Premier League Goal Fest: Bruno Fernandes' Hat-trick Sinks Newcomers, But Defences Still Leaky

Manchester United bounced back from their opening-day defeat at Hull to secure their first Premier League victory of the new season. Chelsea, under Alonso, clinched their second consecutive league win and third across all competitions. Both teams showcased impressive attacking displays, yet their defensive vulnerabilities were once again exposed in these high-scoring encounters.

Following last weekend's disappointing 0-2 loss, United also struggled against another promoted side, as Leif Davis put Ipswich ahead at Old Trafford. Manager Michael Carrick made four changes to the starting lineup. Marcus Rashford made his first appearance for United in nearly two years, and his England teammate Kobbie Mainoo also returned to the squad.

Their inclusion benefited the team, but Fernandes once again delivered the decisive attacking moments. "We won't make up for last week with this, we won't get six points for it. But we played very well in the second half. Scoring goals is the best feeling in football," Fernandes was quoted by AFP.

His team's goalkeeper, Senne Lammens, first denied Julio Enciso in a one-on-one opportunity, which arose from a home team corner. In the 29th minute, the visitors took the lead through the aforementioned Davis. Abdul Fatawu sprinted past Luke Shaw on the wing, and Davis expertly guided his cross into the top corner of the net.

The home side managed to equalize before the break. Marcelino Nunez slipped, gifting the ball to Matheus Cunha, who then passed to Fernandes. He scored with a powerful shot from his weaker left foot. The decision regarding the second goal was intriguing. Harry Maguire shot at goal, having previously been hit by the ball on his hand. His subsequent shot resulted in an own goal when the ball completely changed direction after a deflection off Jacob Greaves. Had Maguire sent the ball directly into the net, the score would have remained level, but thanks to the deflection, his team took the lead.

"We were incredibly unlucky to be 1-2 down, truly incredibly unlucky. Those were two of the unluckiest goals you'll ever see. But then we weren't good enough to get back into the game. A very good opponent punished us," assessed the visiting manager Garry O'Neil.

Greaves then fouled Cunha during his run towards goal, and Fernandes calmly converted the resulting penalty. The United captain completed his hat-trick from close range, reacting to a deflected shot from Bryan Mbeumo. Fernandes, who was named the best player of last season by his fellow players this week, recorded a record 21 assists in the previous league campaign but scored "only" nine goals. He has already reached a third of last year's goal tally and also registered an assist on Sunday.

With a through ball, he sent Mbeumo clear, who chipped the ball over the visiting goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen, extending the lead to 5-1. United's defensive frailties were exposed again in stoppage time when Lisandro Martinez lost possession in a challenge with Enciso. Enciso then set up Chuba Akpom, who tapped the ball into an open net.

Chelsea also endured a nervy finish at Stamford Bridge, despite quickly establishing a three-goal lead against Brighton. Emiliano Martinez made his debut after completing a £7.5 million transfer from Aston Villa just hours earlier. The 33-year-old goalkeeper was brought in to replace Robert Sanchez following his error-strewn performance in Monday's 3-2 victory at Fulham.

Martinez became the first player aged 30 or over to start a league match for Chelsea since 2024. Chelsea opened the scoring after just 31 seconds at Fulham and replicated their quick start on Sunday. Romeo Lavia put them ahead in the fourth minute. Visiting goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and defender Mats Wieffer failed to clear the ball off the goal line after a corner. Lavia tapped it in from close range, scoring his first goal for Chelsea since his arrival from Southampton in 2023.

Pedro Neto, preferred in the lineup over Reece James, doubled the lead in the 14th minute. Morgan Rogers dribbled past Luka Vušković and cut the ball back to the Portuguese winger. He cleverly finished past Verbruggen, scoring his first league goal since December. In the 32nd minute, Joao Pedro scored against his former club. Jorrel Hato found the Brazilian, who celebrated the goal with a thumbs-down gesture towards the Brighton fans who had been jeering him.

However, Chelsea's hopes of a first league clean sheet since January lasted only another three minutes. After Martinez's save, the ball rebounded to Yalcouye, whose fierce volley found the net after hitting the post. Brighton thus got back into the game before halftime. The visitors reduced the deficit again in the 63rd minute when Pascal Gross's shot from a tight angle was heavily deflected by Pedro. The ball looped over Martinez, who had already reacted in the opposite direction, and the goal was credited as an own goal to Pedro. Cole Palmer calmed the situation in the 74th minute with a quality and unexpected finish from the edge of the box.

Although Gross responded with a lobbed header in stoppage time, Chelsea held on for the narrow lead. The former Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen manager remains perfect since his arrival. After victories over Fulham, Luton, and Brighton, Alonso faces his first major test on September 6th against reigning English champions Arsenal. The Spaniard is striving to elevate a club that finished a disappointing tenth last season.

It remains questionable whether Enzo Fernandez will be available for the upcoming match, as the transfer window closes on Tuesday. The midfielder has only featured once under the new manager, and that was from the substitutes' bench. He was completely absent at Fulham and against Brighton after reports emerged of his potential transfer to Manchester City.