The Premier League returned from the international break with the kind of chaos football fans secretly hope for. From a stunned Anfield to a soaring Stamford Bridge mood, from late heroics on the south coast to derby fireworks in North London, the weekend had everything.
For South African fans watching from afar, social media was buzzing. Many couldn’t believe Liverpool’s collapse, others celebrated Chelsea’s steady rise, and Arsenal supporters were convinced they’d just witnessed the birth of a new superstar.
Below is how all the action unfolded.
Liverpool Stunned At Home As Forest Run Riot
Source: LFC on X
Liverpool supporters at Anfield have seen rough patches before, but few expected a three-goal demolition by Nottingham Forest.
Murillo’s scrappy opener around the 30-minute mark rattled the home crowd, and within 40 seconds of the second half kicking off, Nicolo Savona doubled the blow. The Reds chased, pressed, and pushed, but their spark seemed missing.
Forest’s Morgan Gibbs White put the final nail in the coffin with a late third. This defeat stretches Liverpool’s worrying dip in form, raising questions around confidence and depth as the season intensifies.
Chelsea Keep Rolling With Confident Win At Burnley
Source: Chelsea FC on X
Chelsea’s new rhythm under their evolving squad continued with a tidy 2-0 win at Burnley’s Turf Moor.
Pedro Neto nodded in the all-important opener before halftime after a well-weighted cross from Jamie Gittens. Burnley pushed hard after the break but were undone late when Enzo Fernandez calmly struck home just before full-time.
The Blues now have seven wins in 12 league matches, and with Barcelona up next in the Champions League, momentum is arriving at just the right time.
Many South African Chelsea fans, long teased by rival supporters, joked online that “the rebuild is finally rebuilding.”
Bournemouth Show Fight To Hold West Ham
Source: AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth extended their unbeaten home record with a spirited 2-2 comeback against West Ham.
Former Cherries striker Callum Wilson looked set to haunt his old club with a brilliant first-half brace. But Bournemouth refused to fold. A Max Kilman handball gifted Marcus Tavernier a penalty, and super-sub Enes Unal equalised just one minute after coming on.
The south-coast club climbed to seventh, sparking conversation about whether they might become the season’s surprise European contenders.
Brighton Survive Brentford Thriller Thanks To Verbruggen Heroics
Source: Brighton FC on X
Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen was the hero of the night after saving a stoppage-time penalty to secure a nail-biting 2-1 win over Brentford.
Thiago had already beaten him from the spot earlier in the match, but Verbruggen’s late save sealed the points and highlighted why the 23-year-old is considered one of the league’s most exciting young keepers.
His post-match comments praising his goalkeeper union felt refreshingly humble, and fans applauded his maturity online.
Barnes Inspires Newcastle In Shock Win Over Manchester City
Source: NUFC on X
Newcastle delivered one of the weekend’s biggest surprises with a 2-1 win over Manchester City, thanks to Harvey Barnes scoring twice in seven minutes.
After a tense first half with missed chances everywhere, Barnes ignited St James’ Park with a precise strike just past the hour mark. Ruben Dias equalised shortly after, but Barnes reacted quickest to a loose ball off the bar to restore the lead.
A lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal, and Newcastle survived over eight minutes of stoppage time to claim all three points.
Barnes admitted he had to forget earlier missed chances, telling Sky Sports: “Move on quick, and the next one will come.” His resilience earned widespread praise online.
Eberechi Eze Steals The North London Derby With A Hat-Trick
Source: PLCPolice on X
The standout moment of the weekend belonged to Eberechi Eze, who delivered a sensational hat-trick in Arsenal’s 4-1 demolition of Tottenham.
Signed from Crystal Palace in August, Eze had been labelled a game-changer by Mikel Arteta. On derby day, he proved exactly why. For Spurs this proved to be an extra blow as Eze was tipped to join Spurs, but Arsenal swooped in to sign him last minute in emphatic fashion.
His three goals were a masterclass in confidence: clever footwork, precision finishing, and total control under pressure. The 27-year-old raised the roof at the Emirates and moved Arsenal six points clear at the top.
Spurs briefly threatened through a brilliant Richarlison strike, but never looked close to matching Arsenal’s energy.
Arteta praised Eze’s hunger and dedication, revealing the midfielder had demanded extra sessions during the international break. Fans online called him “the signing of the season” and said his performance reminded them of classic derby heroes of the past.
With England’s 2026 World Cup selections approaching, Eze’s name is now impossible to ignore.
A Weekend That Shook The Table, Rewrote Narratives And Sparked Fresh Debates
From Liverpool’s crisis to Arsenal’s rise, this weekend reminded everyone why the Premier League remains one of the most dramatic sporting stages on earth. One thing is clear. If this weekend set the tone for the rest of the season, we are in for a wild, unforgettable ride.
Read More: Eze’s hat trick inspires Arsenal to derby demolition on soccermag
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Image Source: Nottingham Forest FC on X
Source: Various
