Five things we learned from the Premier League weekend, featuring Sunderland’s fine form and Pep Guardiola’s special 1000th game in management.
Brentford keep churning out goalscorers
Brentford fans feared the worst when Ivan Toney was handed an eight-month ban in 2023. The forward had scored 32 goals in 64 Premier League games to help consolidate the Bees in the top tier, with his form earning England recognition and, latterly, a £40m move to Saudi Arabia.
In his absence, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa stepped up, with the dynamic duo combining for 39 top-flight goals in 2024/25. The Bees must have felt a sense of déjà vu when big-money bids arrived and their frontline was sold on.
Igor Thiago arrived for a club-record fee in 2024 to replace Ivan Toney, but managed just 169 minutes last season after a major knee injury.
This season he’s the second top scorer in the Premier League with 8 goals, behind Erling Haaland 👏 pic.twitter.com/Wypk0jZv2e
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 9, 2025
Fortunately, Brentford already had a replacement in their ranks. After an injury-decimated debut season, Igor Thiago is thriving. His double against Newcastle this week made it eight Premier League goals for the campaign, second only to Erling Haaland. Picked up from Belgian football, he’s another example of the club’s brilliant talent identification.
Barry performance offers Everton encouragement
It’s been a tough start to life in English football for Thierno Barry. Signed in the summer from Villarreal for £27m, his first 10 appearances in the Premier League passed without a single shot on target, never mind a goal. Most of those appearances had come from the bench, though the Frenchman was thrust into the starting side against Fulham this weekend.
The 23-year-old produced his best performance in blue to date, departing to a standing ovation after a display of link-up and much-improved threat. The offside flag denied him a first Everton goal, though he was involved in much of the action in the final third.
📹 Player Cam: Thierno Barry
Growing at the Club and more to come. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/IBsxLSEwFf
— Everton (@Everton) November 9, 2025
Barry’s path has been a curious road, taking in single-season stops in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Spain before his Premier League move in the summer.
Patience is not often afforded in the Premier League, but this weekend at least offered hope that Barry can find his feet at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Is Rob Edwards making the right move?
Rob Edwards is set to be appointed as Wolves manager, tasked with turning around a nightmare start to the season. Wolves are winless after 11 games and rooted to the bottom of the table, already eight points from safety. It will take a monumental effort to keep the club afloat, even if Edwards is allocated badly needed funds to strengthen in January.
The 42-year-old is making an emotional return to his former club, though is his heart ruling his head?
Having only been appointed at Middlesbrough in the summer, Edwards has guided ‘Boro into the Championship’s automatic promotion places. Swapping a promotion push for a relegation battle is bold, particularly given the evidence of Wolves’ latest result, a dismal defeat at Chelsea.
Sunderland show no sign of slowing down
Given the performances of the promoted sides across the last two seasons, a trip to The Stadium of Light was perhaps pencilled in as a place for points before a ball had been kicked. The last six promoted teams have all struggled badly in the top division, but Sunderland have surged back into the Premier League.
As we head into November’s international break, the Black Cats are fourth in the table, having held leaders Arsenal on Wearside. This was no smash-and-grab result, as Sunderland took the lead and left the North Londoners – who had not conceded in eight games – shaken. Regis Le Bris will not be getting carried away, but few anticipate a struggle for Sunderland to stay up on the evidence so far.
WE ARE SUNDERLAND. pic.twitter.com/BMy6bR50DF
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) November 9, 2025
Their 19 points are already more than they managed in the Premier League in 2005/06 and as many as the club won in 2002/03.
Guardiola celebrates sweet win in 1000th game
It was a milestone match for Pep Guardiola this weekend, as the Manchester City manager celebrated his 1000th game as a senior coach. The Spaniard has claimed 716 wins from that haul, a staggering statistic from one of – if not the – greatest manager of all time.
His 1000th game was certainly one to remember. Manchester City cut apart the champions, capitalising on a slip from leaders Arsenal to close the gap, while simultaneously denting Liverpool’s hopes of defending their crown.
👔 Game No. 1,000 for Pep Guardiola tonight!
One of the greats. 📖✨ pic.twitter.com/k0bh7uTn58
— The Football Faithful (@FootyFaithful_) November 9, 2025
The inevitable Erling Haaland headed home the first, before Nico Gonzalez and Jeremy Doku sealed a comprehensive win at the Etihad. For a side that has won four of the last five titles, and six of the last eight, City have gone somewhat under the radar this season.
There are now just four points between Guardiola’s side and Arsenal, with the former well-versed in hunting down league leaders.
Read – Premier League Team of the Week – Martinez, Doku, Thiago
See more – Premier League Awards: Sunderland stop Arsenal, Doku dazzles
