Everyone had touted this as Ruben Amorim’s chance to get one over Guardiola, potentially kickstarting United’s flagging fortunes.
Man City destroy United in first gear
City have looked a shadow of their former selves and United have shown the ability- even in their darkest moments- to pull off shock upsets against the big boys. And United started quite brightly yesterday, with Benjamin Sesko showing some promising signs for the Red Devils. But their early spark quickly dissipated as Jeremy Doku completely bamboozled Shaw, who cut the ball back to Foden to open the scoring (Fernandez had criminally lost track of the English midfielder in the build-up). United began to capitulate and Haaland bulldozed his way past a hapless Shaw to make it 2-0 in the 53rd minute. Haaland snatched a 2nd soon after and the score could have been more. What’s frightening for United is that City didn’t really play well at all. Foden, Doku and Haaland impressed but United made everything so easy for them. There is a simple blueprint for playing United (whether you are Grimsby Town or Man City). Flood the midfield and exploit Amorim’s ill-fated, dead system. To start Fernandez at the base of that midfield was a borderline sackable offence. Furthermore, United bought Senne Lemmens in a last-ditch attempt to rectify their goalkeeping woes and they start him on the bench! So, they now have three 2nd choice keepers! What did City go and do? They got Champions League winner Donnarumma, who produced an early contender for save of the season. The writing is on the walls for the intransigent Portuguese coach.
Arsenal new signings shine while Liverpool pinch points at Burnley
Andrea Berta’s immediate impact on Arsenal was clear for all to see on Saturday, as Arsenal’s summer transfer targets powered the Gunners to a comfortable 3-0 home win against Forest. To be fair, these sunny home games against non-title challengers are not going to define Arsenal’s campaign. But you must admire the way the new faces have gelled into Arteta’s framework. Zubimendi had a blinder, scoring a screamer to open the scoring before heading home his 2nd towards the end of the match. Gunman Gyokeres got on the scoresheet again, assisted by late-summer purchase Ebrahim Eze. Noni Madueke traumatized Morata down his wing while Mosquera stood up to the physical challenge imposed by Chris Wood. It was a triumphant proof of concept for Arteta’s latest acquisitions. Liverpool managed yet another great escape at Burnley, scoring with practically the last kick of the match to secure a 1-0 victory. It was a history-making moment, ensuring that Slot’s side are the first in Premier League history to win four successive matches with winning goals scored in the last ten minutes. Scott Parker’s side resisted magnificently but were up against it after Lesley Ugochukwu was sent off in the 84th minute. They repelled countless Liverpool attacks but a lapse of concentration cost them dearly, with Hannibal inexplicably handling a Frimpong cross at the death. Mo Salah duly obliged, scoring form the spot to solidify ‘Arne Time’ as the Gen Z answer to ‘Fergie Time’.
Bayern thump Hamburg 5-0 to maintain perfect start to campaign
Vincent Kompnay’s imperious Bayern side never missed a beat this weekend, returning from international duty to mercilessly take down Hamburg 5-0. Kompany never lost a single player to injury during the international break, and they were brilliant from the start, with Serge Gnabry drilling in from an acute angle in the 3rd minute. It was the start of a veritable blitzkrieg, as Kompany’s side made it 4-0 before the half-hour mark (with Kane scoring once while assisting another). With the Champions League starting this week, Kompany had the luxury of resting key players in the 2nd stanza (Nicolas Jackson got his first run out for Die Roten). Kane continued his unparalleled start to the campaign, scoring the 5th to make it five goals and three assists in three matches. Luiz Diaz has been a revelation in the absence of Jamal Musiala, scoring in his first three Bundesliga matches. I think we will learn a lot about Bayern’s true pedigree once they have hosted Chelsea on Wednesday night. Kasper Hjulmand got off to a winning start as the new Leverkusen coach, putting the entire Ten Hag fiasco to bed with a tentative 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. It was a typically event-filled Leverkusen win, with Grimaldo completely settling matters with a signature 98th minute strike (this despite Leverkusen being down to nine men). In any event, this looks set to be one of the most one-sided Bundesliga title races in recent memory (and that’s saying something).
Juventus edge Inter in nail-biting Derby d’Italia
The Tudor era is back (sorry, I couldn’t resist that). Igor Tudor has got off to an incredible start as new Juventus manager, maintaining their unblemished Serie A record with a breathtaking 4-3 comeback win over would-be title rivals Inter Milan. The match had shadows of October’s 4-4 draw at the San Siro, as Inter bossed possession while Juve looked to hit on the counter. Strangely for a 4-3 match, centre-forwards Dusan Vlahovic and Lautaro Martinez were anonymous figures. It was a seesaw affair, with Marcus Thuram seemingly settling matters when he headed Inter ahead 3-2 in the 76th minute. But in a twist of telenovela proportions, Marcus’ brother Khephren equalized for the Old Lady in the 82nd minute, setting up a barnstorming finish at the Allianz Arena. And the winner came from the unlikeliest of sources, as teenage midfielder Vasilije Adzic scored a screamer in the 91st minute to finally settle matters. On the books at Juve since the start of the 2024/2025 campaign, this could be the catalyst for a more concerted spell in the side. Cristian Chivu is already starting to feel the heat as his side struggles to recapture the form of the successful Inzaghi era.
But the Bianconeri still trail defending champions Napoli. Antonio Conte’s side breezed past Fiorentina 3-1 in a dominant display at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, showing ruthlessness in attack while remaining relatively airtight at the back. It was a win that was made in Manchester, with ex-City player Kevin de Bruyne slotting home a 6th minute penalty to give the Partenopei the lead. Then United flop Rasmus Hojlund showed why he is ideally suited to the less frenetic pace of Serie A, showing true striking instincts to double Napoli’s lead in the 14th minute. Another debutant got his name on the scoresheet at the beginning of the 2nd half, as Sam Beukema was well placed to deflect home from Anguissa’s intelligent cutback. Fiorentina got a late consolation, but Conte’s side were too polished to be denied. And all this with talismanic figure Scott McTominay- another Mancunian castaway- leaving little impression on the game.
Spanish giants pick up contrasting wins in La Liga title race
Xabi Alonso has followed Arne Slot’s example at Liverpool, choosing not to shake the foundations of what Carlo Ancelotti built. He wants to implement his favoured 3-4-3 formation but has adjusted to the squad at his disposal, introducing his concepts gradually while still leaning on the classical 4-3-3 formation that has proven so successful for Real. They haven’t sparked this year but have now won four out of four in La Liga, picking up a gutsy 2-1 win at Real Sociedad. Mbappe was class throughout, scoring one and assisting another while making seven completed dribbles (the most by any player in a match across all five big leagues this season). His intuitive collaboration with Arda Guler evokes the sensational partnership of Ronaldo and Ozil. Barcelona were far more emphatic this weekend, destroying a hapless Valencia side 6-0 at the Nou Camp. They were sensational from the start, with La Masia graduate Fermin Lopez scoring stunning strikes in either half. Substitutes Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski netted 2nd half braces to send a real message to Alonso’s more pragmatic Real side.
Player of the Week- Hakan Calhanoglou
I am bucking my own trend this week, opting for a player who was involved in a losing cause. But I can’t help but admire the resolve shown by Turkish captain Hakan Calhanoglou. The veteran midfielder has been roundly castigated in recent weeks, with many- Fabio Capello included- wondering whether he had lost the dynamism to propel Inter forward. But he looked back to his best this weekend, scoring long range goals in either half- and off either foot- to reassert himself as Inter’s playmaker general.
