THREE CALLS. THREE HITS.
Seven goals at Stamford Bridge, a Bruno hat-trick and Forest taking a point at Anfield - our weekend picks delivered.
THE RESULTS
GAME OF THE WEEK: CHELSEA 4-3 BRIGHTON
WHAT HAPPENED:
Chelsea looked like they were going to run away with it. Goals from Roméo Lavia, Pedro Neto and João Pedro put the Blues 3-0 up after just 32 minutes as Brighton made costly mistakes at the back. But Malick Yalcouyé gave Brighton hope before half-time with a brilliant volley to make it 3-1. After the break, the game completely opened up. Brighton pulled another goal back when João Pedro deflected Pascal Groß’s effort into his own net, and suddenly Chelsea were in a fight.
Cole Palmer restored Chelsea’s two-goal cushion with a superb finish from outside the box before Groß scored again deep into stoppage time. Chelsea held on for a wild 4-3 victory.
WHY WE CHOSE IT:
We picked Chelsea vs Brighton as our Game to Watch on Friday and it certainly delivered. It was end-to-end, unpredictable and had seven goals, but it also gave us an early look at what Chelsea might be under Xabi Alonso.
Alonso also handed new signing Emiliano Martínez his Chelsea debut after his move from Aston Villa. The 33-year-old brings serious experience, including a World Cup with Argentina and Europa League success with Villa. After Robert Sánchez’s mistakes against Fulham, starting Martínez felt like a clear statement.
TURNING POINT:
Cole Palmer makes it 4-2.
At 3–2, Brighton had all the momentum and Chelsea were struggling to keep the ball. Then Palmer took over. He drove towards the penalty area and curled a brilliant finish beyond Bart Verbruggen. Groß’s late goal showed just how important it was.
BOT90 VERDICT:
Victory in chaos.
Chelsea have won their opening two league games under Xabi Alonso and there is plenty to like going forward. But they cannot keep giving opponents this much control.
Chelsea finished with just 25.6% possession and 146 completed passes, both their lowest figures on record in a Premier League match. After it became
3-2, Alonso changed both central defenders - a clear sign he wasn’t happy with his back line.
For us, the bigger concern might be midfield control. Chelsea have enough attacking talent to hurt anyone, but if they want to challenge for the title, Alonso has to find a way to manage games better.
Final verdict: Arsenal away next weekend should tell us just how serious this Chelsea team really is.
PLAYER OF THE WEEKEND: BRUNO FERNANDES - MANCHESTER UNITED
WHAT HE DID:
Manchester United needed a response after their opening-weekend defeat to Hull and Bruno Fernandes delivered it.
Ipswich took the lead, but Fernandes equalized before half-time and then took over after the break. He scored from the penalty spot, completed his hat-trick from close range and also assisted Bryan Mbeumo as United ran out 5-2 winners.
WHY HE STOOD OUT:
This felt like a captain taking responsibility.
United were under pressure after losing their opening game of the season and then falling behind again at home, but Fernandes changed the mood of the entire afternoon.
We normally associate Bruno with creating chances, he broke the Premier League assist record last season but against Ipswich he became the finisher. Three goals, an assist and a performance that reminded everyone just how influential he can be when United need someone to take control.
And we have to mention it… Bruno was our Player to Watch in Friday’s newsletter.
We said all eyes would be on the United captain to lead the response after the defeat at Hull.
A hat-trick will do.
WHAT’S NEXT?:
Now he has to keep it going.
One brilliant performance doesn’t answer every question around Manchester United, but Fernandes has given them exactly the response they needed.
If United are going to have a better season, their captain will once again be at the centre of it.
3 THINGS WE LEARNED
HULL ARE GIVING THEMSELVES A REAL CHANCE
We called Coventry vs Hull an early six-pointer on Friday and Hull took all three points. After beating Manchester United in Gameweek 1, they followed it up with a 1-0 away win at Coventry. Six points from six won’t decide survival, but it gives Hull exactly the start they needed..
SPURS HAVE A PROBLEM
Tottenham spent heavily this summer, but two games in they have two defeats and zero goals. Newcastle won
2-0 in North London and Spurs were booed off at full-time. It’s only Gameweek 2 but the pressure is already building.
CITY HAVE FOUND ANOTHER WEAPON
Haaland scoring goals is nothing new. Rayan Cherki might be. He scored twice in City’s 4-1 win at Palace and already looks capable of giving them another dimension in attack. If Cherki keeps clicking alongside Haaland, City are going to be a serious problem.
BOT90 PREDICTION CHECK
Chelsea 4-3 Brighton
Our Pick: Chelsea 3-2
We backed Chelsea to win a high-scoring game and they delivered. We had 3-2, but the chaos went one goal further at both ends
Verdict: Right Winner. Right idea. Even more chaos
Liverpool 2-2 Nottingham Forest
Our Pick: 1-1 Draw
We said Forest would leave Anfield with a point and they did. Liverpool had to come from behind.
Verdict: We called the draw.
FROM THE MANAGERS:
MITCH’S TAKE
Bruno answered like a captain
Manchester United needed a response after losing on opening weekend, and Fernandes gave them one with a hat-trick against Ipswich. It wasn’t just the goals. He stepped up when United were under pressure and completely changed the mood around Old Trafford.
Mitch’s take: that’s exactly what you want from your captain when the pressure starts building./
DAN’S TAKE
Chelsea need to go shopping again
If Enzo Fernández does leave for Manchester City, Chelsea need someone in midfield who can take control of games. Against Brighton, they had the firepower but not enough calm in the middle. The problem? The player they need is probably Xabi Alonso himself. Might be time for the manager to polish off his boots.
Dan’s take: before the window shuts, Chelsea need someone in the middle who can slow games down and run them.
And credit where it’s due, Mitch nailed the calls this weekend. Chelsea vs Brighton delivered, Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick, and Forest got the draw at Liverpool. 3 for 3. Not bad.
ASTON VILLA VS ARSENAL
Gameweek 2 finishes at Villa Park with Arsenal looking to make it two wins from two.
Villa are rebuilding after losing several key players this summer and injuries have weakened them further. After a 4-0 defeat at Brighton, facing the champions is about as tough a response as it gets. That said, Unai Emery has a strong record against his former club and has often found ways to frustrate Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
ONE THING TO WATCH
Arsenal Midfield Power
Villa are missing Amadou Onana, João Gomes and Johan Manzambi in midfield, leaving Emery short of options in the middle. Arsenal, meanwhile, can call on Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Ødegaard, with Bruno Guimarães potentially returning as well. That gives Arsenal a clear advantage physically and technically. If they take control of the midfield early, Villa could spend a lot of the night chasing the game.
BOT90 CALL
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal
Emery has frustrated Arsenal before, but this time we think the champions have too much quality and too much power through the middle. Arsenal make it two wins from two.
