Premier League Recap: Saturday's Matches in Review
Premier League Recap: Saturday's Matches in Review
The Premier League's second Saturday of the season saw some shock wins and a worrying pattern for one team in particular.
Man City hosted Tottenham in an early 'big six' fixture, Leeds travelled to the Emirates, two promoted sides went head-to-head, Bournemouth and Wolves faced off and Brentford played Aston Villa.
Here's everything that happened on Saturday afternoon.
Arsenal Thrash Leeds
Arsenal tore Leeds to pieces despite a difficult first half hour as they ran out 5-0 winners.
Leeds almost dug their own grave early on as they tried to play out from the back through Lucas Perri in goal, as he was nearly caught out twice by Arsenal players pressing him.
We won’t be relegated in games like this, but the squad selection and our inability to cause any danger whatsoever, shows the serious limitations of Daniel Farke
— Billy (@_billyreid) August 23, 2025
Despite the visitors having a powerful header denied by David Raya and a couple of chances snuffed out on the counter, it was the Gunners who controlled the balance of play but couldn't find a killer pass to open up a resilient Leeds defence.
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal turned to set pieces for a goal as Jurrien Timber directed Declan Rice's perfect corner delivery past Perri in the 34th minute.
Bukayo Saka doubled the Gunners' lead on the stroke of half time as he powered a shot high into the far corner from a relatively difficult angle before he was later withdrawn from the pitch with what seemed to be a hamstring issue - not what is needed ahead of next week's clash with Liverpool.
Victor Gyokores opened his account at the Emirates Stadium early after half time, taking on Pascal Struijk from wide into the penalty area before scoring; He later got a brace with a stoppage time penalty that was won by 15-year-old debutant Max Dowman.
Viktor Gyökeres was trolled on social media for touching his hair a lot during Arsenal vs. Man United.
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 23, 2025
His celebration to the camera after his second goal vs. Leeds 😏 pic.twitter.com/9rkpkVwAle
Dutchmen Timber also scored twice, as he bagged Arsenal's third in the 56th minute.
City Falter Against Spurs
Thomas Frank's Tottenham produced a classic sucker-punch performance away from home to make it three wins in five seasons at the Etihad Stadium.
In typical fashion, the Citizens enjoyed the lions share of possession (61%) but Spurs picked their times to attack well and took their chances where City couldn't.
Spurs whenever they face man city pic.twitter.com/30zNro6ykG
— V (@TheRetroVay) August 23, 2025
Omar Marmoush almost put the hosts ahead inside 10 minutes following Pedro Perro's undercooked header back to the goalkeeper, which the Egyptian picked up and fired at goal from a tight angle but the ball squirmed across the goal line in devastating fashion.
On the 35th minute mark, Porro's ball upfield was knocked on by Pape Matar Sarr that set Richarlison free in behind the City defence, with the Brazilian picking Brennan Johnson out on the opposite flank for the Welshman to hammer home.
Tottenham's second in first half stoppage time came directly from Man City contributing to their own downfall; James Trafford attempted to play Ruben Dias the ball facing his own goal inside the box, allowing Sarr to easily dispossess the Portuguese as his international counterpart Joao Palinha fired through five bodies into the net.
City did have great chances of their own to get on the score sheet, particularly Erling Haaland's free header that flew over the crossbar, but ultimately Spurs' defence stood strong whilst continuing to stretch the hosts at the back, led by Porro's energy and pin-point crossing ability.
🇪🇸 Magnificent performance from Pedro Porro yet again and it cannot go unnoticed as what he offers simply can’t be replicated.
— Spurs Global (@spurssglobal) August 23, 2025
He’s such a unique player, I think it’s very clear we’ve got ourselves a gem. ⚪️💎 pic.twitter.com/TIv6aG6B2J
Burnley Off The Mark
Burnley made an instant response to last week's humbling at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium by beating fellow promoted side Sunderland.
Despite hammering West Ham United 3-0 last week, the Black Cats were brought back to reality by a team they finished a huge 24 points behind in the Championship last season.
