He has been at Anfield four months, but this could be the day Arne Slot truly became Liverpool’s manager.
When inspiration was needed, a team and stadium in need of galvanising after a shocking 45 minutes, Slot and his players found the answers. Mohamed Salah’s sizzling winner completed a stirring comeback against Brighton and suddenly Liverpool are top of the Premier League again.
Liverpool will linger on the joys of the second half, how the old intensity returned and Brighton did not know what hit them as Slot saw the power of Anfield for arguably the first time since his appointment.
They must also heed the lesson from the turmoil of the first half.
Throughout their excellent run at the start of Slot’s reign, there has been a nagging doubt that something is not quite right. Theories abound. Do they need a No 10 or striker with more killer instinct? Are they occasionally guilty of slowing the game down too much when a higher tempo is required.
Such criticisms sound churlish in the midst of a record-breaking run, but in the first half against Brighton an issue was exposed.
The side that was once the best in the world without the ball – harrying to get it back and often treating opponents with contempt for having the audacity to attempt a passing sequence near Liverpool’s penalty area – had disappeared.
Too many home players were committing the cardinal sin of ducking out of tackles, at best casual when it came to retrieving possession and at worst half-hearted.
Brighton deserved their lead on 14 minutes, their passing triangles yielding the reward of Ferdi Kadioglu’s diagonal shot beating Caoimhin Kelleher. But for Kelleher it would have been two, the Irish keeper denying Georginio Rutter in a one-on-one. That followed a glorious pass from Yasin Ayari.
The Kop demanded more. More pertinently, Slot did the same and Liverpool responded, peppering Brighton’s goal until Cody Gakpo’s cross went directly past Bert Verbruggen on 69 minutes. Three minutes later Salah completed the turnaround to go ahead of Robbie Fowler in the all-time Premier League goal list with the 162nd of his Liverpool career. None will have looked or felt much sweeter.
Full match report to follow
05:15 PM GMT
Will Slot lead Liverpool to the league?
8/10 – Liverpool have now won eight of their 10 Premier League games under Arne Slot (D1 L1), the most ever by a Reds manager in his first 10 top-flight matches in charge of the club. Seamless. pic.twitter.com/J0HWXJLmbB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 2, 2024
05:09 PM GMT
Mohamed Salah: Anfield’s assassin.
05:06 PM GMT
Full time: Nottingham Forest 3 West Ham 0
Nottingham Forest are flying high at the moment, rising up to third in the table with a 3-0 home win against West Ham.
05:03 PM GMT
Full time: Ipswich 1 Leicester 1
Devastation in the final minutes yet again for Ipswich, as they fail to seal all three points at Portman Road.
05:02 PM GMT
Full time: Liverpool 2 Brighton 1
If you listen closely, you can hear the deafening roars and cheers up in Merseyside! Liverpool have moved to the summit of the Premier League with a terrific comeback win against Brighton.
04:59 PM GMT
View from Portman Road
Heartbreak for Ipswich. Moments after Sam Morsy broke clear on a counter-attack but failed to either take the ball towards the corner flag or try a speculative lob from 50 yards, he lost possession in the most costly fashion.
Leicester surged forward with substitute Jordan Ayew playing a delightful one-two with Jamie Vardy before slipping home, an injury-time equaliser.
04:58 PM GMT
Full time: Southampton 1 Everton 0
Southampton are winless no more! The final whistle has blown and manager Russell Martin leads the celebrations at St Mary’s!
04:56 PM GMT
GOAL! Ipswich 1 Leicester 1 – Ayew
Late heartbreak for Ipswich yet again, as Jordan Ayew gets a huge goal for Leicester!
Not the first time the Ghanaian forward has come up clutch on the road this season.
04:54 PM GMT
Full time: Bournemouth 2 Manchester City 1
And Bournemouth have clinched their first ever Premier League victory over Manchester City at the fifteenth attempt!
04:53 PM GMT
96 minutes: Bournemouth 2 Man City 1
And now Phil Foden has gone agonisingly close to getting an equaliser, with his low drilled effort just rolling outside the post.
