Key events
Goals in the Championship
Wilson Isidor has given Sunderland an equaliser at Watford while Leeds have doubled their lead at home to Coventry thanks to Jayden Bogle. Sunderland are set to go top while Leeds are up to fifth in the live table, just two points off top spot.
Some analysis from Jonathan Wilson of Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City in today’s early Premier League kick-off.
GOAL! Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace (McNeill 54)
What a turnaround at Goodison as McNeill scores for the second time in seven minutes to put Everton 2-1 up after they’d trailed at the break. Not as spectacular as his first but it’s a fine goal nonetheless as takes down Harrison’s pass and shoots low past Henderson.
GOAL! Brentford 1-1 West Ham (Soucek 54)
We’re all square in the London derby as Soucek is the Tommy on the spot to give West Ham fans something to cheer after a trying week.
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 0-1 Fulham (Jimenez pen 51)
The deadlock is broken and are Forest looking at their first defeat of the season?
GOAL! Arsenal 2-1 Leicester (Justin 47)
Well, well, well. Leicester looked down and out but they’ve made the ideal start to the second half and wrecked Arsenal’s clean sheet if nothing else. It’s a messy one as James Justin’s header deflects off Havertz and leaves Raya wrong footed.
GOAL! Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace (McNeill 47)
Great start to the second half for the Toffees as McNeill fires in what seems a trademark goal even though he doesn’t score that many. The Everton man drives at the Palace defence and thumps home from outside the box to make it 1-1. It’s Everton’s first shot on target.
We’re into the second half of most of our games although not yet at Arsenal and Chelsea.
And, on a day of Premier League records needing to be updated, let’s not forget this one from 3.01pm.
3 – Brentford have become the first team in Premier League history to score in the opening minute in three consecutive games. Lightning. #BREWHU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 28, 2024
Some Cole Palmer stats to impress your friends with…
3 – Cole Palmer has now scored three Premier League hat-tricks, the joint-most of any Chelsea player in the competition’s history (level with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard). Rabbit. #CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/u5iz7QcGLN
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 28, 2024
Kevin Dardis emails: “Hi David. Having read Jeremy Boyce’s mail, I was reminded about something I recently read about the Bundesliga. Or rather, about the 2. Bundesliga. Of the 18 teams in the second flight this season, nine of them were in the top flight when the Bundesliga – and professional football here in Germany – was launched in 1963 (Cologne, Hamburg, Schalke, Nuremberg, Braunschweig, Kaiserslautern, Karlsruher, Hertha Berlin, Preußen Münster). Only four teams in the current top flight (Dortmund, Stuttgart, Bremen and Eintracht Frankfurt) can claim the same. Footballing landscapes certainly shift drastically. This is perhaps the wrong MBM for such statistics but there you go.
“Greetings from a Fürth season ticket holder (another team in the 2. Bundesliga – German champions in 1914, 1926 & 1929).”
Steven Grundy writes: “Hey David, It is very hard to take your eyes off this game.
“Chelsea are probably the most exciting team in the world at the moment. Just like with the Wolves game – they might win this 9-2 or lose 4-5. Unbelievable. Sanchez was at fault for 2 of Brighton’s goals. Is he really the best out of the 8 goalkeepers that Chelsea have on their books? Also, Palmer is on fire. Unstoppable during the first 45 minutes.
“Finally, just a thought. Man Utd should consider buying Chelsea’s left winger, who is wreaking absolute havoc. Do you think ten Hag might put in a bid for him?”
Some half-time reading for you while you check if you have Cole Palmer in your fantasy teams…
Half-time scores
Scores in our our featured games, all 3pm kick-offs unless stated.
Premier League
Newcastle 1-1 Man City (12.30pm)
Arsenal 2-0 Leicester
Brentford 1-0 West Ham
Chelsea 4-2 Brighton
Everton 0-1 Crystal Palace
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham
Championship
Scottish Premiership
Serie A
Reaction to the Cole Palmer goal-fest at Stamford Bridge
Glenn in Canada: “At 3-1 I was going to say the scoreline doesn’t do justice to Chelsea’s performance, the ball has been in the back of Brighton’s net 5 times already and the Gulls could easily be down to 10 men. But holy moly, what a game.”
Mark Turner adds: “4 in 41 minutes – a nice regular rhythm. Am I the only one who’ll feel slightly disappointed if he doesn’t finish with nine today?”
He’s on track to do so Mark.
GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Leicester (Trossard 45)
A simple finish for Trossard as he’s set up by Martinelli. Leicester gave the ball away again and there’s some finger pointing going on in the Foxes’ ranks. Oh dear. A reminder that Arsenal will go top if they win by four clear goals. Every chance.
GOAL! Chelsea 4-2 Brighton (Palmer 42)
This is crazy, apeshot bonkers stuff from Cole Palmer, who now has four to his name. Move over Erling Haaland. The latest comes after he’s set up by Sancho, who has a second assist of the game.
40 min: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham Not an awful lot to report from the City Ground as Forest bid to keep their unbeaten start going. Anyway, back to the Bridge…
38 min: Brentford 1-0 West Ham The Hammers have certainly steadied the ship since the concession of that first-minute goal although they haven’t created much.
