The Premier League is back with a bang after the international break, and Matchweek 4 served up a mix of thrilling encounters, tactical masterclasses, and a few surprises. From dominant title contenders to resilient underdogs, the weekend’s action provided plenty to talk about. Here’s a comprehensive EPL round-up for your blog, designed to capture the attention of football fans and rank high on search engines.
EPL Weekend Round-Up: Matchweek 4 Delivers Drama and Dominance
The 2025/26 Premier League season is in full swing, and this past weekend’s fixtures, following the international break, showcased the quality, drama, and tactical diversity that make this league the best in the world. With some eye-catching results and standout individual performances, Matchweek 4 has certainly set the stage for an exciting run of games.
Match Summaries: A Tale of Two Cities and London Derbies
The weekend was highlighted by two significant derbies, the Manchester and London showdowns, which lived up to their billing.
Arsenal 3-0 Nottingham Forest
Mikel Arteta’s new-look Arsenal, fresh off a summer spending spree, proved their title credentials with a dominant victory over newly appointed manager Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest. The Gunners’ new signings shone, with Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi scoring a brilliant brace and striker Viktor Gyokeres also finding the back of the net. Arsenal’s tactical approach was fluid, with a mix of possession-based football and lethal counter-attacks. They adapted seamlessly despite the absence of key players like Bukayo Saka and William Saliba.
Manchester City 3-0 Manchester United
The Manchester derby was a one-sided affair as Manchester City delivered a masterclass at the Etihad. Erling Haaland was once again the hero, bagging a brace that sent a clear message to their title rivals. Under Pep Guardiola, City’s 4-3-3 formation was a well-oiled machine, pressing high and moving the ball with blistering pace and precision, completely overwhelming a struggling Manchester United side.
West Ham 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Another London derby, another convincing win for the away side. Thomas Frank’s Tottenham continued their strong start to the season by dispatching West Ham. The match turned on its head when West Ham’s Tomas Soucek was sent off, and Spurs, playing in a dynamic and high-energy style, capitalized with goals from Pape Sarr, Lucas Bergvall, and Micky van de Ven.
Brentford 2-2 Chelsea
In a thrilling London clash, Brentford secured a late equalizer against Chelsea. Kevin Schade put the Bees ahead, but Chelsea’s new-look attack, featuring the returning Cole Palmer, fought back. A stunning strike from Moises Caicedo looked to have won it for the Blues, but substitute Fabio Carvalho had the final say, earning a valuable point for Brentford.
Burnley 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool, the defending champions, maintained their 100% record with a hard-fought victory against Burnley. It was a late show from the Reds, with Mohamed Salah converting a stoppage-time penalty to break Burnley’s hearts. While not their most dominant performance, it showcased the champions’ resilience and ability to grind out results.
Other Notable Results:
- Bournemouth 2-1 Brighton: Antoine Semenyo’s standout performance secured a valuable win for the Cherries.
- Fulham 1-0 Leeds United: A last-gasp own goal handed Fulham a fortunate victory.
- Newcastle 1-0 Wolves: Newcastle’s record signing Nick Woltemade made a dream debut with the winning goal.
- Everton 0-0 Aston Villa: Both teams are still looking for their first goals of the season after a drab affair.
- Crystal Palace 0-0 Sunderland: A solid defensive display from newly promoted Sunderland earned them a well-deserved point.
Player & Team Analysis: Standouts of the Week
Outstanding Player of the Week: Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal)
While Erling Haaland’s two goals were clinical, the impact of Martin Zubimendi on his Arsenal debut was nothing short of sensational. The Spanish midfielder, a marquee summer signing, delivered a masterclass, scoring a spectacular volley and a well-taken header. His performance was not just about the goals; it was a statement of intent, showing he can be the complete package—a defensive shield who can also contribute to the attack with intelligence and flair.
Outstanding Club of the Week: Arsenal
For their dominant performance against a tricky opponent and the seamless integration of their new signings, Arsenal stands out as the best club of the week. They showcased a blend of technical quality, tactical discipline, and a clinical edge that will make them a formidable force this season. Their ability to win comfortably despite key injuries is a testament to the depth of their squad and the vision of their manager.
Coach of the Week: Thomas Frank (Tottenham Hotspur)
Though his side won against 10 men, Thomas Frank deserves recognition for the way his Spurs team capitalized on the numerical advantage. The tactical decisions, including the substitutions and the overall attacking shape, ensured they secured a comprehensive victory and maintained their positive start under his leadership. His system appears to be getting the best out of his players, and the team’s fluid attacking football is a joy to watch.
Premier League Team of the Week (Best XI)
Here is our selection for the best XI from Matchweek 4, based on individual performances, impact on their respective matches, and overall contributions.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs (Sunderland) – The Sunderland shot-stopper was a rock between the sticks, making a series of crucial saves to preserve a clean sheet against Crystal Palace.
- Right-Back: Omar Alderete (Sunderland) – A key part of Sunderland’s resolute defense, he was a defensive stalwart, making important blocks and tackles to frustrate the opposition.
- Centre-Back: Cristian Romero (Tottenham) – A commanding presence at the back, he was a leader for Spurs and even managed to provide an assist from a deep position.
- Centre-Back: Fabian Schär (Newcastle) – The Swiss international was instrumental in Newcastle’s clean sheet, making numerous clearances and a goal-saving intervention.
- Left-Back: Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa) – Despite his team’s struggles, Mings was a defensive pillar, putting in a huge shift with nine clearances and seven aerial duels won to earn a hard-fought draw.
- Defensive Midfielder: Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal) – The Player of the Week, his two goals and all-around authority in midfield make him an automatic inclusion.
- Defensive Midfielder: Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) – The Ecuadorian was a defensive force, making 17 defensive contributions, and also scored a thunderous goal that briefly looked like a winner.
- Right Wing: Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – A man-of-the-match performance from the Ghana international, who scored from the spot and provided an assist in a crucial win for Bournemouth.
- Attacking Midfielder: Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham) – The young Spurs star had a breakout game, scoring a goal and providing an assist in a clinical display.
- Left Wing: Jérémy Doku (Manchester City) – His dazzling dribbling and close control were on full display, as he created one of City’s goals in their derby win.
- Striker: Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – The relentless Norwegian hitman led the line with his customary ferocity, scoring two more goals to take his season tally to five.
This weekend was a stark reminder of the Premier League’s unpredictability and star power. As the title race and relegation battle begin to take shape, we can only expect more exhilarating football in the coming weeks.
