An almost perfect Premier League Saturday afternoon for Newcastle United! | OneFootball

An interesting return to Premier League action today.

I think fair to say ahead of this weekend, there was a lot of the media taking for granted wins for the likes of Brighton, Palace, Liverpool and Man City.

A lot of talk pre-season and/or early season about Brighton and Crystal Palace as contenders to maybe break apart what some are calling a ‘big eight’ now. The usual six with Newcastle United and Villa added on.

West Ham another to be spoken of in this category as well.

Whilst of course the usual media love-in with Liverpool, supposedly world beaters under new boss Slot, even though they’d had an easy kick off to the season, facing Ipswich, Brentford and Man U.

Happily, things don’t always work out as the media predict, or indeed, how they want thins to play out…

Premier League results so far today…

Southampton 0 Man U 3

Brighton 0 Ipswich 0

Palace 2 Leicester 2

Fulham 1 West Ham 1

Liverpool 0 Forest 1

Man City 2 Brentford 1

Brighton couldn’t even score at home to promoted Ipswich, whilst Palace lucky to get even a point after going 2-0 down to another promoted side. Interesting to read that soon to turn 38 in January, Jamie Vardy, ‘sprinted away from Marc Guehi’ to score the first goal. Will have to take a look at that on MOTD tonight.

West Ham struggled to a late point at Fulham with a 95th minute equaliser, whilst hilariously Liverpool failed to score at home and lost to expected to be relegation fighters Forest!

Even Man City struggled to a 2-1 win over Brentford after having gone behind in the opening minute.

As for Man U at Southampton, the Saints actually the better team but then wasted a penalty after around half an hour, Man U going straight up the other end and Southampton popped like a balloon. I think Man U are average at best and simply up against certain relegation fodder today, who fall apart when anything goes against them.

All in all, this leaves the Premier League table looking like this at 5pm on Saturday afternoon

If Newcastle United win at Wolves on Sunday, we would be guaranteed to end the weekend in the top three on 10 points.

If that was combined with Arsenal failing to win away in their derby match tomorrow, Eddie Howe’s side would be guaranteed to go second if winning.

Early days but ten points from twelve would see Newcastle United sitting pretty and worth remembering last season started off with three points from a possible twelve as pretty much everything went against us.

Also worth recalling that once Eddie Howe’s side found their feet (and some fair luck!) early last season, after the opening four matches Newcastle then were unbeaten in their next seven, winning five and drawing two.

Still to come in the Premier League this weekend…

Saturday 14 September

Villa v Everton (5.30)

Bournemouth v Chelsea (8pm)