MY ACCOUNT
An entertaining Premier League weekend saw 29 goals scored in nine games.
Manchester City came from two behind to draw 3-3 with Newcastle shortly after Leeds had stunned Chelsea 3-0 at Elland Road.
Fulham also overcame West London rivals Brentford 3-2 while Crystal Palace and Arsenal each netted three times in wins over Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
We pick out the stars who shone brightest for their sides on Matchday 3 so far.
Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
There has been plenty of change at Selhurst Park since Patrick Vieira took over but Wilfried Zaha remains Palace’s poster boy.
And the 29-year-old was at his very best as he struck twice to put Steven Gerrard’s visiting Villans to the sword in a 3-1 victory.
The winger fired past Emi Martinez to draw the Eagles level early on after Ollie Watkins’ opener and he remained a constant threat from that moment on.
He netted his second of the game after the break with a rebound despite initially seeing his penalty saved before his smart combination with Tyrick Mitchell allowed Jean-Philippe Mateta to seal victory.
Now adding goals to his game with three strikes from his opening three outings, Zaha will hope the 2022-23 campaign is his most prolific to date.
Andreas Pereira (Fulham)
Fulham emerged victorious in their first ever top-flight meeting with Brentford and summer signing Andreas Pereira was as impressive as anyone.
It was the former Manchester United man’s well-taken corner that allowed fellow recruit Joao Palhinha to put the Cottagers 2-0 up and his influence did not stop there.
So often the player at the heart of the home side’s attacks, the Brazil international made eight final third entries and created four chances.
Despite letting their two-goal lead slip, Aleksandar Mitrovic’s late winner ensured the 26-year-old got the victory his showing deserved.
If Pereira can continue in this vein of form, the Red Devils may begin to wonder whether letting him depart for £10million was the right call.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal)
City’s result at Newcastle means Arsenal remain the only Premier League side with a perfect record after three games.
Thanks to new captain Martin Odegaard’s early double, there was little chance of that being threatened in their 3-0 win over Bournemouth.
The Norwegian, 23, was on hand to tap home the opener after only five minutes following some excellent work by Gabriel Jesus before his delicious left-footed finish strike doubled their lead.
Having signed the attacking midfielder for £30m last summer, Gunners legend Alan Smith insisted that fee now looks like a steal.
He told Sky Sports: “Their recruitment, it’s so difficult to get these sort of players. I think it shines a great light on the recruiting system, they are so together.
“They paid £30m for Martin Odegaard and at the time I think some fans were thinking, ‘£30m for Odegaard?’. But you get £80m for him now easily.”
Jack Harrison (Leeds)
A superb team display by Leeds means a number of candidates were worthy of a place in this list.
But it was Jack Harrison who stood out most, with the winger’s energetic performance embodying all that was good from the Whites.
The former Manchester City youngster’s all-action display saw him grab both a goal and an assist, while he also completed four take-ons and won possession five times as Jesse Marsch’s intense pressing tactics did not give the Blues a moment’s rest.
With Leeds picking up seven points from their opening thee fixtures, Harrison called for Sunday’s display to be just the start of what could be a memorable campaign for the Yorkshire outfit.
He said: “I think we conducted a really good tactical plan from Jesse, right from the start we knew how important it was to come out strong and be ruthless.
“We set the tone today, we have to try and aim for this performance every week now.”
Allan Saint-Maximin (Newcastle)
In another team performance that seems harsh to pick out just one player, it was Allan Saint-Maximin who came in for the most praise during Newcastle’s 3-3 draw with Manchester City.
The dazzling winger looked simply unplayable in parts as he picked up two assists before another fast breakaway won the free-kick that Kieran Trippier scored from in stunning style.
Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards said of the Frenchman: “Newcastle have a right player on their hands as they continue to build under new ownership.
“He gets on the ball and turns and goes so quick. Man City didn’t know what to do.
“I’m glad he did it in a massive game. Seeing him live, driving — he’s been class today.”
The Geordies have lofty ambitions under their wealthy owners, but it could be a player signed under the previous regime that ends up leading them to the heights they are aiming for.
