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West Ham gets breakthrough win, goals for Scamacca and Bowen
West Ham United won a proper scrap with Wolves on Saturday at London’s Olympic Stadium, using a beautiful goal from Gianluca Scamacca and a clever finish from Jarrod Bowen to post a 2-0 win.
WATCH WEST HAM vs WOLVES FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
The Irons win their second match of the year to move clear of the bottom three with seven points.
Wolves now occupy 18th place on the Premier League table with six points, but will feel hope at the performance of Diego Costa off the bench for the final 32 minutes.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
What we learned from West Ham vs Wolves
Gianluca Scamacca is feeling comfortable: He was spotted visibly angry when a teammate’s sloppy first touch destroyed an early chance, and Scamacca is obviously not sheepish about his role in the team. He also clearly wanted to take a start over Michail Antonio to make his case to start every week. His thunderous goal from the edge of the 18 should’ve adequately made it.
Diego Costa flashes: The big, tempestuous veteran striker still knows where to be on the pitch and was just put off enough on a powerful header that went wide of the goal. Costa was a fine hold-up man, something Wolves have used to thrive when Raul Jimenez is at or near his best. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Costa become the positive difference in 3-4 matches this season… maybe even next Saturday against old pals Chelsea?
Declan Rice: Speaking of the positive difference, Declan Rice is a force from endline-to-endline.
Jarrod Bowen reaction: ‘Just what we needed’
“It’s just what we needed. We haven’t had the start we wanted, and we had an international break to regroup our thoughts and go out on the front foot. We suffered without the ball but what this manager does is we’re a tough team to break down and we can counter. Massive three points for us, and we’ve got a lot of games now.”
Off the chest, onto the foot and into the net for Jarrod Bowen!
📺: @USA_Network & @NBCUniverso #MyPLMorning | #WHUWOL pic.twitter.com/GbPHIldGJM
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 1, 2022
Gianluca Scamacca reaction: First Premier League goal ‘amazing’
“It was an amazing feeling, for the fans. We needed to win. Today we worked very hard and made a good victory.”
Samacca with the strike for his first Premier League Goal! 😤
📺: @USA_Network & @NBCUniverso #MyPLMorning | #WHUWOL pic.twitter.com/sccMTWX0gX
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 1, 2022
Tactical focus
Declan Rice, Lucas Paqueta, and Tomas Soucek going up against Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves, and Matheus Cunha was a grind and we think all deserve ice baths. Not so much a midfield muddle as a melee, Neves and Paqueta were kept from their creative best in order to snap into tackles, though Rice stepped forward to seize the day on several occasions
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
Stars of the Show
Declan Rice
Jarrod Bowen
Rayan Ait-Nouri
What’s next?
Wolves have a trip to Anderlecht for Thursday action in the Europa Conference League before Fulham visits London’s Olympic Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 9.
Wolves will reunite Diego Costa with Chelsea come 10am ET Saturday.
How to watch West Ham vs Wolves live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 12:30 pm ET, Saturday
TV channel: NBC
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
Key storylines & star players
For both sides, the goal-scoring woes are a result of not only a failure to convert scoring chances, but also their inability to create them. West Ham and Wolves both rank in the bottom five of the Premier League in expected goals with identical paltry 0.9 xG averages (per 90 minutes). No other side in the Premier League is anywhere close to underperforming their expected numbers by more than 50 percent.
Goals have come much more easily for West Ham in the Europa Conference League, where they have scored three goals in all four games thus far — six in two games against Danish side Viborg, and three apiece against Romanian runners-up FCSB and another Danish side in Silkeborg.
Wolves made the effort to be a better attacking side this season, as they spent $18 million on Sasa Kalajdzic, but the Austrian international striker tore his ACL on his debut for the club. Raul Jimenez, meanwhile, has played just 211 minutes in three Premier League appearances (none since Aug. 31) and has just one goal, in the League Cup. The Mexican international is now in a race against time to be healthy and fit for the 2022 World Cup eight weeks from now.
