What a moment. What a goal. What remarkable scenes as celebrated taking the lead away at with a superb, incisively flowing counter attack finished off by Sammie Szmodcis.
started it off, stealing the ball from on the edge of the Ipswich box. On it was moved to , who sprinted forward, tapping a pass to Ben Johnson who found the impeccably timed late run of , the new signing from Blackburn Rovers. The sweet icing came in the finish, the ball hitting the inside of goalkeeper ’s leg, trickling slowly across the line as the home crowd watched on aghast.
The noise that followed from the away end was like an explosion. There were limbs everywhere. A writhing mass of bodies leaping and jumping, arms pumping, strangers hugging.
It was a beautiful thing to witness, let alone experience for those who had made the trip across from Suffolk who were in the thick of it. Supporters, young and old, united in delirious celebration. Back in the Premier League after a 22 year absence, this is what Ipswich had been looking forward to, this is what they wanted.
Dreams are made of moments like these. Dreams, though, are fragile things. They are easily broken and there is not a team in who are more adept at shattering them than Manchester City.
What followed was, even by their standards, utterly brutal. It was a masterclass in destruction; a muscle flex that almost cruelly overpowered a newly promoted team from the Championship who, like so many before them, were torn apart. It was an awesome display of power from the champions, like an air strike on lightly armed infantry.
City had understandably revelled in reminding everyone before the game that they are the first team in England to win the title four years in a row; the history makers who have been the dominant force in the Premier League for so long it is getting harder and harder to remember the years of mediocrity that preceded it. Ipswich fans were still chatting excitedly among themselves when City equalised two minutes after Szmodics had given them the lead. Such happiness, such joy and then it was over.
First came the beauty, then things turned ugly. ’ challenge on was clumsy. Referee Sam Allison initially waved play on but was called to his monitor by VAR and a penalty was awarded.
Haaland dispatched it with ease. A minute later and it was two. The former Manchester City goalkeeper took too long on the ball on the edge of his box, lost it to Savinho and De Bruyne rolled a shot home.
195 seconds after Haaland’s penalty had hit the back of the net, the Norwegian had another, running through the Ipswich defence to receive a De Bruyne through ball and beating Muric, who had unwisely dashed off his line, with a simple lofted finish. Ipswich are going to play some nice football, you can already see that under manager Kieran McKenna, but they are going to have a very long season if they defend as badly as they did in that first half period. For the time being, in the late summer sunshine, magical moments are enough, but it will be hard to keep smiling if the defeats continue.
should have made it four before the break, hitting the crossbar with the goal at his mercy, before De Bruyne did the same with a long range strike. The game was over as a contest before half time and the spectacle fizzled out in the second half, both sets of fans resorting to asking each where they had been when their teams were floundering in League One. Ipswich were there just two years ago, of course, playing the likes of Burton Albion and Rotherham United.
They remember only too well how far they have come in a short space of time. City fans probably no longer think about those days much anymore. Despite some early season injury issues, Pep Guardiola still had six full internationals on the bench, including England’s , and , as well as the returning , who came on as a second half substitute.
City controlled the game and had no need to over exert themselves, yet still Haaland completed his hat trick with a clinical turn and strike from 20 yards. The good news for Ipswich is that things should get easier from here. After and Man City, their next three games against , and will give us a better idea of whether this is going to be a one and done for them in the Premier League or if there will be more than just the occasional magical moment to celebrate.
05:30 PM BST Haaland hat-trick sends message to chasing pack Erling Haaland’s excellent hat-trick against Ipswich not only exposed the problems with the promoted club’s defending, but capped off a performance that suggested the champions are already close to hitting their stride. With about to kick off against , Pep Guardiola’s side already sit top of the Premier League, on points difference from Brighton. Ange Postecoglou’s showed signs of rapid improvement with their 4-0 rout of and are third.
Thanks for following today’s clockwatch. 05:26 PM BST Ipswich defending needs to improve Ipswich are going to play some nice football, you can already see that under manager Kieran McKenna, but they are going to have a very long season if they defend as badly as they did in that first half here. For the time being, in the late summer sunshine, magical moments such as their goal — and brief lead — are enough, but it will be hard to keep smiling if the defeats continue.
05:17 PM BST Wan-Bissaka makes the difference manager Julen Lopetegui deserves praise for the introduction of just after the hour. The former Palace full-back showed desire and skill to set free on a counter-attack which eventually ended with Soucek driving home a low shot after ’s shot led to the ball spinning out. Bowen made it 2-0 with a low, true shot following a break by defender .
