Premier League:
Major Matches: Liverpool vs Arsenal on Sunday, August 31, was a high-profile clash. Liverpool secured a narrow victory showcasing their attacking prowess.
Chelsea defeated Fulham 2-0 on Saturday.
Manchester United edged Burnley with a late penalty in a tense 3-2 win on Saturday.
Brighton 2-1 Manchester City: Brighton impressed with a come-from-behind victory courtesy of a penalty by veteran James Milner (who at 39 years and 239 days became the second oldest scorer in Premier League history) and a late winner from Brajan Gruda. Manchester City showed concerning signs with Erling Haaland scoring his 88th Premier League goal but ultimately fading late.
Controversies:
VAR decisions dominated headlines, especially around Fulham's disallowed goal against Chelsea due to a foul in the buildup, later admitted as a mistake by PGMOL. The video referee Michael Salisbury was dropped for the Liverpool vs Arsenal game after this error.
Burnley’s manager Scott Parker criticized VAR, calling it "the most sterile game" due to excessive intervention.
Standout Performances:
Bruno Fernandes scored the decisive penalty for Man Utd in the late moments.
Chelsea’s solid defense denied Fulham any breakthrough.
Talking Points:
VAR controversies continue to fuel debate on officiating quality and game flow in the Premier League.
The Liverpool-Arsenal rivalry stays intense with both teams seen as early title contenders.
La Liga:
Key Matches: Real Madrid climbed to the top of La Liga with a 2-1 comeback victory over Mallorca on Saturday. Early goal by Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi was overturned by Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr.'s quick responses.
Atletico Madrid struggled to a 1-1 draw with Alaves, showing sluggishness early in the season.
Standout Players:
Real Madrid’s Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr. were pivotal in overturning the deficit.
Talking Points:
Real Madrid’s resilience reaffirmed their status as title favorites.
Atletico’s inconsistent form raises questions on their title defense hopes.
Bundesliga:
Results:
Bayern Munich narrowly won 3-2 away at FC Augsburg with Luis Díaz and new signing Olise scoring crucial goals.
Eintracht Frankfurt continued strong with a 3-1 win over Hoffenheim.
Dramatic 3-3 draw between Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen showcased thrilling late comebacks.
Standout Performances:
Luis Díaz and Olise impressed for Bayern with key goals.
Records or Surprises:
Early season form shows Bayern’s persistence, but surprises like Werder Bremen’s comeback highlight the league’s unpredictability.
Talking Points:
Bayern remains top after two matches with solid attacking displays.
The league is competitive with multiple teams challenging early.
The weekend was defined by Liverpool's commanding early title charge, Real Madrid's steadfast climb atop La Liga, and Bayern Munich's resilient Bundesliga campaign. VAR controversies continued to overshadow the Premier League, impacting perceptions of fairness and match outcomes. Notable individual feats included Milner's historic goal and Szoboszlai's match-winning free kick that electrified Anfield. Fans witnessed thrilling late goals and dramatic matches underscoring this early season's unpredictability and intense competition across Europe's leading leagues.