After a fairly impactful first round of games last weekend, this second round brought about arguably even more drama and talking points from Friday nights kick-off between West Ham and Chelsea, to the full-time whistle following Liverpool’s late winner over Newcastle. A dramatic round of action which signifies that the league could go in any direction this season, and with another round of games before the international break and end of the transfer window, things could get quite interesting in the early stages of the season.

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.

Where’s Alex?

Liverpool fans are still catching their breath after one of the wildest finishes in recent memory amid a build-up fitting of a World title fight. Away at St James’ Park, Arne Slot’s side looked to be dropping points against a resilient Newcastle, but up stepped 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha with a dramatic 100th-minute winner. In doing so, he became Liverpool’s youngest-ever scorer and joined Wayne Rooney as the only 16-year-old to bag a Premier League match-winner. It wasn’t just the goal that caught the eye, but the composure, Ngumoha took his chance with the calmness of a seasoned striker, underlining why there’s already so much buzz around him in the academy.

The game itself was a rollercoaster. Newcastle had Anthony Gordon sent off in the first half, yet somehow they still managed to cause Liverpool’s defence problems. Even with a man advantage, Liverpool often looked shaky and overly reliant on moments of brilliance rather than control. Slot’s side have now won two from two, but their fragility at the back, an issue carried over from last season, was again on full display.

In truth, the performance raised as many questions as it answered. Yes, Liverpool showed trademark resilience and found a way to win late, a hallmark of their Klopp era that Slot will want to keep alive. But why did they allow 10-man Newcastle to look so threatening? The midfield struggled to dictate the tempo, and Virgil van Dijk’s back line appeared stretched despite Newcastle missing their obvious striker threat. Those cracks are unlikely to go unpunished by title rivals who won’t be as forgiving as Newcastle were late on.

Still, this match will be remembered not for Liverpool’s shortcomings, but for the emergence of a new star. The image of a 16-year-old Ngumoha wheeling away to celebrate in front of the travelling fans is one that will live long in the memory. A teenager stepping out of the academy shadows to save the day, it’s the kind of storyline that makes the Premier League so captivating.

To Be Frank

Tottenham’s trip to Manchester City looked, on paper, like a test too stern for a side still adjusting to life under Thomas Frank. Yet, under the Dane’s pragmatic stewardship, Spurs turned in one of the most disciplined performances of the weekend, securing a 2–0 victory at the Etihad. It was a result that not only stunned the champions but also sent a clear message: Spurs under Frank are not here to play the plucky underdogs. They’re here to compete.

The contrast with Ange Postecoglou’s era couldn’t have been sharper. Last season, Spurs were entertaining but often open, their expansive style leaving them vulnerable against top-class opposition. Against City, Frank set his team up with a compact defensive block, limiting space between the lines and forcing Pep Guardiola’s men into wide, predictable areas. It was not the most glamorous football, but it was devastatingly effective. City, usually masters of unlocking defences, were reduced to half-chances and speculative efforts. The clean sheet at the Etihad is arguably just as important as the goals, Spurs rarely looked rattled, which will please their new manager immensely.

The win also had an impact beyond the pitch. Bookmakers have slashed Spurs’ Champions League odds, reflecting a growing belief that Frank’s approach might just give them the consistency they’ve long lacked. Of course, it’s only two games in, but taking three points away to City is about as strong a statement as you can make this early in the season.

Goals>Hair Touches

If Spurs’ win at City was all about tactical discipline, Arsenal’s 5–0 thrashing of Leeds at the Emirates was about raw firepower and a team brimming with confidence. From the first whistle, Mikel Arteta’s side looked intent on sending a message to the rest of the league. Viktor Gyökeres, their big summer signing from Sporting, wasted no time in introducing himself properly to the Arsenal faithful. He scored twice, bullied the Leeds defence all afternoon, and looked every inch the striker Arsenal have been missing.

The Gunners’ dominance was absolute. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli stretched Leeds wide, Ødegaard pulled the strings in midfield, and Declan Rice ensured the visitors never got a foothold. Every time Arsenal attacked, they looked like scoring, and by the final whistle, Leeds were simply relieved it wasn’t worse. The scoreline reflected Arsenal’s clinical edge, they’ve often been guilty in the past of overplaying in the final third, but here they were ruthless.

Gyökeres’ impact cannot be overstated. His brace not only lifted the crowd but also pushed his Golden Boot odds significantly shorter, with pundits already tipping him as a genuine contender. His physicality adds another dimension to Arsenal’s attack, complementing the finesse of players like Ødegaard and Saka. If he continues in this vein, Arsenal might finally have the striker who can take them over the line in a title race.

That said, there are caveats. Injuries to key men remain a nagging concern, Saka and Ødegaard both picked up knocks, and Arteta will be wary of leaning too heavily on his core players so early in the season. Depth has been Arsenal’s Achilles heel in recent campaigns, and while their strongest XI looks formidable, the rigours of Europe and domestic competitions will inevitably test them. Still, this was as emphatic a performance as you could hope for in a home opener: ruthless, controlled, and brimming with intent.

Game of the week: Newcastle United 2-3 Liverpool What more could you want from a Monday night clash to round off the weekend? The build-up around the Isak saga leading to an intense arrival for the visiting Liverpool side to St James’. We then had some first-half goals, a red card and a huge pushback from10-man Newcastle who looked like they could overturn their two-goal deficit before the 16 year old future star in Rio Ngumoha bagged a late winner for the away side.

Player of the week: Jurrien Timber With Arsenal splashing the cash on attacking reinforcements, it was right-back Timber who bagged a brace and assist in the 5-0 hammering of Leeds on Saturday night. While winning the most duels, getting involved in 3 goals, maintaining 92% pass accuracy, 100% long ball accuracy and 100% aerial duels won, it was a shame he was withdrawn before the Arsenal penalty, but a fantastic performance.