Matchday 3 of the 2023/24 Premier League season, played between 25–27 August, was one of those early-season weekends that quietly sets the tone for months to come. With the transfer window still open and teams balancing optimism with early-season nerves, the action delivered drama, emerging storylines, and a few familiar warning signs. From late heroics at St James’ Park to tentative green shoots at Stamford Bridge and growing concern on Merseyside, this was a weekend that gave us plenty to talk about.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) if you have seen anything in a game that you think we should be talking about, or have anything to share from what you’ve seen at a game that week. Any funny stories, tactical analysis or general comments will be featured.

Liverpool Resiliance

Liverpool’s dramatic 2-1 win away at Newcastle was the standout moment of the weekend, not just for the result but for the manner in which it arrived. Reduced to ten men after Virgil van Dijk’s first-half red card and trailing to an Anthony Gordon goal, Liverpool looked primed for defeat. Instead, they produced one of the season’s earliest statements of resilience, powered by a Darwin Núñez cameo that turned the match on its head.

Introduced from the bench with Liverpool chasing the game, Núñez delivered a reminder of his chaotic brilliance. His two late goals, both taken with composure and intelligence, showcased a more refined edge to his game. For a player often criticised for inconsistency, this was a performance that hinted at growth, and gave Klopp a new attacking weapon to trust in tight situations.

Beyond the individual heroics, the result also reinforced Jürgen Klopp’s extraordinary record against Newcastle managers, with Eddie Howe becoming the latest to suffer. Klopp’s Liverpool once again found a way to disrupt Newcastle’s rhythm, even in hostile conditions and adverse circumstances. It underlined Liverpool’s tactical adaptability and mental toughness, qualities that remain central to their identity.

For Newcastle, the defeat was a frustrating lesson. Dominant for long spells and facing ten men, they failed to turn control into security. At this level, such lapses are punished. For Liverpool, however, this was a win that felt bigger than three points, the kind that can shape belief across a season.

Signs Of Progress

Friday night’s 3-0 win over Luton Town may not have been the most glamorous fixture on paper, but for Chelsea it carried real significance. After a disjointed opening to the campaign, this was their first win of the season and a performance that finally resembled a team moving in the same direction. Stamford Bridge saw a calmer, more coherent Chelsea side.

Mauricio Pochettino’s influence was evident in the structure and intensity of Chelsea’s play. The midfield looked more balanced, the pressing more coordinated, and the defensive unit far more secure than in previous outings. Against a newly promoted side, expectations were high, and Chelsea met them professionally.

Key individuals also benefitted from the clearer framework. Raheem Sterling was lively and decisive, while Nicolas Jackson’s all-round contribution suggested he could be more than just a finisher. Importantly, Chelsea controlled the game without unnecessary chaos, something that had eluded them too often in recent seasons.

Of course, perspective is required. Luton are likely to spend the season fighting at the bottom, and tougher tests were on the horizon. Still, for a Chelsea side desperate to restore confidence and identity, this was a necessary step forward, not a declaration of revival, but a welcome sign of stability.

Everton’s Worries

While optimism brewed in parts of London, the mood was far darker on Merseyside. Everton’s 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves left them pointless and goalless after three matches, an alarming statistic even by their recent standards. Early in the season though it was, the warning signs were impossible to ignore.

Sean Dyche’s Everton once again showed effort and physical commitment, but those qualities were undermined by a lack of cutting edge in attack. Chances were few, confidence looked fragile, and Wolves, themselves hardly free-scoring, were able to capitalise on Everton’s familiar vulnerabilities. It was a result that felt painfully predictable.

The broader concern lay in Everton’s inability to break cycles. Too often in recent seasons, poor starts have forced them into survival mode by autumn. With goals proving elusive and squad depth stretched, pressure was already building both on the pitch and in the stands. Good performances without points offer little comfort when patterns repeat.

Three games do not define a season, but they can frame it. For Everton, Matchday 3 reinforced the feeling that once again they were heading into a long, anxious campaign. Unless attacking solutions emerge quickly, the conversation around relegation may arrive far earlier than anyone at Goodison Park would like.

Matchday 3 Player of the Week: Darwin Nunez Few players have the ability to completely redefine a match in the space of 15 minutes, but Darwin Núñez did exactly that on Sunday. Introduced from the bench with Liverpool trailing and down to ten men, the Uruguayan striker delivered a match-winning cameo that silenced critics and electrified supporters. His first goal showed composure under pressure; his second, ruthless decisiveness. Beyond the goals, Núñez’s performance symbolised growth. Often labelled erratic, he showed intelligence in his movement, patience in his finishing, and confidence when it mattered most. Against a strong Newcastle defence, in hostile conditions, he became the difference-maker. For Liverpool, this felt like more than just a substitute saving the day, it felt like a glimpse of a player ready to make a defining impact on their season.

Matchday 3 Game of the Week: Newcastle United 1-2 Liverpool There was no shortage of drama across Matchday 3, but Newcastle vs Liverpool at St James’ Park stood head and shoulders above the rest. From the intensity of the opening exchanges to the chaos of the closing minutes, this was a match that felt like a Champions League night rather than a late-August league fixture. Newcastle struck first through Anthony Gordon and appeared in full control after Virgil van Dijk’s dismissal, with the home crowd sensing a statement win. Instead, the game flipped spectacularly on its head. Liverpool dug in, reshaped, and waited for their moment, and when it came, they seized it ruthlessly. Darwin Núñez’s two late goals stunned St James’ Park and encapsulated everything compelling about the Premier League: momentum swings, elite mentality, and fine margins brutally exposed. It was a reminder that Liverpool remain one of the league’s most dangerous sides, while Newcastle learned a harsh lesson about game management at the highest level.

Let us know over on Twitter (@NextGoalWinBlog) what you made of the third round of fixtures, and what you’re looking forward to in the next game week.