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Five Things You May Have Missed From The Premier League Weekend

Despite a somewhat underwhelming Super Sunday in the Premier League that saw all three matches tied, Saturday was much better and had two standout fixtures.

Here's our weekly edition of five things you may have missed.

Guardiola's Dark Arts

Pep Guardiola has long been famed for his successful, possession-based football that has proved for almost two decades to be a winning formula.

However, Sunday's 1-1 draw against Arsenal saw him rip up his usual tactic sheet and employ a backs-to-the-wall display, most associated with his former foe Jose Mourinho.

City started the game with Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol, O'Reilly and Rodri protecting Gianluigi Donnarumma, but by the time the 90th minute rolled around, that defensive number had risen to seven.

Even goal scorer Erling Haaland was brought off, with the likes of Nathan Ake, Nico Gonzalez and John Stones all introduced as they sunk further towards their penalty area.

The Citizens also resorted to time wasting, with Donnarumma taking over six minutes in total with his kicks to restart play.

📸 - THE WHOLE STADIUM IS WHISTLING DONNARUMMA!

THEY ARE SICK OF HIS TIME WASTING! pic.twitter.com/YgYuKgnQqW
— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) September 21, 2025

Eventually, the arts failed to pay dividends, as Gabriel Martinelli caught the defence napping when they had briefly moved higher up the pitch, allowing him to break free and lob over the goalkeeper to score.

https://x.com/Arsenaljury/status/1969871757189497274

Pouring Rain In Manchester

Manchester United's victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford - which has now left the Blues without victory there for at least 13 years - will live long in the memory for its drama which included two red cards and the fastest time taken to make three substitutions.

However, the state of the pitch as Chelsea tried to mount a second half comeback was dire to say the least.

But it is embarrassing that a Stadium as prestigious as Old Trafford does not have a proper drainage system. Seeing how the pitch was flooded yesterday, even the coaches had to step out of their dugout cos of stagnated water, is embarrassing for the @premierleague

Shameful pic.twitter.com/qTLuyzC46R
— ARINZE (@arinzechukwucfc) September 21, 2025

The ball was evidently being somewhat held up as it travelled along the surface after every pass, and those attempting dribbles had to do so at half speed to make up for the unpredictable ball movement.

It's safe to say that the new stadium can't come soon enough.

Booked For Taking A Quick Free Kick

Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday lunchtime, but it was the referee who arguably came away with the spotlight.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall attempted to restart play from the free kick in a quick manner to try and catch the opposition cold - as many clubs do - yet the official was having none of it, remarkably brandishing a yellow card that left everyone astonished.

Have you ever seen this before?! Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is booked for taking a quick freekick. pic.twitter.com/kDSCPG36FQ
— Upper 90 Tips (@Upper90Tips) September 21, 2025

It's safe to say the Evertonians won't have Darren England on the Christmas card list, nor the fourth official, who only awarded three minutes of additional time.

Villa Get Their Goal

It had been a long wait - over eight and a half hours of Premier League football - but Aston Villa finally scored a league goal.

The only club not to have found the back of the net in the English professional divisions after matchweek four, their run has finally come to an end.

It was some strike as well, with Matty Cash taking aim from 30 yards with a swerved shot that caught Robin Roefs off guard, although the Sunderland 'keeper should have done much better than he did.

Leeds Win Huge Clash

Leeds United took on Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium on Saturday afternoon, in a pivotal clash for both sides.

For Wolves, they came into it as the only side without a point after four games, whilst it was a big opportunity for Leeds to get more points on the board against an out-of-sorts team in their bid to stay in the division this season.

And it was the hosts that started the better of the two, as they took an early lead through Ladislav Krejci.

However, a 15-minute collapse at the end of the half saw them concede thrice, allowing the Yorkshire club to barge them out of the driver's seat, something they didn't relinquish for the rest of the game as they took the points home with them.

Leeds are now in 12th with seven points, the same number as both Manchester City and United.