For their part, twice struck the West Ham woodwork. Just before the interval, the delightfully languid set up , whose curling shot clipped the underside of the crossbar and bounced away to safety. Then, as the hosts looked to find a path back into the contest following West Ham’s quick double, substitute Ismaila Sarr saw the ball inadvertently come off his thigh before clipping the outside of a post.
Wharton was outstanding. Socks rolled down from the start, he gives the impression of a player wearied by a sapping winter bog of a pitch, yet his mind is razor sharp and his passes always seem to find their intended target. 05:11 PM BST Forest deserve victory Having spurned numerous chances, it was a deserved lead for , which they just about managed to cling to through six minutes of added time.
It means Forest have continued their long-held dominance over Southampton. The clubs have met seven times in the Premier League and Southampton are yet to win, with Forest having now earned five victories. True to their manager Russel Martin’s principles, Southampton had enjoyed 78 per cent possession in their defeat at Newcastle in their opening game, but here, despite the pre-match fervour around the stadium, they seemed content to allow Forest to dominate.
05:06 PM BST Spurs showcase Postecoglou’s exhilarating approach The scoreline was no exaggeration. With goals from , and two from the captain , this 4-0 victory was everything the Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou wants from his team. It was fast, fluid and effervescent.
But in truth the endeavour was hugely assisted by an Everton side who demonstrated precisely why it is they have not achieved a single victory away from Goodison throughout 2024. After shipping three against Brighton on the opening Saturday, they were even worse here. Bereft of scheme or plan, their only attacking threat came from set-pieces, slung in in the hope of finding ’s head.
At times treating the occasion like a training session, how Spurs enjoyed themselves. Bissouma, restored to the team after his laughing gas misdemeanour, ran the midfield. was magnificent.
untroubled at the back. It was a performance reflected in the weather. It began in relentless rain and ended in bright evening sunshine.
For Everton, however, the storm clouds are gathering. 05:00 PM BST Full-time: Man City 4 Ipswich 1 Erling Haaland scores his seventh Premier League hat-trick as returning hero Ilkay Gundogan comes off the City bench. 04:59 PM BST Full-time: Fulham 2 1 Emile Smith-Rowe’s first goal for Fulham set Marco Silva’s side on the road to a deserved win.
04:57 PM BST Full-time: Tottenham 4 Everton 0 Ange Postecoglou’s side continue their superb record against Everton, routing hapless opposition. 04:56 PM BST Full-time: Southampton 0 Nott’m Forest 1 ’s goal proves the difference. 04:55 PM BST Man City 4 Ipswich 1 Erling Haaland completes his hat-trick in the 88th minute.
04:54 PM BST Full-time: Crystal Palace 0 West Ham 2 Julen Lopetegui secures his first win in charge of West Ham, condemning Palace to their second consecutive defeat. 04:51 PM BST Palace ball boy’s lucky ‘escape’ Tomas Soucek acted quickly to save a Crystal Palace ball boy from a potentially dangerous-looking injury in West Ham’s 2-0 win at Selhurst Park. After scoring his side’s opening goal just after the hour, Soucek sprinted towards the West Ham fans in celebration.
As they pressed towards the front of the stand to meet him, the advertising hoarding gave way, prompting a crush of bodies to fall on to the ball boy, who had been seated in front of it. Instantly, Soucek diverted his attention to aid the stricken ball boy, pulling him clear of the crush. The Czech international was joined by his West Ham team-mates, who ensured that the ball boy was safe and directed him towards stewards, as medical staff rushed across the pitch to offer their assistance.
Television replays showed Soucek’s quick thinking to avert a potentially difficult situation. The ball boy was then led away, able to walk, although he appeared to be in a state of shock. No supporters appeared to be injured and there was no suggestion of any untoward actions on their part, which had caused the hoarding to collapse under their collective weight.
04:43 PM BST Tottenham 4 Everton 0 And another for Spurs. A marauding run from Mickey van der Ven, who ran the entire length of the pitch untroubled by the opposition, ended when he passed to Heung-min Son who expertly scored beyond . 04:38 PM BST Soucek rescues ball boy TV replays have just shown that after scoring West Ham’s opener, the Czech ran towards the West Ham fans in celebration.