04:51 PM GMT
93 minutes: Bournemouth 2 Man City 1
Wow, this just might be Bournemouth’s day.
Erling Haaland has missed a glorious chance to equalise for Man City, with the typically lethal marksman misdirecting a rebound onto the post from just a yard from goal.
04:49 PM GMT
89 minutes: Southampton 1 Everton 0
Beto has scored a brilliant goal for Everton to equalise, but after being closely examined by Var, it is deemed offside.
04:46 PM GMT
GOAL! – Southampton 1 Everton 0 – Armstrong
The home fans are bouncing at St Mary’s, as Adam Armstrong coolly gives Southampton the lead.
Now can they hold on for a massive win?
04:44 PM GMT
View from Portman Road
Ipswich down to ten men. Consternation in Suffolk now and a roar of “You don’t know what you’re doing” aimed at referee Tim Robinson after sending off Kalvin Phillips for a second bookable offence, a tackle on Ricardo Periera, which left the Leicester player writhing on the floor.
If Ipswich are going to win, it is going to be the hard way.
04:43 PM GMT
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 3 West Ham 0
Ola Aina scores a fabulous goal to give Forest their third of the afternoon, with an effort that rockets past Fabianski in goal. A miserable outing for the away fans.
04:41 PM GMT
View from the Vitality Stadium
Here come City… Bourmemotuh are in for a nervy final few minutes now, as Gvardiol produces a powerful header to convert Gundogan’s cross.
Amazingly, that’s Gvardiol’s sixth goal in City’s last eight league away games.
04:39 PM GMT
GOAL! Bournemouth 2 Manchester City 1 – Gvardiol
Well well, there is still life in this match. Man City have pulled one back after Josko Gvardiol heads past goalkeeper Marc Travers.
04:36 PM GMT
View from St Mary’s
Michael Keane nods Jesper Lindstrom’s cross towards the bottom corner. But Aaron Ramsdale fingertips the ball onto the post and grabbed the rebound before Keane could get to it.
04:35 PM GMT
View from Anfield
Joe Gomez has been outstanding for Liverpool since replacing Konate. Slot must decide whether to stick or twist with the lead. He is bringing on Endo, so it could yet be a frantic finale.
Brighton don’t know what has hit them in the second half, but they are still in this.
04:34 PM GMT
View from Anfield
Typical Salah goal. Anfield is buzzing. Game of two halves, anyone?
04:31 PM GMT
GOAL! Liverpool 2 Brighton 1 – Salah
This game has turned on its head, and Mohamed Salah has got Liverpool’s quickfire second, smashing the ball into the top corner past Verbruggen’s despairing dive.
04:29 PM GMT
GOAL! Liverpool 1 Brighton 1 – Gakpo
Liverpool have equalised against Brighton, and it’s Cody Gakpo who scores as his cross is bent into the box, evades teammate Darwin Nunez and winds up into the net.
04:27 PM GMT
GOAL! Forest 2 West Ham 0 – Hudson-Odoi
Forest are now 2-0 up against West Ham, and Callum Hudson-Odoi gets an excellent goal, bent into the far right hand corner, after Forest take a quick free kick.
04:25 PM GMT
67 minutes: Bournemouth 2 Man City 0
Oh my word, Bournemouth should be 3-0 in front. Adam Smith pounces on a rebound from a shot with the goal at his mercy, but he guides the ball over the bar!
04:23 PM GMT
View from the Vitality Stadium
Bournemouth have doubled their lead, and it’s absolutely deserved. Once again Kerkez is heavily involved, with the left-back producing a wonderful cross for Evanilson to score on the counter-attack. What a fabulous performance this has been by Bournemouth.
04:21 PM GMT
GOAL! Bournemouth 2 Man City 0 – Evanilson
Wow, Bournemouth have now doubled their lead in this match! And it’s Evanilson who latches onto Kerkez’s cross to prod the ball past Ederson.
04:20 PM GMT
View from Vitality Stadium
Still not much sign of City finding their groove, here. They have been just as stodgy at the start of this half as they were at the start of the first.