37 min: Everton 0-1 Crystal Palace The Toffees are pushing for an equaliser with Calvert-Lewin and McNeill both having chances. But Palace remain a threat on the break and from set-pieces so the mood could still sink further at Goodison.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-2 Brighton (Baleba 34)
It’s raining goals at Stamford Bridge and now we have five. This one is down to a howler from Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez who seems to forget that he’s no longer a Brighton player. He gifts the ball away and Carlos Baleba cuts Chelsea’s lead to 3-2.
GOAL! Chelsea 3-1 Brighton (Palmer 31)
Good grief! Cole Palmer is going mad here. Not satisfied with his quickfire brace he curls home a brilliant 30-yard free-kick to give himself a first-half hat-trick and Chelsea a 3-1 lead. What a player!
GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Brighton (Palmer 27)
Chelsea have turned it around and it’s a quickfire double for that man (imagine Bryon Butler voice) Cole Palmer. This one comes from the spot after Jadon Sancho jinks into the box and is brought down.
Simon McMahon with Fitba news. “Afternoon David. A minute’s applause before the start of Dundee v Aberdeen today in memory of former Dee Fabian Caballero who has sadly died at the age of 46. No goals in any of the games in the Scottish Premier so far, with managerless Hearts, as predicted on last week’s clockwatch, at Ross County, Motherwell v St. Mirren and Kilmarnock v Dundee United.”
“Plenty goals now, though. Dundee 0-1 Aberdeen, Motherwell 1-1 St. Mirren, Kilmarnock 0-1 Dundee United.”
A timely Championship-themed email from Jeremy Boyce. “Yeah, never mind all you fancy dan so-called “big” teams all trying to find a way of grabbing a slice of the ever-expanding Big Cup/League pie, or alternatively avoid becoming the next “big” team to find themselves back down one step in what is officially the hardest League to get promoted from in the universe, THE CHAMPIONSHIP! And yes, today’s Championship table is crammed with former/fallen Premiership “big” teams hoping to restore their former glories. All but 3 of the bottom half of the table have enjoyed (?) time upstairs since the Premier League was founded. At the top end, where it’s hard as nails, It’s already looking like a white knuckle-ride for automatic promotion from now to April, with no stand-out, runaway Leicester or Burnley showing just yet. And with Baggies losing at Sheff Wed earlier, the door is open to the chasing group, 3 of who (Sunderland, Burnley, Sheff U) have tricky away days today, while NastyLeeds will fancy making up ground at home to Coventry. Don’t worry lads, only another 40 games to go (excluding play-offs).”
Championship early games round-up
A review of those three early 12.30pm kick-offs in the Championship that featured wins for Blackburn, Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday.
GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Brighton (Palmer 21)
A terrible mistake at the back from Adam Webster allows Nicolas Jackson to run free and set up Cole Palmer to level for Chelsea with a cool finish. Two avoidable goals.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Leicester (Martinelli 20)
Martinelli makes amend as he turns home Timber’s cut back to put the Gunners in front. It had been coming. Poor marking from Leicester.
Goal in the Championship. Wilfried Gnonto slots home from around 16 yards to put Leeds 1-0 up on Coventry at Elland Road. That’s the first goal in the Championship’s 3pm games although Cardiff have now just gone 1-0 up at Hull.
15 min: Arsenal 0-0 Leicester Still all Arsenal and Saka and Martinelli both have chances, the latter wasting a great opportunity as he blasts over from eight yards out.
A lively start in the Premier League with those early goals for Brentford, Brighton and Palace. The live league table has Brighton in third as it stands.
GOAL! Everton 0-1 Crystal Palace (Geuehi 11)
Everton have been taking leads in recent games but not here. Wharton’s cross is headed down by Lacroix and Marc Guehi flicks out a boot to prod home at the near post.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Brighton (Rutter 7)
A casual clearance from former Brighton midfielder Moises Caceido loops up off a teammate and Georginio Rutter cashes in, nodding over Sanchez. A shock early score in the Graham Potter derby.
5 min: Arsenal 0-0 Leicester The Gunners on the front foot as you’d expect. They’re dominating possession although Leicester almost had a moment on the break just there.
Brentford have now taken a first-minute lead for three Premier League games in a row. That’s surely a record, Norris.
GOAL! Brentford 1-0 West Ham (Mbeumo 1)
Fast-start specialists Brentford have done it again! Bryan Mbeumo hooks the ball home inside a minute and West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui is going mad again.
Peep! Peep!! Peep!!! Whistles shrill around the country and the 3pm games are in play.
Serie A: Udinese 1-2 Inter (HT)
The champions were pegged back at Udinese after Christian Kabasele levelled for the home side after 35 minutes. But Lauro Martinez has given Inter the lead again on the stroke of half-time.
Match report: Newcastle 1-1 Manchester City
Louise Taylor was at St James’ Park as the Magpies fought back from a goal down to deny Man City.
A reminder of the key team news. David Raya is fit to start in goal for Arsenal at home to Leicester while Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite makes his first start of the season as the Toffees host Crystal Palace.
