimed another impressive result in a 1-1 away draw with Everton.
Ten games, five star performers; let’s get into it.
Stars of the Week – Matchweek 3
Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson (Nottingham Forest)
After their maiden victory back in the top flight last week, Nottingham Forest went unbeaten for a second week in a row with a battling 1-1 draw on the road against Everton.
Once again, the performance of Forest’s keeper Dean Henderson was central to his team’s success. A smart save from Demarai Gray’s free kick helped Forest to make it to half time unbreached, and Henderson was even busier after the break, parrying away a fierce shot from Anthony Gordon. Although some poor Forest defending in the latter stages cost Henderson his clean sheet, the England goalkeeper did make one more crucial save from Gordon to ensure that his side escaped with a point.
All in all, Henderson made seven saves, and features as our standout goalkeeper for the second week in a row.
Defender: William Saliba (Arsenal)
Great players don’t crumble after a mistake; instead, they come back stronger.
For Arsenal’s new centre-back William Saliba, this was exactly the case, as he brushed off an unfortunate own goal from last week by turning in a Rolls-Royce of performance in the Gunners’ victory at Bournemouth.
The young Frenchman played his part in his team’s irrepressible dominance throughout the match, remarkably completing 100% of his attempted passes. Two successful tackles and interceptions from Saliba also helped to keep Bournemouth at bay. To top it all off, the defender swept home a stunning finish from the edge of the box to round off the scoring early in the second half, a pinpoint strike that even seemed to take his teammates by surprise.
From both the strength of his performances and the length of time that his name was chanted by the travelling Arsenal fans on Saturday, it appears that the Emirates has a new hero.
Midfielder: Jack Harrison (Leeds United)
On the topic of heroes, there are surely few players more admired at Leeds United than Jack Harrison right now, and the attacking midfielder was at his best during Matchweek 3 as Leeds put Chelsea to the sword.
After The Whites had been gifted a first half lead at Elland Road, Harrison played his part in putting his side two goals to the good when his set-piece delivery was nodded in by the in-form Rodrigo. That wasn’t the end of Chelsea’s misery though, with Harrison latching onto Rodrigo’s touch in the second half and stabbing home a volley from close range to put Leeds in dreamland.
With four successful dribbles and two shots on target, Harrison was a thorn in Chelsea’s side all afternoon. Now that the talismanic Raphinha is gone, could Harrison be ready to step up as the main man for Leeds United this season?
Forward: Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle United)
What a game we witnessed at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon, with the rapidly rising Newcastle United pushing champions Manchester City all the way in a pulsating encounter that finished 3-3.
Great performances were plentiful from the boys in black and white, but as is so often the case, winger Allan Saint-Maximin was the star of the show. One of the most exciting footballers around when he’s on-song, Saint-Maximin gave the City defence a torrid time throughout the game, starting with an excellent cross that was bundled in by Miguel Almiron for the Newcastle equaliser.
Soon after, another marauding run from the Frenchman produced a pass that was controlled and finished brilliantly by Callum Wilson, and Saint-Maximin later went on to win the free kick that was fired into the top corner by Kieran Trippier to put the hosts 3-1 up.
This performance showcased one of the best dribblers in the league at the very peak of his powers, and if he produces a few more performances like this then there’s no telling how high Newcastle could finish this season.
Manager: Jesse Marsch (Leeds United)
How’s that for a shock result?
Leeds United’s promising start to the season shot to a whole new level at Elland Road on Sunday, with the Yorkshire side hammering a very off-colour Chelsea.
Once again, Leeds manager Jesse Marsch deserves huge credit for this latest triumph at the start of the new season. With young, energetic players brought in to replace some of the departing stars at Leeds United, Marsch has been able to revitalise his side’s high energy, pressing approach, an approach that led directly to the opening goal against Chelsea by forcing an error from Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
From that point onwards, Leeds never really looked back, instead being ruthless to bring home a famous win, their first over Chelsea since 2002.
One of the favourites to win the managerial sack race before the season began, Jesse Marsch just continues to prove the doubters wrong, with Leeds currently sitting in 3rd place at this early stage of the campaign.
