What a weekend for those of a Liverpool persuasion.
The Reds were the big winners at the top of the Premier League with their win, plus surprise defeats for title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal sees them occupy the top of the Premier League at the end of matchweek ten.
Their Anfield victory wasn’t pretty as quickfire goals by Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah saw them grind out a 2-1 win over a spirited Brighton side – but they were miles better than Arsenal and City.
The lunchtime kick-off saw Arsenal stumble to a second defeat in three league outings as Alexander Isak’s well-placed header secured Newcastle the three points at St James’ Park.
But an even bigger shock saw City lose their first league match of the season as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Bournemouth, with the Cherries more than good value for their win – more on their brilliance later.
It’s been a throwback season so far for Nottingham Forest, who like during the glory days under Brian Clough are mixing it with the big dogs as their 3-0 triumph over West Ham has taken them to the dizzying heights of third.
Southampton got their first win on the board in the league season with a 1-0 win over Everton – Saints being helped by VAR after Toffees forward Beto thought he’d bagged a late equaliser.
But Wolves and Ipswich are still searching for their first W of the league campaign as Gary O’Neil’s men could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace, while Ipswich were denied at the death with Jordan Ayew’s stoppage-time equaliser ensuring the promoted sides shared a 1-1 draw at Portman Road.
It would be too easy to have a Liverpool love-in, besides if they carry on as they are there will be plenty of opportunities to do that for the rest of the season.
And with that, talkSPORT hosts Jamie O’Hara and Jason Cundy have picked their winners and losers from this weekend’s action.
Winners
Andoni Iraola
The most impressive win of the weekend goes to Bournemouth, who outplayed champions City to claim a fully deserved 2-1 victory.
Goals from Antoine Semenyo and Evanilson put the Cherries 2-0 up with Josko Gvardiol pulling one back on 82 minutes, sparking a late surge from Pep Guardiola’s, however it came a little too late this time.
Bournemouth should’ve been out of sight before Gvardiol’s goal having wasted a number of opportunities to inflict a humiliation on an admittedly injury-hit City.
And who’s the one who takes the biggest responsibility for the masterclass on Man City? The manager. Andoni Iraola, take a bow.
Antoine Semenyo
But perhaps Bournemouth could become victims of their own brilliance, with one of their goalscorers in Semenyo putting in a display that will prick up the ears of the bigger clubs in the division.
Semenyo got things off and running in the ninth minute as his brilliant touch from a low cross on the left gave him half a yard to then slot the ball past Ederson from close range.
O’Hara said: “Semenyo looks like the proper player this season… he’s driving with the ball. You know, strength, pace.”
Cundy: “He’s going to attract some attention.”
Magpies match-winner Isak was mentioned in dispatches but the final winners’ spot was reserved for a magical story.
Tamworth
Not strictly the Premier League, and in Tamworth’s case it’ll probably be a long time before they can think about playing at that level.
But take nothing away from the National League outfit’s incredible FA Cup triumph over Huddersfield Town, who don’t forget were playing in the Premier League just five years ago.
The decisive moment in the 1-0 win was a firm tip of the hat to one of the Premier League’s unsung heroes in Rory Delap as a imposing throw-in by Tom Tonks bamboozled Terriers goalkeeper Chris Maxwell, who couldn’t get a firm enough punch on the delivery as the ball then dropped into the net.
Cundy said: “The keeper’s got to do better. But even so, those long throw-ins were absolutely… So congratulations to Tamworth. Well done, them.”
O’Hara quipped: “Lettuce-wrists in goal.”
Losers
Pep Guardiola
A real collectors’ item, this. Legendary manager Guardiola getting a place in the Premier League losers pile this weekend.
It should be noted that a number of City’s stars are away with Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish all not playing a part in the defeat at the Vitality Stadium.
However, many would’ve felt they’d have had enough quality to get past the south coast side.
On City, Cundy concluded: “It’s not often you get a chance to even look at that, but they’re in, mate. They weren’t good today at all. They were terrible. They were terrible today.
“Miles off it today. And like I said, they deserve a huge amount of credit. Credit Bournemouth.”
Mikel Arteta
Guardiola will have familiar company in the losers camp though in his former assistant Arteta, who oversaw a limp defeat on the Toon.
But for a stoppage-time Declan Rice header, Arsenal created little and can have no complaints as they leave empty-handed once again.
O’Hara said: “He’s got to go in there, Arteta. Not been good enough. Can’t keep making excuses for Martin Odegaard being injured.
“Needs to be better.”
This weekend’s results mean Arsenal are losing major ground in the title race with the Gunners now seven points off leaders Liverpool.
Cundy added: “The squad depth is showing how fragile it is, mate.”
Julen Lopetegui
A bad day at the office for Guardiola and Arteta, but they’ll get back to winning ways soon enough.
The same can’t necessarily be said for West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui, who will be under mounting pressure after yet another dismal outing.
They caught Forest in imperious form, and Ola Aina’s goal was something to behold, but the manner of defeat will be a major concern for West Ham, who have lost five of their ten league games this term.
Cundy said: “Lopetegui, terrible from him. We’ve got to give credit to Forest, because Forest dispatched of them convincingly. They’re a good side, and they’re proving that. Third in the league.
“But West Ham, mate. We just had the conversation. I get the feeling that this conversation is going to be happening more and more often over the weeks… that can’t carry on.”
And O’Hara believes Lopetegui, who only arrived in east London in the summer, is rapidly running out of time.
O’Hara said: “I’ll be surprised if he gets past Christmas… fans will turn. They’re already turning, but they’re going to turn vocally soon, I think.”
