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#3 Reinvented Jesus piles misery on Norwich City
Premier League champions Manchester City were in desperate need of a reaction after their opening day defeat at Tottenham. Obviously, the fact that they faced Norwich City helped their cause, but Pep Guardiola and his men were determined to prove a point from the get-go.
Gabriel Jesus, in particular, stood out as a star turn in the Manchester City side that romped to a 5-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. The Brazilian, who started out wide on the right flank in an unnatural position, picked Norwich apart with his crosses.
Tim Krul's own goal that opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute came after Jesus' cross. Although City were fortunate to break the deadlock in that fashion, the Premier League champions grew in confidence after the goal. It was then Jack Grealish's turn to get lucky as the record-signing opened his Manchester City account.
The goal was quite uncharacteristic considering Grealish's flair though. Jesus sent in a cross from the right and the ball ricocheted off the Englishman's knee and into the back of the net. Despite the manner in which his first Premier League goal for City arrived, Grealish did look a relieved man as he wheeled away in celebration.
Jesus' third assist was sandwiched between second-half goals from Aymeric Laporte and substitute Riyad Mahrez. The centre-forward drilled in a low cross for Raheem Sterling, another substitute, to tap-in from close range. Manchester City were ruthless and Jesus was involved in the heart of it all, despite not even playing his natural role.
Guardiola has a history of converting wingers into more prolific goal-scorers with the ability to play centrally. In the case of Jesus, it could be the exact opposite this season. If the Premier League champions do end up signing Harry Kane, Jesus will not feel left out. In fact, he may even thrive after reinventing himself in wide areas at the Etihad.
For Norwich, the omens have gone from bad to worse. It seemed as if they were prepared to stay up in the Premier League this time, but the two difficult games against Liverpool and Manchester City have exposed them. There is plenty of time left to get back on track though and Daniel Farke will be hoping his team can avoid relegation from the Premier League this term.
#4 Red Devils stutter but survive Southampton scare
In hindsight, it could have been worse for Manchester United. But the Red Devils have indeed stuttered, no doubt. After a 5-1 demolition of rivals Leeds United in their opening game of the Premier League season, this was Manchester United oscillating back into their inconsistencies.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer did not shy away from expressing his discontent with the referee's decision not to award a foul in favor of the visitors ahead of Southampton's opening goal. Jack Stephens robbed Bruno Fernandes off the ball and Manchester United felt it was a clear foul. However, referee Craig Pawson waved play on and Southampton took full advantage.
The hosts worked the ball to Che Adams, who unleashed a shot that found the back of the net with some help from a deflection off Fred. Everything about that goal summed up how Manchester United felt on the south coast on Sunday in their Premier League outing. It was tiring and uninspiring to say the least.
Southampton, on the other hand, were proactive and industrious. The home crowd at St. Mary's Stadium reveled in joy, with summer-recruit Tino Livramento justifying his big move from Chelsea in style.
Manchester United eventually got in on the act and restored parity through Mason Greenwood in the second half. But then the hosts gave them a scare towards the end, with Adam Armstrong failing to bury the game by squandering two gilt-edged chances.
In the end, Solskjaer might just feel lucky after walking away with a point and extending their unbeaten away record in the Premier League to 27 games. It is no secret now that there is plenty of work to be done at Manchester United, especially if they are to challenge for the Premier League title.
#5 Antonio enters West Ham folklore by hammering Leicester
Nobody would've predicted West Ham to have the kind of start they've had so far in the Premier League. The Hammers are the only Premier League side yet to make a permanent signing this summer and hence it was easy to think they would fall off the rails.
But David Moyes' men have exceeded expectations so far. West Ham have enjoyed a rollicking start to the 2021-22 Premier League campaign, scoring eight goals and winning each of their first two outings. As things stand, they sit comfortably at the summit of the Premier League table to reiterate the fact that last season was not a fluke by any means.
Similar to the win over Newcastle in the opening game, West Ham relied on the quality of Michail Antonio and Said Benrahma to pick Leicester City apart on Monday. Ayoze Perez receiving the marching orders in the first half did Leicester no good, but West Ham were head and shoulders above the visitors from the beginning.
Antonio was a menace to the Leicester centre-backs with his physical presence, while Benrahma proved to be a slick operator with the ball at his feet. Midfielders Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek were also tenacious and made life difficult for Leicester to settle into any sort of rhythm.
Pablo Fornals broke the deadlock for West Ham before Perez's sending off and the teams went into the break at 1-0. Benrahma, who turned provider for Fornals during the opening goal, then found the back of the net after Antonio pounced on a lackadaisical backpass from Soyuncu.
Although Youri Tielemans pulled a goal back for Leicester, Antonio netted two goals in the space of four minutes towards the end of regulation time.
After scoring his first of the night, Antonio surpassed Paolo Di Canio as West Ham's all-time top-scorer in the Premier League. The 31-year-old, who celebrated by lifting a cardboard cut-out of himself at the London Stadium, then added his 49th Premier League goal for West Ham to complete the rout.
