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Written by Amy Tuscher
The weekend's Premier League football was once again dominated by controversial refereeing decisions, with VAR taking center stage in a number of key matches.
Chelsea 2-0 Fulham: The VAR Controversy
The most talked-about incident of the weekend occurred at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea defeated Fulham 2-0. The match was at a tense 0-0 when Fulham's Josh King appeared to have given his side the lead. However, the goal was ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up. The VAR official, Michael Salisbury, advised the on-field referee to review an incident where Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz accidentally stepped on Trevoh Chalobah's foot. The referee then disallowed the goal.
The decision was met with widespread criticism from pundits and the Fulham camp. Fulham manager Marco Silva called the decision "unbelievable," and it was later revealed that the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) admitted the decision was a mistake and that VAR should not have intervened. As a result, Salisbury was dropped from his scheduled VAR duties for the Liverpool vs. Arsenal match on Sunday.
The controversy didn't end there, as Chelsea was later awarded a penalty after a VAR review for a handball by Ryan Sessegnon. The decision stood despite appeals from Fulham players who claimed a foul in the build-up.
There was more drama throughout the weekend with some surprise victories.
* Manchester United 3-2 Burnley: Manchester United secured their first win of the season in a thrilling match against newly promoted Burnley. Bruno Fernandes scored a late penalty to seal the three points for the Red Devils. Burnley battled throughout the game but unfortunately came up short, the win gives Amorim some much needed breathing space as we head into the International break.
* Spurs 0-1 AFC Bournemouth: Tottenham suffered their first defeat of the season, falling to a surprising loss against Bournemouth. Evanilson scored the lone goal for the Cherries, who deserved the victory. Spurs could not break down a resolute Cherries defence which calls into question further Tottenhams lack of attacking options with Solanke, Maddison and Kulesevski being out injured.
* Sunderland 2 - 1 Brentford: In a thrilling Premier League match, Sunderland secured a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Brentford at the Stadium of Light. ​The first half was largely uneventful, but the game burst into life after the break. Brentford had a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty, but Kevin Schade's spot-kick was saved by Sunderland's goalkeeper, Robin Roefs. Brentford eventually took the lead in the 77th minute through a header from Igor Thiago. However, Sunderland quickly responded with a penalty of their own, which was expertly converted by Enzo Le Fée in the 81st minute. ​The final word belonged to Sunderland's super-sub, Wilson Isidor. In the 96th minute of stoppage time, he headed home a pinpoint cross from Granit Xhaka to seal all three points for the Black Cats. The late winner was a perfect end to a memorable 24 hours for Isidor, who had become a father just hours before the match.
* Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-3 Everton: Everton secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Wolves at Molineux in a thrilling, rain-soaked encounter. The win makes it back-to-back Premier League victories for David Moyes' side, while Wolves remain winless this season.Everton's attacking trio of Jack Grealish, Iliman Ndiaye, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were at the heart of their success. The on-loan Jack Grealish, returning to his former city, was a constant threat, providing two assists. Everton took an early lead in the 7th minute when Beto scored a close-range effort, assisted by Grealish. Wolves responded in the 21st minute through Hwang Hee-chan, who leveled the score after a good cross from Munetsi. Everton's dominance was rewarded again in the 33rd minute. Ndiaye, set up by Dewsbury-Hall, swept the ball home to make it 2-1.The third goal, a stunning strike from just inside the box by Dewsbury-Hall, was the highlight of the match. The midfielder, who also provided an assist, got his first goal for the club to make it 3-1 in the 55th minute. ​Despite being outplayed for much of the game, Wolves refused to give up. A triple substitution in the 64th minute gave the home side renewed energy. In the 79th minute, substitute Rodrigo Gomes pulled one back for Wolves, setting up a nervy finish. The hosts pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, but Everton's defense, led by Michael Keane, held firm.
