Premier League: Impressive Man City tames Wolves; Spurs Outclass Burnley
The Premier League continued in thrilling fashion on Saturday, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City both securing impressive victories in their opening matches. Under new manager Thomas Frank, Spurs celebrated a convincing 3-0 win over Burnley, while Erling Haaland inspired City to a dominant 4-0 rout of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Here is a wrap of all the action on Saturday.
Frank’s Dream Debut: Spurs Dominate Burnley 3-0
Frank, who took over from Ange Postecoglou after a disappointing domestic season, was eager to revive Spurs’ fortunes. His first match was almost a trophy-winning affair, as he narrowly missed out on the UEFA Super Cup just days earlier.
In front of a vibrant north London crowd, Richarlison opened the scoring by turning in a cross from new signing Mohammed Kudus in the 25th minute. The Brazilian doubled his tally with a spectacular bicycle kick from another Kudus delivery shortly after the hour mark, sending the home fans into a frenzy. Brennan Johnson, hero of the Europa League final, capped off the evening by racing clear and slotting in Tottenham’s third goal in the 79th minute.
“Perfect start or dream start. A good performance against a difficult opponent,” Frank said, beaming with pride. “I will just enjoy it, and I hope the players, the club, and the fans enjoy it because that is important.” The win sets a positive tone for Spurs as they look to improve on last season’s struggles.
Haaland Sparks City in 4-0 Rout of Wolves
At Molineux, Manchester City unveiled their new-look squad under Pep Guardiola, determined to bounce back after finishing third last season. Erling Haaland was in fine form, scoring two goals and showcasing his lethal finishing ability. However, it was new signing Tijjani Reijnders who stole the spotlight, contributing to all three of City’s opening goals.
Reijnders opened the scoring with a composed finish in the 15th minute, marking a strong debut after his £46.5 million move from AC Milan. Haaland quickly followed suit, netting his first of the match with a powerful strike just before halftime. The Norwegian added a second goal in the 65th minute, displaying his trademark poaching instincts. Rayan Cherki, another summer acquisition, rounded off the scoring with a well-timed goal in the 78th minute, sealing a comfortable victory for City.
“We knew he is a top signing for the coming years for City,” Guardiola remarked about Reijnders. “Of course, we have changed after last season with many injuries and problems—fresh energy this season.” The commanding performance sends a strong message to the rest of the league about City’s intent to reclaim their title.
Sunderland’s Impressive Return: Black Cats Defeat West Ham 3-0
In a thrilling match, Sunderland made a strong start to their Premier League return with a 3-0 victory over West Ham. The Black Cats, back in the top flight for the first time since 2017, showcased their determination to defy the odds against relegation.
Eliezer Mayenda opened the scoring for Sunderland with a looping header in the 60th minute, igniting the Stadium of Light. Centre-back Dan Ballard doubled the lead with another header just seven minutes later, displaying the team’s aerial threat. Wilson Isidor sealed the emphatic win with a stoppage-time goal, sending the home crowd into celebration. The victory positions Sunderland as a potential contender to break the trend of promoted teams facing relegation.
Newcastle Stumbles: Magpies Held to 0-0 Draw by 10-Man Villa
Newcastle United faced a frustrating afternoon at Villa Park, managing only a 0-0 draw against a ten-man Aston Villa. The Magpies dominated possession and created several chances but failed to find the net, missing the presence of wantaway striker Alexander Isak.
Newcastle’s fortunes took a turn when Villa’s Ezri Konsa received a red card for a foul on Antony Gordon in the 66th minute, leaving the home side with ten men. Despite their numerical advantage, Newcastle couldn’t capitalize, with Villa’s defense holding strong. Manager Eddie Howe expressed his desire for a swift resolution to Isak’s situation, noting that the ongoing saga is affecting team focus. “From my perspective, you want a resolution quickly,” Howe said.
Late Drama at Brighton: Fulham Snatches 1-1 Draw
In a dramatic finish, Fulham salvaged a late 1-1 draw at Brighton thanks to Rodrigo Muniz’s goal in the 96th minute. The match had seen Brighton take the lead earlier with a penalty from Matt O’Riley, but Fulham’s resilience paid off in stoppage time.
Brighton looked to be on course for victory until Fulham’s late surge, demonstrating the unpredictability of the Premier League. Muniz’s equalizer not only secured a point for Fulham but also highlighted their determination to compete in the top flight.