Matters have been made worse by Erling Haaland going down in a lot of pain, after a meaty challenge by Lewis Cook. Haaland was also limping in the first half after an awkward turn of the ankle. Let’s see if he’s able to continue…
04:18 PM GMT
GOAL – Ipswich 1 Leicester 0 – Davis
Ipswich have gone in front in this match, and it is Leif Davis who produces a wonderful volley from Sam Morsy’s cross that is blasted past Hermansen.
04:15 PM GMT
54 minutes: Liverpool 0 Brighton 1
Liverpool have two great chances to level the scoring, with Alexis Macallister’s diving header well saved by Verbruggen before van Dijk is unable to connect with a brilliant cross from a few yards out a short while later.
04:12 PM GMT
50 minutes: Nottingham Forest 1 West Ham 0
West Ham have made two substitutions, in response to going down to 10 men, with Michail Antonio and Carlos Soler coming on.
04:09 PM GMT
50 minutes: Bournemouth 1 Man City 0
An exciting start to the second half on the south coast.
Bournemouth fail to fashion a meaningful chance from a well-worked move, then moments later Phil Foden drags a close-range effort wide from a promising position after nice work from Matheus Nunes sets up the opportunity.
04:07 PM GMT
View from Portman Road
Over the PA at Portman Road at half-time: “Those fans who have purchased a big screen announcement can see their messages now.” Family club Ipswich charging fans to say Happy Birthday to loved ones at half-time? Surely a step too far?
04:06 PM GMT
Will this be an afternoon for upsets?
The second halves of all five matches are back underway.
Are we set for some huge upsets at Anfield and the Vitality Stadium?
03:54 PM GMT
View from Anfield
Brighton have been slick, intense in the tackle, purposeful with their passing and full of energy.
Liverpool have been none of the above.
The bad news for Fabian Hurzeler is it is only 1-0. Liverpool cannot be this bad in the second half.
But worryingly for Slot, Ibrahima Konate left at half time with his shirt turned into a sling for an arm injury. Looks like a defensive change will be required.
03:53 PM GMT
View from Portman Road
A half that started promisingly with both sides looking to open the scoring faded away somewhat as it progressed.
Ipswich, urged on by a Portman Road crowd desperate to witness a first Premier League win since their return, have looked the sharper with
Conor Chaplin always prepared to create a yard of space for a shot.The game certainly isn’t as exciting as the Boxing Day draw between these sides last Christmas … yet.
03:52 PM GMT
View from the City Ground
Julen Lopetegui is not enjoying this one, and West Ham’s performance so far has been appalling.
They did produce their only chance in injury time but Lucas Paqueta’s half-volley was cleared off the line by – you guessed it – Chris Wood.
Minutes later Edson Alvarez was sent off for a second caution, a foul on Anthony Elanga – and they are down to ten men.
There was also an embarrassing moment for Alvarez when he walked off, missing the tunnel and having to be told he was heading the wrong way.
Lopetegui has spent most of the match complaining to the fourth official, prowling his technical area like an angered cat.
The half-time whistle has been met with a chorus of boos from the 3,000 travelling supporters.
03:51 PM GMT
Half time: Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 0
The first half here ended with Bournemouth keeping the ball with such precision and control that the home crowd were “ole-ing”. City couldn’t get near it.
Such an impressive 45 minutes by Andoni Iraola’s team. Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi and Lewis Cook have all been exceptional.
03:50 PM GMT
47 minutes: Nottingham Forest 1 West Ham 0
West Ham have now gone down to 10 men, after midfielder Edson Alvarez picks up a second yellow card for a late challenge.
The away side are truly up against it now.
03:48 PM GMT
47 minutes: Southampton 0 Everton 0
Southampton have had their best chance of the game, with Taylor Harwood-Bellis heading a Tyler Manning cross narrowly wide of the goal.
03:45 PM GMT
39 minutes: Ipswich 0 Leicester 0
Conor Chaplin has looked bright for Ipswich, and a brilliant piece of play sees him receive the ball on the right hand side, cut inside and unleash an effort that flies just wide of the post.
