The Premier League is back in full swing with Week 2 bringing us 25 goals and 29 yellows as we played witness to VAR denying what would have been a dramatic injury-time winner.
Saturday
Arsenal v Burnley
2-1
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the winner as the hosts defeated Burnley to record successive victories at the start of a Premier League campaign for the first time since 2009.
The Gabonese striker has scored seven goals in four league appearances against Burnley, four more than he’s netted against any other league side.
Frenchman Alexandre Lacazette marked his return from injury by opening the scoring after impressively holding off Erik Pieters and shooting between the legs of goalie Nick Pope.
Ashley Barnes leveled the game just before half time, converting at close range for his third goal in two matches.
The hosts handed full debuts to summer signing David Luiz and Real Madrid loanee Dani Ceballos, who recovered possession to set up Aubameyang for the powerful, low finish that won the game.
Youngster Reiss Nelson thought he’d scored for the Gunners off a cross from Nacho Monreal just before the break, only to see his delightful finish taken away by VAR for an offside call on Monreal.
Burnley’s Pope made a series of excellent saves to keep his side’s hopes alive, but was unable to prevent his side losing a 10th successive league meeting with the North Londoners.
Up Next:
Liverpool v Arsenal – Saturday, August 24 (12:30pm)
Wolves v Burnley – Sunday, August 25 (11:30am)
Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth
1-2
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith believe his side were taught a “harsh lesson” as two early goals saw Bournemouth sink the newbies.
The visitors were awarded a penalty after just 45 seconds when Callum Wilson was brought down in the box by Tom Heaton, which Joshua King converted.
Debutant Harry Wilson, on a season-long loan from Liverpool, doubled the Cherries’ lead with just 12 minutes played when a deflection took his left-footed strike past Heaton.
Douglas Luiz, who got his first start for the Villans following his £15m ($18.1m) from Man City, scored a consolation for the hosts, finding the top corner with a stunning strike from outside the box.
The fiery encounter at Villa Park saw Villa host their first top-flight match in 1,197 days.
Up Next:
Villa v Everton – Friday, August 23 (3pm)
Bournemouth v City – Sunday, August 25 (9am)
Brighton & Hove Albion v West Ham United
1-1
Leandro Trossard saw one goal scored and another ruled out by the video assist referee (VAR) as Brighton were held to a draw by the Hammers.
The Belgian, who the Seagulls signed from Genk for an undisclosed fee in June, thought he’d opened the scoring midway through the first half only to see his effort ruled out for offside upon VAR review.
But the 24-year-old was not to be denied a debut goal, firing one past Lukasz Fabianski from the edge of the box shortly after Javier Hernandez had put the visitors into a 61st minute lead.
All 53 of Hernandez‘s Premier League goals have come from inside the penalty area – of the players who can make the same claim, only Tim Cahill (56) has scored more.
The hosts pushed for a late winner with Trossard, Lewis Dunk and Davy Propper all coming close, but Graham Potter was forced to settle for a point on his home managerial debut.
To West Ham’s credit, despite a lack of attacking threat, they defended resolutely for long periods. Michail Antonio spurned a fine chance in the closing stages – heading weakly at Mat Ryan from close range.
Up Next:
Brighton v Southampton – Saturday, August 24 (10am)
Watford v West Ham – Saturday, August 24 (10am)
Everton v Watford
1-0
Bernard‘s goal after just 10 minutes was enough to give the Toffees their first victory of the 2019/20 campaign.
Watford, who are on a poor run having won just one of their last eight league games, have yet to score this season, though they did come close to equalizing when Craig Dawson‘s header hit the bar, following Bernard‘s goal.
The Hornets improved after the break, but Abdoulaye Doucoure missed the chance for a late equalizer. Troy Deeney was also denied by a fine from Jordan Pickford earlier in the half, when the captain went one-on-one with the Everton keeper.
Everton manager Marco Silva says he wants Goodison Park to be “a fortress” after his side’s fifth straight home win over Watford.
Up Next:
Villa v Everton – Friday, August 23 (3pm)
Watford v West Ham – Saturday, August 24 (10am)
Norwich City v Newcastle United
3-1
Teemu Pukki told media he “wouldn’t have even dreamt of a day like this” after his impressive hat-trick gave Norwich their first win back in the Premier League.
The 29-year-old’s previously unremarkable career saw spells at Schalke, Celtic and Brondby before he hit 29 goals for Norwich, helping them win the Championship last season.
He scored in their 4-1 opening day defeat to Liverpool and oozed quality with three fine finishes in his side’s first league game back at Carrow Road.
“Of course this is one of the best games I’ve had in English football,” he said. “A hat-trick in the Premier League I wouldn’t even have dreamt about a couple of years ago.”
Pukki‘s first of the afternoon came from a stunning volley that lashed into the top corner after the visitors failed to clear a corner. He doubled the lead in the 63rd minute finishing off a neat passing move, before burying Newcastle and slotting home his third past a helpless Martin Dubravka.
The Magpies did get a consolation goal in stoppage time through Jonjo Shelvey, however this disjointed and toothless display only piles up the pressure on new manager Steve Bruce.
Up Next:
Norwich v Chelsea – Saturday, August 24 (7:30am)
Spurs v Newcastle – Sunday, August 25 (11:30am)
Southampton v Liverpool
1-2
Liverpool beat the Saints to secure an 11th successive top-flight victory and equal their best-ever Premier League winning streak – despite a late blunder by goalie Adrian.
