The new English Premier League matchweek delivered a series of dramatic twists and standout results on Saturday, headlined by a last-gasp equalizer that spared Andoni Iraola a first defeat in his maiden home game as Liverpool manager. Spanish coach Iraola, who took over the Anfield hotseat in the close-season after the club sacked Arne Slot, looked set for a disappointing opening at his new ground’s first competitive match, as Nottingham Forest twice took the lead to keep their impressive recent Anfield streak alive.
Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye opened the scoring for the visitors, and after Liverpool found an equalizer, Morgan Gibbs-White converted a penalty to put Forest back in front. Alexander Isak responded to level the scoreline for the Reds once again in the second half, but it was 19-year-old winger Victor Munoz who snatched a late, deflected effort to lock in a 2-2 draw – marking the second time in two matches that Iraola has rescued a point from a drawn fixture, after an identical 2-2 result away to Newcastle United on his debut last weekend.
Acknowledging his side’s underwhelming performance, Iraola admitted after the match that his squad struggled for control in the opening 45 minutes. “It’s quite clear the first half has been poor, we haven’t controlled the game,” he told reporters. “We improved a lot in the second half, much more intense, much quicker on the ball but not enough to win the game.”
Off the pitch, Iraola hinted that a blockbuster new signing could be available for Liverpool’s next fixture against Ipswich Town next Friday. The club has been locked in talks with Paris Saint-Germain for France international winger Bradley Barcola for months, and reports indicate a deal worth an initial £106 million ($144 million) – a fee that could climb to £123 million with add-ons – is in the final stages of completion. When asked about the transfer, Iraola remained tight-lipped: “I cannot tell you anything right now. There are still things going on at this moment. Now we have to wait and look forward to having the squad on September 2, when this is who we are and can work with certainties.”
Elsewhere in the division, newly promoted Hull City continued their fairy-tale return to the Premier League with a second straight win to open their campaign, beating fellow Championship promotion winners Coventry City 1-0 at Coventry’s home ground. Substitute winger Liam Millar netted the decisive goal with just eight minutes remaining to secure all three points for Hull. The result comes one week after Hull stunned Manchester United with a 2-0 home win in their opening fixture, leaving Sergej Jakirovic’s side with a perfect six points from their first two matches back in the top flight, their first since the 2016-17 season.
For Coventry, managed by former England international Frank Lampard, the result leaves them still searching for their first Premier League point in 25 years, after a opening-week defeat to Arsenal. The Sky Blues won the Championship title last season to end their lengthy exile from England’s top division.
Another late equalizer came at the Vitality Stadium, where Everton defender James Tarkowski scored a stoppage-time goal to earn the Toffees a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, leaving Marco Rose still waiting for his first win as Bournemouth manager. Alex Scott put Bournemouth ahead in the 41st minute, but Tarkowski pounced on a defensive mix-up between Ryan Christie and Marcus Tavernier to drill home a corner in the final seconds of the match. The result keeps Everton unbeaten after they opened their season with a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, while Bournemouth remain without a point after Rose’s first game in charge, a 2-1 defeat to reigning champions Manchester City.
The weekend got off to a strong start for Manchester City on Friday, as the champions ran out comfortable 4-1 winners away to Crystal Palace, with Rayan Cherki and Erling Haaland each grabbing a brace to secure all three points. On Saturday evening, big-spending Tottenham Hotspur were set to face Newcastle United, as De Zerbi’s side looked to bounce back from a humiliating 3-0 opening-week defeat to Brentford.