Manchester United have grown accustomed to disappointment, however so lopsided was their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Outdated Trafford on Sunday that the query should now be requested whether or not their fiercest rivals are, in truth, the closest competitors to that seemingly unbeatable outfit throughout city: Manchester Metropolis.
Whereas the champions of the Premier League continued their excellent type, the Bundesliga’s incumbents had a much less nice Saturday. Bayer Leverkusen’s 35-match unbeaten run in league play got here to a screeching halt on simply Matchday 2, falling 3-2 to RB Leipzig on Saturday.
In LaLiga, Actual Madrid picked up their second victory of the fledgling season, topping Actual Betis in a tense 2-0 win, however of extra significance was a sure Kylian Mbappé ending his 333-minute scoring drought within the league. With Los Blancos already 4 factors behind league-leading Barcelona after simply 4 matches, they’re going to be hoping there’s loads extra to return from their brand-new Galactico.
What else occurred round Europe this weekend? ESPN’s Weekend Evaluate places a bow on all of the continental competitors.
Premier League
Prime takeaway: Are Liverpool Metropolis’s nearest challengers?
In Mikel Arteta’s personal phrases, to catch Manchester Metropolis this yr, you are going to should be practically excellent. Properly, 4 matches in, and Arsenal have had a small stumble, Manchester United have in some way discovered themselves on the foot of the mountain, whereas Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have not but discovered any consistency. That leaves Liverpool as the one excellent crew after three matches — their newest win at Outdated Trafford on Sunday a lesson in executing a sport plan with precision and ruthlessness. Their transition from Jürgen Klopp to Arne Slot has been practically flawless, with Ryan Gravenberch a revelation at No. 6.
For Arsenal, though drawing with sensible Brighton & Hove Albion is under no circumstances a humiliation, they did not navigate Declan Rice’s silly purple card and dropped key factors (you are feeling they’ve to select up most factors at dwelling to catch Metropolis). For United, their points round defensive organisation don’t appear to have been remotely solved within the offseason.
Liverpool are left because the near-perfect challengers, however anybody who has aspirations of knocking over Metropolis may have seen how good they’re at adapting and managing problem. That appears to be one facet of the sport the place they’re forward of the remainder. They’ve in-built resilience and flexibility. No Rodri? No downside. Three from three, and Pep Guardiola’s crew’s type is ominous.
Finest match: Everton vs. Bournemouth
With 85 minutes gone at Goodison Park on Saturday and Everton two objectives to the nice in opposition to Bournemouth, it appeared to be easy for Sean Dyche’s crew and just a little little bit of stress off his shoulders. That they had dominated the Cherries, carved out some nice possibilities, and had been within the driving seat. Then Bournemouth grabbed one again via Antoine Semenyo within the 87th minute, Lewis Cook dinner headed dwelling a superb equaliser within the second minute of added time — having been left unmarked — and with the Toffees rattled, it was all Bournemouth. Jordan Pickford pulled off two sensible saves, however could not cease Luis Sinisterra scoring a 96th-minute winner.
It will make for brutal evaluation for Everton, however you need to give credit score to Andoni Iraola’s crew for the best way they carved out that comeback. Poor Everton, although, they cannot catch a break and have zero factors from their first three matches.
Finest aim: Bellegarde at Wolves
Nicolas Jackson’s aim for Chelsea off the again of a fast counterattack was beautifully labored, Eberechi Eze’s equaliser for Crystal Palace in the identical match was a beaut, whereas Yukinari Sugawara’s comfort was a candy strike, however the very best aim of the weekend was in Nottingham Forest’s 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
After Chris Wooden opened the scoring, Wolves looked for a solution, and it got here from a second of brilliance from Jean-Ricner Bellegarde. He collected the ball on the sting of the world, teed himself up, after which smashed a fantastic, looping strike previous Matz Sels. An excellent aim.
A STRIKE AND A HALF. 🚀
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde ranges it for Wolves in opposition to Nottingham Forest with an absolute BELTER.
📺 Peacock | #NFOWOL pic.twitter.com/FT3s1sOffq
— NBC Sports activities Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 31, 2024
MVP of the weekend: Haaland
Erling Haaland’s hat-trick statistics are horrifying. He is already grabbed eight in little greater than two seasons, which places him equal fourth general within the Premier League tally. He is 4 off equalling Sergio Agüero on the high on 12, three off Alan Shearer’s 11 and one behind Robbie Fowler’s 9. He is additionally degree with Thierry Henry, Harry Kane, Michael Owen and one forward of Wayne Rooney.
