The 2022/2023 Premier League season is now into its third game week, and the drama continues to come thick and fast.

As a result, we will be breaking down each round of fixtures by picking out 3 of the biggest talking points, covering the biggest results, goals and general talking points from the week. We then will round off by picking our player of the week and game of the week based on what we saw in that round of games.

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.

Money vs Money = Goals

In what could well be a title decider or even Champions League final within the next few years, Newcastle continued their solid start to the season and even looked like picking up a win against the reigning champions for a majority of the game. Despite this, the attacking power of City was too strong and a quickfire double settled the game for a draw in a hugely exciting game for all neutrals.

Although neither side would be particularly happy with the result, it’s a solid point for both as Newcastle will see it as a point they weren’t expected to get, while City can look positively that the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool both dropped points this week.

Looking at more individual performances, Erling Haaland bagged his 3rd in City colours as he recovered from his 1 game goal drought to grab City’s second and begin the comeback. For Newcastle, their attacking line of Almiron, Wilson and Saint-Maximin were all on top form, and Eddie Howe has surely got Newcastle fans excited at just how far they could go this season.

First BIG Points

After their horrific start to the season with the 2-1 Brighton defeat, and shocking 4-0 Brentford demolition, Manchester United may well be settling into like under Ten Hag, who after joining their running punishment following the Brentford loss, has laid down a marker as they beat rivals Liverpool under the Old Trafford floodlights.

After making a big call to drop Cristiano Ronaldo in place of a Sancho-Rashford-Elanga front 3, we saw a much improved United side, who didn’t shy away from the Liverpool threat despite being overwhelmed in recent meetings. Instead they attacked and took their chances, with Sancho finishing a great chance and making Van Dijk look like a shadow of his former self. Rashford added the second, and although Salah clawed one back late on, it wasn’t enough and United picked up the first points of the season and may well just be kicking on from this game to make something of the season.

For Liverpool meanwhile, questions will continue to be asked, as they have now 2 draws and a loss to start their season, and surely any hopes of a title challenge have gone. Their Champions League campaign may well bring success, however there are big issues in their side, despite the arrival of Nunez, which will need to be addressed by Klopp soon before bigger questions come up.

Marching Past Tuchel

Although he led Chelsea to the Champions League in 2021, Tuchel may well be under pressure at Chelsea who of course are undergoing some major off-field changes. Their draw against Spurs saw them throw away a lead twice, and this loss away at Leeds was simply abysmal, as they went down 2-0 in the first half, and just couldn’t get back into it as they fell to an embarrassing 3-0 loss. With new centre-back Koulibaly seeing red in the closing staged, things went from bad to worse, however at this early stage to have such a defeat, it could be detrimental to their season as the Champions League is just around the corner, and although many big sides have already dropped points, the Blues will need to make the most of an easier run of games against Leicester, Southampton and West Ham before midweek European games .

Moving away from the negatives of the Chelsea side of this result, Leeds will surely be buzzing with their unbeaten start, with 2 wins and a draw from their opening games, any talk of a relegation battle may well be silenced. With Rodrigo netting his 4th of the season in the win, they look to have a danger man stepping up in the absence of Bamford. After losing this matchup at the end of last season with relegation on the cards, Jesse Marsch will be feeling on top of the world with the start his side have shown.

Matchday 3 Player of the Week: Allan Saint-Maximin Although failing to get on the scoresheet himself in the 6 goal thriller, Saint-Maximin was key to the amazing start Newcastle had. With 2 assists, the most chances created (4), most completed dribbles (5), most duels won (8), most fouled player (3), the Frenchman was an absolute nightmare for Walker/Stones who both had fairly poor days at the office thanks in no small part to the trickery and danger of Saint-Maximin.

Matchday 3 Game of the Week: Newcastle United 3-3 Manchester City Staying at St James Park, our game of the week is surely the drama-fuelled 6 goal clash between the reigning champions and soon to be contenders at the top. With Newcastle claiming a 2 goal lead despite falling behind in the opening 5 minutes, City were determined and led of course by their attacking firepower to get back into it and nab a point.

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.