Simply in case you required additional proof, Gameweek 20 was readily available to point out that nothing is a given within the Premier League.
After title hopefuls Arsenal and Chelsea dropped factors away from dwelling on Saturday, the world projected a Liverpool bloodbath as they welcome a slumping Manchester United workforce – probably the worst of the Premier League period – to Anfield on Tremendous Sunday.
Nevertheless, Ruben Amorim’s aspect supplied greater than mere competence on Merseyside. Their stark enchancment maybe caught the league leaders off guard as they hassled, harried and tortured Trent Alexander-Arnold in a extra than simply 2-2 draw.
The opening Premier League weekend of 2025 actually did not disappoint, and there have been standout performances throughout the division. Here is six of the most effective.
Jimenez was fast to dismiss the importance of some extent post-match, however the Cottagers would’ve succumbed at dwelling to the relegation-threatened Ipswich City if it wasn’t for him.
The hosts had been pissed off by a cussed Ipswich block and a few questionable officiating however discovered a route again into the competition when Harry Wilson was clipped within the field by Sam Morsy. Jimenez transformed from the spot with aplomb.
Ipswich’s fast response meant Fulham headed into the closing phases staring defeat within the face, however Jimenez was readily available to rescue a draw. The striker outwitted Leif Davis to win one other penalty, and his second spot-kick was dispatched with even better conviction.
The Mexican has now taken ten Premier League penalties with out lacking – the third-best excellent file within the competitors’s historical past.
Manchester Metropolis’s extended malaise in the direction of the tip of 2024 has seen Haaland’s as soon as staggering FPL possession dwindle to 30.4% with managers turning to midfielder Mohamed Salah as their most prized asset.
Nevertheless, with Haaland again among the many targets and Metropolis threatening a resurgence, there is no doubt a few people will rethink bringing the Nordic machine again in.
After discovering the web at Leicester, Haaland scored his first Premier League brace since September in Metropolis’s 4-1 thumping of West Ham. As is often the case, Haaland’s efficiency was outlined by the standard of his ending.
The towering ahead headed dwelling with aplomb from a depraved cross to double the Cityzens’ lead within the first-half earlier than dinking a trademark effort over Alphonse Areola for his second – a sequence straight out of his record-breaking 2022/23 marketing campaign.
Liverpool have been caught off guard by Man Utd on Sunday, with the Crimson Devils benefitting from a six-day break between fixtures. A change of midfield pivot and a concerted effort from United’s centre-backs to satisfy Liverpool’s midfielders between the traces meant the Reds’ excellent engine room did not have all of it their very own means.
Arne Slot’s aspect by no means appeared to have whole management of the competition, even once they dominated territorially within the first half and took the lead within the second. Many gamers have been unable to seek out their apex, however Mac Allister carried out on the stage we have come to count on of him.
The Argentine supplied serenity amid the chaos, along with his refined on-ball brilliance manifesting through sharp, first-time passes to vary the dynamic of Liverpool’s assaults and open up United’s cussed defensive construction. His metronomic work with the ball was complemented by shrewd house interpretation and relentless effort out of possession.
He relished the battle with fellow South American Manuel Ugarte in the course of the park.
Whereas able to demonic ball carries and doubtlessly a canny operator within the field, Haaland is not a striker who fashions openings for himself. Like many all-time greats, the Norwegian hitman is pretty much as good as his service permits.
In opposition to West Ham on Saturday, Haaland was the beneficiary of an impressive Savinho efficiency.
The Brazilian has predominantly been utilized in an inverted perform down the appropriate in the beginning of his Metropolis profession, however Pep Guardiola has opted to vary tack and deploy Savinho on his ‘pure’ flank for the previous two video games. The winger shone down the left for Girona final season, and Guardiola’s swap is bringing the most effective out of the 20-year-old.
After tying Vladimir Coufal up in knots and crossing wickedly for Haaland to move dwelling, Savinho teed up the Norwegian’s second aim having obtained possession infield on the midway line. The Brazilian’s threaded move in behind was pinpoint, permitting his striker to complete.
The winger has merely supplied glimmers in sky blue so far, however this was undoubtedly his greatest efficiency on English shores but.
Bruno Fernandes was suspended for United’s messy show towards Newcastle and initially struggled to seek out his groove upon his return to the beginning XI on Sunday.
The Crimson Devils captain was used as the important thing facilitator in United’s frontline, and he performed a significant function in making certain the guests continually acquired in behind down the left. Nevertheless, there was some hesitancy when he entered the ultimate third – a irritating side of his efficiency which dissipated after he teed up Lisandro Martinez’s opener with a cute reverse move.
After that, Fernandes was in whole command. Amid the mayhem, United’s playmaker operated at his personal tempo and dictated proceedings in tandem with Mac Allister.
The Portuguese star hasn’t all the time proven up on the massive event for the Crimson Devils as of late, however this was a monster efficiency within the hardest of environments – particularly within the second half. No Man Utd participant has created extra possibilities in a Premier League outing at Anfield than Fernandes’ 4 since 2003/04.
Bryan Mbeumo’s evolution from Robin to Batman at Brentford has seen the Frenchman get pleasure from a profession yr on the goalscoring entrance in 2024/25.
The Bees have been hamstrung by a dire away file this time period, however Mbeumo and strike companion Yoane Wissa have been readily available to make sure Thomas Frank’s aspect secured their first Premier League win on their travels at Southampton.
Brentford ran riot on the south coast because of yet one more productive Mbeumo show. The versatile ahead created 5 possibilities and was rewarded with a late help having scored two targets himself to take his league tally for the season as much as 13.
The streets shall be speaking about this Mbeumo x Wissa partnership for years to return.
