English football round-up, week-ending 22nd August

Other matches in the English Premier League this weekend

Leeds United continue to leak goals much too freely for comfort but will take some heart from getting their quest for points off the mark with a 2-2 draw with Everton at Elland Road. Twice Everton led, first through a penalty converted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin, secondly from a fine shot on the turn by Damarai Gray. But both times, Leeds came back with commendable spirit. Mateusz Klich hauled Everton back firstly with a deft finish lofted over Jordan Pickford, and then Raphinha scored his third goal in as many games against Everton with a marvellous strike late on to tie the match permanently.

Manchester City showed signs of their real form as they devastated luckless Norwich City at the Etihad Stadium. Norwich have had no sympathy from the fixture computer, which started them off with a match at home to the champions of a year ago, Liverpool, and next at the home of the defending champions. Manchester City were just irresistible as they raced to a 5-0 win, thanks to an own goal by Tim Krul, a first strike for Jack Grealish for his new team, Aymeric Laporte, Raheem Sterling, and Riyad Mahrez. Outstanding player however was Gabriel Jesus, who tormented the Norwich defence all afternoon with his selfless running both on and off the ball, and set up two of the goals.

Crystal Palace, on reflection, were a little lucky not to suffer a second derby defeat on the bounce, as Brentford continued their positive start to EPL life with a 0-0 draw that was more entertaining than the score suggests. Brentford had more and the better of the attacking efforts, although Conor Gallagher, on-loan at Palace from Chelsea, will feel unlucky his early header hit the post and stayed out. Looking at Patrick Vieira’s squad, it is really difficult to see where sufficient numbers of goals will come from if they are to avoid relegation.

An easy 2-0 victory over Watford at the Amex meant Brighton & Hove Albion followed up their win over Burnley to record their best ever start to a Premier League season – two games, two wins. Goals from Shane Duffy and Neal Maupay had the points secured before half-time, while Watford looked sloppy and unfocused, a disappointment after their exciting opening day win over Aston Villa.

On Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur gained another valuable win, on the road at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Molineux crowd was loud but edgy as Spurs pulled off a smash-and-grab at the old home of new coach Nuno Espirito Santo. The only goal, a penalty, was Delle Alli’s first in eighteen months, after just nine minutes. Spurs held on from there on, as Wolves squandered numerous opportunities. Especially out-of-sorts was Adama Traore, who clearly misses his old coach. Want-away Harry Kane finally saw action for Spurs, coming on as a late substitute. A better result than performance, perhaps, but results are all Spurs will be interested in anyway – two wins from two.