He is exhibiting no indicators of slowing down, both, along with his price at the moment at one hat trick per 9 matches (Agüero was one per 23, Shearer one per 40, Fowler one per 42 matches). He’ll certainly smash the document (maybe this season contemplating he already has two hat methods in as many matches) however on a weekend when Mohamed Salah was distinctive, full with that ambiguous message over his future, it is nonetheless Haaland taking the headlines. — Tom Hamilton
LaLiga
Prime takeaway: Mbappé ends LaLiga drought
You wait 4 video games for one after which two Mbappé objectives arrive without delay. Actual Madrid’s new star signing had failed to attain in his aspect’s opening three LaLiga matches however he lastly corrected that on the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday because the reigning champions beat Actual Betis 2-0 to safe a much-needed three factors — even at this early stage of the season. Early pace-setters Barcelona’s 7-0 win over Actual Valladolid on Saturday had moved them seven factors away from Madrid. After attracts in opposition to Mallorca and Las Palmas, with Jude Bellingham out injured, Mbappé scoreless in Spain and Vinícius Júnior struggling to seek out high type, the stress was on Los Blancos to ship in opposition to Betis.
Kylian Mbappe shakes off gradual begin with brace for Actual Madrid
Kylian Mbappe opens his La Liga account as he scores each objectives in a 2-0 win for Actual Madrid over Actual Betis.
Madrid had been annoyed for big components of the night time however they finally discovered a manner via within the 67th minute. Mbappé latched onto a superb Federico Valverde move to open the scoring and his LaLiga account. The celebration featured extra aid than he would have maybe imagined when he visualised his first Bernabéu aim after becoming a member of on a free switch from Paris Saint-Germain this summer season. The watch for his first aim ended at 333 minutes. His second arrived eight minutes later. Vinícius was fouled by goalkeeper Rui Silva and Mbappé buried the penalty.
The objectives will quieten the questions that had been requested concerning the compatibility of Madrid’s new Galacticos. There stays room for enchancment, thoughts, heading into the worldwide break and coach Carlo Ancelotti nonetheless has work to do to get the very best out of Mbappé, Vinicius, Rodrygo and, when he is again, Bellingham on a extra constant foundation. He has loads of time on his palms, although, and Mbappé’s brace ought to settle the France captain when he returns from Les Bleus obligation for a troublesome journey to Actual Sociedad on Sept. 14.
Finest match: Osasuna vs. Celta
Celta Vigo would be the crew to look at in Spain this season. They had been overwhelmed 3-2 by Osasuna in one other thrillingly open sport full of objectives. That is 19 in 4 Celta matches up to now. They’ve scored 10 of them. Solely Barcelona (13) have scored extra.
Finest aim: Raphinha vs. Valladolid
The great thing about Raphinha’s third aim in opposition to Actual Valladolid was within the help. Lamine Yamal led a blistering Barcelona counter, deceiving Valladolid defenders as he carried the ball from his personal half into the ultimate third. Simply when it seemed like he would use Dani Olmo to his left, he noticed a move to Raphinha via the center that nobody else had seen. The Brazilian did the remainder.
HAT TRICK FOR RAPHINHA ‼️
INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE 🎩 pic.twitter.com/iBpQBgl3xZ
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 31, 2024
MVP of the weekend: Raphinha
After scoring the primary hat trick of his profession, it needs to be Raphinha. After a summer season by which Barça have been linked with signing a left winger, his efficiency additionally got here with a message because the Catalans made it 4 wins from 4 at first of the marketing campaign: “This exhibits we do not want any new signings,” he stated after. The primary aim was brilliantly taken, he was in the precise spot on the proper time for his second and he accomplished his treble after a superb Yamal run.
He has been one of many stars of Barça’s high-quality begin to the season, urgent with depth but additionally including high quality with the ball. “He is been implausible,” coach Hansi Flick stated. Not implausible sufficient, although, to be known as up by Brazil. He’ll take pleasure in a well-earned relaxation through the worldwide break. — Sam Marsden
Bundesliga
Prime takeaway: Leipzig finish Leverkusen’s unbeaten run
For the primary time in 15 months, Bayer Leverkusen have misplaced a Bundesliga sport. After an unbelievable unbeaten run of 35 matches, Xabi Alonso and his gamers could have thought they had been invincible, however RB Leipzig reminded them of their vulnerability on Saturday with a 3-2 upset on the BayArena. Trailing 2-0 within the forty fifth minute, away from dwelling in opposition to the reigning champions, turning that scoreline round is an unbelievable accomplishment for the Pink Bull-backed membership.
Loïs Openda had two photographs and scored two objectives. His teammates mixed for six extra photographs and one other aim. Leipzig had been usually dominated by the house aspect, routinely beneath stress, and Péter Gulácsi needed to conjure miracles at occasions in aim (Leverkusen registered 26 photographs, 10 on track, drawing eight saves from the Hungary No. 1), however their verticality devastating counterattack had been an excessive amount of for the defending champions.
