- Aston Villa finally scored their first goal of the season in their Carabao (EFL) Cup tie vs Brentford, but the joy was short-lived.
- Villa went ahead through Harvey Elliott, but Brentford equalized via Aaron Hickey.
- The game went to penalties after a 1-1 draw. Villa faltered in the shootout, with John McGinn and Matty Cash missing crucial penalties, as Brentford progressed 4-2.
- This adds more pressure on Villa, who have had a poor start in both the Premier League and Cup competitions.
2. Brentford 2–2 Chelsea (Premier League Thriller)
- A game full of drama at the Gtech Community Stadium.
- Chelsea went ahead with a stunning long-range strike from Moises Caicedo, and Cole Palmer added another to give them a 2-1 lead.
- Just when it looked like Chelsea would take all three points, Brentford equalized deep into stoppage time.
- Fábio Carvalho pounced on a loose ball after a long throw-in, scoring the dramatic 90+6’ equalizer.
- Chelsea’s inability to close out games remains a big concern for manager Enzo Maresca, despite signs of attacking improvement.
3. Liverpool’s Stoppage-Time Resilience
- Liverpool defeated Burnley 1-0 thanks to a 95th-minute penalty by Mohamed Salah.
- This was the fourth consecutive Premier League game where Liverpool scored their winner in the final 10 minutes.
- It shows a new identity under manager Arne Slot: patient, resilient, and fighting until the end.
- Salah milestone: He netted his 188th Premier League goal, further climbing the all-time top scorers’ list, and strengthening his legendary status at Anfield.
4. Manchester Derby – City Crush United
- Manchester City 3–0 Manchester United at the Etihad.
- Erling Haaland was the star again, scoring a brace, while City dominated possession and chances.
- United looked tactically disjointed and couldn’t match City’s pressing or attacking flow.
- This heavy defeat has raised further questions about United’s manager and whether a change might be on the horizon.
5. Summer Transfer Window Recap
The 2025 summer transfer window was record-breaking:
- Alexander Isak joined Liverpool for a British-record transfer fee. The club sees him as their long-term successor to Darwin Núñez.
- Yoane Wissa swapped Brentford for Newcastle United, giving Eddie Howe more attacking depth.
- Other big deals across the league added to the sense of inflated spending. Pressure is now on clubs to justify their investments.
6. Squad Size Rules – Everton Case
- Under Premier League rules, clubs can name 25-man squads, with at least 8 homegrown players.
- Everton named only 23 players, two short of the maximum.
- This gives them flexibility for January signings or to promote academy talent, but in the short term it means less squad depth compared to rivals.
7. Transfer Rumours & Managerial Updates
- Newcastle United are reportedly interested in Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United, possibly targeting him in the January window due to his limited game time.
- Wolves are backing manager Vítor Pereira despite a tough start. The board believes in his long-term project but pressure is growing from fans.
🌍 European & Global Football Updates
1. Champions League Returns – English Clubs Shine
- Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur both won their opening Champions League games:
- Arsenal beat Athletic Bilbao in a solid display.
- Spurs overcame Villarreal, showing attacking intent under Ange Postecoglou.
- Both London clubs are well-placed to progress, boosting the EPL’s strength in Europe.
2. José Mourinho Returns to Benfica
- Benfica sacked their head coach after a poor Champions League performance.
- In a dramatic twist, José Mourinho is set to return to Benfica – his boyhood club – as head coach.
- The move has created huge buzz, especially with Benfica set to face Chelsea soon in Europe.
- Mourinho’s reputation has taken hits in recent years, but Benfica fans hope he can bring steel and experience to the side.
3. FC Barcelona Updates
- Barça’s upcoming La Liga match vs Getafe will be played at the Estadi Johan Cruyff instead of Camp Nou.
- Star youngster Lamine Yamal has been ruled out of the Champions League clash against Newcastle due to injury. His fitness is also doubtful for Getafe and Oviedo matches.
- The club is working on contract renewals:
- Negotiations with Andreas Christensen are ongoing.
- Talks are also advancing with Eric García to secure long-term commitments.
✅ In short, EPL 2025 is buzzing with late winners, derby drama, transfer records, and European challenges, while across Europe, big names like Mourinho are back in the spotlight, and clubs like Barcelona are dealing with injuries and stadium adjustments.
