Matchweek 4
The Verdict.

Matchweek 4 of the 2026–27 Premier League was one of the most eventful of the early season. Arsenal remain perfect with another clean sheet at the Stadium of Light. Manchester City joined them on twelve points by winning the Manchester Derby at Old Trafford in the most controversial fashion. Tottenham extended their goalless streak to an almost incomprehensible three hundred and sixty minutes. Leeds United thumped the Magpies on Monday night and crept up to third in the Premier League table. And Hull City, quietly and without ceremony, continued their unbeaten run with a draw at Stamford Bridge.

Liverpool were held at Anfield by a Fulham side sitting at the bottom of the table coming into this game. The Reds started very sluggishly, and an Alisson error could well have been disastrous but for Jeremy Jacquet’s goal-line clearance. At no point in the game did it seem like Liverpool were firmly in control — Fulham had plenty of possession and a few opportunities that went abegging. The closest the hosts came to breaking the deadlock was when Victor Muñoz headed against the crossbar in the first half. The stats skewed Liverpool’s way — 14 shots to 10, xG 1.13 to 0.71 — but numbers do not win games. The gap between what Andoni Iraola’s system needs and the execution by Liverpool’s stars was significant, and it resulted in a stalemate. battleSTAR Galáctico: Josh King — incisive runs throughout, creating problems for the Liverpool defence at will.

Arsenal were really tested at the Stadium of Light — in what was one of the best games of the season so far. A blinder not so much for attacking flair, but for the sheer amount of passion, aggression and determination displayed by both sides. Ultimately, it was a moment of brilliance from David Raya that acted as a catalyst for the Gunners — he saved a controversially awarded penalty, which was actually well taken. And two minutes later, Bruno Guimarães struck from fully thirty yards — a thunderous effort that dipped under the crossbar with the goalkeeper helpless — to give Arsenal the lead at the 58th minute. Sunderland continued to probe and gave Arsenal one hell of a fight, requiring a few more fantastic saves from Raya to secure the clean sheet. Saka topped it off with a penalty conversion seven minutes into stoppage time. Two-nil. Four wins from four. Twelve points. Arsenal are not slowing down. battleSTAR Galáctico: David Raya — the save from the spot was the moment that won this game before Arsenal had even scored.

Chelsea hosted Hull City and found themselves on the wrong end of a Mohamed Belloumi masterclass. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring for Chelsea in the seventh minute — Chelsea have now scored within the first seven minutes of every single Premier League game they have played this season. Then Belloumi happened. The Algerian winger equalised in the 28th minute with a composed finish that silenced Stamford Bridge. Six minutes later, he did it again — a right-footed strike that left Martínez no chance. Two-one to Hull at half-time. João Pedro pulled Chelsea level at the 66th minute and the game ended two-two. Hull remain unbeaten after four matchweeks: two wins, two draws, eight points — fourth in the Premier League on goal difference behind Leeds. Chelsea have seven points and a problem in their defence, which seems unable to stop anyone. battleSTAR Galáctico: Mohamed Belloumi — two goals, composed and clinical, the best individual performance from any promoted side this season.

Tottenham’s goalless streak grew to three hundred and sixty Premier League minutes after another blank against Everton. More of the same for Spurs — unable to muster enough offence to put sustained pressure on the Everton defence. They had moments: Jean Paul van Hecke, Archie Gray and Omar Marmoush all had efforts blocked. Sandro Tonali showed glimpses of what could be, chipping a lovely ball through to Gray who was denied by James Garner. Everton had the better of the chances in the second half, but it was a tale of missed opportunities for the Toffees too. De Zerbi’s football is recognisable in shape and ambition — but the clinical edge simply is not there. Spurs are seventeenth with two points. battleSTAR Galáctico: Jarrad Branthwaite — anchored a strong defensive effort for the visitors and was the standout performer on a pitch with precious few of them.

Then the match of the matchweek — and the most controversial result of the season so far. Phil Foden was sent off at Old Trafford after just twenty-three minutes, after appearing to kick out at Bruno Fernandes — who had himself fouled Foden moments earlier and escaped without a yellow card. Ten men for seventy minutes. Old Trafford thought that was plenty of time to emerge from the derby as the victor. But City had other ideas. Rashford’s free kick hit the post, and Mainoo had a wonderful strike that also found the woodwork. United could not muster much otherwise, and it was City who seemed to control the flow of play — Ndiaye (on in the second half, replacing Cherki), Semenyo, Enzo and Anderson all putting in gritty shifts. It seemed that it would just take one goal to settle it. In the sixtieth minute, Erling Haaland swept in a cross from Gvardiol that had deflected off a United defender. The linesman’s flag was raised immediately. VAR reviewed the decision, found that Enzo Fernández — who had stooped to head the ball but did not make contact — was not interfering with play, and gave the goal. The ground erupted in fury. United fans unfurled a banner reading “The Way You Treat Us Is A Disgrace.” City won one-nil with ten men. Arsenal and City are both on twelve points with four games played. United, in contrast, sit thirteenth with four points and are already eight points off the top. This is a season being defined in its earliest weeks, and not in United’s favour. battleSTAR Galáctico: Elliott Anderson — City’s 250-million-pound midfield alongside Enzo Fernández was the engine room of a disciplined, professional victory under the most difficult circumstances.