There was plenty of drama in Gameweek 6 of the Premier League, with late equalisers and last-minute winners taking the headlines in a topsy-turvy weekend of fixtures that saw Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all defeated.
United’s season lurched from one disaster to another as Ruben Amorim’s men were beaten 3-1 by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, as the Bees’ rapid counter-attacking gameplan undid Ruben Amorim’s defence again and again, while Bruno Fernandes missed from the penalty spot for the second time this season.
Who Will Win The Premier League? – After GW 6
Manchester City were comfortable winners over Burnley, smashing the newly-promoted side 5-1 and once again flexing their title muscles. Erling Haaland scored an injury-time brace, although Pep Guardiola’s side were aided by Maxime Esteve’s unfortunate performance; the centre-back scored two own goals.
Liverpool were unable to match their traditional title rivals, as they were beaten by a last-gasp Crystal Palace winner at Selhurst Park. While Arne Slot’s side have made a habit of scoring late goals, this time, the shoe was on the other foot as Eddie Nketiah found the net with the last kick of the game.
Chelsea were also pegged back, as Brighton came from behind to beat the Blues 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, but Tottenham were unable to take advantage of a few slips at the top of the table, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling Wolves; Joao Palhinha’s last-minute equaliser rescuing a point for Thomas Frank’s side.
On Sunday, Aston Villa enjoyed a morale-boosting win, beating Fulham 3-1, while Arsenal found a way to come from behind and beat Newcastle with Gabriel’s 96th-minute winner.
So who backed it on the pitch and who bottled it on an entertaining weekend in England’s top flight? BOYLE Sports has the answers.
BACKED IT OR BOTTLED IT? PREMIER LEAGUE GAMEWEEK 6 RECAP
Star of the Weekend
STAR OF THE WEEKEND: IGOR THIAGO
The Brentford striker put Manchester United to the sword and scored twice in a major win for Keith Andrews’ side.
The forward had a brace halfway through the first half, becoming just the second player to score twice in the opening 20 minutes of a Premier League game against Manchester United, after Alexis Sánchez with Arsenal in October 2015 (19 minutes). Alexis, of course, ended up at Old Trafford, and it would be little surprise if Red Devils scouts were adding Thiago’s name to their shortlists after this performance.
The 24-year-old needed just three shots to score his two goals, and also had five defensive contributions as he mucked in to ensure the three points stayed in west London.
Thiago left Harry Maguire behind him to open the scoring, showing exceptional awareness of the offside trap, and capitalised on terrible Altay Bayindir goalkeeping to tap in his second.
He now has four goals in six games, having also scored against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland; those two games both ended in defeat, however.
Having finally inspired the Bees to three vital points, Thiago goes down as the Star Of The Weekend.
Will Igor Thiago Score Double Digits This Season?
Flop of the Weekend
FLOP OF THE WEEKEND: MAXIME ESTEVE
It is difficult enough for a newly-promoted side to play against Manchester City, but Burnley’s task was made all the harder by Esteve’s unfortunate performance at centre-back.
The defender is only the sixth player ever to score two own goals in the same Premier League game, and first since Craig Dawson against Everton for Wolves in December 2024.
The first saw him attempt to clear as Phil Foden prepared to shoot, but he inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, while his second came after he tried to get in front of Oscar Bobb.
In addition to his own goals, Esteve also failed to win an aerial duel, was dribbled past once, and while he did clear plenty of balls away, he could not salvage a disastrous performance.
As a result, he simply has to go down as the Flop Of The Weekend. City’s task, quite simply, was made much easier by his presence in the opposition backline.
Will Burnley Be Relegated?
Biggest Disappointment
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Ange Postecoglou’s start to life in Nottingham has been nothing short of disastrous, and they were beaten again this weekend, this time by newly-promoted Sunderland. The Australian tactician has overseen two league defeats and one draw, while also seeing his side crash out of the League Cup against lower-league Swansea City.
As a result of the Black Cats’ win, Sunderland’s 11 points from six Premier League games this season (W3 D2 L1) is their most in the top-flight at this stage since 1967-68 (also 11 when 3 pts/win), and the most for a promoted side after six games in the competition since West Ham in 2012-13 (11).
Forest, though, have little excuse for being on the receiving end of a 1-0 defeat at the City Ground.