An advertising hoarding gave way, prompting a crush of bodies to press down on a ball boy who was seated in front. Soucek quickly dragged the unfortunate boy clear before he could suffer a nasty injury. 04:38 PM BST Fulham 2 Leicester 1 swoops on to an excellent pass from to put Fulham back in front in the 70th minute, with Leicester goalkeeper unable to stop his driven shot.
04:36 PM BST Gibbs-White persistence pays off Morgan Gibbs-White had been denied with a close-range header before he shot home the rebound to give Forest a deserved lead. 04:35 PM BST Maddison’s superb assist A set-piece produced the third goal for Tottenham. James Maddison’s superb corner was laser-targeted on to the forehead of Cristian Romero, who headed it home.
04:32 PM BST Tottenham 3 Everton 0 Cristian Romero brings a swift end to Everton’s revival, scoring in the 71st minute having been set up by James Maddison. 04:31 PM BST Crystal Palace 0 West Ham 2 Jarrod Bowen extends the visitors’ lead only five minutes after Tomas Soucek scored. Max Kilman, West Ham’s new defender, provides the assist in the 72nd minute.
04:28 PM BST Southampton 0 Nott’m Forest 1 Morgan Gibbs-White puts Forest ahead just as Southampton appeared to be imposing themselves on to the match, having returned from half-time with much greater intent. 04:24 PM BST Crystal Palace 0 West Ham 1 Aaron Wan-Bissaka launches a raid down the right flank and the ball is crossed to Tomas Soucek, who breaks the deadlock. 04:22 PM BST Everton try to hit back Everton manager Sean Dyche makes a double substitution in an effort to make some impression on the match, bringing on for and Jesper Lindstrom in place of .
The changes appear to take effect as launches an attack and Lindstrom, the Danish winger, has an effort from the edge of the penalty area saved. 04:14 PM BST replaced after superb effort Mateo Kovacic has been replaced, having suffered a knock after an outstanding first half. Pep Guardiola has declined to replace him with Ilkay Gundogan and instead promoted John Stones from the bench into the Man City midfield.
04:09 PM BST Forest wasteful up front Forest are on top but were guilty of missing three or four good opportunities, including what should have been a tap-in for Nikola Milenkovic. Two long shots from were the best of Saints’ efforts. 04:02 PM BST Everton offer scant resistance They do like their history at the Tottenham Stadium, endlessly playing videos of glories past.
But it is hard to recall, even for the most diehard fan, when Tottenham had an easier first half than that. Beyond set-pieces slung into the box in the hope James Tarkowski will get his head on it, Everton appear bereft of game plan, ideas and belief. And Spurs are really enjoying the insipid opposition, Bissouma in particular relishing the space in midfield.
He opened the scoring, Son made the most of Pickford dallying to add the second. But frankly, Everton are so pitiful, the Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou must feel his side have not taken sufficient advantage. 03:55 PM BST Ipswich denied penalty Welcome to the Premier League, Ipswich, part two.
Leif has just been bundled over inside the area by a clumsy Savinho, who just ran into him. Looked like a clear penalty in real time and again when I watched it on a replay. City’s first goal came from the penalty spot when VAR intervened but Ipswich did not get that luxury.
Strange decision to say the least. 03:53 PM BST Eze strikes the bar Close. Adam Wharton rolls the ball to Eberechi Eze, whose shot from the edge of the area strikes the underside of the West Ham bar and bounces away to safety.
Half-time: Crystal Palace 0-0 West Ham. 03:50 PM BST Southampton 0 Nott’m Forest 0 Nikola Milenkovic somehow manages to miss the target from six yards, having put his foot on Chris Woods’s cross. Forest, with 12 shots to their opponents’ four, have outplayed Southampton but the hosts have reached half-time level.
03:44 PM BST Eze leads Palace threat The previous meetings between these sides promised goals, but they haven’t materialised so far at a drizzly Selhurst Park. Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton are starring for Palace, while Jarrod Bowen is offering the main threat for West Ham, but securing a first point of the season seems uppermost for both. 03:42 PM BST Fulham 1 Leicester 1 heads the visitors level following, a VAR intervention after which the referee decided against ruling the goal out for a potential offside.
03:38 PM BST City hit the bar Rico Lewis conspires to strike the Ipswich crossbar from only 10 yards. Savinho is creating myriad problems for the Ipswich defence. 03:35 PM BST Hammers go on attack West Ham are not only edging Palace in terms of possession, with 55 per cent, but playing with a more expansive style than generally seen under previous manager David Moyes.
