Palmer scores four, inspiring Chelsea to a comeback win over Brighton.
Chelsea came from behind to secure a 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, with Cole Palmer scoring four first-half goals and setting a Premier League record. According to Opta, Palmer became the first player in English top-flight history to score four times in the first half. Brighton took an early lead through Georginio Rutter, but Palmer quickly responded. Though initially denied by VAR and later hitting the woodwork, Palmer found his form, scoring a hat-trick within 12 minutes before adding a fourth. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba narrowed the deficit to 3-2, but Palmer sealed the victory with help from Jadon Sancho, who provided his third assist in three Chelsea games. After a breakout 2023/24 season with 27 goals and 15 assists, Palmer continues to impress, becoming the fourth Chelsea player to score three Premier League hat tricks after Drogba, Lampard and Hasselbaink.
Three @PremierLeague wins in a row! 👏#CFC | #CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/264qOFS9fn
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 28, 2024
Pep Guardiola’s City weighing up bid for potential Rodri replacement.
Manchester City’s midfield struggled in a 1-1 draw with Newcastle as they began the remainder of the 24/25 season without Rodri. Pep Guardiola’s side looked sluggish, with Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, and İlkay Gündoğan tasked with filling the void left by their injured midfield anchor. Reports suggest City may look to strengthen their midfield in January, with the club linked to Torino’s Samuele Ricci, according to The Guardian. Ricci, known for his playmaking and passing abilities, is a versatile midfielder who can operate in multiple roles. He also has the physicality to succeed in the Premier League. Torino would reportedly demand around £30 million for the 22-year-old Italian. With his performances for both Torino and Italy, Ricci has emerged as a potential target to bolster City’s midfield in the upcoming transfer window.
🚨🚨| Manchester City are weighing up a move for Torino's midfielder Samuele Ricci to try to fill the void left by their injured Rodri.
[@guardian_sport] pic.twitter.com/ZaYbojCeuJ
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) September 28, 2024
Liverpool defeats Wolves to go top of the Premier League table.
Ibrahima Konaté scored his first Premier League goal and Mohamed Salah added a penalty as Liverpool edged Wolves 2-1 on Saturday, moving to the top of the Premier League table. Arne Slot’s side now sits on 15 points after six games, one ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal, while Wolves remain at the bottom with just one point. Konaté’s header came in first-half injury time, finishing off a Diogo Jota cross. However, Wolves equalized in the 56th minute after Konaté’s defensive error allowed Jorgen Strand Larsen to keep the ball in play, setting up Rayan Aït-Nouri for a close-range finish. Liverpool quickly responded, with Salah scoring his fifth goal of the season from the penalty spot after a foul in the box. Despite Wolves’ efforts, a fifth defeat in six games leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table.
FT: Wolves 1-2 Liverpool.
ARSENAL & MANCHESTER CITY MAKE WAY…. BECAUSE LIVERPOOL ARE THE NEW PREMIER LEAGUE LEADERS! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/kr79ai2oay
— 𝐀𝐅𝐂 𝐀𝐉𝐀𝐗 💎 (@TheEuropeanLad) September 28, 2024
Osasuna surprises La Liga leaders, Barcelona in six-goal thriller.
Barcelona’s perfect start to the league season ended with a 4-2 defeat to Osasuna at Estadio El Sadar. Coming into the match with seven wins from seven, Barcelona couldn’t extend their unbeaten run against Vicente Moreno’s side. Ante Budimir netted a brace, helping Osasuna to victory. Bryan Zaragoza opened the scoring for the hosts, with Budimir doubling their lead before halftime. Barcelona pulled one back through Pau Victor shortly after the break, but Budimir’s second, a penalty in the 72nd minute, restored Osasuna’s two-goal cushion. Abel Bretones sealed the win late on, though Lamine Yamal scored a consolation for Barcelona in the dying minutes. Despite the loss, Barcelona remain top of La Liga with 21 points, four ahead of Real Madrid, though Madrid has a game in hand. Barcelona now turn their attention to a UEFA Champions League clash against BSC Young Boys.
Fulltime: Osasuna 4-2 Barcelona. pic.twitter.com/A0wlLmj96t
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) September 28, 2024
Victor Osimhen ends goal drought, scores a brace in Galatasaray’s 3-3 draw.
Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen finally ended his goal Drought with a brace in Galatasaray’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Kasımpaşa in a Turkish Super Lig match at RAMS Park on Saturday. The Nigerian striker, on Loan from Napoli, broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a powerful header from Abdülkerim Bardakcı’s cross, celebrating by donning a jersey inscribed “finally” to mark his long-awaited first goal. Just eight minutes later, Osimhen added a second with a thunderous volley from Gabriel Sara’s pass, making him the first Galatasaray player to register four or more goal contributions in his first three Süper Lig games since 2017. Mauro Icardi extended the lead to 3-0, but Kasımpaşa mounted a dramatic comeback late into the game. Osimhen left the game before halftime with a suspected injury, replaced by Dries Mertens.
Victor Osimhen after scoring his first Galatasaray goal 😭 pic.twitter.com/R7Q6tCrpvB
— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 28, 2024