2025/26 Premier League MW3 Recap: Sunday’s Matches in Review

2025/26 Premier League MW3 Recap: Sunday’s Matches in Review

The month of August has come to a close, as has matchweek three of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Four matches stretched across three different time slots this Sunday, including a gargantuan encounter between Arsenal and Liverpool. Big upsets were also on the cards, as three of the sides competing in UEFA’s top two competitions this campaign faced surprise defeats.

We have four live Premier League games lined up for you this Super Sunday! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/WryGx7CAAS

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

This leaves a meagre four sides winless after three games, indicating a significant increase in competition this year. Here are all the stories, scorers, and special moments from today’s fixtures.

Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham United

Winless in their opening three games in all competitions, with eleven goals conceded, and a manager under extreme pressure, little was expected from West Ham upon their arrival at the City Ground this afternoon.

Those expectations had not changed by half-time; an uneventful first 45 minutes had led to a single shot on target. It was no coincidence that chance was created by Matheus Fernandes, who shone on his Irons debut just days after his £42 million signing from Southampton.

Substitutions so often change football games, and that was no different in this game. Callum Wilson was a dreaded opponent of West Ham for years, scoring 12 goals against them. The roles were finally reversed today after Wilson netted his first goal for the club. An inspiring substitution, the Englishman had four shots in his 26-minute cameo, showing the away crowd just what they were missing.

West Ham are in dreamland!

Callum Wilson scores his first goal for the Hammers! ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/hANKmbkgCO

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

Crysencio Summerville was another impactful substitution who showed flashes of the player he was at Elland Road. The 23-year-old won a penalty just five minutes after West Ham’s first, his energetic pace simply too much for Ibrahim Sangare, a player who almost joined the London side on loan this summer.

Lucas Paqueta executed his penalty with ease, yet it was the Brazilians' celebration that stood out. Rumours of a forced move away to a bidding Aston Villa had sent West Ham into a potential panic, yet the attacking midfielder made it clear that he was happy in East London. Screwing up his face at a mock phone call (presumably from potential buyers) before pointing and kissing the badge.

Two goals in four minutes for West Ham!

Lucas Paquetá converts from the spot 💥 pic.twitter.com/60TRr49Bwd

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

Jarrod Bowen also got off the mark this season with a fine finish from outside the box, muting the City Ground everywhere apart from a section of the Bridgford Stand, which seated over 2,000 happy Hammers.

Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Manchester City

Little activity in the transfer market left one new face in the Seagulls’ starting eleven (Maxime de Cuyper) and one point from their opening two league fixtures. As for the eight-time Premier League winners, a bench which boasted Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias, Ederson, and Ilkay Gundogan is all that needed to be said regarding the Sky Blues’ squad depth.

It seemed a regular day at the office for Citizens when Erling Haaland poked home an effort from close range, making it three goals in three for the Norwegian. However, the script was disrupted after Matheus Nunes' raised arm handball left Darren England no choice but to point to the spot.

Erling Haaland opens the scoring at the Amex on his 100th PL appearance! 🤖 pic.twitter.com/E1YdV0HpOy

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

James Milner slotted home the equalising penalty, marking his 640th Premier League appearance with his first league goal since December 2019.

The Albion would continue to test James Trafford throughout the second half. Their pressure finally paid off in the 89th minute when Brajan Gruda was played in on goal, twisting and turning to edge around Trafford and pass it into an open Amex net.

Brajan Gruda looks to have grabbed the winner for Brighton against Man City! 💥 pic.twitter.com/UrtZpk6Y7r

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

While other managers search for a solution, Fabian Hürzeler continues to write the blueprint for beating Pep Guardiola, remaining unbeaten against the Spaniard in the three managerial meetings between the pair.

Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal

Last season’s top two faced off in what, in hindsight, could be a hugely important fixture come next May. This was more than just a match; it was an early declaration of intent from the reigning champions, as Liverpool handed Arsenal their first defeat of the season in a match that was decided by a single, spectacular moment.