03:43 PM GMT
40 minutes: Liverpool 0 Brighton 1
It is all Brighton at the moment, and Danny Welbeck has whipped a free kick just wide outside of the goal, to the striker’s visible disappointment.
03:41 PM GMT
View from Anfield
Slot’s half-time team talk to his players will be simple.. “Any chance of anyone making a tackle?”
03:40 PM GMT
View from the Vitality Stadium
After Bournemouth’s thrilling start to this game, the inevitable pressure is now starting to build on their defence. It required a fabulous block by Kerkez to deny Bernardo Silva, and City are beginning to find their groove and establish some dominance.
We’ve not seen much from Haaland yet, though. Zabarnyi is doing an excellent job on him so far.
03:39 PM GMT
37 minutes: Liverpool 0 Brighton 1
Brighton have missed another huge chance to double their lead, and the home fans are growing more restless.
Kaoru Mitoma’s chipped ball into the box finds goalscoer Kadioglu, but the defender balloons his volley over the bar when he should have done better.
03:37 PM GMT
36 minutes: Ipswich 0 Leicester 0
Glaring miss. A Leif Davis corner for Ipswich sailed over everyone except Dara O’Shea at the far post, but the central defender completely mistimed his header, bouncing it into the ground and wide of the post when he had a clear view of the net.
The Ipswich fans are already becoming agitated at the time Leicester are taking over their restarts. Will referee Tim Robinson take action other than whistling in order to have a word, which simply wastes more time?
03:35 PM GMT
34 minutes: Liverpool 0 Brighton 1
Liverpool now have started to pose a threat of their own, and Ibrahima Konate’s header from a corner is goalbound but Brighton’s Joel Veltman blocks the ball on the line to deny the home side an equaliser.
03:32 PM GMT
View from Anfield
Brighton should be two-up. Rutter was one-on-one with Kelleher after a beautiful pass from Ayari. The Irish keeper came to his side’s rescue. Brighton have been superb.
03:30 PM GMT
View from the City Ground
What a season this is proving for Chris Wood, the Forest striker with a better shot conversion rate than Erling Haaland.
He has just added his eighth goal of the season to move ahead of Stan Collymore with 23 scored in the Premier League.
Only Bryan Roy, the former Forest forward, has more with 24.
As reported by Telegraph Sport earlier this week, Forest are in talks with Wood’s representatives over a new contract, with his present deal expiring at the end of the season.
It was another textbook header from the Kiwi, nodding home Alex Moreno’s cross.
03:29 PM GMT
GOAL! – Forest 1 West Ham 0 – (Wood)
It’s that man again – Chris Wood strikes again for the home side!
03:28 PM GMT
27 minutes: Liverpool 0 Brighton 1
Brighton have come so close to getting a second goal. Rutter was through one on one on goal and Kelleher produces a crucial save to keep the score at 1-0. Liverpool are rocking.
03:25 PM GMT
View from Portman Road
The value of three points from this fixture is clearly at the front of minds on both sides. The gap between them that currently stands at five points in Leicester’s favour could be eight or two depending on which side can claim victory.
Both sides are pushing forward and being urged to do so by their respective supporters.
03:24 PM GMT
View from the City Ground
Guido Rodriguez is very fortunate here at the City Ground.
He’s just brought down Morgan Gibbs-White outside the West Ham penalty area with what appeared a very dangerous challenge, but referee Peter Bankes only booked the midfielder.
Forest fans are furious, demanding a Var review, after already being angered by a number of perceived injustices against their team this season.
03:23 PM GMT
View from the Vitality Stadium
Most of City’s opponents play with a deep defensive block, so I do wonder if this ultra-aggressive approach by Bournemouth has been a shock to the system, of sorts, for Guardiola’s players.
They would have known what was coming, of course, but it is always different when you are in the heat of battle. City’s midfielders, especially, are being given no time at all on the ball.
03:17 PM GMT
View from Anfield
Brighton have been much the better side, so much more confident in possession. It’s a brilliantly worked opening goal for Kadioglu. Liverpool have some tactical problems to solve. They can’t get hold of the ball.
