Week 3 of the season sees teams finally begin to settle after the nerves of the opening weeks, and yet some sides are looking to continue where they left off after 3 rounds of games, and others are just hoping the remaining 35 weeks will allow them to turn their fortunes around.

As always, in this post we will be picking out 3 of the biggest talking points of the weekend, along with giving out the game of the week and player of the week awards. If we’ve missed something in this post that you saw over the weekend please do get in touch with us on all the usual places (Bluesky @NextGoalWinner – Instagram @NextGoalWin), and if you prefer an audio round up of the action then do check out our YouTube channel (@NextGoalWinner) where we post weekly reviews on there of all the key talking points in the Premier League and around Europe.

Back-To-Back

Erling Haaland arrived at Week 3 looking sharp, but he left it looking downright frightening for the rest of the league. His hat-trick at West Ham was his second in a row, taking him to seven goals from his first three Premier League matches of the 2024/25 season. The goals showcased the complete Haaland package: the poacher’s instinct for his first, raw power and timing for his second, and a cool, delicate finish to complete the treble. Even by his standards, it was a spellbinding individual display.

Manchester City controlled much of the match, dictating possession and tempo as they often do. Yet it wasn’t a flawless City performance, West Ham managed a few dangerous moments, including Mohammed Kudus striking the post, but Haaland’s presence papered over any cracks. Whenever the game drifted or City’s rhythm faltered, Haaland simply stepped in and decided it. That kind of reliability is why he’s the most feared forward in world football.

Pep Guardiola remarked afterward that Haaland looked “energised” and “unstoppable,” and it’s hard to argue. The Norwegian not only finished clinically but also led the line intelligently, making the sort of selfless runs that open space for City’s creators. It’s easy to forget Haaland is still only in his early 20s, yet he plays with the swagger of a man fully aware of his own powers.

Bigger picture, City’s early-season form, seven points from three matches, goals flowing freely, the machine already humming, sends a familiar message: catch them if you can. And with Haaland in this mood, it already feels like the chasing pack might be working uphill.

Rice Sees Red

Arsenal began their match against Brighton with confidence and control, taking the lead through Kai Havertz’s composed lob. The Emirates crowd sensed a routine afternoon. But everything changed early in the second half when Declan Rice received a second yellow card for delaying a restart, nudging the ball away as Brighton looked to take a quick free-kick. It was a moment that drew gasps from the home support, a rare loss of composure from one of the league’s steadiest midfielders.

The decision immediately became one of the weekend’s biggest flashpoints. Arsenal players protested, the crowd fumed, and Mikel Arteta later spoke about “inconsistency” in how such incidents are judged. Given that this was the first red card of Rice’s Premier League career, it carried extra sting. Brighton players had been trying to inject chaos into the match, but few would have predicted Rice, usually ice-cold under pressure, would be the one to crack.

Brighton capitalised quickly, levelling the match through João Pedro after sustained pressure with the extra man. From then on, Arsenal were forced into a reactive posture, trying to hold firm while still creating the odd chance on the counter. Despite heroic effort from the ten men, they couldn’t regain the lead, and the match finished 1–1, a result that felt like two points dropped for a side with title ambitions.

Beyond the match itself, the incident reignited the wider debate around refereeing consistency. Fans and pundits questioned why some time-wasting gestures lead to immediate punishment while others are overlooked. For Arsenal, the frustration was clear: in a match they largely controlled, one lapse in judgment changed everything.

Liverpool Make A Statement

Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford turned into a commanding statement of intent. A 3–0 win over Manchester United is impressive in any era, but the manner of it, controlled, clinical, and almost serene, will have delighted new manager Arne Slot. Luis Díaz was electric, scoring twice in the first half: first with a clever header, then by pouncing after Casemiro’s loose play in midfield. Mohamed Salah added a third shortly after the break, punishing more hesitant defending.

Liverpool looked organised, aggressive without being reckless, and incredibly efficient in transition. Slot’s imprint on the team was already clear: compact defensive spacing, quick ball recoveries, and a front line that interchanged fluidly. Díaz’s movement tortured United’s back line, and Salah, as ever, remained United’s perennial nightmare, continuing his remarkable personal scoring and assisting record against them.

Manchester United, meanwhile, unravelled in worrying fashion. Individual errors kept feeding Liverpool opportunities, and United rarely looked like mounting a proper response. Casemiro, normally a calming presence, endured a torrid match, while the defence suffered from lapses in concentration. Liverpool didn’t need waves of pressure to score, they simply punished every mistake with ruthless precision.

For Liverpool, the performance hinted that the post-Klopp transition may be smoother than many expected. Confidence, cohesion, and clarity were all on display. United, on the other hand, were left searching for answers, both tactically and psychologically. The gap between the two sides on the day was stark, and it raised inevitable questions about where United truly stand in the league’s hierarchy this season.

Game of the week: Everton 2-3 Bournemouth Just the 3 goals inside of 7 minutes between 87′ and 94′ to turn the game from Everton 2-0 Bournemouth, to the eventual score of Everton 2-3 Bournemouth. A ridiculous end to a game, and a sign that maybe 2-0 is the most dangerous score-line.

Player of the week: Erling Haaland Okay this is getting a bit silly now. Back-to-back hattricks for the Norwegian, and his inclusion is giving City an almost guaranteed 3 goals per game.