The pressure was on. The pressure was on. Man City knew they couldn't afford to lose their title rivals at the beginning of a crucial nine-day period.
City was able to deliver despite the pressure. Pep Guardiola's players did not shirk the challenge and seized it.
They were completely dominant for an hour over a Chelsea team that no other Premier League side could match this season. After three consecutive defeats to Thomas Tuchel's team last season that culminated in the Champions League final loss, a Chelsea team City has their own history.
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Manchester City's victory against Chelsea
Chelsea's side was where City stayed. They refused to surrender possession. Stamford Bridge hosted the second half, but they were repeatedly forced to withdraw. Gabriel Jesus broke the resistance after 53 minutes.
It was a thrilling, close-fought battle that broke out, but City still had the upper hand. Jesus and Jack Grealish were both close to adding another win. Chelsea failed to score a single shot.
Guardiola stated that the win would give his players confidence to defend their title. They will likely lose some of their competitors' confidence due to the win and the performance.
Peter Smith
For a better video player, please use Chrome browser. Thomas Tuchel claims that Chelsea's decision making was poor and that his team lacked confidence during their 1-0 loss at Manchester City.
Thomas Tuchel made crucial half-time substitutions in Chelsea's previous Premier League matches.
Reece James had just sent off against Liverpool. He sent on N'Golo Kane and inspired his men to score a memorable goal at Anfield.
He boldly removed Saul Niguez, a new signing, and took over the midfield battle against Jorginho.
Kante was substituted for Mason Mount by Tottenham to increase Chelsea's presence in the park's middle.
After Man City had dominated the first 45 minutes, it was surprising that Tuchel didn’t move again at Stamford Bridge. The manager decided to take a man from the midfield and add three attackers to Chelsea's 53-minute deficit.
Although the game was exciting, Chelsea could not score the goal they desired.
Tuchel stated that his players should have taken greater risks in the first half of the game. He might feel that he should too.
Peter Smith
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Aston Villa's victory against Manchester United
Manchester United almost got away with one. Similar to their previous Premier League match at the London Stadium in which they had a penalty shootout, this time the outcome was not in their favor.
Bruno Fernandes was United's most trusted penalty taker, with only one miss since moving to Old Trafford. He took a pressure stoppage penalty ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, his compatriot. His task? His task was to cancel Aston Villa's lead of 1-0 and rescue a point that few would have believed was due.
Fernandes was unable to follow David de Gea's lead and failed to win the decisive final word in a contest in which United were second.
Fernandes' pathetic attempt from 12 yards to score a goal was uncharacteristically poor. It sailed above the bar and into the Stretford End. This is the second frustrating outing by Manchester United at Old Trafford. Solskjaer's team have suffered successive losses in the League Cup and Carabao Cup.
Manchester United had few complaints, which was perhaps the most worrying aspect of Aston Villa's win. Solskjaer, his players and Old Trafford were unable to get any tunes out of them. They missed an opportunity to climb the Premier League summit after Chelsea's defeat to Manchester City.
Manchester United's promising start to the season has been ruined by a defeat at Young Boys in the Champions League opener, defeat at West Ham in League Cup, and then defeat to Aston Villa. Solskjaer needs to get control of the situation quickly.
Jack Wilkinson
For a better video player, please use Chrome browser Dean Smith believes his Aston Villa team deserved the win. They had greater chances during their 1-0 victory against Manchester United.
Aston Villa arrived at Old Trafford feeling buoyant, believing they can end their Old Trafford hoodoo.
Twelve years had passed since Gabriel Agbonlahor led Villa to victory at United Stadium, their only win in 21 visits to the red side of Manchester.
Dean Smith had the opportunity to convert a string if encouraging Old Trafford performances into the elusive first win of his tenure. Villa did that with assured style.
Villa wasted three golden opportunities that could have secured victory before the interval.
To seal the three points, Kortney Hause's last-minute header and Bruno Fernandes’ dramatic stoppage time penalty missed were required. But, in the end it didn't matter what. Villa were the worthy winners, and the Old Trafford drought was ended.
Jack Wilkinson
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of the 3-3 draw between Brentford & Liverpool in the Premier League.
Virgil van Dijk was looking around at his teammates, seemingly puzzled by what was going on. He stood firm, but Jurgen Klopp's team had no control over this game.
Van Dijk was puzzled by Van Dijk's inability to see the Bees as a good draw value. The expected-goals numbers show exactly why. Brentford did not find three goals by chance - their chances of scoring 2.66 goals per game would have been expected.
This is a comparison to Van Dijk's Liverpool team. It is the second highest figure a team has managed. The highest? The 7-2 defeat to Aston Villa at the beginning of last season was that. Even though it was 2.70, it was still the highest. This is how great Brentford were.
Liverpool should be concerned. Perhaps not, considering that Liverpool has conceded just once in five Premier League games. Perhaps it was Brentford's extraordinary threat under the lights.
Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney are true strike-partners and Thomas Frank's ambition made for top-class entertainment. Alan Smith, Sky Sports' co-commentary editor, said that "this is the best game so far." He was correct.
Klopp will regret the missed chances. Mohamed Salah's accidental chip over the bar, when it seemed easier to place the ball to David Raya right and give Liverpool a lead of two goals. Just moments later, Sadio Mane's skied effort was through.
Van Dijk was aware that there would always be another Brentford opportunity, given the way the game was progressing. We could all just enjoy the show.
