Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the season with a pulsating 5-3 victory over Sunderland at the Etihad Stadium. Antoine Semenyo’s clinical brace and a late Erling Haaland strike eventually saw off a resilient Black Cats side led by Brian Brobbey’s hat-trick.
Liverpool maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. Alexander Isak provided the decisive moment shortly after the interval to ensure all three points headed back to Merseyside.
Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento is expected to withdraw from the England squad following a significant fitness setback during training. The 23-year-old had only recently returned to competitive action, but this latest blow has forced Thomas Tuchel to rethink his defensive options for the upcoming international break.
Manchester United are facing the reality of losing their most prized academy asset as JJ Gabriel has reportedly settled on a move to Chelsea. The 15-year-old sensation has been at the centre of a bitter registration dispute at Old Trafford, leading the Red Devils to accelerate plans for a replacement.
Deniz Undav again manages very little in VfB Stuttgart’s 1-0 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, and his statistics are alarming. When he then speaks to get the frustration off his chest, a particular facet of his character finally shines through again, one that has always been part of his unlikely success.
When former top players move the end of their careers to a league away from Europe’s top table, people like to talk about “winding down in comfort”. Someone should ask Andros Townsend about that.
