Again, from virtually the first moment to last, football games in the Premier League grabbed the attention of both sports betting fans and pundits this weekend.
From dubious refereeing decisions to passionate crowds, there were talking points at all encounters.
No wonder some welcome the international break and a pause from the frenetic pace!
Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City
Ninety-seven minutes were on the clock when Raheem Sterling ended Bournemouth’s brave resistance.
It sparked wild celebrations among Manchester City fans and players and deflated the Cherries.
It may only be August but how important could this result be at the end of the season?
Crystal Palace 0-2 Swansea City
Frank De Boer will be favourite to become the first top flight manager to get the chop this term should his new side not quickly improve.
The Dutchman should expect more from the players he has inherited, especially in attack where the Eagles have failed to find the net in their first three games.
That should not, however, take anything away from Swansea who capitalised either side of half-time to claim their first victory. They now need to strengthen before the transfer window closes.
Huddersfield Town 0-0 Southampton
Still unbeaten, still no goals conceded, the Terriers sit pretty in second place after the first three matches of the season.
It is a start they would have dreamed of and is no fluke as David Wagner’s newly-promoted team have been, in the German’s own words, ‘humble’ and the pride of Yorkshire.
The Saints may yet to convince but have made a steady, if unspectacular, start to life under new boss Mauricio Pellegrino.
Newcastle United 3-0 West Ham United
This was just what the doctor ordered on Tyneside.
Matt Ritchie led the home charge, producing some moments of real quality as the Toon saw off the unhappy Hammers.
They are rooted to the bottom after three games and while they have too much quality to be there for long, Hammers manager Slaven Bilic has work to do to get more out of his charges.
Watford FC 0-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
An ugly challenge by Miguel Britos midway through the first half meant Brighton will feel this was a missed opportunity to claim all three points.
Still their first point back in the top flight is something to build on against a Watford side which showed real resilience with 10 men.
Chris Hughton’s side may be favourites for the drop but they can take heart from the fact 11 other teams have failed to score in their first three Premier League games and all survived.
Manchester United 2-0 Leicester City
Leicester showed the spirit of 2016 to keep out patient but relentless hosts until 20 minutes from time.
The way the Foxes conceded the opener to Marcus Rashford, just three minutes after he had entered the fray, will frustrate them, likewise the fact Marouane Fellaini was marginally offside when he applied the decisive touch for the second.
However, it made up for Juan Mata’s first half strike being wrongly disallowed (for offside) in a match in which Kasper Schmeichel (string of fine saves) and David De Gea (alert when called upon) staked their claim to be the top two goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Chelsea 2-0 Everton
A game too far for Everton as their third away encounter in six days proved too much.
Champions Chelsea couldn’t help that, of course, as they produced a slick and largely dominant showing to win the match by half-time.
Another good display also by Alvaro Morata who set up the opener for Cesc Fabregas before heading home the decisive second.
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Stoke City
Two sides who have established themselves in the top flight, despite limited resources, yet are not quite ready to move up to the next level.
That Darren Fletcher returned to the Hawthorns and put in a man of the match display shows Mark Hughes has made a shrewd purchase.
That Jay Rodriguez marked his home debut with a goal shows Tony Pulis has done likewise.
Both clubs could do with strengthening over the next week.
Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Burnley
Understandably, they are not fully comfortable at Wembley but it appeared Spurs were at least off the mark.
Dele Alli eased ‘home’ anxiety three minutes into the second half, capitalising on lax defending to break the resistance of the stubborn Clarets and it seemed that may be enough.
But two minutes into stoppage time, substitute Chris Wood made an instant impact on his Burnley debut to send their fans into raptures and home support into mini despair.
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