West Ham team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Nayef Aguerd (ankle), Benjamin Johnson (hamstring)
Here's how we line up today against Wolves! ⚒️#WHUWOL pic.twitter.com/gBqkRpwlvx
— West Ham United (@WestHam) October 1, 2022
Wolves team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Raul Jimenez (groin), Sasa Kalajdzic (torn ACL), Nathan Collins (suspension), Chiquinho (knee)
☝️ One change from #WOLMCI.
🇵🇹 Semedo in for Collins.Our line-up to take on @WestHam.
— Wolves (@Wolves) October 1, 2022
Liverpool vs Brighton goal fest features Trossard hat trick
Brighton and Hove Albion refused to go away, giving new manager Roberto De Zerbi a memorable debut in a 3-3 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
Leandro Trossard scored twice early to give the Seagulls a 2-0 lead and completed his hat trick after the hosts had rallied behind a Roberto Firmino brace and an Adam Webster own goal to lead 3-2 with 27 minutes left in the 90.
WATCH LIVERPOOL vs BRIGHTON FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Brighton remains fourth and now has 14 points through seven games, good for fourth and no worse than fifth depending on the result of the Manchester derby on Sunday.
Liverpool sits ninth with 10 points through seven games. Both clubs have a match-in-hand on most of the field.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
What we learned from Liverpool vs Brighton
De Zerbi’s dynamic start: Life after Graham Potter was plenty good going forward for Brighton and Hove Albion, but Roberto De Zerbi’s buzz might wear off when he watches the Seagulls defending. Only a little, though, because every team gives up chances to Liverpool and the Reds were pretty due to bang some home (Mohamed Salah is now very much overdue for a big, big game of finishing… bookmark that one).
Liverpool’s defense messy, messy, messy (Yes, Jurgen, especially Trent): There Is not a level-headed person alive who would deny Trent Alexander-Arnold his status as one of the best right-sided playmakers in the world. There’s an argument that he’s could become his generation’s Andrea Pirlo as a central midfielder. But he’s not playing central midfield, and teams are targeting his side of the pitch and finding joy. As Jordan Henderson ages out and Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho exist as cover, how long before Jurgen Klopp finally says, “Yes, okay, here” to those who see what everyone else sees: a dynamic player who turns 24 on Friday and isn’t improving at the defensive duties of a right back but intercepts passes so well.
That said, his performance is less of a talking point if Virgil van Dijk connects on a clearing attempt of the Brighton cross that became Trossard’s third goal. This game could’ve been 6-5 and while we would’ve loved that entertainment, Klopp has to wonder what’s next. Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate were missing but Liverpool’s spent plenty for depth that’s been disappointing (and Joel Matip isn’t exactly paid like a depth piece, is he?).
Trossard top of his game: The Belgian international now has five goals and two assists through seven Premier League games for Brighton this season, which is pretty, pretty good. The 27-year-old is now an every-game player and part-time starter for Belgium, and what a nice place he’s made for himself at the Amex.
Jurgen Klopp reaction: Liverpool problem ‘not in our DNA’
“Directly after the game it is a massive knock,” said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. “N, slowly but surely, we feel that is just the situation and we will get through. We got a point and not what we wanted.
“We are a dominant team and want to have the ball so when you give these goals away I know it is a problem. We have to find the solutions. We have to keep going. It is nothing in our DNA. It just happens and now it happens more often. This is a period where we struggle. We have to fight through this situation. We cannot fight anymore today though we just have to admit.”
Tactical focus
Maybe it’s the increased focus on the performances of Trent Alexander-Arnold, but it sure does seem like teams are targeting the right side of Liverpool’s defense.
[ VIDEO: Premier League highlights ]
Stars of the show
Leandro Trossard: Away hat tricks at Anfield are pretty rare.
Roberto Firmino: Guess that Darwin Nunez signing really can be for the (near) future, as Firmino has five goals and three assists in his last four Premier League outings.
Thiago Alcantara: 10-of-12 duels won and two key passes while drawing six fouls.
What’s next?
The challenge isn’t going to get any easier for Liverpool, who hosts Arsenal in eight days after a Champions League visit from Rangers on Tuesday. Brighton gets stung Tottenham in another test of top-four mettle.
