Liverpool scripts sensational comeback, Erling Haaland stars for Manchester City

Matchday 5 of the 2022/23 Premier League season saw some upsets, a few displays of epic dominance and also some last-second goals. As for the last category, Liverpool left it very late in their enthralling 2-1 win over Newcastle United.

Fellow title contenders Manchester City did not engage in such drama as they had a comfortable 6-0 win over Nottingham Forest. Chelsea suffered yet another defeat as they lost 2-1 against Southampton, while their London rivals, Arsenal defeated Aston Villa to secure their fifth consecutive victory.

Check out what happened in the midweek fixtures of the 2022/23 Premier League season:

Crystal Palace 1-1 Brentford

Both Crystal Palace and Brentford have played good football in instalments, but never on a consistent basis. Hence, the teams were eyeing stability when they crossed swords at Selhurst Park.

After a goalless first half, the Eagles broke the deadlock in the 59^th minute through their talismanic attacker Wilfred Zaha. Patrick Vieira’s team almost secured all three points, but it was ultimately not to be as Yoanne Wissa helped the Bees snatch a point with his 88^th-minute strike.

Fulham 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Unlike what many predicted at the start of the season, it seems Fulham will be able to escape relegation this time around. They were up against an in-form Brighton & Hove Albion outfit in the midweek fixture and did well to come out on top.

Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has been in fantastic form this season, opened the scoring in the 48^th minute, whereas a Lewis Dunk own goal doubled the lead of Marco Silva’s team seven minutes later. Alexis Mac Allistic converted a penalty at the hour-mark to give Graham Potter’s side a glimpse of hope, but it was nothing more than a glimpse.

Southampton 2-1 Chelsea

Chelsea took on Southampton on the back of a spirited 2-1 win over Leicester City and hence were the favourites to take all three points from this fixture as well. However, the Saints stunned the Blues as they secured a 2-1 victory.

It was Chelsea who scored first, courtesy of a composed strike from Raheem Sterling in the 23^rd minute. However, Romeo Lavia’s thunderous effort brought Ralph Hasenhuttl’s boys back in the game five minutes later, before Adam Armstrong made it 2-1 just before half-time.

Leeds United 1-1 Everton

Everton extended their winless streak in the 2022/23 Premier League as they could only secure a 1-1 draw against Leeds United in their midweek fixture. They had the perfect start as Anthony Gordon, who was once a prime transfer target of Chelsea, opened the scoring in the 17^th minute.

The Toffees managed to safeguard their lead in the first half until Jesse Marsch’s team eventually restored parity through a Luis Sinisterra strike in the 55^th minute. Since then, Leeds United launched one attack after another, but could not find the second goal.

Bournemouth 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers were both desperate ahead of their meeting, as they have performed poorly so far this season. Though it is still very early in the season, this fixture could have been considered a ‘six-pointer’.

However, neither side could capitalize on the situation as the two teams played out a 0-0 draw. Wolves were certainly the better side as they had 17 attempts to the Cherries’ five. However, Bournemouth defenders did well to keep all of those attacks out.

Manchester City 6-0 Bournemouth

There is no stopping Manchester City at the moment, and in particular, their star striker Erling Haaland. Pep Guardiola’s team scored six goals against Nottingham Forest and the showstopper was his trusted Norwegian frontman, who scored a hat-trick.

Haaland’s goals helped the Cityzens secure a 3-0 lead in the first half itself, while in the second period, Joao Cancelo scored the fourth goal before Argentine wonderkid Julian Alvarez netted a brace.

Arsenal 2-1 Aston Villa

Hardly anyone would have expected Arsenal to top the Premier League standings at the start of September, but here we are now, with the Gunners having won all of their five fixtures so far. In their last match, they defeated Aston Villa 2-1.

Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus got his name on the scoresheet once again as it was his 30^th-minute strike that gave Mikel Arteta’s team a crucial lead. Aston Villa’s Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz helped his team draw level in the 73^rd minute, but it took Arsenal only four minutes to reclaim their one-goal lead. Interestingly, it was another Brazil international, Gabriel Martinelli, who netted the last goal of the game.

West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur is yet to lose a match in this season’s Premier League, but they were restricted to a 1-1 stalemate by West Ham United at the London Derby in the London Stadium.

Antonio Conte’s team scored first when Hammers’ new signing Thilo Kehrer pushed the ball into his own net in the 34^th minute. However, Czech midfielder Tomas Soucek’s 55^th-minute strike helped David Moyes’ team secure a point.

Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle United

After scoring 9 goals against Bournemouth last week, Liverpool was expected to dominate against Newcastle United in the midweek fixture. However, the reality was very different, as the Magpies gave the reds a run for their money.

New signing Alexander Isak had an instant impact as it took him only 38 minutes to score his first Premier League goal. Roberto Firmino equalled the score in the 61^st minute, and just when it seemed the match will end at 1-1, Fabio Carvalho’s 98^th-minute strike helped Liverpool claim all three points. 

Leicester City 0-1 Manchester United

Manchester United gave their fans a reason to celebrate even before matchday 5, as they finally completed the much-awaited signing of Brazilian sensation Antony. As for their performance on the pitch, Erik ten Hag’s men continued from where they left in the last game, as they defeated Leicester City 1-0.

Jadon Sancho converted from a Marcus Rashford pass in the 23^rd minute to secure his team’s third consecutive victory. The Foxes did have chances after conceding, but the likes of James Maddison and Jamie Vardy were not clinical enough.