03:15 PM GMT
GOAL – Liverpool 0 Brighton 1 – Kadioglu
What is happening in the Premier League at the moment?! Brighton have taken the lead at Anfield, and have silenced the home crowd after Kadioglu drills in a well-placed effort into the net!
03:14 PM GMT
View from the City Ground
The last time Julen Lopetegui faced off against Nuno Espirito Santo, it proved a memorable experience.
In charge of Sevilla at the time, Lopetegui guided his team to victory over Nuno’s Wolves in the Europa League quarter-final of 2020.
Lopetegui will not have fond memories of the City Ground, though. On his first visit with Wolves, in January 2023, there was a huge confrontation between players and coaching staff after the final whistle which ended with large fines and Lopetegui accused of acting “unprofessionally” by the Football Association.
Later that season in April it kicked off again in the Premier League meeting, with Lopetegui again clashing with Forest’s coaching staff – with the club then managed by Steve Cooper.
Lopetegui will be hoping for a more stress-free afternoon and here’s a bizarre stat for you – ten games in, this is West Ham’s first league match outside of London this season.
Forest have made the stronger start, with Callum Hudson-Odoi placing a shot narrowly wide.
03:12 PM GMT
View from the Vitality Stadium
Bournemouth have a deserved early lead! Semenyo went close to scoring after just two minutes and he succeeded at the second attempt, firing low beyond Ederson after some excellent work down the left by Kerkez. Bournemouth have been on the front foot since kick-off.
03:10 PM GMT
GOAL! Bournemouth 1 Man City 0 – Semenyo
Well, well, you cannot say it has not been deserved! Bournemouth have gone 1-0 in front against Man City, and it’s Semenyo who has given the home side the lead.
03:09 PM GMT
7 mins: Bournemouth 0 Man City 0
Bournemouth are making some real inroads in the opening stages against Man City. Evanilson bursts behind the visiting backline after bringing the ball down well on his chest.
The Brazilian then cuts the ball back across goal but does not find a teammate.
03:06 PM GMT
3 mins: Bournemouth 0 Man City 0
Oh, Bournemouth already have troubled Manchester City in the opening stages, and should they have scored? Antoine Semenyo directs an effort towards goal, which prompts a good Ederson save. The rebound goes to Kluivert, and City keeper Ederson denies him with his feet, but Bournemouth will feel they have spurned a big chance here!
02:59 PM GMT
Kick off is approaching
We’re just a few minutes away from kick off across the Premier League’s 3pm matches this Saturday.
02:56 PM GMT
An extra incentive for Forest today?
There is a brilliant atmosphere at the City Ground, with a huge banner unfurled in the Trent End before kick-off bearing the words ‘Once A Rebel, Always A Rebel, You Can’t Help Being One.’
Forest have made a fine start to the season and are aiming to win three Premier League games in a row for the first time since May 1999.
With a win today, they could even go into the top-four which they haven’t achieved in the top division since August 1999.
Morgan Gibbs-White is back in the team after missing two matches with an ankle injury, replacing the excellent Elliot Anderson which must have been a tough call for Nuno Espírito Santo.
West Ham’s own start has been rather inconsistent, though the win over Manchester United last weekend – which ushered Erik ten Hag towards the exit door – could kick-start this new chapter under Julen Lopetegui.
Always expect the unexpected with West Ham, especially away from home.
02:48 PM GMT
Pre-match thoughts from Anfield
As expected, Kostas Tsimikas starts ahead of the rested Andy Robertson as Liverpool look to punish Arsenal for their lapse at Newcastle United. The Gunners’ result will make last weekend’s 2-2 draw at the Emirates look even better for Liverpool if Slot’s side can build a seven point gap today.
Brighton have been tricky opponents for Liverpool recently, however, including at Anfield. Slot said he used to make a point of watching Brighton when they were coached by Roberto de Zerbi. It should mean he is well aware of the strengths and weaknesses of those still at the club.
02:47 PM GMT
Will St Mary’s finally see a Premier League victory today?
Southampton’s return to the top-flight has been a torrid one thus far, with eight losses and one draw leaving them at the foot of the Premier League table. Can they reverse their fortunes by clinching their first league victory this season against Everton?
