Premier League Gameweek 3 provided plenty of early-season drama, with 23 goals scored across 10 matches and several major talking points emerging. Liverpool finally secured their first win under Andoni Iraola by beating Ipswich 2-0, while Manchester City and Arsenal maintained their perfect starts with narrow victories. Crystal Palace came from behind to defeat Fulham 3-2, and Manchester United were denied victory by a stunning stoppage-time equaliser at Everton. Meanwhile, Tottenham remain without a win or a goal after three matches.
Premier League Gameweek 3 Results
Ipswich Town 0-2 Liverpool
Newcastle United 2-2 Bournemouth
Brentford 1-1 Sunderland
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Leeds United
Fulham 2-3 Crystal Palace
Manchester City 1-0 Coventry City
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Hull City 0-0 Aston Villa
Everton 2-2 Manchester United
Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea
With three Gameweeks now completed, here are five expert observations from Premier League Gameweek 3.
5. Michael Carrick Might Get the Sack by Christmas
Michael Carrick's Manchester United project is already entering uncomfortable territory. United threw away a win at Everton after conceding a spectacular 96th-minute equaliser, leaving them with just four points from their opening three league matches.
The concerning part is that the results are not being accompanied by overwhelming signs of progress. United have shown attacking promise, but their inability to close games remains a major problem.
Carrick should not necessarily be blamed for everything, however. The club's transfer window was underwhelming in terms of addressing the squad's biggest weaknesses, with United spending heavily but still failing to bring in a left-back, leaving Luke Shaw as the only senior option in that position. Carrick himself has acknowledged that the new signings will not transform the team overnight.
If results continue to disappoint, though, the manager could eventually become the easiest person to blame. A Christmas departure is certainly not impossible.
4. Xabi Alonso's Chelsea Need Their Best Player Back
Chelsea actually looked promising despite their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. Xabi Alonso's side scored inside two minutes through Morgan Rogers, competed aggressively and created enough opportunities to make Arsenal uncomfortable.
Yet there is one glaring problem: Chelsea desperately need Moisés Caicedo back to full fitness.
The Ecuadorian midfielder has yet to start a Premier League game this season, and his absence was particularly noticeable against Arsenal. Reece James and Roméo Lavia were forced into the central midfield pairing, while Chelsea struggled to provide the defensive control Caicedo normally offers.
Chelsea have now conceded seven goals in their opening three league matches and have failed to keep a clean sheet in 19 consecutive Premier League games.
That makes Caicedo's return even more important. Alonso appears to have the attacking ingredients to compete near the top, but Chelsea will need considerably more defensive stability if they are to have even the slightest chance of mounting a title challenge.
3. Aston Villa's Rebuild Will Be Slow and Painful
Aston Villa's opening three games have made one thing abundantly clear: Unai Emery has a serious rebuilding job on his hands.
Villa have scored zero goals in their first three Premier League matches, losing 4-0 to Brighton, 1-0 to Arsenal and then drawing 0-0 with Hull. Against Hull, they managed just one shot on target and extended their goal drought to three matches.
The circumstances are important. Villa lost several key players during the summer, including Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, and Emiliano Martínez, while Emery has overseen a major squad overhaul. The club brought in 10 new players, including Ibrahim Mbaye and Taylor Harwood-Bellis late in the window.
This is therefore unlikely to be an overnight transformation.
But Emery has already proven himself capable of building a competitive side at Villa. If anyone deserves time to complete this rebuild, it is the manager who previously guided them into the Champions League and Europa League success. The short-term pain could be considerable, but Villa should eventually become a feared side again.
2. Barcola Looks Like the Real Deal
Bradley Barcola's Liverpool debut may have lasted only 27 minutes, but it was enough to get supporters excited about what could be coming.
The French forward entered during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Ipswich, with Alexander Isak scoring both goals before Barcola's introduction. Isak's brace already provides Liverpool with a serious weapon in the Golden Boot race, while Barcola adds another explosive attacking option.
The bigger question is whether Barcola can help Isak challenge Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot.
There is certainly evidence that he can contribute heavily in the final third. Barcola produced 10 Ligue 1 assists in 2024/25, while also scoring 14 goals in the competition.
If he can translate that creativity to England and Isak stays fit throughout the campaign, admittedly a huge ask, Liverpool could have the combination needed to seriously challenge Haaland's scoring dominance.
1. De Zerbi Must Change Tottenham's Culture and Mentality
Tottenham's start is becoming impossible to ignore.
After three Premier League matches, Roberto De Zerbi's team are still without a win and without a goal, following defeats to Brentford and Newcastle before Saturday's 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest.
The problem is bigger than simply needing another quality signing.
Tottenham have recruited players capable of improving the squad, but De Zerbi must now change the mentality and culture within the team. There were opportunities against Forest, but Spurs repeatedly lacked conviction and quality in the final third. Even De Zerbi acknowledged that decision-making needed improvement.
This is where the Italian's managerial ability will be truly tested. A talented squad can only take Tottenham so far if the team's confidence, mentality and attacking identity remain fragile.
De Zerbi needs to fix that quickly. If Tottenham's miserable league start continues for much longer, quality signings alone will not save him from eventually facing the sack.