Matchday 5 of the 2023/24 Premier League season, played across 16–18 September, felt like the first weekend where the campaign really took shape. The international break was over, excuses were thinning out, and patterns, both promising and worrying, began to emerge. From statement wins at Old Trafford to stoppage-time drama and mounting pressure on struggling giants, this was a weekend that delivered clarity as much as entertainment.

While it was still early days, the league table started to hint at who meant business and who might be in for a long season. Title contenders showed resilience, surprise packages continued to impress, and familiar heavyweights found themselves under the microscope once again. Here are the three biggest talking points from a revealing Premier League weekend.

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.

Brighton’s Masterclass

Brighton & Hove Albion’s 3–1 win away at Manchester United was not just another upset, it was a performance that underlined how far the Seagulls have come, and how fragile United looked just five games into the season. Goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Groß and João Pedro capped a dominant display in which Brighton controlled possession, tempo and territory at Old Trafford.

What made the result sting even more for United fans was how familiar the issues looked. Defensive disorganisation, a lack of midfield control and little attacking cohesion left Erik ten Hag’s side chasing shadows for long spells. Marcus Rashford’s late goal did little to change the narrative, serving more as consolation than comeback.

For Brighton, this was another feather in the cap of their growing reputation as one of the league’s smartest, best-coached sides. Roberto De Zerbi’s team played with confidence and bravery, pressing high and moving the ball quickly through United’s midfield. This wasn’t smash-and-grab football, it was a deserved win built on structure and belief.

For Manchester United, however, the alarm bells were already ringing loudly. With three defeats in their opening five matches, pressure began to mount on Ten Hag, and questions were raised about recruitment, leadership and direction. In mid-September, it already felt like United were playing catch-up, both on the pitch and in the league table.

Title Contenders

One of the defining features of Matchday 5 was the way the league’s top sides responded to adversity. Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur all went behind in their respective matches, and all three found a way to win. It was a reminder that champions and challengers aren’t just defined by dominance, but by resilience.

Manchester City recovered from an early setback to beat West Ham 3–1, with goals from Jérémy Doku, Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland sealing another routine-looking win, once City found their rhythm. Pep Guardiola’s side once again showed their ability to suffocate opponents after conceding, turning pressure into inevitability.

Liverpool’s 3–1 victory at Wolves followed a similar script. After going behind, Jürgen Klopp’s men responded with intensity and composure, with goals from Cody Gakpo, Andy Robertson and an own goal completing the turnaround. It was another sign that Liverpool’s midfield rebuild was beginning to click.

Perhaps the most dramatic comeback came in North London, where Tottenham scored twice in stoppage time to snatch a 2–1 win over Sheffield United. Under Ange Postecoglou, Spurs were playing fearless, front-foot football, and crucially, refusing to accept dropped points. It was the sort of win that builds belief, and one that suggested Spurs might be more than just early-season entertainers.

Chelsea’s Consistency

While some clubs were finding momentum, Chelsea continued to struggle for consistency, drawing 0–0 away at Bournemouth in a game that perfectly summed up their early season. Despite dominating possession and territory, Mauricio Pochettino’s side lacked cutting edge and confidence in the final third.

The goalless draw left Chelsea with just one win from five matches, and the familiar frustration of promising build-up play without end product. Chances came and went, but cohesion and decisiveness were missing, a theme that had followed Chelsea throughout their turbulent previous campaign.

For Pochettino, patience was already being tested. While performances were not disastrous, results simply weren’t following, and the pressure of managing such a young, expensive squad was becoming evident. Fans were asking how long the “project” phase could last without tangible progress in the table.

More broadly, Matchday 5 highlighted how unforgiving the Premier League can be. With rivals picking up points through grit and resilience, dropped points, even early in the season, felt magnified. For Chelsea, the sense was clear: improvement was needed quickly to avoid another long, uncomfortable campaign.

Matchday 5 Player of the Week: Pascal Groß Pascal Groß was the heartbeat of Brighton’s stunning win at Old Trafford. Calm, intelligent and constantly available, he dictated play from midfield and capped his performance with a well-taken goal. His positional awareness and passing helped Brighton dominate large portions of the match. Often underrated, Groß delivered a captain’s performance on one of the league’s biggest stages, and reminded everyone why Brighton continue to punch well above their weight.

Matchday 5 Game of the Week: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Sheffield United It wasn’t the highest-quality game of the weekend, but it was unquestionably the most dramatic. Tottenham’s two goals in stoppage time turned despair into delirium and kept their unbeaten start alive. Richarlison’s late equaliser, followed by Dejan Kulusevski’s winner, sparked scenes that embodied the optimism around Ange Postecoglou’s new era.

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