Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, as Liverpool earn a huge win over Arsenal and Everton’s new signings click.
Bournemouth defying odds after summer sales
Most anticipated a drop-off from Bournemouth this season. After last season’s impressive exploits, the Cherries were cherry-picked by Europe’s elite this summer.
Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez, and Illia Zabarnyi all departed for big fees to Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain, respectively, leaving the Bournemouth backline decimated. But the South Coast side are defying the odds.
A club run properly from top to bottom is continuing to thrive, securing a 1-0 win at previously unbeaten Tottenham this weekend to make it back-to-back wins. Andoni Iraola is a top coach, while summer signings Bafodé Diakité and Adrien Truffert have settled swiftly. Brilliant recruitment and an adaptable coach should keep Bournemouth on the up.
Late shows save under-pressure Amorim and PotterÂ
We might just be a fortnight into the new season, but the pressure was already on Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim and West Ham counterpart Graham Potter. After winless starts to the Premier League season, both suffered Carabao Cup exits in midweek to leave their positions precarious.
In their hour of need this weekend, their sides delivered late on to secure much-needed wins. Manchester United were unconvincing in a topsy-turvy clash with promoted Burnley, but a stoppage-time Bruno Fernandes penalty ensured a first three points of the season. For Potter, West Ham scored three times in the final six minutes to stun Nottingham Forest and ease the anxiety around the London Stadium.
Hear from the gaffer after today’s away win over Nottingham Forest 👇
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 31, 2025
These were baby steps this weekend, but it’s at least something to build upon.
Does Merseyside have a new ‘Fab Four’?
Merseyside is famous for one ‘Fab Four’, but do Everton now have their own version? There would be few who would suggest Everton have been a ‘fun’ watch in recent years, but the Toffees are showing some style right now.
The maverick talent of Illiman Ndiaye has been added to with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish, who all combined to devastating effect in their 3-2 win at Wolves.
The travelling Toffees didn’t want to let Grealish go. 💙😅 pic.twitter.com/ElkU4puVHg
— Everton (@Everton) August 30, 2025
With the divisive but ever-willing Beto running in behind to create space, there were plenty of neat interchanges and give-and-gos to excite Evertonians at Molineux. A team that has been reliant on set-pieces in recent regimes now has a creative cast to trouble teams.
Will Arsenal regret cautious approach?
Mikel Arteta insisted he was proud but disappointed after Arsenal’s loss at Liverpool, with a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick the difference at Anfield. A close contest had little to separate the teams until that moment of magic, but Arsenal remain winless at Liverpool in the Premier League since 2012.
Will Arsenal come to regret a somewhat cautious approach? Liverpool had looked vulnerable in the opening weeks of the season, conceding four times in two games, and had Szoboszlai stationed in an unfamiliar right-back role.
Arteta opted against using Eberechi Eze or fitness doubt Martin Odegaard from the start, with a midfield three of Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, and Martin Zubimendi, more workman-like than threatening.
Winning at Anfield is not easy, and Arsenal did well to stifle the home side’s threat for much of the contest. However, to take the next step from contenders to champions, the Gunners may need to have more belief that they can win these sort of games on the road.
Jones role for Liverpool should not be overlooked
Dominik Szoboszlai will rightfully take the plaudits for Liverpool this weekend, producing an exemplary performance out of position and a superb winning goal. But an unsung hero of Liverpool’s win should not go under the radar.
Arne Slot’s decision to introduce Curtis Jones for Alexis Mac Allister helped the Reds take control in the second half, with the England midfielder’s ability to evade pressure crucial. Mac Allister had struggled with Arsenal’s physicality, but Jones’s ball-carrying and press resistance allowed Liverpool to get a foothold. The 24-year-old completed 95% of his passes and deserves his flowers.
Read –Â Premier League Awards – Szobo stunner, Paqueta makes a point
See more –Â Premier League Team of the Week – Guehi, Bowen, Grealish
