Liverpool stay flawless as Chelsea’s Old Trafford curse lingers and Arsenal stall City’s charge

Liverpool are setting the early pace of the Premier League with a swagger that feels impossible to ignore. Five games in, five wins on the board, and now a gritty 2–1 victory over Everton in the Merseyside derby to keep their perfect start intact. Anfield thrived on the tension as Ryan Gravenberch struck inside ten minutes, then turned provider for Hugo Ekitike before the half-hour mark. Everton fought back when Idrissa Gueye pulled one back after the break, but even under pressure the Reds held firm. That’s now five straight league wins, a flawless beginning that has rivals glancing nervously at the table.

While Liverpool keeps their foot down, Chelsea once again left Old Trafford wondering what might have been. Manchester United edged them 2–1 in a match that packed in enough drama for an entire season. Bruno Fernandes put United ahead, Casemiro doubled the lead, and although Trevoh Chalobah’s goal hinted at a comeback it never truly materialised. Chelsea’s task was made almost impossible by goalkeeper Robert Sánchez’s red card inside the opening five minutes, but the loss only deepened a familiar wound. The Blues have not won a Premier League game at Old Trafford since May 2013, a barren run that has survived new owners, new managers, and whole squads of players. Twelve years, countless attempts, and still no three points in Manchester.

At the Emirates, Arsenal delivered their own statement of intent by holding champions Manchester City to a 1–1 draw. Erling Haaland’s early strike looked enough for City, but Arsenal’s persistence was rewarded in stoppage time when Gabriel Martinelli smashed in a deflected equaliser. It was the kind of resilient finish that keeps Mikel Arteta’s side within touching distance of the leaders and serves notice that the Gunners won’t be easy to shake off.

Elsewhere, the league’s middle order produced its usual share of twists. Brighton and Tottenham traded blows in a lively 2–2 draw, Leeds impressed with a 3–1 win away to Wolves, and Crystal Palace nicked a 2–1 victory at West Ham. Fulham eased past Brentford 3–1, Burnley shared the spoils 1–1 with Nottingham Forest, Sunderland and Aston Villa also drew 1–1, and Bournemouth and Newcastle played out a goalless stalemate.

But the weekend’s narrative belongs to the heavyweights. Liverpool are not just winning; they’re imposing themselves with a mix of early goals and late resolve, the sort of form that builds belief and fear in equal measure. Arsenal have shown they can go toe-to-toe with the champions. And Chelsea, despite their new project and expensive signings, still can’t crack the Old Trafford code. September might feel early for title talk, yet already the league table has a familiar shape: Liverpool out in front, City chasing, Arsenal clinging close, and Chelsea staring up at a ground that continues to haunt them.