The Premier League’s second round of the 2026/27 campaign has already produced plenty of goals, surprises and talking points, with Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle, Chelsea and Manchester United all involved in action.
On Friday, the Premier League kicked off its second round with Manchester City visiting Crystal Palace at Selhurt Park. The Conference League champions were looking to make an impact against the Citizens.
Erling Haaland put City ahead after 11 minutes, assisted by Semenyo, as the visitors took control of the game.
Cityzens went into half-time with the score in their favour after finding a way back into the contest. Nine minutes into the second half, Ryan Cherki doubled the lead after a pass from Foden.
Two mins later Yeremy Pino curled in a cross which came off the crossbar before hitting City’s goalkeeper Donnarumma and going in, giving the Eagles hope.
Five minutes later, Cherki struck again, assisted by Gvardiol, to increase Manchester City’s advantage.
With six minutes remaining, Haaland assured the Citizens of the three points with a perfect pass from Foden. Manchester City won 4-1.
On Saturday afternoon, The Reds welcomed two-time European champions Nottingham Forest to Anfield.
Ndoje gave the visitors the lead after good coordination with his captain, Morgan Gibbs-White, with Forest ending the first half in front. Just 15 minutes into the second half, Isak brought Liverpool back into the game, assisted by Gakpo. Ten minutes later, Gibbs-White restored Nottingham Forest’s lead from the spot.
As the game moved into its dying minutes, Wotz laid a perfect pass to new signing Victor Munoz from Osasuna. Munoz unleashed a powerful strike which kissed the woodwork and went in, bringing Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool back to level. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.
The result made history as Liverpool failed to beat Nottingham Forest three times in a row at Anfield for the first time.
If that was not enough, North London produced another shocking result as Spurs lost 2-0 to The Magpies.
Despite being the busiest club in the summer, the result raises questions over whether Roberto De Zerbi will continue as Spurs manager.
Tottenham were humiliated at home by Newcastle, with goals from Elanga and Wissa, assisted by Didec and Wottermade respectively.
The defeat piles pressure on Spurs, who are currently sitting at number 20 after losing two games in a row, scoring zero goals and conceding five.
On Sunday, the fixtures kicked off with World Champions Chelsea hosting Brighton at Stamford Bridge, West London, in a seven-goal thriller.
The game started with Lavia rolled in from João Pedro’s header which was later punched by Brighton’s goalkeeper (Verbruggen) just 4 minutes into the match. Just after 9 minutes later, the Portuguese international Neto then doubled the lead for the Pensioneers.
Later, in the 32nd minute, Joao Pedro scored Chelsea’s third, assisted by Rogers, who also gave Neto the chance to score.
Four minutes later, Yalcouye brought Brighton into the contest, with the first half ending 3-1 in favour of Chelsea.
The second half started with Brighton pressing Chelsea. Joao Pedro scored an own goal in the 63rd minute before Palmer relieved the pressure by scoring in the 75th minute, assisted by Joao Pedro.
In the dying minutes, Gross scored for Brighton in the 90+6th minute, but Chelsea held on to win the seven-goal thriller 4-3.
Later that evening, Manchester United hosted newly promoted side Ipswich Town at Old Trafford. L.Davis gave the visitors the lead in the 26th minute before B. Fernandes equalised for the Red Devils, assisted by Cunha.
Later, Maguire put United into the lead before captain B. Fernandes increased the advantage for the home side from the spot four minutes later.
B.Fernandes then completed his first Premier League hat-trick in the 67th minute to put Manchester United 4-1 up. Seven minutes before the 90-minute mark, he laid the ball off for Mbeumo to score United’s fifth goal. At 90+1, Akpom pulled one back for Ipswich, but it was too late. The match ended 5-2 in favour of Manchester United.
The second round will continue on Monday when Aston Villa will be hosting the defending champions Arsenal at Villa Park at 10:00 p.m. EAT.
Mikel Arteta will be looking to defend the crown for the Gunners, while Aston Villa will be looking forward to their first win of the 2026/27 campaign after losing 4-0 to Brighton away last week.
After signing Tzolis from Club Brugge, Bruno G from Newcastle and Konsa from Aston Villa, the Gunners look more balanced and lethal from every angle.
The big question is: Will Aston Villa manage to hold the power of the champions, or will they end up as victims like Coventry City?