Liverpool vs Brighton score
Liverpool: 3 (Firmino 33′, 54′, Webster o.g. 63′)
Brighton: 3 (Trossard 4′, 17′, 83′)
Leandro Trossard goal video(s): Belgian gives De Zerbi dream start
Roberto Firmino goal video: Liverpool pulls one back
Firmino pulls one back for Liverpool! #LFC
📺: @peacock #MyPLMorning | #LIVBHA pic.twitter.com/Jxl3mvswoK
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) October 1, 2022
Leandro Trossard hat trick video: Seagulls overcome blown lead for point
How to watch Liverpool vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday
TV Channel/Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Key storylines & star players
Is Liverpool ready to turn chances into goals at a more familiar rate? The Reds’ expected goal total for this season is close to leaders Manchester City and Arsenal but its actual goal production is fifth and somewhat-inflated by their nine-goal beatdown of Bournemouth previously this season.
Brighton, meanwhile, has to show that it’s getting a handle on life after Graham Potter, as De Zerbi’s credentials say things might not look too different. The former Sassuolo and Shakhtar Donetsk boss craves possession in his teams and delivers chances as a boss in the manner you’d expect from a former attacking midfielder.
Liverpool team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Calvin Ramsay (lower back), Curtis Jones (tibia), Ibrahima Konate (knee), Naby Keita (thigh), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (thigh), Andrew Robertson (knee), Caoimhin Kelleher (groin), Ibrahima Konate (knee),
Team news 📋
How we line-up for #LIVBHA this afternoon 🔴
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 1, 2022
Brighton team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Jakub Moder (knee), Adam Lallana (lower leg), Enock Mwepu (illness).
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Here's our starting XI to face Liverpool this afternoon. 📝
📲 https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/B1WJ0Y67DX
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) October 1, 2022
Conor Gallagher breaks Crystal Palace hearts with late Chelsea winner
Crystal Palace vs Chelsea recap: The Blues erased an early deficit and Conor Gallagher scored the late winning goal (his first for the club) as new manager Graham Potter made his Premier League debut at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
Odsonne Edouard got on the end of a fantastic cross from Jordan Ayew in the 7th minute as Crystal Palace began brightly and threatened in behind on a number of occasions early on. Chelsea hit back through Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the 38th minute, setting the stage for Gallagher to come off the bench and score the stunning winner. Gallagher, of course, starred on loan to Palace last season before being recalled to Chelsea in the summer.
What we learned from Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Thiago Silva avoids red card, sets up equalizer 5 minutes later
Chelsea’s race was nearly run in the 33rd minute, when Thiago Silva was caught napping and lost the ball in acres of space. As Ayew darted past the Brazilian, who was now lying flat on his stomach, Silva stuck out his left hand and slapped the ball away to prevent the counter-attack (and likely scoring chance). Referee Chris Kavanagh showed Silva a yellow card, deeming that either (or a combination of) the distance from goal (roughly 35 yards out) and at least one recovering defender meant there wasn’t an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to be denied.
Five minutes later, Silva headed the ball down for Aubameyang to rifle it home. From nearly a goal and a man down, to level on both, in 300 seconds.
Christian Pulisic down Potter’s pecking order, too
When Kai Havertz came off in the 76th minute, rather than inserting Pulisic (or any other attacking player for that matter) into the game, Potter instead brought on an extra central midfielder in Gallagher. Potter always thinks outside the box, though — seamlessly shifting team shape more narrow or wider, higher or deeper, extra man in midfield or out wide — always willing to make the first move in the tactical chess match, to play the game on his terms.
So, let’s not read too much into Pulisic sitting on the bench (for 84 minutes), but it’s clear he’ll have to make a whole lot out of very little to impress Potter and regain a regular place in the team. Right on cue, it was Pulisic who made the zig-zagging run past two defenders to set up Gallagher for the winner. No small contribution for a player currently out in the cold.
Reaction from Crystal Palace vs Chelsea
Conor Gallagher, on scoring his first Chelsea goal and doing so against Chelsea…
“It’s a very special moment to come on and get the winner and my first goal for Chelsea.