Palace are contributing gamely to an entertaining match, too, with Adam Wharton impressive in midfield. It remains 0-0 despite the sides having a combined 13 shots already. 03:32 PM BST Smith-Rowe’s smart finish Smith-Rowe scored neatly past Mads Hermansen from Traore’s pass in the 19th minute.
03:30 PM BST Tottenham 2 Everton 0 Dyche had better fetch an umbrella: it’s raining goals at the Tottenham Stadium. And not for Everton. Son made the most of Pickford dozing from a back pass, whipping the ball off the keeper’s toes as he received it from Tarkowski to put Spurs two up.
He had almost picked Pickford’s pocket a few minutes earlier, but that time the keeper had recovered. 03:28 PM BST Ipswich crash back to earth Oh, my word. Stunning scenes in the away end as Sammie Szmodics gave Ipswich a shock lead.
Beautiful moment and what a lovely goal it was too involving Sam Morsy, Omari Hutchinson and Ben Johnson. The joy was short-lived, though. City scored three goals in four minutes and looked capable of scoring almost at will.
Haaland equalised with a penalty minutes later following a VAR intervention. Then Ipswich’s former Man City goalkeeper Arijanal Muric gifted a second goal to De Bruyne, having been robbed of the ball by Savinho on the edge of his box. Haaland made it three after a sensational through-ball from De Bruyne.
Devastating. Welcome to the Premier League, Ipswich! 03:25 PM BST Bissouma gives fans reason to smile A cracking opening goal from Yves Bissouma gave Spurs the lead. meandered through the Everton defence, then passed the ball back to the midfielder at the edge of the area.
Proving there is more to him than simply posting social media pictures enjoying laughing gas, he gave the home fans something to giggle about with a superb strike beyond Jordan Pickford. Incidentally, the weather is so appalling at the Tottenham Stadium, a relentless rain squall, even Sean Dyche is wearing a jacket. 03:21 PM BST Fulham 1 Leicester 0 scores his first goal for Fulham since signing from Arsenal, having been set up by .
The goal rewards the hosts’ early dominance. 03:18 PM BST Man City 3 Ipswich 1 Another two minutes later and City score again! Haaland scores his second to suggest a rout could be unfolding. De Bruyne provided the assist.
03:17 PM BST Man City 2 Ipswich 1 Barely two minutes have passed before City again, with Kevin De Bruyne putting them ahead. 03:16 PM BST Tottenham 1 Everton 0 Yves Bissouma exploits Tottenham’s early dominance by scoring on his return to the team, having served a club suspension. 03:14 PM BST Man City 1 Ipswich 1 Erling Haaland converts the penalty, sending the keeper the wrong way to wipe out Ipswich’s brief lead.
03:12 PM BST Penalty to Man City Man City have been awarded a spot-kick after Savinho is brought down in the penalty area and the referee is referred to the pitchside camera. 03:09 PM BST Man City 0 Ipswich 1 Ipswich have scored from their first counter-attack, with Sammie Szmodics beating Ederson on his first Premier League start. The Man City goalkeeper got to the shot but could not prevent the ball from rolling over the goal-line.
03:07 PM BST Ipswich ride luck Man City are already dominating against Ipswich, having established 85 per cent possession early on. The visitors’ fit-again goalkeeper Arijanet Muric keeps out an Erland Haaland chance that the forward should really have converted. 03:04 PM BST Pickford to the rescue Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford makes a superb save from Cristian Romero’s half-volley.
Son Heung-min is playing centre-forward for Spurs with injured. 03:01 PM BST Hammers hope to avenge mauling With Crystal Palace and West Ham both losing their opening games last weekend, is it too early to describe their meeting at Selhurst Park a relegation six-pointer? Of course it is. Instead, let’s hope for a continuation of the goal-fest that is usually thrown up by this fixture.
West Ham’s last four visits to this corner of south London have yielded 24 goals, one victory followed by three consecutive defeats, the last of which was a 5-2 mauling in April. 02:57 PM BST Gundogan joins formidable City bench may be struggling with a few early season injury problems but the strength of Pep Guardiola’s bench is ridiculous. Ilkay Gundogan is starting his second spell at the club as a substitute, whilst alongside him are England internationals Kyle Walker, John Stones and Jack Grealish.
