@Olasquare 12 September 2021 more from that month

Match Day 4 of 38.

Image Source. https://images.app.goo.gl/3nAP4b6CNG5RxasF9 It was another weekend of football and I had my fill. I watched almost all the matches and I am so glad the international break is over. I am not a fan of international matches but I still watch them. Club football gives me that edge even though I still watch any kind of match because football is like food to me. You can't blame me hahahaha. Since I didn't realize my dream as a football player, I still want to be close to football in every way. The matches get interesting as the season gets tougher and another round of exciting games came over the weekend and I will be sharing my views on each of these top matches. **Crystal Palace v Tottenham.**

Image Source. https://images.app.goo.gl/1pjYLTi9PKskFJwd7 This was the surprise of the lot and that's no disrespect to **Palace** but on paper, anyone would expect **Tottenham** to win this game. **Tottenham** had a perfect start to the season until this game. They have always managed to get through with 1-0s but that only masked the underlying problems they have which are still unattended to. They needed to inject new faces into the team and their reliance on the services of **Son** left them exposed again seeing that he couldn't make this match due to injury. Their injury woes continued as **Eric Dier** had to be taken out of the game in just 12 minutes and to make it worse, **Tanganga** was sent off for a second bookable offence after a clumsy challenge. This only made things worse for them and would have to find a way to navigate through these injury crises they are currently facing. **Palace** showed they were the better side in this game. They played with more determination and flair. **Zaha** and **Gallagher** particularly caused problems for **Tottenham** who had no response to the three goals they conceded. Even their talisman, **Harry Kane** couldn't do much as he was bereft of quality services. **Zaha** opened the scoring from the penalty spot after **Ben Davies** who came on to replace the sent off **Tanganga** (**Harry Winks** was pulled off to accommodate the defender after the red card) handled the ball inside the box. **Zaha** scored and the exciting part was for **Palace**'s new boy: **Edouard** as he scored after being introduced into the game under 30 seconds before bagging his brace to finish off **Tottenham**. **Palace** had been searching for their first win of the season under **Patrick** **Vieira** and what a time to get it. **Arsenal v Norwich.**

Image Source. https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/platform/amp/2021/9/11/22668476/arsenal-norwich-premier-league-match-report-player-ratings **Arsenal** reduced the pressure on the team with a solitary goal against **Norwich**. **Norwich** caused **Arsenal** problems on few occasions but **Arsenal** managed to get the needed win to get their first goal and first win of the season after being rock bottom of the league table. **Aubameyang** was at the right place and at the right time to bundle home the ball with ease. Both teams have been struggling with results as **Norwich** is struggling to get the needed point after winning the championship the last term in their division and **Arsenal** had to endure a horrible start to the season which is the first time in history they've had to go three games without a win and a goal on the opening games of the season. This win would at least reduce the pressure and give them the needed confidence they need to get more points as they are off the bottom of the table with that win. **Manchester United v Newcastle.**

Image Source. https://images.app.goo.gl/ht3h6vn9QdiWAwENA All eyes were on **Cristiano Ronaldo**'s second stint with **Manchester United**. No warm-up has ever been watched as this was watched and that's the influence that **Cristiano** **Ronaldo** wields. He is not only influential in games but even outside the game as his shirt sold far more than we can imagine. He admitted to being nervy and that's because of the outpouring of love from the fans which he wants to repay by having a good game and a win for the team. **Newcastle** caused **United** a lot of problems but **Manchester United** held firm and the alertness, awareness and pure genius of **Cristiano** got **United** over the line as his homecoming was perfected. **United** took the lead just before the halftime break when **Ronaldo** tapped home. **Newcastle** scored emphatically afterwards on the restart of the second half and **Ronaldo** restored **United**'s lead with a lovely darting run that led to a goal from his left foot. The icing of the cake came from **Bruno Fernandes** who had to remind **Manchester United** fans not to forget him by being lost in the euphoria of **Cristiano**'s homecoming when he blasted a goal that would certainly be a contender for the goal of the month after receiving a pass from **Paul Pogba**. **Pogba** is another player who has had a decent start to the season by raking up 7 assists in the first 4 games. **Jesse Lingard** was introduced early on and he was able to complete the rout with the form that we saw when he was on loan at **West Ham** last season. **United** ended the game with a 4-1 victory much to the delight of the fans who were pleased to see **Ronaldo** back in **United**'s colours. **Leicester City v Manchester City.**

Image Source. https://images.app.goo.gl/AMvnsr6tCWUMyss86 **Bernado Silva** was the only difference in this game as he was alert to get the rebound that came off the feet of **Soyuncu**. **Leicester City** had their chances and **Manchester City** too but they were unable to convert the chances. **Manchester City** would be thrilled to get the three points in the bag after their opening day defeat to **Tottenham**. **Manchester City** still needs a quality striker and it must be hard to take for **City** after missing out on **Harry Kane**. The good thing is that **City** are not solely reliant on their center forward as they can get goals from every angle as we have witnessed over the past seasons. **Bernardo Silva** delivered the goods this time around and it was enough to give them the 3 points. **Chelsea v Aston Villa.**

Image Source. https://images.app.goo.gl/XQpvqeaWz4futHrw9 **Lukaku** proved to be the answers to **Chelsea**'s frontline after all they witnessed with **Timo** **Werner** last season. **Lukaku** is an upgrade as he can link up, hold up play, drift wide and also score. **Timo Werner** can drift wide and link-up play but he is not a good finisher neither can he hold up play. **Lukaku** is giving **Chelsea** something different upfront which would help them in different competition and I believe **Timo Werner** still have a huge part to play as the season progresses. **Chelsea** didn't play their best game but they know how to grind out the results. They got the result against **Liverpool** the last time too despite not being at their best and now they got the result despite **Aston Villa** dominating the better part of the game. **Lukaku** got a brace to score for the first time in his career at *Stamford Bridge*. **Kovacic** scored in between **Lukaku**'s goals to also register his first goal at *Stamford Bridge* also. **Chelsea** know how to get their result and they did it clinically. **Leeds v Liverpool.**

Image Source. https://images.app.goo.gl/6YFPhmDvY2wT4Pgn8 **Leeds** hosted **Liverpool** at *Elland Road* and with their new boy; **Daniel James** still fresh from his transfer from Manchester United, **Leeds** would be hoping to cause **Liverpool** some problems but they were not able to do enough. **Liverpool** are finally coming around to the form that saw them win the league two seasons ago. **Salah**, **Fabinho** and **Mane** all did the damage to **Leeds** who also lost **Struijk** to a red card in the 60th minute after a clumsy challenge that left **Elliott**'s left leg broken. After a review of the challenge, the referee had no choice. **Liverpool** had a penalty shout waved off while **Mane** missed an open goal but still they weathered the storm and came out with the win. It was a good tussle between the two attacking sides. **Liverpool** moved to 3rd on the log but they are also the joint leader with **Manchester** **United** and **Chelsea** on 10 points with the same goal difference. I believe **Liverpool** cannot be ruled out as they are finding their grooves back gradually and it would be a wonderful battle as the season progresses. *Thank you for your time.*