Matchday 4 of the 2023/24 Premier League season, played across 1–3 September, felt like the first weekend where the campaign really caught fire. Goals flew in, big statements were made, and a couple of familiar giants were left searching for answers far earlier than they’d hoped. From hat-trick heroes lighting up the league to dramatic late winners and worrying signs at Stamford Bridge, the weekend delivered plenty of talking points that shaped the early-season narrative.

Below are the three biggest stories that dominated discussion after Matchday 4.

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.

Hat-Trick Heroes

The headline story of Matchday 4 was undoubtedly the sheer volume of elite individual performances, highlighted by the remarkable sight of three hat-tricks across the same weekend. Erling Haaland continued to redefine normal scoring standards with a ruthless treble in Manchester City’s 5–1 win over Fulham, reminding everyone that he remains the league’s most unstoppable force. Even by his own incredible benchmarks, it was a frightening display of efficiency.

Tottenham’s new-look attack also grabbed the spotlight thanks to Son Heung-min’s hat-trick away at Burnley. Operating centrally under Ange Postecoglou, Son looked reborn, combining clever movement with ice-cold finishing. His performance silenced any lingering doubts about how Spurs would cope without Harry Kane, at least in the short term.

Perhaps the most exciting hat-trick of all came from Evan Ferguson. Brighton’s teenage striker tore Newcastle apart with a mature, powerful display that showcased why Europe’s biggest clubs are already circling. At just 18, Ferguson didn’t just score goals, he dominated defenders, led the line, and looked every inch a future Premier League star.

Collectively, the hat-tricks summed up a wider theme of the weekend: attacking football is thriving. With teams pressing higher, playing braver football, and trusting young talent, Matchday 4 felt like a celebration of the Premier League at its most entertaining.

Arsenal’s Statement Win

Sunday afternoon belonged to Arsenal, who produced one of the most dramatic wins of the early season by beating Manchester United 3–1 at the Emirates. It wasn’t just the result that mattered, it was the manner of it. After falling behind to Marcus Rashford, Arsenal showed patience, composure, and relentless belief to turn the game on its head.

The moment that will live longest in the memory is Declan Rice’s stoppage-time winner, his first goal for the club. The Emirates erupted as Rice’s strike underlined exactly why Arsenal invested so heavily in him. Leadership, timing, and big-game presence, it was the perfect encapsulation of what he brings to Mikel Arteta’s side.

For Arsenal, this felt like more than three points. It was a symbolic victory over a traditional rival and a reminder that last season’s title challenge wasn’t a one-off. The Gunners showed they can suffer, adapt, and still find a way to win against top opposition, a crucial trait for any genuine contender.

Manchester United, meanwhile, left north London with familiar frustrations. Defensive lapses, injury concerns, and a lack of control in midfield raised fresh questions. While it was still early in the season, this defeat hinted at problems Erik ten Hag would need to solve quickly to keep pace with the league’s elite.

Struggles Deepen

One of the most eye-catching results of the weekend came at Stamford Bridge, where Nottingham Forest stunned Chelsea with a 1–0 victory. Despite dominating possession and territory, Chelsea once again failed to turn control into goals, a recurring issue that quickly became a major talking point.

Anthony Elanga’s well-taken goal punished Chelsea’s defensive lapse, but the bigger story was the home side’s lack of cutting edge. Chance after chance went begging, and as frustration grew, confidence visibly drained from a young, expensive squad still searching for cohesion under Mauricio Pochettino.

This defeat amplified scrutiny on Chelsea’s recruitment strategy. With hundreds of millions spent and little immediate return, questions were already being asked about balance, experience, and leadership within the squad. The talent is undeniable, but Matchday 4 showed that potential alone doesn’t guarantee results in the Premier League.

For Forest, the win was a statement of their own. Organised, disciplined, and clinical, they executed their game plan perfectly and walked away with a famous away victory. For Chelsea, though, it was another sobering reminder that rebuilding takes time, and patience was already wearing thin.

Matchday 4 Player of the Week: Evan Ferguson Choosing a Player of the Week wasn’t easy given the number of standout performances, but Evan Ferguson edges it after a sensational hat-trick against Newcastle. At just 18 years old, Ferguson delivered a performance full of confidence, physicality, and ruthless finishing, leading Brighton to a memorable 3–1 victory over a Champions League-qualified side. This wasn’t a lucky afternoon, it was a striker’s masterclass. What made Ferguson’s display so impressive was his all-round play. He bullied defenders, linked attacks intelligently, and showed composure well beyond his years in front of goal. Against a strong Newcastle defence, he looked completely at home on the Premier League stage. By the end of the weekend, the conversation had shifted from “exciting prospect” to “serious problem for defenders,” and Matchday 4 felt like the moment Evan Ferguson truly announced himself to the wider football world.

Matchday 4 Game of the Week: Arsenal 3-1 Manchester United If there was one match that defined Matchday 4, it was Arsenal’s dramatic 3–1 win over Manchester United at the Emirates. The game had everything you want from a Premier League showdown: early goals, momentum swings, VAR drama, and a breath-taking finish. United struck first through Marcus Rashford on the counter, briefly threatening to spoil the home atmosphere, but Arsenal responded quickly and never stopped pushing. Chances came and went, tension grew, and it looked destined to end level until the chaos of stoppage time arrived. Declan Rice’s thunderous late strike, followed moments later by Gabriel Jesus’ breakaway goal, turned the stadium into a cauldron and transformed a tight contest into a statement victory. Beyond the score line, the match felt significant because it showcased Arsenal’s evolution, resilience, patience, and belief under pressure. For United, it was another painful reminder of how fine the margins are at the top end of the table, and how quickly games can slip away if control is lost.

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