* Leeds 0-0 Newcastle: Leeds United and Newcastle United played out a cagey 0-0 draw at Elland Road, with both sides struggling to create clear-cut opportunities. The point means Leeds remain unbeaten at home this season, while Newcastle's winless start to the campaign continues. Despite the end-to-end nature of the match, both teams lacked a cutting edge in the final third. The first half was a particularly cautious affair, with few chances created. Newcastle, missing key players like Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, struggled to break down a well-organized Leeds defense. The best chance of the game came in the final minutes when Leeds substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin was played through on goal, but his shot was well saved by the feet of Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope. While the match may have lacked goals, it was a testament to the defensive resilience of both sides. Leeds, in particular, looked solid at the back, with center-back Joe Rodon putting in a dominant performance. Newcastle's defense, led by Fabian Schär and Sven Botman, also stood firm, repelling any threats that came their way.
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* Liverpool 1-0 Arsenal: Liverpool edged out Arsenal in a tight contest at Anfield. With both sides looking to assert their dominance in the new Premier League season. The only difference between the two sides was a thunderbolt free kick from Dominik Szoboszlai into the top corner which left Raya with no chance. Arsenal will also be concerned as they lost William Saliba just 5 minutes into the match with an ankle injury, after the match Arteta did confirm the injury looked serious.
* Brighton 2-1 Manchester City: Brighton defeated Manchester City in a shocking upset which gives City back to back defeats.City started the game in control taking the lead after a Haaland goal in his 100th appearance for the side. The game then shifted dramatically when Brighton boss Hurzeler made a quadruple substitution after the hour mark. That pressure paid off when Brighton were awarded a penalty after Nunes was judged to have handled the ball. Ex City player James Milner stepped up and scored his first goal since 2019. Brighton continued to push for a winner, and it came in the 89th minute when Brajan Gruda, another substitute, broke through City's defense and slotted the ball past goalkeeper James Trafford to secure a stunning victory for the Seagulls.
* Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham: West Ham secured their first win of the Premiership season with a resounding 3 goal win over Nottingham Forest. The first half was a cagey affair with neither team able to break down each other's defence. The game finally burst into life in the final 10 minutes of the match, after some substitutions from manager Graham Potter who brought on young Jude Summerville and experienced new signing Callum Wilson. In the 84th minute, Jarrod Bowen finally broke the deadlock. After a period of sustained pressure from Forest, West Ham launched a swift counter-attack. A ball from substitute Summerville found Bowen, who steered a low shot into the bottom corner. Just four minutes later, West Ham doubled their lead from the penalty spot. Summerville, who had made an immediate impact, was fouled in the box by Ibrahim Sangaré. Lucas Paquetá confidently stepped up to convert the penalty, giving West Ham a comfortable cushion. His celebration was the talking point after he appeared to pick up a phone call, then throw the phone away and kiss the West Ham badge, this comes after talks of him joining Aston Villa earlier on in the day. The victory was sealed in stoppage time when another substitute, Callum Wilson, scored his first goal for the club. He latched onto a cross and calmly finished to make it 3-0. Bowen had the chance to make it 4-0 after an incredible run into the box, beating 3 or 4 players only to have Wilson take the ball from under his feet. Potter will sigh a relief after this win and with the International break will give him time to review his side and work with the new players they have brought in.
* Aston Villa 0 - 3 Crystal Palace : Crystal Palace ended Aston Villa's 20-match unbeaten run at Villa Park with a sensational 3-0 victory, their first Premier League win of the season. ​Despite Aston Villa having more possession and creating a number of chances, it was Crystal Palace who were clinical in front of goal, taking their opportunities with ruthless efficiency. The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta converted a penalty after Daichi Kamada was fouled in the box by Villa's goalkeeper Marco Bizot. This was Mateta's first league goal of the season. Against the run of play in the second half, Palace captain Marc Guehi doubled the lead with a spectacular curling effort from outside the box in the 68th minute. The goal came amidst heavy speculation linking him with a move to Liverpool. Crystal Palace sealed the win in the 78th minute when Ismaïla Sarr headed in from close range after a long throw-in from Jefferson Lerma was flicked on by Maxence Lacroix. ​Aston Villa had their chances, particularly in the first half, but were denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Dean Henderson. Ollie Watkins was thwarted from point-blank range, and Youri Tielemans also had a long-range effort saved. Villa's new signing, Marco Bizot, was also at fault for the first goal, which set the tone for the match. The defeat marks a disappointing result for Villa, who are still without a goal this season and are now looking to regroup during the international break.
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