Joining them among the replacements are Netherlands defender Nathan Ake, Burkina Faso defender Issa Kabore, Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes and England Under-21 international James McAtee. Most of these would be automatic starters at every other Premier League side and would walk into their opponents Ipswich’s first team. 02:47 PM BST Guardiola declines to tinker This is Pep Guardiola’s first unchanged starting XI in 84 Man City matches, a run stretching back to 2022.
02:42 PM BST Guardiola wary of Ipswich ‘aggression’ Pep Guardiola has warned City against complacency ahead of the Ipswich game. Asked if it promises to be an easy fixture, the manager said: “We don’t think about that,” he said, describing his promoted opponents: “So intense, so aggressive, they have the courage to play. Hopefully we can find the spaces to attack them.
” Guardiola said Phil Foden was out with sickness. Guardiola’s opposite number Kieran McKenna urged Ipswich not to be too passive. “We need to find moments to be aggressive and press high up the pitch,” he said.
“Be compact without the ball and be brave when the opportunity is there to do so.” 02:32 PM BST Glasner on Riad: ‘We fully trust him’ Palace manager Oliver Glasner has praised Chadi Riad, the 21-year-old, who has been drafted into the heart of his defence. Riad, who spent last season on loan at Real Betis from Barcelona, replaces Joachim Anderson, now of Fulham.
“He had a great pre-season,” Glasner said. “He’s a big talent and has a great heart for defending. We fully trust him.
” Jefferson Lerma goes into the Palace midfield, with Will Hughes out sick, while striker Odsonne Eduoad is promoted to the starting line-up. “Edouard had very good week in training,” Glasner said. “He scored goals.
” Glasner’s West Ham counterpart Julen Lopetegui underlined the task at Selhurst Park. “We have a big challenge in front of us,” he said. “They were one of the best teams in the last part of last season.
” Edson Alvarez returns to the West Ham bench. “We are happy for him,” Lopetegui said. “He is very important player for us.
It’s good news that he is ready to help us.” 02:15 PM BST Ayew makes Leicester squad Fulham field the same starting XI who lost 1-0 to Manchester United at Old Trafford last week. Neither of the two new signings, Sander Berge and Joachim Andersen, are on the bench.
: Leno, Tete, Bassey, Muniz, Adama, Iwobi, Pereira, Lukic, Diop, Smith Rowe, Robinson. : Benda, Jimenez, Wilson, Cairney, Cuenca, Castagne, Stansfield, Sessegnon. Leicester manager Steve Cooper goes with the same team that drew 1-1 with Tottenham on Monday.
Jordan Ayew, who joined the club, is among the substitutes. : Hermansen, Justin, Faes, Ndidi, Fatawu, Winks, Vardy, Decordova-Reid, Kristiansen, Vestergaard, Buonanotte. : Ward, Okoli, Mavididi, Choudhury, Ayew, Pereira, Skipp, Soumare, McAteer.
02:11 PM BST Forest hand Milenkovic first start Southampton field the same side who lost 1-0 to Newcastle on the opening weekend. : McCarthy, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Sugawara, Smallbone, Downes, Aribo, Walker-Peters, Armstrong, Brereton Diaz. : Lumley, Taylor, Bree, Ugochukwu, Fernandes, Dibling, Edozie, Amo-Ameyaw, Archer.
Nuno Espirito Santo has made two changes to the Nottingham Forest side who drew with Bournemouth last Saturday. Nikola Milenkovic — the defender was suspended last weekend — and Elliot Anderson, both new signings, replace Willy Boly and Danilo. : Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina, Sangare, Anderson, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.
: Miguel, Awoniyi, Omobamidele, Toffolo, Dominguez, Jota, Da Silva Moreira, Yates, Boly. 02:07 PM BST Odobert makes first Spurs start Wilson Odobert is making his debut for Tottenham as manager Ange Postecoglou makes three changes to side which drew 1-1 away to on Monday. Odobert, the French winger, recently joined from Burnley for £25million.
Dejan Kulusevski and Yves Bissouma are given their first starts of the season, whilst Pape Sarr has been dropped. : Vicario, Udogie, Van de Ven, Romero, Porro, Johnson, Bissouma, Maddison, Odobert, Son, Kulusevski. : Forster, Dragusin, Richarlison, Gray, Bergvall, Werner, Spence, Sarr, Davies.
Sean Dyche makes one change to the Everton side which lost 3-0 to Brighton. With Ashley Young suspended, 19-year-old defender Roman Dixon makes his debut. : Pickford, Dixon, Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski, Dixon, Gueye, Iroegbunam, McNeil, Doucoure, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin.
