CHAMPIONS RESPOND, TIGERS ROAR
Arsenal fight back, Hull stay unbeaten and United stumble again, your Premier League weekend wrapped up.
THE RESULTS
GAME OF THE WEEK: FULHAM 2-3 CRYSTAL PALACE
WHAT HAPPENED:
Crystal Palace came from behind twice to beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage in a dramatic five-goal thriller.
Fulham took the lead through Josh King before Palace thought they had levelled, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Tyrick Mitchell equalized, but César Palacios restored Fulham’s advantage. Mitchell then struck again with a fortuitous goal to make it 2-2.
Then came the fairytale moment. Ben Chilwell came off the bench on his second Palace debut and scored the winner just three minutes later, completing a dramatic comeback.
WHY WE CHOSE IT:
This was more than just a derby - it was a game full of momentum swings.
Fulham twice took the lead, but Palace refused to give up. Every time Fulham looked in control, Palace found a way back.
It was also a huge result for new Palace boss Pierre Sage, who picked up his first Premier League win.
TURNING POINT:
Ben Chilwell’s late winner changed everything.
With the game tied at 2-2, Chilwell came off the bench to score the winner and grab all three points for Crystal Palace. A fairy-tale Palace return for Chilwell, capped off with a winner just three minutes after coming on.
BOT90 VERDICT:
Crystal Palace showed exactly why you can never write a team off in a London derby.
Palace showed tremendous character to come from behind twice, while Fulham will be frustrated after surrendering the lead on two occasions.
For Palace, this could be the result that kickstarts Pierre Sage’s tenure. For Fulham, it’s another frustrating defeat, which leaves the new boss still searching for his first points of the season.
Final verdict: Palace are off and running, but Fulham already look vulnerable.
PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND: ALEXANDER ISAK - LIVERPOOL
WHAT HE DID:
Alexander Isak is our Player of the Weekend after scoring two brilliant goals in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Ipswich Town. The Swedish striker struck twice inside the opening 10 minutes, giving Liverpool a dream start and helping Andoni Iraola secure his first Premier League win as manager.
WHY HE STOOD OUT:
Isak looked sharp, confident and clinical, showing the movement and finishing that made Liverpool spend big to bring him to Anfield. His two finishes were excellent, but more importantly, he looked like the striker we all know that he can be.
His growing partnership with Cody Gakpo is also helping Isak find his best form. The pair are developing a strong understanding, with Gakpo’s movement and ability to create chances giving Isak more opportunities to get into dangerous positions. Gakpo provided both assists against Ipswich, including an incredible outside-of-the-boot pass for Isak’s second goal.
WHAT’S NEXT?:
We backed Isak for a big season right from the opening game, although he struggled to make much of an impact in that match. Since then, he has looked sharper with each game, and his two-goal performance against Ipswich suggests he may finally be finding the form we expected from him.
With Cody Gakpo in excellent form, their growing link-up play is giving Isak the service and space to show what he can really do. Add new signing Bradley Barcola to an already dynamic attack, and Liverpool now have an incredible amount of firepower.
Isak is finding his rhythm, Gakpo is flying, and Barcola has now joined the mix. Could Isak finally be back to his best?
3 THINGS WE LEARNED
THE TITLE RACE IS ALREADY TAKING SHAPE
Arsenal fell behind after just 77 seconds against Chelsea, then responded like champions to secure a thrilling 2-1 victory. Manchester City were less convincing against Coventry, but still found a way to win. Three matches, three victories and nine points apiece - the two title favorites have wasted no time setting the pace and everyone else is already playing catch-up.
HULL ARE THE REAL DEAL
Three games, seven points and not a single goal conceded. Hull struck the bar and nearly snatched another victory against Aston Villa, continuing a remarkable return to the Premier League. The opening weekend win over Manchester United was no fluke, as victory at Coventry showed. The Tigers look organized, fearless and extremely difficult to break down. Survival was the target, but this start has raised expectations fast.
UNITED’S DEFENSE IS STILL THE PROBLEM
Manchester United led Everton twice and still left with only a point after Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ stunning 96th-minute equalizer. Michael Carrick’s side have now conceded twice in each of their opening three league games, six goals against teams not expected to dominate the scoring charts. The attack is producing, but United remain far too easy to hurt. With Manchester City next, that weakness could become costly.
BOT90 PREDICTION CHECK
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
Our Pick: Arsenal 2-2 Chelsea
Chelsea struck inside two minutes. Havertz levelled before the break, then Ødegaard completed Arsenal’s comeback in a thrilling London derby.
Verdict: We called the goals and close contest, just not Arsenal’s comeback.
Hull City 0-0 Aston Villa
Our Pick: Hull City 1-0
Hull rattled the bar and missed a golden late chance, with a third straight clean sheet extending their unbeaten start.
Verdict: Our upset call was inches away.
FROM THE MANAGERS:
MITCH’S TAKE
Don’t Sleep on Leeds
I think Leeds could be one of the surprise packages this season.
They might not have the biggest names or the largest transfer budget, but they look like a really solid, well-organized team. Their defense has been particularly impressive, and a big part of that is the influence of new signing James Trafford in goal. He gives Leeds confidence at the back and has already shown why they were so keen to bring him in.
They aren't going to blow teams away every week, but they don't need to. A solid defense, an excellent goalkeeper, and a strong tactical structure can take you a long way in the Premier League. If Dominic Calvert-Lewin can reproduce last season’s form, I think Leeds will start to turn these draws into wins.
Hot take: Leeds will finish comfortably in the top half rather than fighting relegation. Everyone’s watching the big-money clubs, but I’m keeping a close eye on Leeds. Could they be the dark horse that sneaks into the European spots?/
DAN’S TAKE
Jaissle has Newcastle believing again
I’ve been impressed by Newcastle in all three games under Matthias Jaissle. He inherited a club that had lost its manager and much of the spine of its team, yet his team already look settled. Newcastle may still be finding their rhythm, but their attitude is unmistakable. Newcastle comeback from two goals down against Bournemouth showed the fight and refusal to accept defeat that Jaissle is already building into this new-look side.
My call: Newcastle are becoming one of the Premier League’s hardest teams to beat./
