With the season only just getting into gear, week 3 saw the final action before the 2 week international break which allows teams to regroup, address early issues and take a deep breath after a busy opening phase of the season and close of the transfer window.

Week 3 saw some big clashes, and big results, as last seasons 1st vs 2nd between Liverpool and Arsenal was settled by a moment of magic, there were some much needed wins for Manchester United and West Ham, while Manchester City, Tottenham and Villa struggled and VAR took centre stage once again.

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.

A Moment Of Magic

On a weekend packed with drama, Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal stood out for one simple reason: a moment of brilliance from Dominik Szoboszlai. With the game heading toward a tense stalemate at Anfield, the Hungarian stepped up in the 82nd minute and unleashed a thunderous free-kick from distance that swerved and dipped beyond David Raya. It was the kind of strike that instantly changes a season’s narrative, a goal that married audacity with execution.

What made the moment even more remarkable was Szoboszlai’s role on the day. Being deployed him in an unfamiliar right-back position, covering for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s summer departure and Frimpong’s injury. Instead of merely holding the fort, he became the match-winner. His ability to adapt to a defensive role yet still influence the game in attack spoke volumes about his versatility and mentality.

Arsenal, meanwhile, looked out of sorts from the start. Already with injuries for Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, their defensive leader William Saliba limped off early, forcing a reshuffle that never quite clicked. They held on admirably for much of the match, but Szoboszlai’s strike exposed just how vulnerable they were when stretched late on. Raya’s post-match comments about the unpredictability of the new Puma match ball only added to the sense of helplessness.

For Liverpool, it was more than just three points, it was a statement. Top of the table with maximum points, Slot’s men are showing early signs that this campaign could be theirs to shape. For Arsenal, it was a sobering reminder that holding out teams defensively is a good approach, but you can’t stop the occasional moments of magic.

Re-Refereeing

If the Liverpool–Arsenal game was defined by magic, the west London derby between Chelsea and Fulham was defined by mayhem. Fulham thought they had snatched a vital goal, only for it to be chalked off after a lengthy VAR review. The officials ruled that a “careless challenge” in the build-up rendered the strike invalid, a decision that left fans, players, and pundits utterly baffled.

The central argument echoed expressed what many fans were feeling: VAR was supposed to correct only “clear and obvious” errors, not insert itself into subjective, marginal moments. By disallowing Fulham’s goal, the technology once again seemed to overshadow the actual football.

The PGMOL later admitted the decision was wrong, hardly a surprise to anyone watching. But the damage was already done. Fulham were denied momentum at a crucial point in the game, while Chelsea escaped with fewer scars than they perhaps deserved. For Fulham’s players, it was yet another reminder that fortune rarely seems to favour them when VAR intervenes.

More broadly, the incident reignited the ongoing debate over VAR’s role in the Premier League. Fans want fairness, but they also want flow, emotion, and common sense, qualities that too often vanish when the replays roll. If anything, the weekend proved that the technology is still far from solving the problems it was meant to fix.

Timeless Difference Maker

For Manchester City, the alarm bells are ringing. A second defeat in as many weeks, this time at the hands of Brighton, has raised serious questions about Pep Guardiola’s side. Erling Haaland had given them the perfect start with a trademark finish, but instead of building on it, City lost their grip. Brighton grew into the contest, and once James Milner converted from the spot, the Etihad champions looked uncharacteristically rattled.

What followed was a display that seemed at odds with the City we’ve come to know. The pressing lacked intensity, the midfield appeared disjointed, and the defence crumbled under pressure. Guardiola’s men surrendered control in the very areas where they usually dominate. When Brighton substitute Brajan Gruda fired home late on, it felt like an upset but also a deserved reflection of the game’s balance.

Brighton, for their part, were fearless as they showed once again why they’ve become such a thorn in the side of the Premier League’s elite. They pressed high, countered with precision, and capitalised on every ounce of momentum the game offered. Beating City is never easy, but the Seagulls played with a conviction that made the title contenders look ordinary.

For City, the bigger worry lies in the pattern emerging. With just three points from their opening three matches, questions are being asked about leadership in the squad and whether key departures have left a void in energy and structure. The season is still young, but rivals will sense vulnerability, and that, perhaps, is Brighton’s biggest gift to the rest of the league.

Game of the week: Manchester United 3-2 Burnley While the two teams involved might not make many think of a game of the week clash, the build-up and much needed result for the hosts was vital, and the big moments we saw within the game and late drama alongside VAR decisions, some good attacking play and emotion from the Old Trafford crowd, made this an interesting watch for Saturday afternoon.

Player of the week: Jack Grealish Grealish is already proving his worth as a signing for Everton this summer, and in the win over Wolves, his 2 assists, the most dribbles (5), drawing the most fouls (7), having the highest pass accuracy (92%), winning the most duels (13) and making 8 recoveries makes him well worth the player of the week recognition.