We had another thrilling weekend of Premier League action to look forward to in gameweek 3. It all kicked off with Champions Manchester City travelling to face Wolves. Arsenal were trying to record their first win of the season as they hosted West Ham, meanwhile Huddersfield hosted Cardiff City in Yorkshire. Liverpool looked to retain their 100% record against Brighton, while Watford looked to do the same against Crystal Palace on Sunday. Monday night saw the clash of the week as Manchester United hosted Spurs at Old Trafford.
Anyway, here’s the FPL Updates Gameweek 3 Review…
Goalkeeper
Jonas Lossl – Huddersfield Town hosted Cardiff City in a battle between two sides heavily tipped for relegation. Ben Hamer had started in goal for the Terriers at the John Smith’s stadium, but was forced off with injury, meaning a return to the fray for last seasons number one Jonas Lossl. In a tight affair neither side was able to find the back of the net. It was no surprise given that the sides have netted just one league goal between them so far in the Premier League. Both sides may view this as an opportunity missed to record their first win of the season.
Defenders
Kieran Trippier – Spurs faced a tough task as they travelled to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Monday night. The North London side had won both of their opening two matches and were playing some good football. Manchester United on the other hand had put in a poor display against Brighton last weekend and were looking to get back on track as they look to win back the title from crosstown neighbours Manchester City. However, despite a wealth of chances they would be unable to beat a strong Spurs side.
Marcos Alonso – Chelsea were another side looking to maintain their 100% record and had to travel North to face Newcastle United at St. James’ Park. They struggled against a Newcastle side that sat deep, much to the frustration of the Blues. However, they would break the deadlock when they were awarded a controversial penalty as Marcos Alonso went down under the challenge of Fabien Schar. Eden Hazard netted, however Newcastle equalised just moments later through Joselu. However, they would have their point snatched away when DeAndre Yedlin put through his own net late on.
Michael Keane – Everton travelled to Dean Court to face Bournemouth on Saturday. Richarlison was sent of late in the first half as he clashed with Adam Smith. Everton then raced into a two-goal lead early in the second half through Theo Walcott and Michael Keane. However, Bournemouth would then be reduced to ten when Smith was sent off. Joshua King pulled one back from the spot with fifteen minutes remaining, only for Nathan Aké to equalise just minutes later to grasp a point for the Cherries.
Nacho Monreal – Arsenal were looking for their first points of the season as they hosted West Ham at the Emirates on Saturday. However, they got off to the worst possible start when Marko Arnautovic drilled home in the first half. However, the gunners were level when Spaniard Nacho Monreal volleyed home. An own goal from recent Hammers signing Issa Diop gave the Gunners the lead late on before Danny Welbeck killed the match as a contest in injury time. It’s lift off for Unai Emery at Arsenal this season.
Harry Maguire – Leicester City travelled to St. Mary’s to face Southampton on Saturday as Claude Puel’s side looked to secure consecutive wins. However, they fell behind when Ryan Bertrand smashed home from twenty yards early in the second half. Pierre Hojbjerg was then dismissed as he dived in the area. Demarai Gray equalised shortly after and the game looked set for a draw. That was until England star Harry Maguire tried his luck from range, drilling into the corner deep into injury time.
Midfielders
Lucas Moura – Manchester United started the stronger against Spurs, dominating the first half hour. Romelu Lukaku missed a golden opportunity as he rounded Hugo Lloris only to roll wide from a tight angle. They were punished in the second half as Spurs took the lead. Just moments later they doubled the advantage as Lucas Moura drilled home past David De Gea. Then, late in the match the former PSG man doubled his own tally as he drove past two before smashing into the corner in what was a sparkling individual display.
Jean Michael Seri – Fulham recorded their first win of the Premier League season as they dismantled early season strugglers Burnley at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon. Their opener came from former Nice man Jean Michael Seri, who signed for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side in summer after impressing for the past couple of seasons. He picked up the ball and rifled the ball home from 25 yards. This came inside just four minutes, however there would be a flurry of goals in what turned out to be a six-goal thriller.
Forwards
Aleksandar Mitrovic & Luciano Vietto – Fulham saw Burnley pull level ten minutes in when Jeff Hendrick struck. However, the Cottagers regained the lead as summer signing Mitrovic continued where he left off as he netted a brace within two first half minutes. However, James Tarkowski gave the Clarets hope as he pulled another back shortly before the interval. Despite a cagey second period Fulham would seal the victory as Andre Schurrle scored his first goal of his return to English football. It’s a good win for the newly-promoted side while Burnley still search for their first league win of the season.
Harry Kane – Spurs had been struggling in the first half against Manchester United, however any side containing Harry Kane know he can turn the game in an instant, and he did so against the Red Devils as he headed home superbly from Kieran Trippier’s corner kick. It doubled the England captain’s August tally despite having never scored in the month prior to this campaign. He notched an assist late on as he played through Lucas Moura to drive past Chris Smalling and net a third for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Written by Ryan Nevin (@RNevin7)