With the European Champions leading 2-0, the Red’s number two – starting in place of the injured Alisson – cleared the ball against the shin of Danny Ings to gift the Southampton striker a goal against his former club.
Sadio Mane gave Liverpool the lead with a beautiful arrowed finish from the edge of the box, before turning provider to set up Roberto Firmino, who doubled their advantage with a clever finish that proved crucial after Adrian‘s mishap.
Previous to their two goals, Adrian, who was declared fit despite an ankle injury from a collision with a pitch invader following their UEFA Super Cup win over Chelsea, kept out Maya Yoshida‘s header, whilst Che Adams spurned two chances for the hosts to equalize.
Adrian‘s error could have been dangerously costly for the visitors, but in a frantic finale Ings wasted the chance to equalize inside the six-yard area.
Southampton have now lost their last five league games against Liverpool by an aggregate score of 13-2.
Up Next:
Brighton v Southampton – Saturday, August 24 (10am)
Liverpool v Arsenal – Saturday, August 24 (12:30pm)
Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur
2-2
In a dramatic draw at the Etihad Manchester City were denied the three points when VAR disallowed Gabriel Jesus‘ score deep in to stoppage time.
The Brazilian produced a fantastic finish, but upon review it was disallowed for handball. VAR officials believe the ball struck the hand of Aymeric Laporte before falling to Jesus. It was a harsh call that left City reeling and with just the one point.
The rest of the game was just as dramatic. Spurs trailed twice, the first after Raheem Sterling headed home to give the hosts a 1-0 lead, but Erik Lamela‘s wonder strike from outside the box saw things level out once more.
City quickly regained the lead through another superb Sergio Aguero finish after a brilliant ball from Kevin De Bruyne, but their visitors were right on their tail once again with super sub Luca Moura getting the equalizer with his first touch of the game, finding a spring in his step, jumping high and heading home.
Tottenham left the Etihad the happier of the two sides but will feel they could and should have done more.
Up Next:
Bournemouth v City – Sunday, August 25 (9am)
Spurs v Newcastle – Sunday, August 25 (11:30am)
Sunday
Sheffield United v Crystal Palace
1-0
Sheffield United’s first Premier League game at Bramall Lane for 12 years ended with a hard-fought victory over Crystal Palace.
The hosts, who were spurred on by a raucous home crowd, who had been watching League One soccer three seasons ago, added to their point at Bournemouth last weekend with a precious win thanks to John Lundstram‘s early second half goal.
The Blades, who are already being tipped by many to get relegated, created the better chances and stood firm against a seasoned Palace side who earned more points on the road than at home last season.
They should have taken a first half lead but David McGoldrick‘s close-range shot was saved by Vincente Guaita in the Palace goal.
An already frustrated Palace were limited to few opportunities as Wilfried Zaha, was shackled by an industrious Blades defense.
Chirs Wilder will be pleased with his team’s effort as their 3-5-2 formation excelled at both ends of the pitch and saw Palace boss Roy Hodgson out-foxed.
Up Next:
Sheffield v Leicester – Saturday, August 24 (10am)
United v Palace – Saturday, August 24 (10am)
Chelsea v Leicester City
1-1
Despite Wilfred Ndidi‘s second-half equalizer, Frank Lampard said managing Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for the first time was the “stuff of dreams”.
His side took the lead when 20-year-old midfielder Mason Mount scored a memorable first goal for the Blues – robbing Ndidi of possession just outside the Foxes’ penalty area before beating Kasper Schmeichel with a low drive.
Mount became the first English player to score on his home debut for Chelsea in the league since Paul Hughes did so against Derby County in January 1997. He also became the first Englishman to score for Chelsea under an English manager since Dennis Wise against Blackburn Rovers in May 1996 (Glenn Hoddle was manager).
The hosts started with real intent, Pedro volleyed into the side netting and N’Golo Kante was denied a goal against his former club by Christian Fuch either side of Mount‘s goal.
The visitors were much better after half time and secured a well-deserved point when Ndidi got between Cesar Azpilicueta and Kurt Zouma to head home from a corner.
Both sides remain without a win, with Leicester on two points from two games, one more than their hosts.
Up Next:
Sheffield v Leicester – Saturday, August 24 (10am)
Norwich v Chelsea – Saturday, August 24 (7:30am)
Monday
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester United
1-1
Paul Pogba and Manchester United were denied victory when the Frenchman’s second half penalty was saved, holding them to a 1-1 draw at the Molineux.
With the score 1-1, Pogba was fouled by Conor Coady and stepped up to take the spot-kick, despite failing with three penalties last season and Marcus Rashford scoring one against Chelsea on the opening weekend. He earned it and he wanted to take it, but his powerful shot was pushed away by Rui Patricio.
A first half that contained just three shots saw Anthony Martial put the visitors in front with his 50th goal for the club – a fine left-footed finish – only for Ruben Neves to level with a world class strike from the edge of the area, which bounced off the crossbar 10 minutes after the break.
The draw leaves both sides frustrated after many missed opportunities and wasted chances, though it’ll be the hosts who left the happier of the two.
Up Next:
Wolves v Burnley – Sunday, August 25 (11:30am)
United v Palace – Saturday, August 24 (10am)
ALL TIMES U.S. EASTERN
Artistry of Sport 
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