The 6 Premier League 3pm kick off's all had something in common as the 44th minute entered the 45th this past weekend and that was all the games were locked in at 0-0. And then Cristiano Ronaldo turned up. In a game for the fans and indeed masses watching worldwide Ronaldo on his 2nd debut for Manchester United and his first game for the Red Devils since 2009 put his side 1-0 up against Newcastle. It wasn't a vintage goal and it didn't need to be, but rarely has a wall of sound from the home fans sounded so vibrant, so together as it did for United's and they have seen a lot of classic moments at Old Trafford. But this was Ronaldo one of the greatest players and for some the greatest to have ever graced a football pitch and the prodigal son had returned.
Newcastle for a moment did play their part having the audacity to yank the plug out of the party socket and equalise. However it wasn't to last. Ronaldo scored a very good 2nd, a 36 year old easily pulling away from his marker, before Bruno Fernandes scored the goal of the game with an incredible shot and Jesse Lingard made it 4-1. Ronaldo is back home and it feels like 'Fergie time' once again, and United are top of the league standings.
Champions Manchester City wiled away at Leicester and came away from a tricky tie with a 1-0 win courtesy of Bernardo Silva. City had 25 attempts on goal and have now won 3 in a row since their opening weekend defeat at Tottenham, be afraid because Pep Guardiola's team currently have the best form in the Premier League.
Arsenal climbed to 16th place with their first win and goal of the season after they beat Norwich at the Emirates. The Gunners deserved the win but fans will not be satisfied that the game ended just 1-0. Norwich had their chances to cause an upset but that man Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has saved the Gunners on several occasions got the all decisive winner.
Like last season Everton have started refreshingly well, though under Rafa Benitez this feels even more special, since he will have more to prove at the club as his Liverpool past hangs over him. But he is clearly winning over the fans as Everton recorded their 3rd win of the season, they are 4th but on the same points (10) as league leaders Manchester United. Encouraging times at the club for now.
You could not wipe the smile off of Patrick Vieira whose Crystal Palace side made light work of then league leaders Tottenham to beat them 3-0. Up until then Tottenham had not lost a game and not even conceded a goal, it was a fantastic victory for Palace and of course Tottenham remain the old enemy so to speak for ex Arsenal legend Vieira so the victory would have been all the more sweeter.
The Champions League kicked off this week and holders Chelsea got past Zenit 1-0 courtesy of the man who is up front to deliver them more trophies -Romelu Lukaku. The £97m man is proving worth every penny presently and is getting the goals that Timo Werner was supposed to last season. It's easy to go from hero to zero in a few days and a mistake by Jesse Lingard let in Young Boys for their 2nd goal as they stunned Manchester United with a 2-1 victory. Ronaldo had given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team the lead but Aaron Wan-Bissaka did his team no favours with a poor challenge and a sending off and Young Boys who are often overlooked got the famous victory.
Liverpool and Milan were involved in a 5 goal thriller and at half time Milan were leading 2-1 but like in a certain Champions League final between the two clubs the Reds came back to win 3-2. PSG started Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe for the first time but against Club Bruges they were left frustrated and the game finished 1-1, none of the three scored that was left to the in form Andera Herrera. Finally Manchester City were involved in a 9 goal game in an incredibly enjoyable fixture which saw them beat German outfit RB Leipzig 6-3. Jack Grealish again played a starring role and he has slotted into the club as if he had been playing under Pep for several seasons.
To Win the Champions League: Manchester City 5.00, PSG 5.00, Bayern Munich 7.00, Chelsea 8.00, Liverpool 9.00
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