02:38 PM GMT
Steve Cooper still in Leicester dugout.. For now.
Leicester manager Steve Cooper sees his team travel to Suffolk, on the back of two notable defeats within a week against Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.
The Welshman will be on the touchline this afternoon at Portman Road, but is set to face an one match touchline ban soon after accruing his third yellow card of the season, in last week’s match against Forest.
02:30 PM GMT
Who Wood bet against Chris scoring again today?
02:22 PM GMT
Will Danny do it again?
02:19 PM GMT
Back to business for De Bruyne
02:10 PM GMT
Fancy a flutter?
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02:09 PM GMT
Southampton vs Everton full lineups
Southampton XI: Ramsdale, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Manning, Armstrong, Downes, Lallana, Fernandes, Archer.
Subs: McCarthy, Aribo, Bree, Sugawara, Brereton Diaz, Ugochukwu, Amo-Ameyaw, Onuachu, Dibling.
Everton XI: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Mangala, Gueye, Lindstrom, McNeil, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Virginia, Begovic, Patterson, Harrison, Beto, O’Brien, Coleman, Branthwaite, Armstrong.
02:07 PM GMT
Ipswich vs Leicester full lineups
Ipswich XI: Muric, Morsy, O’Shea, Burgess, Davis, Phillips, Johnson, Hutchinson, Chaplin, Szmodics, Delap.
Subs: Walton, Woolfenden, Burns, Cajuste, Townsend, Luongo, Hirst, Broadhead, Clarke.
Leicester XI: Hermansen, Pereira, Faes, Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Ndidi, Winks, Fatawu, Buonanotte, Mavididi, Vardy.
Subs: Ward, Justin, Coady, Okoli, El Khannouss, Ayew, Skipp, Soumare, McAteer.
02:06 PM GMT
Nottingham Forest vs West Ham full lineups
Nottingham Forest XI:
Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno, Dominguez, Yates, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.
Subs: Miguel, Williams, Anderson, Awonyi, Toffolo, Da Silva Moreira, Jota, Sosa, Boly.
West Ham XI:
Fabianski, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Alvarez, Rodriguez, Bowen, Paqueta, Summerville.
Subs: Foderingham, Cresswell, Soler, Coufal, Antonio, Guilherme, Ings, Irving, Casey.
02:03 PM GMT
Liverpool vs Brighton full lineups
Liverpool XI:
Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Nunez, Gakpo.
Subs: Jaros, Gomez, Endo, Diaz, Jones, Robertson, Quansah, Morton, Bradley.
Brighton XI:
Verbruggen, Veltman, Van Hecke, Julio, Estupinan, Kadioglu, Hinshelwood, Ayari, Mitoma, Rutter, Welbeck.
Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Gruda, Enciso, Adingra, Moder, Baleba, Wieffer, Ferguson.
02:01 PM GMT
Bournemouth vs Manchester City full lineups
Bournemouth XI
Travers, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez, Smith, Tavernier, Cook, Christie, Kluivert, Semenyo, Evanilson.
Subs: Dennis, Huijsen, Brooks, Adams, Araujo, Hill, Unal, Billing, Aarons.
Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Ake, Akanji, Gvardiol, Gundogan, Kovacic, Nunes, Foden, Silva, Haaland.
Subs: Ortega, Doku, De Bruyne, Savinho, Simpson-Pusey, Wright, O’Reilly, Lewis, McAtee.
01:56 PM GMT
Everton lineup
01:55 PM GMT
Southampton lineup
01:54 PM GMT
West Ham lineup
01:53 PM GMT
Nottingham Forest lineup
01:53 PM GMT
Leicester lineup
01:52 PM GMT
Ipswich lineup
01:51 PM GMT
Brighton lineup
01:51 PM GMT
Liverpool lineup
01:50 PM GMT
Manchester City lineup
Today’s City side! 🩵
XI | Ederson, Walker (C), Akanji, Ake, Gvardiol, Kovacic, Gundogan, Bernardo, Foden, Nunes, Haaland
SUBS | Ortega Moreno, Doku, De Bruyne, Savinho, Wright, Simpson-Pusey, O’Reilly, Lewis, McAtee#ManCity | @etihad pic.twitter.com/FJM7uhvHem
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 2, 2024
01:49 PM GMT
Bournemouth lineup
01:47 PM GMT
Preview: More late goals this Saturday?
