On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Premier League resumed with a packed schedule of games that would undoubtedly influence the first few weeks of the season with drama, goals, unexpected turns, and plots. Here is a thorough analysis of every moment of the match, from Brentford’s thrilling late equalizer against Chelsea to Arsenal’s resounding victory.
At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal put in a dominant display against Nottingham Forest, winning 3–0 to continue their strong start to the season. New signing Martín Zubimendi was the hero of the night, scoring twice and controlling the midfield with authority.
The Spaniard opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a stunning volley from outside the box, a strike that left Forest goalkeeper M. Sels rooted to the spot. Viktor Gyökeres doubled Arsenal’s lead early in the second half, capitalising on a defensive mix-up from Forest to slot home. Zubimendi then added a third with a towering header in the 79th minute, sealing all three points.
There was, however, a sour note for Arsenal as captain Martin Ødegaard was forced off with a shoulder injury. Manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that medical assessments would follow, raising concerns about the skipper’s availability for upcoming fixtures.
The victory moved Arsenal to the top of the table, at least temporarily, with nine points from four games. For Forest, it was a difficult debut for new manager Ange Postecoglou, whose side looked disjointed and fragile under pressure.
In West London, Brentford and Chelsea played out one of the most dramatic matches of the day. The Bees earned a 2–2 draw thanks to Fábio Carvalho’s 93rd-minute equaliser, denying Chelsea what would have been a crucial away win.
Kevin Schade gave Brentford the lead in the 35th minute, latching onto a Jordan Henderson pass that took a deflection before he smashed it past Sanchez. Chelsea responded after the break, with Cole Palmer coming off the bench to equalise in the 61st minutes. The Blues then thought they had secured victory when Moisés Caicedo curled in a superb strike in the 85th minute.
However, in stoppage time, Brentford won a long throw-in deep into Chelsea’s half. The ball fell kindly to Carvalho, who fired into the net to send the home fans into raptures.
Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea were left frustrated by their inability to close out games, a recurring theme from last season. Brentford, meanwhile, will take encouragement from their fighting spirit and late response.
Tottenham Hotspur continued their fine form under manager Ange Postecoglou with a resounding 3–0 win over rivals West Ham United at the London Stadium.
The first half was tight, but Spurs struck shortly after the break when Pape Matar Sarr powered home a header at the back post. Just minutes later, West Ham’s Tomas Souček was sent off for a reckless challenge, reducing the Hammers to ten men.
Spurs capitalised on their numerical advantage, with teenager Lucas Bergvall scoring his first goal for the club before defender Micky van de Ven made it 3–0. The result reinforced Tottenham’s attacking credentials and moved them further up the table. For West Ham, the red card proved costly, and David Moyes’ side struggled to cope with Spurs’ intensity.
At St James’ Park, Newcastle secured a narrow but important 1–0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers thanks to a debut goal from new signing Nick Woltemade.
The tall forward, brought in to bolster Newcastle’s attacking options, rose highest to head home in the 29th minutes, sending the Toon Army into celebration. Wolves battled hard but struggled to create clear chances, extending their winless start to the season.
For Eddie Howe, it was a positive sign that his summer recruit could provide the cutting edge Newcastle have occasionally lacked.
Craven Cottage witnessed a cagey contest between Fulham and newly promoted Leeds United, which was ultimately decided by a stoppage-time own goal. Leeds defender Gabriel Gudmundsson inadvertently turned the ball into his own net after a dangerous Fulham cross, giving Marco Silva’s men a dramatic late win.
While it was far from a classic, the victory lifted Fulham up the table and highlighted their resilience. Leeds will feel hard done by after defending resolutely for most of the game.
Crystal Palace and Sunderland battled to a 0–0 draw at Selhurst Park. Palace created the better chances, but Sunderland defended bravely to earn a point.
For Sunderland, still adjusting to Premier League life after promotion, the draw represented a small but valuable step in their survival bid. Palace, however, will rue missed opportunities in front of their home fans.
At Goodison Park, Everton and Aston Villa played out another 0–0 draw, a match that lacked cutting edge in attack from both sides.
Villa’s winless run continued as they struggled to convert possession into meaningful chances. Everton, meanwhile, looked solid defensively but offered little in the final third. Both managers will feel frustrated by their teams’ lack of invention.
The Premier League’s return on Saturday highlighted the contrasting fortunes of its contenders. Arsenal and Tottenham delivered emphatic wins, reinforcing their credentials at the top of the table. Chelsea’s late collapse at Brentford raised questions about their ability to manage high-pressure moments. Newcastle’s new recruit Woltemade made an instant impact, while Fulham snatched a dramatic win in a match that had little quality.