Football League results
Some drama in the Championship’s early games. Leaders West Brom fought back from 2-0 down at Sheffield Wednesday before Anthony Musaba came up with an 86th-minute winner for the hosts. Norwich also won by the odd goal in five at Derby with Borja Sainz the hat-trick hero. That first Norwich goal though! (see 13.43 BST).
Championship
Blackburn 2-0 QPR
Derby 2-3 Norwich
Sheff Wed 3-2 West Brom
League One
Crawley 0-2 Bolton
Reading 2-1 Huddersfield
League Two
Harrogate 2-1 Bradford
Walsall 4-0 Colchester
The win for Walsall puts them top.
Full-time: Newcastle 1-1 Man City
It’s a point apiece at St James’ Park thanks to Anthony Gordon’s second-half penalty for the hosts. City stay top but, by my calculations, Pep Guardiola’s men could end the weekend in fourth if Arsenal hammer Leicester by a four-goal margin, Liverpool beat Wolves and Aston Villa win at Ipswich.
Seven minutes of added time to play at St James’ Park where it’s still Newcastle 1-1 Man City.
Serie A latest: Udinese 0-1 Inter
It’s been a slightly sticky start to the season for champions Inter but they’ve taken the lead at Udinese today inside the opening minute via Davide Frattesi.
Still 1-1 at St James’ Park with 10 minutes to go. This would be four points dropped in two games for Manchester City. Those ‘without Rodri’ stats will no doubt be flashed up again if they fail to win here.
Goals in the Championship
Second-half strikes in all three games. Blackburn are 2-0 up on QPR after goals from Lewis Travis and Danny Batth; Josh Maja has pulled a goal back for West Brom, who now trail 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday; and Borja Sainz has scored his second of the day for Norwich to give the Canaries the lead again after Craig Forsyth had levelled for Derby.
Nottingham Forest v Fulham team news
Everton v Crystal Palace team news
Big news for Everton as big defender Jarrad Branthwaite returns from a groin injury to make his first start of the season. Palace look to be lining up with a back four rather than a three.
Chelsea v Brighton team news
It’s a full house of 11 changes for Chelsea following their Carabao Cup win over Barrow. Malo Gusto comes in from the side that won at West Ham last weekend.
Brentford v West Ham team news
Arsenal v Leicester team news
David Raya is fit enough to play for Arsenal while Leandro Trossard is back from suspension.
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Trossard, Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
🧤 Raya shakes off knock
🔙 Trossard returns from suspension
©️ Saka skippers the sideLet’s get those three points, Gunners ✊
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 28, 2024
GOAL! Newcastle 1-1 Man City (Gordon 58)
Bang! There’s no Isak but Gordon steps up and sends Ederson the wrong way. Game on!
Newcastle have a penalty at home to Manchester City. Anthony Gordon bursts through and is tripped by Ederson, who picks up a yellow. VAR says yes, the spot-kick stands.
Oof!! Norwich lead at Derby but, come on, the ball was surely out in the build-up.
Premier League teams news arrives 75 minutes before kick-off these days so we’ll have starting XIs very soon.
More early kick-off news
But not great news for Deano’s former club Bradford, who trail 2-1 at Harrogate in a North v West Yorkshire derby. In the other League Two game that started early, Walsall lead Colchester 1-0. In League One, we’re into the second half of two games and it’s currently Crawley 0-1 Bolton and Reading 1-1 Huddersfield.
Championship half-times
It’s been a tough first period for leaders West Brom, who are 2-0 down at Sheffield Wednesday following a Darnell Furlong own goal (9) and a strike from Josh Windass (23) for the hosts. I drove past a place in Bradford a couple of days ago and saw an advert for an evening with Dean Windass. Good times for the Windass clan.
Blackburn 0-0 QPR
Derby 0-1 Norwich
Sheff Wed 2-0 West Brom
Preamble
While the top looks very familiar, there’s a slightly unusual look to the Premier League table this season due to six teams still having a zero in the ‘win’ column. Three of those sides – Leicester, Crystal Palace and Everton – are in action at 3pm. Leicester have it all on to break their duck given that they’re away at Arsenal while the other two, Everton and Palace, meet at Goodison. Pencil that in for a draw then. Wolves, who are bottom, host Liverpool in the 5.30pm game so there’s a fair chance we end today with six teams still searching for a first win.
At the other end of the table, Arsenal, Brighton and Nottingham Forest all go into their 3pm games with unbeaten records in the top-flight so far.
Elsewhere, Aberdeen can go top of the SPL for a few hours, with Celtic in action later today. And while it’s not on my watch, note that it’s Bayern v Leverkusen in the Bundesliga at 5.30pm.
These are our featured games, all 3pm kick-offs unless stated.
Premier League
Championship
Scottish Premiership
Serie A
Half-time: Newcastle 0-1 Manchester City
It’s been a well-contested first 45 minutes at St James’ Park but City have the advantage after a Josko Gvardiol goal 10 minutes before the break. Nice set-up play from Jack Grealish and a classy finish from the Croatian.
You can follow minute-by-minute action here, courtesy of Rob Smyth.
