Cristiano Ronaldo stole the headlines on Matchday 4 of the Premier League season and enjoyed the perfect homecoming for Manchester United with his brace against Newcastle.
Elsewhere in the league, Crystal Palace stunned Tottenham 3-0 while Arsenal and Wolves bagged their first victories of the season, and here is our Man’s Life Team of the Week.
GK: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea)
Chelsea were lucky to come away with a flattering 3-0 victory over Aston Villa over the weekend, with Edouard Mendy making six saves throughout the game to help Tuchel’s side keep a clean sheet.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)
After being tested out in midfield over the international break, Trent Alexander Arnold reminded the world why he is one of the best full backs in world football and registered another assist in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Leeds.
CB: Michael Keane (Everton)
Michael Keane enjoyed the perfect night against his former club, scoring the equalising goal with a superb header while also completing two key passes, nine clearances and six ball recoveries.
CB: Gabriel (Arsenal)
It is no coincidence that Arsenal’s first Premier League clean sheet of the season coincides with Gabriel’s return to the starting XI after injury. The Brazilian centre-half played a huge role in Arsenal’s build-up play from the back while also comfortably dealing with the threat of Teemu Pukki.
LB: Fernando Marcal (Wolves)
Wolves finally opened their account in the Premier League this season, and Fernando Marcal had a hand in both goals from left-wing back in a routine 2-0 win for Bruno Lage’s side over Watford.
CM: Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace)
Conor Gallagher has enjoyed the perfect start to life at Crystal Palace and followed up his brace from Matchday 3 with another sublime performance for the Eagles in their 3-0 win over Tottenham. Gallagher won the penalty for the opening goal, provided the assist for Edouard’s second strike and caused Spurs plenty of problems with his late runs into the box.
CM: Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton)
Abdoulaye Doucoure continued his promising start to the season under Rafa Benitez and bagged another couple of assists for Everton on Monday night which included a superb line-breaking pass for Demarai Gray’s third goal.
CM: Matteo Kovacic (Chelsea)
Matteo Kovacic produced a masterclass in midfield for Chelsea against Aston Villa, creating the first goal with a superb through ball for Romelu Lukaku before getting on the scoresheet himself after pouncing on a mistake from Tyrone Mings.
RW: Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea)
Just like Ronaldo, Romelu Lukaku basked in the glory of the fans on his second home debut for the club as the Belgian scored a brace in a 3-0 victory for Chelsea. Lukaku opened the scoring after some lovely footwork in the box before sealing off the clinical performance from Chelsea in second-half stoppage time with a neat finish into the roof of the net.
ST: Odsonne Edouard (Crystal Palace)
The best Premier League home debut of the weekend went to Odsonne Edouard who scored two goals in only 6 minutes for Crystal Palace after coming off the bench for his first Premier League appearance. The former Celtic striker opened his account in England with his first touch in the Premier League before doubling his league tally in stoppage time with some predatory movement in the box.
LW: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
The prodigal son returned to Old Trafford this week and couldn’t have enjoyed a better homecoming as he scored two goals to give United the three points against Newcastle. Ronaldo opened the scoring with an instinctive poacher’s finish in the box before retaking the lead for United in the 62nd minute as his shot squirmed through Freddie Woodman’s legs.
Manager of the week: Patrick Vieira (Crystal Palace)
Patrick Vieira’s Crystal Palace completely dominated Tottenham at Selhurst Park and finished the game as deserved 3-0 winners. Tactically, Vieira set up Palace perfectly with the high press and directness of the likes of Zaha and Gallagher causing Spurs problems all game long.
Shivaan Shah