: Virginia, Holgate, Ndiaye, Beto, O’Brien, Maupay, Lindstrom, Metcalfe, Armstrong. 02:02 PM BST Riad makes debut for Palace Crystal Palace makes three changes to the side that started last weekend’s loss to Brentford. Debutant Chadi Riad, Jefferson Lerma and Odsonne Edouard come in, replacing Daichi Kamada, Will Hughes and Joachim Andersen, who joined Fulham on Friday.
Defender Marc Guehi captains the side on his 100th Premier League appearance for the club. Riad, the Morocco international signed from Barcelona, replaces Joachim Andersen, who has joined Fulham. : Henderson, Richards, Riad, Guehi, Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell, Edouard, Eze, Mateta : Johnstone, Ward, Holding, Sarr, Schlupp, Clyne, Kamada, Doucoure, Ahamada Julen Lopetegui sticks with the West Ham team that lost at home to Aston Villa last weekend.
Fit-again Edson Alvarez is on the bench. So too are new recruits Crysencio Summerville, Niclas Fullkrug, Jean-Clair Todibo and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. : Areola, Coufal, Mavropanos, Kilman, Emerson, Rodriguez, Bowen, Soucek, Paqueta, Kudus, Antonio : Fabianski, Cresswell, Summerville, Ward-Prowse, Fullkrug, Ings, Alvarez, Todibo, Wan-Bissaka 01:58 PM BST Gundogan returns to City bench lkay Gundogan has been named on the Manchester City bench after getting international clearance to play against Ipswich.
The midfielder rejoined the champions this week on a free transfer from Barcelona. Savinho starts for City, having recovered from a knock that prompted his substitution last weekend. : Ederson, Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol, Kovacic, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Savinho, Doku, Haaland.
: Ortega, Walker, Stones, Ake, Grealish, Gundogan, Nunes, Kabore, McAtee. Sammie Szmodics makes his first start for Ipswich following his summer signing. Liam Delap starts against his former club.
: Muric, Tuanzebe, Woolfenden, Greaves, Davis, Morsy, Luongo, Johnson, Szmodics, Hutchinson, Delap. : Walton, Walton, Edmundson, Burgess, Townsend, Cajuste, Taylor, Harness, Chaplin, Al-Hamadi. 01:48 PM BST Premier League preview: City seek to break club record Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the five matches kicking off at 3pm in the Premier League.
Top billing goes to City’s fixture at home to promoted Ipswich Town, the first Premier League match between the sides in 23 years. City are seeking to extend a 24-match unbeaten run in the league and could break the club record of 44 consecutive home games without defeat. Ipswich, having been beaten by Liverpool on the opening weekend, will hope to avoid losing their first two league games for the first time since the 2006-07 campaign.
Tottenham host Everton with a formidable record against the Merseyside club, having lost only once in the sides’ past 23 league matches. The visitors’ task has been made more difficult by their number of unavailable players, with James Garner, Seamus Coleman, Youssef Chermiti, Nathan Patterson and Jarrad Branthwaite all out injured, and Ashley Young banned. Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou must adjust to the loss of Dominic Solanke and Rodrigo Bentancur.
Solanke sustained an ankle injury last weekend against Leicester, while the concussion protocol ruled out Bentancur, the Uruguayan having taken a blow to the head in the 1-1 draw. Crystal Palace prepare to host West Ham in a fixture that, historically, has produced a glut of goals. The past four editions featured 24 goals, with both sides scoring at least twice each time.
New West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui, having lost to Aston Villa on the opening weekend, needs to improve the club’s poor record in the calendar year. They have won just four of their 20 matches. Fulham manager Marco Silva faces Leicester hoping to break the club’s poor record in their first home fixtures of the season, having lost the past five at Craven Cottage.
Sander Berge, the Norway midfielder signed from Burnley, was unfit to start. Leicester’s manager Steve Cooper, who has lost six of his past seven games against Fulham, remained without the injured trio of Patson Daka, Conor Coady and Jakub Stolarczyk. Southampton are seeking to record their first ever Premier League victory at home to Nottingham Forest, having lost four of the six to date.
Manager Russell Martin had no fresh injury concerns. Forest have new signing Nikola Milenkovic available after the Serbian defender served a suspension incurred at previous club Fiorentina..