Good afternoon and welcome to the Telegraph’s live clockwatch of the five matches taking place across the Premier League at 3pm this afternoon.
And if this afternoon matches the drama of last Saturday’s 3pm kickoffs, we are in for a treat!
League leaders Manchester City travel down to the south coast to take on Bournemouth, against whom they have an exceptional record in the league.
All 14 of their previous Premier League encounters have resulted in victory for Manchester City, and another triumph for the away side would equal the English top-flight record for consecutive wins against a single opponent.
Nevertheless, Bournemouth may still pose a notable threat against the four-time reigning Premier League champions, as seen in their previous two results, the 2-0 home toppling of Arsenal, and their 1-1 draw away at Aston Villa last Saturday, courtesy of Evanilson’s 97th minute equaliser for Andoni Iraola’s men.
Ipswich, on the other hand endured the misfortune of a last-gasp goal last weekend after Bryan Mbeumo’s added-time winner inflicted a crushing 4-3 defeat away at Brentford.
The home side are still seeking their first Premier League victory in 22 years, and Kieran McKenna’s choices in attack have been dealt a significant blow upon the news that winger Chiedozie Ogbene could be absent for the rest of the season after tearing his Achilles in their previous match versus Brentford.
Leicester enter this encounter, on the back of a few sobering losses over the past seven days, firstly suffering a 3-1 defeat against east Midlands adversaries Nottingham Forest, before then enduring a 5-2 drubbing away at Manchester United in midweek.
Manager Steve Cooper will be keen to return his team to winning ways at Portman Road, and will at least back his team to get a goal in this encounter, having seen his side make it onto the scoresheet in all nine of their Premier League games this season.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Brighton will pit their wits against one another for the second time this week, after an engrossing 3-2 EFL Cup victory for Liverpool away at the Amex Stadium.
Arne Slot endured the rare inconvenience of not collecting all three points in a Premier League fixture last weekend in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw away at Arsenal, but will perhaps take consolation after rescuing a point away at the ground of a fellow title contender.
Brighton will undoubtedly have been left frustrated by surrendering their two-goal advantage with almost the last kick of the match, to succumb to a 2-2 draw at home against Wolves last weekend.
In- form striker Danny Welbeck will be key to any hopes of victory at Anfield this afternoon, with the 33-year-old looking to score in four straight top-flight games for the first time ever, while also possibly becoming Brighton’s all-time joint top Premier League goalscorer, with his 29 goals one short of Pascal Gross’ total of 30.
Speaking of in-form strikers in their 30s, Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood has started this season tremendously, with his brace in the 3-1 win over Leicester, bringing his league tally up to seven goals from nine games thus far.
Yet, Forest’s strong start this campaign owes a lot to their defence, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s men sitting seventh in the table, having only conceded seven goals so far this season, the second best record in the league, at time of writing.
Their opponents this afternoon are West Ham, who earned a much-needed home 2-1 win against Manchester United last Sunday to ease the pressure on manager Julen Lopetegui, while simultaneously initiating Erik ten Hag’s dismissal in the opposite dugout.
The Spaniard will be intent on building on this result this afternoon, in hope of achieving West Ham’s first consecutive Premier League wins since March. Though to do so, the away side would need to earn a Premier League victory at the City Ground, a feat which they have achieved just once before, in 1996.
Finally, Southampton welcome visitors Everton to St Mary’s, as the home side seek their first Premier League victory this season, after eight losses and one loss from their nine opening games.
Russell Martin’s men will be buoyed by their 2-0 home win in midweek against Stoke in the EFL Cup, but Everton present a stern test this afternoon, with the away side enjoying a five-match unbeaten run in the league following four straight defeats in their first four matches.
Team news to follow shortly.
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