Adam Bate
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Everton's win over Norwich
At the beginning of the 2021/22 Premier League season, it has been difficult for Norwich. They have yet to score a point, and they made two serious errors on Saturday that cost them.
After a VAR review, Everton was penalized for Ozan Kabak’s inept challenge on Allan. It was clear that Kabak was on the offensive and was not happy to return to Liverpool. Lee Mason, the VAR official, was slow to reverse the decision.
After the break, Norwich looked better and if they had drawn, it would have been a shame. However, Kenny McLean's inept control of midfield allowed Allan to team up with Demarai Gray to create Abdoulaye Doucoure. This was again the fault of Norwich.
For most of the second period, Norwich was the stronger side and should have had their chance. Mathias Normann made two crucial saves from Jordan Pickford. Ben Gibson got a free header, but he couldn't direct it goalwards.
Sky Sports' Daniel Farke, Norwich manager, said that "Today we were much better in many subjects." We are not far away from winning this game, and we certainly weren't the worst. We lost the game because of key moments that were against us.
They are now without any points in the top flight. However, they will face Burnley next weekend. This game will be crucial to prevent them being further behind at this stage of the season.
Charlotte Marsh
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of the 2-2 draw between Leicestershire and Burnley in Premier League.
Jamie Vardy's incredible journey from Stocksbridge Park Steels legend to Premier League legend is well-known. His remarkable longevity is perhaps less well-known.
It is true that this is his eighth season in Premier League. Many others are able to break into the English top flight in their teens and endure the most demanding leagues in the world for only a short time before they become too tired.
Vardy also decided to retire from international soccer after just 26 games. This could give him more experience as a club player at the top. He had to fight tirelessly to get to the top, as the lower leagues in England are not known for being easy.
He's 34 years old and still runs the business. Comparatively, Dwight Yorke (the same age as Robbie Fowler, Michael Owen, and Michael Owen - the only 17 Premier League players with more Premier League goals – were at Sydney FC and North Queensland Fury, and then retired.
Vardy's goals against Burnley required three touches. He doesn't need to look up for his first goal. He knows exactly where the goal is. Bang, bottom corner. He's celebrating just before the ball crosses the line.
Max Mathews
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of the 1-1 draw between Newcastle and Watford in the Premier League.
It was an amazing backdrop for Newcastle's Watford performance.
I have never seen a football field where the crowd is calling for the manager's resignation. Steve Bruce stood there taking it all in in his technical area, as Watford was carved open repeatedly in the first 45 minutes.
"We want Brucie Out" was a popular chant at the vocal end. It was also used in anti-Mike Ashley songs. Bruce cannot win anything he does with this team during the season. This campaign has shown that there's a team that can excite the St James Park faithful, when the match situation permits it, and when Allan Saint-Maximin plays. It is a remarkable feat to have 20 goals away from home in one game. You will score.
Although Vicarage Road didn't win, Bruce said that his team was clearly the stronger of the two. This will not be their last win. Watford's equalizer with 12 minutes to go was hard to predict and Newcastle may have deserved the bit of luck that VAR gave them to overturn what looked like a win for Josh King.
It is a sad sight to see a club at odds with its fanbase. The Toon Army faces a long, cold and frustrating winter.
Lewis Jones
Image: Yoane Wissa celebrating after reaching 3-3
Thomas Frank, Brentford's head coach, said it was right. His team had drawn 3-3 with Liverpool on Saturday night. This made their draw against early league leaders even more impressive.
There are many ways you can take on Jurgen Klopp's side. However, better teams than the Bees tried to play them at their game and failed. With the opportunities they created, it is possible that the west Londoners could have won all three points.
Adam Bate has stated that this xG isn't something Liverpool are used to dealing with. Even if they lose the match, neither side will settle for less than a point. They will push for all three.
Frank said after the game, "I'm insane proud of how the players kept going." His side's play was not the only thing that impressed Frank, but their ability to keep their heads up. Brentford has not been in the top flight since more than 70 years. They don't have an impressive trophy-laden history on a scale comparable to Liverpool. They were not overwhelmed by that.
They believed they could take the game to their opponent, just like they did against Arsenal. However, they were more interested in what they could do for Klopp than what Klopp might do.
Frank said, "We've played in Liverpool the best offensive team in the league, but I think we can do better." His Brentford team has fared well with his relentless pursuit of perfection. They also believe they can mix it up with the best, as they have shown this evidence.
Ron Walker
Use Chrome browser to access a better video player. FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of West Ham's victory against Leeds in the Premier League.
David Moyes might not have been able to do a deep dive analysis of this game. It was thrilling with 35 shots and very little of the game in the middle third. However, West Ham's opponents won't repeat the lack of defensive discipline or excessive attacking risk of Leeds this season.
If it wasn't already, one conclusion can be drawn: Michail Antonio is a difference maker for West Ham.
Antonio, match-winner at Elland Road was quiet for most of the game but his goal scoring skills are up there with the best.
He has had a conversion rate 23% since the beginning of last season. Heung-min Son's conversion rate is the highest among players who have scored more than 15 Premier League goals. Mo Salah and Harry Kane are the only players with a lower goal-to-minute ratio (161 minutes per goal).
This former non-League fullback is now a dangerous Premier League striker.
David Moyes, after the win, said that although it was not his best game his finish was magical.
Antonio felt the ice in his veins as he strove to slot home in 90 minutes on Saturday. He was joint-top of the Premier League charts with Jamie Vardy.
Gerard Brand