The Gunners were struck with misfortune almost instantly after William Saliba limped off with an ankle injury just five minutes in. His departure handed summer signing Christian Mosquera a second Premier League appearance, although much earlier than he’d expected. He slotted in alongside Gabriel to keep Liverpool at bay for much of the first half.

The second half saw Liverpool grow into the game, with a warning shot arriving on the hour mark as the Reds bundled the ball into the back of the net, only for it to be correctly ruled out for offside.

Liverpool have the ball in the net but it's ruled out for offside ❌ pic.twitter.com/qMj1jbLO16

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

The relentless, high-intensity affair continued to take its toll, as Ibrahima Konate hobbled off in the 79th minute, furthering Liverpool’s centre-back shortages. Luckily, Arne Slot revealed that the Frenchman simply had a touch of cramp, but talks are still ongoing to make Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi Virgil Van Dijk’s new apprentice.

The moment that defined the match arrived in the 83rd minute. Martin Zubimendi's foul on Curtis Jones presented Dominik Szoboszlai with an opportunity from 30 yards out. The Hungarian stepped up and thundered home a knuckleball free-kick that clipped the post and left David Raya with no chance.

Dominik Szoboszlai. WOW. 🚀 pic.twitter.com/AmSa5lVgcx

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

It was a moment of magic that broke the deadlock in a tight contest, a goal that will be looked back on as a turning point in what is set to be a long season ahead. Szoboszlai became the first Liverpool player in almost a decade, outside of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phillipe Coutinho, to score a free-kick for the club. Not bad company at all.

Arsenal, meanwhile, found it difficult to create clear-cut chances, managing only a single shot on target. Despite a first-half lack of creativity, new signing Eberechi Eze was a bright spark after his introduction in the 70th minute. In his brief 27-minute cameo, he completed all nine of his passes and was successful on his only dribble attempt, offering a glimpse of the flair and directness he can bring to the squad.

A tricky and testing upcoming month for the Gunners, to say the least, as they face Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, and Manchester City after the international break, with Champions League fixtures nestled in between.

Aston Villa 0-3 Crystal Palace

A Sunday evening kick-off, a rarity in the Premier League schedule, brought a familiar sight for Crystal Palace fans: Jean-Philippe Mateta on the scoresheet. The 6'4" forward coolly converted a penalty to break the deadlock and set the tone for the night.

Jean-Philippe Mateta makes no mistake from the spot! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/cY9DRwguLZ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

Despite a Europa Conference League fixture in Eastern Norway just three days prior, Palace appeared unfazed by the short turnaround and travel. They expertly weathered Aston Villa’s early dominance in possession and momentum, demonstrating a clinical edge to strike precisely when it mattered.

While centre-halves are typically known for their headed goals from set pieces, Marc Guehi’s spectacular strike was proof that they have far more in their locker. The Crystal Palace captain curled a sublime shot from the edge of the box to make it 2-0, a moment of magic that many saw as his parting gift to the Selhurst Park faithful.

OUTSTANDING from Marc Guéhi! 😍 pic.twitter.com/CaYe5mYoaY

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

Ismaila Sarr, who has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season, continued his fine form with his second Premier League goal of the campaign to make it three. The goal came from a clever, well-worked move: a long throw from Jefferson Lerma was flicked on by Maxence Lacroix to the awaiting Senegalese winger at the back post. This continues Sarr's habit of haunting the Villains, having scored five goals against them last season, both home and away.

A brave header from Ismaïla Sarr and Crystal Palace are really enjoying themselves now! 🦅 pic.twitter.com/SfJZymrAFQ

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 31, 2025

After three games, Villa's struggles in front of goal have become a pressing concern, as they remain the only Premier League side yet to score this season. This evening was yet another showcase of their lack of confidence and cutting edge in the final third.

Unai Emery will be hoping that their main summer signing, Evann Guessand, can start to demonstrate the quality he displayed at Nice last season, particularly after he was substituted at halftime following a quiet opening 45 minutes.