How the ‘magic ran out’ for Bayer Leverkusen within the Bundesliga
Alejandro Moreno reacts to RB Leipzig ending Bayer Leverkusen’s 35-game unbeaten streak within the Bundesliga.
For all of the occasions when “Laterkusen” have roared again seemingly from the useless to grab wins and factors all through the previous 12 months, this time it was they who coughed up a late lead and conceded a winner within the final 10 minutes. The unbeaten run was by no means going to final one other full season, however not many would have wager on such an early stumble. Time will inform if it portends extra to return.
Finest match: Stuttgart vs. Mainz
VfB Stuttgart had been enjoyable to look at final season, and that hasn’t modified. Their 3-3 draw in opposition to Mainz at dwelling on Saturday was a rollercoaster of feelings. The hosts had been 2-0 up inside quarter-hour earlier than conceding twice within the second half, then they led once more within the 88th minute solely to drop two factors within the 94th.
Finest aim: Arnold at Kiel
Maximilian Arnold has arguably the very best left foot within the Bundesliga and is a grasp of set items. We noticed it once more on Saturday, when the VfL Wolfsburg captain scored a fantastic free kick to open the scoring at Holstein Kiel. He has completed it so many occasions all through his profession that it hardly comes as a shock anymore.
Maximilian Arnold scores within the 27′
Maximilian Arnold scores within the 27′
MVP of the weekend: Openda
It’s laborious to look outdoors Openda, the Leipzig striker scoring a brace to beat Leverkusen. After 24 objectives in 34 appearances final season, his first one within the Bundesliga after arriving in the summertime from Lens, the Belgium worldwide, who was annoyed after not scoring in opposition to VfL Bochum within the opening sport of the season final weekend, has two in two already this marketing campaign. — Julien Laurens
What else you missed this weekend
Lukaku’s high-quality begin in Napoli
Romelu Lukaku’s switch to Napoli from Chelsea has been one of many sagas of the summer season, so his debut for the 2023 Italian champions in opposition to Parma in Naples on Saturday night time was extremely anticipated . It did not disappoint. The 31-year-old Belgian striker got here on after an hour to degree the rating within the 92nd minute, 4 minutes earlier than Frank Zambo-Anguissa netted the winner. — Laurens
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Wrexham preserve shining in League One
A few steps under England’s high desk, Birmingham turned League One on its head with their switch deadline day recruitment of Fulham ahead Jay Stansfield. Experiences put the payment at £15 million with potential add-ons taking it to £20m — for comparability, that is greater than Liverpool spent to signal Federico Chiesa from Juventus. So you’ll be able to think about how the remainder of the groups really feel, even Wrexham, who’re after all bankrolled by Hollywood A-listers, however thus far, their document switch is across the £350,000 to £500,000 they splashed out on midfielder Ollie Rathbone.
After back-to-back promotions, this might be a season of consolidation, however Wrexham are effervescent properly. They’re unbeaten after 4 matches on ten factors, their newest win seeing them triumph 2-0 at Peterborough on Saturday. Each objectives had been nicely labored — the primary a pleasant crew transfer to tee up Jack Marriott, whose deflected shot opened issues up, and their second a well-executed nook for Max Cleworth to go dwelling. Peterborough had their possibilities however had been wayward, so might or not it’s three promotions on the trot? An extended approach to go, however Wrexham have made a promising begin to life in League One the place for as soon as, they don’t seem to be the massive canine. — Hamilton
Celtic hammer Rangers in Outdated Agency
It is already trying ominous for any aspect not named Celtic within the Scottish Premiership. They laid down a marker within the Outdated Agency on Sunday by hammering Rangers 3-0 to make it 4 wins from 4 as they aim a thirteenth title in 14 years. Aberdeen even have most factors after 4 video games, however even at this early stage it is laborious to see anybody stopping Brendan Rodgers’ Hoops, who’ve already scored 12 objectives and conceded none. — Marsden
Gyökeres making his mark in Lisbon
The switch window has solely simply closed, however if you wish to do some scouting forward of it reopening in January, then preserve your eyes on Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres. He scored a penalty in Sporting’s 2-0 win over Porto within the greatest sport in Portugal this weekend. Each groups had received all three of their opening video games, however it was the Gyökeres-led Sporting, who received the league final yr, who prevailed in Lisbon. The Sweden worldwide netted 43 occasions in all competitions final season and already has seven in 4 league video games this yr. Any European aspect in want of a No. 9 come the brand new yr can be monitoring him. — Marsden