IPSWICH THRILLER & RAYA’S HEROIC’S
Ipswich’s five goal thriller at Palace takes game of the weekend, David Raya gets our player honors, plus three big talking points, and Monday night football
THE RESULTS
GAME OF THE WEEKEND: CRYSTAL PALACE 2-3 IPSWICH TOWN
WHAT HAPPENED:
Crystal Palace took the lead through an excellent strike from Anan Khalaili, but Ipswich quickly responded through Emersonn. Palace were then reduced to 10 men when Axel Disasi was shown a straight red card, giving Ipswich a huge advantage.
Leif Davis put Ipswich ahead just before halftime, but Palace refused to give up despite being a man down. Jørgen Strand Larsen equalized in the 75th minute to make it 2-2 and set up a frantic finish.
Palace had chances to win it, but Flemming fired home in the 90th minute after Leif Davis hit the crossbar.
WHY WE CHOSE IT:
This is another Crystal Palace game that deserves to be our Game of the Weekend.
After their five-goal thriller against Fulham, Palace were involved in another game packed with goals, drama and momentum swings. This one had everything an early lead, a red card, a comeback, a late equalizer and a 90th-minute winner.
Unfortunately for Palace, this time they ended up on the wrong side of the drama. They showed incredible character to fight back with 10 men, but Ipswich had the final say with a last gasp winner.
TURNING POINT:
The game was tied at 1-1 when Disasi was shown a straight red card in the 34th minute, leaving Crystal Palace with 10 men for the majority of the match.
Ipswich immediately took advantage of the extra man, with Leif Davis putting the visitors ahead before halftime. Palace showed incredible character to fight back and equalize late, but playing with 10 men ultimately caught up with them.
Zian Flemming’s 90th-minute winner was the final blow, but Disasi’s red card was the moment that completely shifted the momentum in Ipswich’s favor.
BOT90 VERDICT:
Crystal Palace are quickly becoming one of the Premier League’s most entertaining teams.
Another game packed with goals and drama. Palace showed great character to fight back with 10 men, but Ipswich kept pushing and found the winner in the 90th minute.
Final verdict: Palace keep producing thrillers, but Ipswich leave Selhurst Park with three huge points. Could it have been a different story without the Palace red card?
PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND: DAVID RAYA - ARSENAL
WHAT HE DID:
David Raya is our Player of the Weekend after playing an integral role in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Sunderland. The Spanish goalkeeper made several important saves, including a massive penalty stop, as Arsenal went into halftime at 0-0. Sunderland continued to put Arsenal under pressure after the break, but Raya’s heroics kept the Gunners in the game and ultimately proved to be the catalyst for Arsenal securing all three points.
WHY HE STOOD OUT:
The second half started with Sunderland putting Arsenal under serious pressure, and Raya was called into action when the hosts were awarded a penalty. With the game still level, Raya produced an unbelievable save to tip Enzo Le Fée’s well-placed spot-kick onto the post to keep Arsenal in the game.
That save proved to be the turning point. Just 121 seconds later, Bruno Guimarães put Arsenal ahead, completely changing the momentum of the match. Raya then continued to make important saves as Sunderland pushed for an equaliser, helping Arsenal protect their lead and keep a clean sheet.
WHAT’S NEXT?:
Arsenal will be delighted to come away with three points from a game that could easily have gone the other way. Being 0-0 at halftime and then surviving a penalty showed just how important Raya was to the result.
Raya may not get the headlines that Guimarães does for scoring the excellent opening goal, but without his penalty save, the game could have looked very different. When Arsenal needed their goalkeeper to step up, Raya delivered.
Five saves, a penalty stop and a clean sheet. Performances like this are a reminder of why Raya is arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.
3 THINGS WE LEARNED
ARSENAL KNOW HOW TO WIN UGLY
Arsenal made it four wins from four with a 2-0 victory at Sunderland, but this was far from comfortable. They had to withstand pressure, survive a penalty and rely on David Raya to get the job done. Arsenal aren't always at their best, but they keep finding ways to win and that's what title contenders do.
