Premier League Weekend Review: Bruno Fernandes Shines as Manchester United Rout Ipswich and Spurs Struggle

It was another thrilling weekend of Premier League action, one where Manchester United routed Ipswich for their first win of the season and Chelsea showed they have the grit to match the guile as they hung on for three points against Brighton. Liverpool are still searching for their first victory after coming from behind to draw against Nottingham Forest, while Tottenham's struggles continue.

Manchester United couldn't have got their campaign off to a worse start, going down 2-0 to promoted Hull City on the opening day. They may have had misgivings about facing another newly-promoted side, Ipswich Town, for their first home game of the season. Those fears were compounded when the visitors took the lead through Leif Davis just before the half-hour. The goal, however, had a galvanising effect on United, and in particular their captain, Bruno Fernandes.

An unfortunate slip by Marcelino Nunez allowed Matheus Cunha to break from a corner and feed Fernandes for his first. An own goal saw United take the lead – although Ipswich were fuming it was allowed to stand – and three minutes later, Fernandes dispatched a penalty after Cunha was chopped down by Jacob Greaves. Fernandes completed his hat-trick in the 68th minute, showing teammates Bryan Mbeumo and Kobbie Mainoo how it's done after both saw their efforts blocked. Mbeumo did get on the scoresheet eventually as United ran out 5-2 winners.

“He means a lot to us. He’s the captain, he’s been here for a good number of years now,” United manager Michael Carrick said of Fernandes. “He’s experienced a whole load of different emotions, different things. He’s got a lot of experience to pass on and show them the way a little bit, and lead by example, and help in different moments.”

This week, the Portuguese playmaker was named the PFA Men's Player of the Year for last season's exploits, during which he broke a Premier League record with 21 assists. And he followed that up with his third hat-trick in a United shirt to take his tally up to 113 goals in 330 games.

Chelsea maintained their impressive start to the season, edging a seven-goal thriller against Brighton & Hove Albion. It followed on from their 3-0 win over Fulham to kick-start their campaign, a match that saw their front three – Joao Pedro, Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer – all hit the target. The trio looked to have gelled quickly, with Rogers signing from Aston Villa this summer for £117 million.

Chelsea were 3-0 up inside 32 minutes with goals from Romeo Lavia, Pedro Neto, and Joao Pedro. Brighton threatened a comeback with goals from Malick Yalcouye and an own goal by Joao Pedro, but Palmer restored the two-goal advantage before a stoppage-time goal from Pascal Gross made the scoreline more respectable.

Two games in, Andoni Iraola is still searching for his first win as Liverpool manager. The Reds needed an injury-time penalty against Newcastle United on the opening day and secured a 2-2 draw at home to Nottingham Forest with a goal from Oscar Munoz. Meanwhile, Tottenham's woes continued with a 3-0 defeat earlier and another difficult outing against Newcastle United, leaving manager Roberto De Zerbi searching for the right mentality.