Their 64.9% share of possession was their highest in the Premier League since their return to the division in 2022-23, but of the 26 instances in which they have recorded over 50% possession, they have won just four times.
Postecoglou’s side mustered 22 shots, of which six were on target, but they couldn’t find a way to hit the back of the net, leaving the ex-Spurs boss still waiting for his first win in charge.
What Is More Likely?
Performance of the Weekend
PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEKEND: BRENTFORD
Manchester United might not be the scalp they once were, but Keith Andrews’ side turned in a superb defensive performance that was capped by some clinical attacking touches.
The Bees are finally finding some form and have won four of their last six Premier League home games, having been winless in their previous eight at home.
Brentford looked to have the game won within 20 minutes, and once United did scramble to pull a goal back through Benjamin Sesko, they stood up to be counted, as Caoimhín Kelleher saved Bruno Fernandes’ penalty, and Mathias Jensen put the game to bed with an exceptional long-range strike. They were perhaps somewhat fortunate that Nathan Collins wasn’t sent off for pulling Bryan Mbeumo in the box, but few could argue against the final score.
Kelleher has now saved four of the seven penalties he has faced in all competitions in his top-flight club career for Liverpool and Brentford (57%). Fernandes, meanwhile, has missed as many penalties in the Premier League this season (two) as every other player in the competition combined.
Jordan Henderson is also proving to be a lucky charm, as he has provided an assist in three of his last five Premier League games against Manchester United, with his side winning all three of those matches by an aggregate score of 15-1.
Will Andrews Finish 25/26 As Brentford Manager?
Surprise of the Weekend
SURPRISE OF THE WEEKEND: CHELSEA’S SUDDEN COLLAPSE
Stamford Bridge has long been a fortress for Chelsea, and it seemed as though it would be the same old story on Saturday, as they took a 1-0 lead against Brighton through Enzo Fernandez.
However, Trevoh Chalobah was sent off in the 53rd minute, after a desperate lunge on Georginio Rutter. The red card was Chelsea’s second in two games, and points to a lack of discipline that could cost Enzo Maresca’s side dearly as the season progresses.
After Chalobah’s dismissal, Danny Welbeck rose from the bench to score an equaliser, before Maxim De Cuyper scored what looked to be the winner in the second minute of injury time. Welbeck added some gloss and completed his brace in the 10th minute of added time.
Welbeck has now been directly involved in seven goals (five goals, two assists) in eight Premier League games against Chelsea for Brighton.
Chelsea, meanwhile, lost by 2+ goals having been ahead at half-time in a Premier League home game for the first time since October 2011 against Arsenal, when they were beaten 5-3.
Brighton have now won consecutive league games against Chelsea for the second time and have won four of their last seven against the west London side.
As a result of Chelsea’s defeat, Saturday was the first time that each of Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United all lost on the same day in the Premier League since April 16th, 1994, 31 years and 166 days ago.
Will Chelsea Finish Top-4?
Moment of the Weekend
MOMENT OF THE WEEKEND: GABRIEL’S LATE WINNER
Gabriel came up trumps with a brilliant late header to give Arsenal a huge win over Newcastle, just 24 hours after Liverpool had been beaten by Palace, moving them within two points of the Reds at the top of the Premier League table, even if it is only September.
Gabriel was actually at fault for Newcastle’s opener, as Nick Woltemade jumped high above him and the defender claimed he had been pushed, although replays showed that contact was minimal.
After Mikel Merino came off the bench to score the equaliser, Gabriel followed Woltemade’s example by rising highest in the area to head home Martin Odegaard’s corner.
Timed at 95:45, it was Arsenal’s second-latest winning goal in a Premier League away game on record (since 2003-04), with only Declan Rice’s winner at Luton Town in December 2023 coming later.
This was the second-latest that Arsenal have trailed in a Premier League game and gone on to win (equalised in 84th minute), after their 3-1 win over Norwich in April 2013, when the equalising goal was converted by Mikel Arteta in the 85th minute.
It was a goal borne from repetition; Arsenal scored their 35th and 36th goals from corners in the Premier League since the start of the 2023-24 season. That is 15 more than their nearest rivals - Spurs and Chelsea (21).
It could prove to be a decisive victory in the title race, as the Gunners bid to win their first Premier League trophy since 2004.
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