BIG MONEY DOESN’T GUARANTEE RESULTS
Liverpool and Tottenham both dropped points this weekend, despite spending heavily in the summer. Liverpool were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham, while Spurs drew 0-0 with Everton and are still without a league goal after four games. The talent is there, but both teams are still searching for consistency and chemistry.
WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP IS NO GUARANTEE
Coventry came up as Championship winners, but four games into their Premier League return, they’re still without a point or a goal. Ipswich have already picked up two wins, while play-off winners Hull remain unbeaten. It’s early, but last season’s finishing positions count for little once you step into the Premier League.
BOT90 PREDICTION CHECK
Manchester United 0-1 Manchester City
Our Pick: Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
We backed City to win the derby, and they delivered but it was tighter than our predicted scoreline. United had their chances, but Haaland and Donnarumma helped City leave Old Trafford with all three points.
Verdict: Right Winner but should the goal have stood?
Coventry City 0-5 Brighton
Our Pick: Coventry City 1-1 Brighton.
As Eddie from Bottom (the cult UK comedy TV show) would say: “There’s been another f***-up.” Mitch gave me two scores to choose from: Brentford and Bournemouth to draw 2–2, or Coventry and Brighton to draw 1–1. I chose the latter. Even at 2–0 down, Coventry were creating chances, and I do feel the red card completely changed the game. That’s my defense, anyway.
Verdict: Let Mitch choose next time :)
FROM THE MANAGERS:
MITCH’S TAKE
Brighton are ready to break into the top six
Brighton have consistently been one of the better sides in the Premier League and finished eighth last season. But I think they have the quality to push even higher this time around.
Fabian Hürzeler has them playing confident, aggressive football, and their attacking talent is seriously impressive. They have a great mix of experienced players and exciting young talent. Jack Hinshelwood, Malick Yalcouyé and Yasin Ayari are just a few of the players who could make a big impact, and the return of playmaker Pascal Groß adds experience and creativity to the midfield.
Hot take: Brighton will finish in the top six. They already have European football secured through the Conference League, but I think they can take another step forward and challenge for a Europa League or even Champions League place.
DAN’S TAKE
Is this the price of Premier League survival?
Nottingham Forest spent around £150m and signed 21 players after promotion in 2022 and stayed up. Ipswich have now made 14 summer signings and invested heavily in rebuilding their squad for another shot at the Premier League.
Seven of those signings started Saturday’s win at Crystal Palace, showing just how much the team has changed. Is this the model promoted clubs now have to follow: spend heavily and rebuild to give themselves a fighting chance?
Forest showed it can work, and I think Ipswich have given themselves a real chance of staying up this time. The investment has brought quality and depth, but getting those players to click will decide whether this return lasts longer than one season..
The question: Have Ipswich done enough in the transfer market to stay in the Premier League this time? /
LEEDS UNITED VS NEWCASTLE
Monday Night Football takes us to Elland Road, with two unbeaten sides level on five points and looking to build on encouraging league starts.
We highlighted Matthias Jaissle in last week’s hot take, and he is already galvanizing this Newcastle team. There’s a growing togetherness about them, summed up by their fightback from two goals down to draw with Bournemouth.
Leeds are playing some good football themselves, although their 6-3 League Cup defeat at Chelsea was a bruising midweek setback. Farke made eight changes for that game, giving several regular starters a breather, but they’ll still want to show more fight and tighten up defensively back in front of their own supporters.
ONE THING TO WATCH
Leeds pushing forward against Newcastle’s counter-attack.
Farke has picked out Newcastle’s threat on the break, making this a fascinating balancing act for the hosts. Leeds will want to feed off the crowd and take the initiative, but leaving space behind could play straight into Newcastle’s hands with the pace and power of Elanga and Wissa.
BOT90 CALL
Leeds United 2-2 Newcastle
Their last meeting produced seven goals, three Leeds leads and a dramatic Newcastle winner. We’re expecting another competitive game: Leeds will want a response to their cup defeat, while Jaissle’s side are showing the spirit to stay in the contest. A point apiece feels right.
