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BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 12: The logo badge of Brighton and Hove Albion on a corner flag during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Luton Town at American Express Community Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)

Football | Premier League 23/24 | Matchweek 2 | Roundup

Robert Wheeler
Football

By Robert Wheeler

  • West Ham shock Chelsea
  • Spurs defeat Man United
  • Brighton are the new leader
England – Matchweek 2 of the Premier League saw some surprise results including West Ham beating Chelsea and Spurs defeating Manchester United. We also have a new league leader in Brighton.

 

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Hammer blow for Chelsea

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Mauricio Pochettino suffered his first defeat as Chelsea manager at the hands of an inspired West Ham United side. The Hammers may not have Declan Rice anymore but James Ward-Prowse has shown he can be a more than capable replacement.

After just seven minutes Ward-Prowse sent in a corner which Nayef Aguerd headed in to give David Moyes‘ team the lead. Carney Chukwuemeka smashed in the equaliser and the Blues then had a chance to go in front. However, Enzo Fernandez saw his penalty saved by Alphonse Areola.

West Ham retook the lead early in the second half when Ward-Prowse sent through Michail Antonio who fired in from the edge of the box. It looked like it would be one of those days for the Hammers when Aguerd was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Although, Moyes’ side hung on and claimed a 3-1 victory when Lucas Paqueta slotted in his spot-kick. Paqueta has betting allegations against him but you could see how much this goal meant to the Brazilian in his celebrations.

No Kane no problem

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Ange Postecoglou has shown that there is life for Tottenham Hotspur after Harry Kane as the Australian delivered a 2-0 victory over Manchester United. Although, it could have gone the other way with Eric ten Hag‘s side missing a load of chances.
Marcus Rashford missed two good early chances, including one from a Bruno Fernandes rabona pass that could have been a contender for the goal of the season. Fernandes then spurned a similar chance from a Luke Shaw cross.
Warning signs then started to creep in for United as Pedro Porro rattled their crossbar with a strike from the edge of the box. In the same play, a deflection off Shaw also hit the woodwork. Spurs took the lead early in the second half through Pape Matar Sarr. Fernandes then could have equalised but his shot rebounded back off the post.

Tottenham then won the game in a comical fashion. Ivan Perisic played the ball into Ben Davies who completely missed the ball but Lisandro Martinez managed to bundle into his own net. An afternoon to forget for United but the Postecoglou era at Spurs is up and running.

 

Brighton leads the way

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We may only be two games into the new season but Brighton moved to the top of the Premier League after defeating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-1. Robert De Zerbi‘s side did very well in the last campaign to qualify for the Europa League and if they keep up this form they could claim a place in the Champions League.

Kaoru Mitoma gave the Seagulls an early lead after he dribbled through the Wolves team before slotting past Jose Sa. The Japanese star has written a thesis on dribbling at the University of Tsukuba and he was giving his opposition a lesson today. 

The goals kept coming in the second half, with Pervis Estupinan slotting in to double their advantage. Solly March then tapped in from a Julio Enciso cross. Encisco then sent a low ball in which was also finished off my March to make it four.

Wolves got one back through Hee-Chan Hwang‘s header. However, it was too little too late and frustrations were shown when Matheus Nunes was sent for an early shower after picking up a second yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Predictions vs actual results:

Rob’s prediction Actual result
Manchester City 1-2 Newcastle Manchester City 1-0 Newcastle
Tottenham 1-2 Manchester United Tottenham 2-0 Manchester United
West Ham 0-2 Chelsea West Ham 3-1 Chelsea