Week 7 sees us bracing for another pause in the domestic calendar for the upcoming international break, but most of the leagues big hitters have gone into the international action with more points on the board thanks to their latest exploits. With limited goals in a few games, there has still been plenty of big results across the 10 clashes that give us plenty to discuss.

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.

Liverpool Limp To Victory

Liverpool continued their strong start under Arne Slot with a hard-fought 1–0 win at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. The decisive moment came early, when Diogo Jota smashed home from close range following a clever pass from Cody Gakpo. Despite dominating possession for long stretches, Liverpool struggled to extend their lead, and Palace pushed hard in the closing stages, creating a tense finish.

The win, however, was marred by an injury to Alisson Becker, who limped off in the latter stages with a suspected hamstring problem. Vítězslav Jaroš was thrown into the spotlight, making his Premier League debut and producing a crucial save to preserve the clean sheet. While Liverpool’s depth came through in the moment, losing a first-choice goalkeeper could test their resilience in the coming weeks.

The match highlighted both Liverpool’s strengths and vulnerabilities. Their ability to control the game and create chances remains top-class, but their reliance on key players is evident. How they manage Alisson’s absence will likely have a big impact on their title challenge.

In the broader context of the season, this victory kept Liverpool at the top of the table, but the injury clouds hanging over key squad members underline the fine margins between leading the league and stumbling in the early stages of a long campaign.

Relegation Candidates

West Ham United put in one of their most commanding performances of the season, thrashing newly promoted Ipswich Town 4–1 at the London Stadium. Michail Antonio scored almost immediately, but Ipswich quickly equalized through Liam Delap. West Ham then regained control with goals from Mohammed Kudus, Jarrod Bowen, and Lucas Paquetá, demonstrating their attacking quality and depth.

The result was a crucial confidence boost for manager Julen Lopetegui, who had faced scrutiny following a patchy start to the season. For Ipswich, the defeat exposed defensive weaknesses that could prove costly in their battle to survive in the Premier League.

Beyond the scoreline, the game illustrated the early separation in the league: West Ham showed that they can dominate opponents and score freely, suggesting they might aim higher than simply avoiding relegation. Ipswich, by contrast, are still finding their feet in the top flight and will need to tighten up defensively if they hope to remain competitive.

As the season progresses, matches like this one begin to shape the narrative of who will contend for stability in mid-table versus who might find themselves in the relegation fight. Early-season form matters, and West Ham has made a statement that they are ready to compete, while Ipswich have plenty of work to do.

Manchester United’s Growing Crisis

Manchester United’s 0-0 draw at Aston Villa highlighted the growing concerns around Erik ten Hag’s side. Despite keeping a clean sheet and showing defensive organization, United struggled to create clear-cut chances, with Bruno Fernandes’ free-kick hitting the bar as their closest opportunity to break the deadlock. After seven games, their points tally represents one of the worst starts to a Premier League season in decades, raising questions about both their attacking strategy and squad cohesion.

The draw amplified scrutiny on Ten Hag, as fans and pundits questioned whether the team can deliver on the high expectations placed on them. With star players failing to convert opportunities, there is a sense of urgency to rediscover the attacking verve that was expected following major signings in the summer.

Defensively, United showed resilience, but the inability to break down Villa emphasizes a recurring issue: the team can control matches yet lacks the finishing touch to secure wins consistently. The pressure is mounting, and the manager will need to find solutions quickly to prevent the campaign from slipping further.

Ultimately, the result serves as a wake-up call. United have the resources to challenge at the top, but without goals and consistent attacking performance, they risk being left behind the league’s leading contenders. Ten Hag faces a critical period where results and style of play must align to restore confidence both on the pitch and among the supporters.

Game of the week: Brentford 5-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers With 8 goals spanning from the 2nd to 93rd minute of the game, this one was breathless. With a back and forth first half, the second half cooled until the 90 minute mark when Brentford made it 5, and Wolves got their 3rd in a far too late attempt to get back into the game.

Player of the week: Mateo Kovacic With a brace spanning either side of the first half, who needs Erling Haaland when your central midfielder bags the goals. With Fulham taking the lead in the game, Kovacic’s efforts got the home team back ahead and in control of the game.