“It was written in the stars. Unfortunately it came against Palace but I’m just buzzing to get my first goal.
“Everyone knows how much I loved it here, and I thank the whole club and the fans — even today with the reception they gave me.
“Hopefully I can build a bit of confidence with the goal and push on. I want to work as hard as I can for him [manager Graham Potter] and be available wherever he needs me, whether starting or coming off the bench.”
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Chelsea live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBCSports.com
Key storylines & star players
What will Graham Potter’s first Premier League XI look like come Saturday? Kepa Arrizabalaga could be in goal if Edouard Mendy is not ready, but will Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remain a starter? Are Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic locks for the midfield? Lots to monitor as Christian Pulisic, Conor Gallagher, Ben Chilwell, and Hakim Ziyech will hope to have made a major impression.
Palace has played well against the “Big Six” this year, leading Man City 2-0 before an Erling Haaland hat trick, drawing Liverpool, and losing on Opening Day vs Arsenal while holding 57% of the ball and matching the Gunners in shots and shots on target. A win over the Blues sure would do the trick.
Crystal Palace team news, injuries, lineup options
QUESTIONABLE: James McArthur (groin) | OUT: James Tomkins (calf), Nathan Ferguson (ankle), Jack Butland (hand)
Your Palace starting XI 🤝#CPFC | #CRYCHE
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) October 1, 2022
Chelsea team news, injuries, lineup options
QUESTIONABLE: Edouard Mendy (knee), N’Golo Kante (thigh)
Your Chelsea side today! 😎@ParimatchGlobal | #CryChe pic.twitter.com/KQAacrnpgr
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 1, 2022
Brentford on lucky end of Bournemouth penalty decision, scoreless draw
Bournemouth vs Brentford recap: The Bees were perhaps lucky to escape with a point, thanks to a curious penalty decision, in a 0-0 draw at Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
[ MORE: How to watch Premier League in USA ]
The game’s biggest moment came in the 20th minute, when Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer appeared to slide through Bournemouth left back Jordan Zemura. Ajer made no contact with the ball (he could have, as it appeared well within his reach) before pulling out of the challenge, leaving his legs high and catching Zemura who tried to hurdle the outstretched defender.
Referee Thomas Bramall initially said no foul, and then maintained that position following his own lengthy video review session.
Ivan Toney made a goal-line clearance at one end of the field and missed the game’s best scoring chance at the other, both in the second half as Brentford controlled possession and looked the likeliest to score in the stalemate affair.
How to watch Bournemouth vs Brentford live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10 am ET, Saturday
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Key storylines & star players
Brentford sit 9th in the Premier League table, even after only seven games, is no small achievement for a tiny club that only made its PL debut a year ago. They look like they belong in the top half of the table as well, with their 15 goals scored bested by only Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal — the top three sides in the league heading into matchweek 8. Ivan Toney is back to his goal-scoring best with five in seven games, chipping in a pair of assists as well as he continues to prove himself a complete player at the top level, resulting in his first England call-up (but not appearance, yet) last week.
Bournemouth are trying to replicate Brentford’s top-flight success after returning to the Premier League this season. Without a star center forward like Toney (six goals scored, 4th-fewest in the PL), the Cherries will frequently look to grind out results by keeping clean sheets, only their defensive record (19 conceded in seven games) runs to the contrary.
Bournemouth team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: David Brooks (fitness), Lloyd Kelly (knee), Joseph Rothwell (thigh), Benjamin Pearson (undisclosed), Ryan Fredericks (undisclosed)
📝 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 📝
🔺 Moore and Solanke up top
🔺 Unchanged at the back
🔺 Smith with the armbandOur line up for #BOUBRE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/V39oBsEpla
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) October 1, 2022
Brentford team news, injuries, lineup options
OUT: Christian Norgaard (achilles) | QUESTIONABLE: Keane Lewis-Potter (knock), Ethan Pinnock (knee)
🚨 TEAM NEWS🚨
The Bees line-up this afternoon 🐝#BrentfordFC | #BOUBRE pic.twitter.com/cU8xMmH3Et
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 1, 2022