First win of the season for Burnley 🙌
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 23, 2025
All three promoted sides have a win already 🔥
Last season it took until November for that to happen 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dWxY4Hx2ej
It was the visitors who should have taken the lead though, with Eliezer Mayenda failing to score with a free shot at goal from six yards out before Chemsdine Talbi's chip over Martin Dubravka skimming wide of the far post.
The Clarets had the ball in the net in the 18th minute as Lyle Foster's shot was too strong for Robin Roefs to deal with, but the goal was ruled out as the striker fouled Jenson Seelt to take possession.
Sunderland you tricked me smh
— G (@Gideoomatic) August 23, 2025
The deadlock was broken two minutes after the interval as Jaidon Anthony's deft flick found Josh Cullen on the edge of the box, with the Englishman curling a fabulous side foot shot into the bottom corner.
The same two players linked up again in the 88th minute to seal Burnley's first top flight victory since April 2024, as Cullen's through ball found Anthony as he raced towards goal, rounded Roefs in goal and hit the roof of the net.
Brentford Surprise Villa
Brentford bounced back from the opening weekend's loss to earn their first win under new manager Keith Andrews.
Dango Ouattara's early strike was enough to down last season's Champions League challengers, who now have just one point and will be cautious not to slip too far back from the leading pack early on.
Claudia Schiffer 🤝 Brentford
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 23, 2025
The German model and actor recently announced her investment in Brentford alongside her husband, filmmaker Matthew Vaughn 🎬 pic.twitter.com/EVQ6figfbu
The Bees could have gone ahead before Ouattara's goal, after a patient move on the edge of the box ended up with Mikel Damsgaard skipping through two Villa defenders before being unfortunate not to bend his shot into the far corner.
The sole goal of the game came from old-fashioned, direct football as Caoimhin Kelleher's hoof up the pitch was knocked on by Igor Thiago into the feet of the Burkinabe forward, who scored with his second bite at the cherry for his first Brentford strike.
Half an hour in, John McGinn almost dragged the visitors level as he received a pass 20 yards from goal, and the Scotsman's shot almost wrong-footed Kelleher as it travelled through plenty of bodies but the Irishman stood firm to save with his feet.
My god that did not get any better.
— Aston Villa Statto (@AVFCStatto) August 23, 2025
Slow boring football.
First time Aston Villa have not scored in the opening 2 game weeks since 2002/2003.#AVFC pic.twitter.com/xDTmzJQE9P
Brentford did have the ball in the goal once more as Emi Martinez failed to deal with Michael Kayode's long throw into the mix, which was punished by Damsgaard, although the referee adjudged the Argentinian goalkeeper to have been fouled.
Perhaps most worrying for Unai Emery's men is that they are still yet to find the back of the net this season, with Ollie Watkins and co lacking clinicality in front of goal.
Cherries Beat Wolves
Bournemouth got their first points on the board with a 1-0 win to condemn Wolverhampton Wanderers to a second consecutive defeat.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde's careless pass in the fourth minute on the edge of his own box gave Antoine Semenyo the chance to pick out Marcus Tavernier, whose shot took a big delection off Emmanuel Agbadou to give Djordje Petrovic no chance at denying the ball ending up in his goal.
‼️🍒How good did this guy look on his debut today, Cherries fans!😮💨#AFCB pic.twitter.com/FAco0hcIP6
— All On Bournemouth (@AllOnAFCB) August 23, 2025
Six minutes later, Semenyo hit the bar from inside the six yard area after beating Ki-Jana Hoever to meet David Brooks' cross.
With did have plenty of chances themselves in the early passages but couldn't convert; Hoever crossed into Jorgen Strand Larsen but his header was saved and pushed away well, after Marshall Munetsi volleyed over as he raced through a gap in the Cherries' defence.
Writing was on the wall end of last season… now we’ve sold 2 of our best, lost Semedo & seen no real investment. Feels like time to say goodbye. #WWFC pic.twitter.com/NoGOUZqY5b
— Wolves Ay We (@southbank82) August 23, 2025
Wolves were made to play virtually all of the second half with 10 men, as Toti Gomes saw red for bringing Evanilson down as the Brazilian striker went 1-on-1 with Jose Sa.
With 14 shots overall following last week's thrilling 4-2 clash with Liverpool, Bournemouth certainly look to be one of the more entertaining sides to watch this season.
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