Liverpool’s flawless start under manager Arne Slot came to a shocking halt as Nottingham Forest earned a 1-0 victory in Saturday’s Premier League encounter at Anfield. Meanwhile, Erling Haaland’s double lifted Manchester City to a 2-1 win over Brentford, propelling them three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Forest had not won at Anfield in the top division for 55 years, but Callum Hudson-Odoi’s goal 18 minutes from time silenced the home crowd, handing the visitors a historic victory.
Liverpool had won all three of their previous Premier League matches under Slot without conceding a goal, including a dominant 3-0 win over Manchester United two weeks ago. However, they appeared lacklustre and disjointed after the international break.
Forest’s victory lifts them to fifth in the table, with eight points from their first four matches.
Haaland Denied Hat-Trick but Powers City Past Brentford
Manchester City took full advantage of Liverpool’s defeat to maintain their 100% start to the season, overcoming Brentford 2-1 despite conceding after just 22 seconds. Yoane Wissa gave Brentford a shock lead at the Etihad, but City quickly responded through Haaland.
Haaland, who had been chasing a Premier League record third consecutive hat-trick, scored twice, including a deflected equaliser and a composed finish past Mark Flekken. Only the post denied him a third goal after the break, but his tally of nine goals in four matches is a Premier League record.
United Bounce Back with Comfortable Win Over Southampton
Manchester United relieved some of the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag with a 3-0 victory away at Southampton. The Red Devils, still smarting from their defeat to Liverpool, needed a penalty save from Andre Onana before two goals in five minutes just before half-time turned the match in their favour.
Matthijs de Ligt nodded in his first goal for United, and Marcus Rashford ended his six-month goal drought with a curling effort to make it 2-0. Southampton’s Jack Stephens was sent off late on, and Alejandro Garnacho added a third in stoppage time.
Elsewhere in the Premier League
Aston Villa climbed to third after coming from two goals down to beat Everton 3-2 at Villa Park. Despite an early lead through Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton’s defensive frailties allowed Ollie Watkins to score twice and Jhon Durán to fire in a long-range winner.
Chelsea scraped a 1-0 win over Bournemouth thanks to a late goal from Christopher Nkunku, while goalkeeper Robert Sanchez saved a first-half penalty from Evanilson to keep the Blues in the game.
Brighton were held to a goalless draw by Ipswich at the Amex, while Crystal Palace came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Leicester, courtesy of a Jean-Philippe Mateta brace. West Ham snatched a late point with a 1-1 draw at Fulham, thanks to a last-minute strike from Danny Ings.