With Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all in action, it was a blockbuster set of 3pm Premier League fixtures that we haven’t seen in some time - and they definitely didn’t disappoint!
Liverpool hit Bournemouth for nine, Man City came from behind against Crystal Palace thanks in part to an Erling Haaland hat-trick and Raheem Sterling was the saviour for ten-man Chelsea.
It was certainly an afternoon to remember for Liverpool fans, Roberto Firmino and the 397 astute Fantasy Premier League players who captained him, with the Brazilian putting in a scintillating performance as Liverpool ran riot against Bournemouth, winning 9-0 and equalling the Premier League record.
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The 30-year-old, when compared to the other members of Liverpool’s famous former attacking trinity of Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, has lost some of his shine in recent seasons but he turned back the clock at Anfield today, assisting three times and scoring twice as Liverpool scored five goals in the first-half of a Premier League game for the first time.
In fact, Firmino is the first Liverpool player to be directly involved in four goals in the first half of a single Premier League match and the first player overall since Harry Kane in 2017 against Stoke City.
Goals from Luis Diaz, Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Firmino and Virgil Van Dijk gave Jurgen Klopp’s side a huge lead going into the break and things didn’t get much better for The Cherries after it, with Chris Mepham turning into his own net to make it six. Firmino then made it seventh heaven just after the hour mark, Fabio Carvalho hit the eighth with ten minutes to go and Diaz put the Reds on cloud nine with his second soon after.
Perhaps the most incredible thing about this game is that Salah didn’t score or assist any of the nine goals!
Manchester City had to dig deep against Crystal Palace at the Etihad, coming back from 2-0 down to win 4-2. The reigning champions found themselves with plenty of work to do after the break with some shambolic defending contributing to the Eagles’ unlikely lead. First, through a John Stones own goal after just four minutes and then through Joachim Andersen on 21 minutes.
Bernardo Silva looks to be sticking around at City despite interest from PSG and Pep Guardiola will be glad he is. The Portuguese midfielder showed his class to reduce the deficit with his 50th goal for the club. But the plaudits will surely go to new boy Erling Haaland who showed why the Cityzens forked out £51.1m for him this summer.
The Norwegian superstar scored a second-half hat-trick to secure a hard-fought three points, the thirteenth of his career at just 22-years-old. Incredible.
Chelsea were dealt an early blow against Leicester City at Stamford Bridge as Conor Gallagher was given an early shower after receiving a second booking just before the half hour mark. Summer signing Raheem Sterling came to The Blues rescue though, with his first and second goals for the club. The Foxes pulled one back through Harvey Barnes but despite a late onslaught couldn’t find an equaliser.
Elsewhere, Anthony Gordon showed why he is such a wanted man this summer, giving Frank Lampard’s winless Everton an early lead against Brentford. However, the Toffees will have to wait for their first three points of the season with Vitaly Janelt scoring an 84th minute equaliser for the Bees. Everton remain just above the drop, although Wolves and West Ham both have games in hand.
Graham Potter's Brighton & Hove Albion incredibly move up to second in the Premier League table after Pascal Gross’s second half strike was enough to hand Leeds United their first defeat of the season.
