Summary

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:14 British Summer Time 2 September

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    If you're just joining us here's what you've missed...

    We've been reacting to yesterday's action including Liverpool's 3-0 win over Manchester United.

    BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty is hosting a Q&A on this page and we want you to get involved. Got a question for Phil? Send it in via all the usual means.

  2. 'West Ham will have a very decent season'published at 12:11 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty's Q&A

    Stephen, Essex: Hi Phil, interested to know what you think about the early stages of Lopetegui's reign and how they might get on this year? It feels like there are some positive signs starting to emerge despite the loss to City

    Phil: I’d say mixed, Stephen but that is only to be expected. They might have hoped to get more from the home game against Villa but they were beaten by an outstanding side in Manchester City.

    The win at Palace hinted at what they could become and things are just settling down. New manager in Julen Lopetegui and lots of new players. I think West Ham will have a very decent season.

    Julen LoputeguiImage source, Getty Images
  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:06 British Summer Time 2 September

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I have Man U, Chelsea and Everton on my mind this morning. All big clubs with good history that are falling from previous status. All three remind me of the very simple observation - wealthy owners can’t just chuck money at players and managers, without any other considerations, expecting everything to work out. In fact, quite the opposite often happens.

    Nick, Kent

  4. Deeney's TOTW - midfieldpublished at 12:01 British Summer Time 2 September

    Eberechi Eze and Moisés CaicedoImage source, Getty Images

    Jean-Ricner Bellegarde (Wolves): He scored an absolute screamer if you have not seen it!

    Amadou Onana (Aston Villa): I was at this game and he was miles better than anybody else. He ran through people. When he came off, Aston Villa looked like they could lose the game. He had been running away from people and putting in massive tackles.

    Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace): I've put him in as my number 10 because he was brilliant. What a hit for his goal too!

  5. Dyche's 'start as manager has been as poor as his team’s'published at 11:57 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    @JoeJonesEverton on 'X': I would like your views on Dyche being relieved of his duties immediately, and if so who could come in? Moyes is available. Dyche 100% has to go now but the question is who should replace him?

    Phil: Hello, Joe. You’ve made your views on Sean Dyche very clear but I do not think he should be relieved of his duties immediately, even though his start as manager has been as poor as his team’s this season.

    I do certainly feel he will come under real pressure if Everton lose their next two games but there are lots of questions around who would succeed Dyche if he was to leave? Who takes that decision? Who appoints a new manager? Would someone be prepared to risk taking it on knowing there might be a new owner in a couple of months who might fancy someone else?

    Moyes, as you say, is available and we do not have to outline his connections to the club – but even if the situation arose he would want an awful lot of questions answered before he would consider it.

    Sean Dyche looking angryImage source, Getty Images
  6. Deeney's TOTW - defencepublished at 11:52 British Summer Time 2 September

    Alisson BeckerImage source, Getty Images

    Goalkeeper - Alisson (Liverpool): He was the only goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet. Liverpool were all over Manchester United from start to finish.

    Defenders - Lamare Bogarde (Aston Villa): I've gone a bit different at the back. He made his debut for Aston Villa and handled himself very well.

    Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool): He got a clean sheet and was a monster once again. He was colossal force at the back. He oozes quality and Liverpool need to tie him down on a new contract.

    Nathan Collins (Brentford): Was very good for Brentford and assisted the goal that was given to Yoane Wissa. He was good in both boxes.

    Andy Robertson (Liverpool): He had a really good game in a dominant Liverpool performance.

  7. 'A lack of character, guts and strength of mind'published at 11:48 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Joe: Hi Phil, before the Bournemouth game I was not too concerned for Everton. We don't have squad depth. Our best XI is a lower mid table team, so won't get relegated. However outside of that XI is a very poor side indeed which will get relegated. Before Saturday, I believed that when we get ahead we can see out games and when we get players back we'll be fine. I've lost all confidence in Everton since Saturday. What is going wrong now at Goodison?

    Philip: Hello, Joe. I tipped Everton to finish 12th and that looks very generous on what we have seen so far.

    I was actually more disturbed by what happened on Saturday than by, say, the 4-0 loss at Spurs.

    This can happen when you play superior sides but to control a game for 87 minutes then collapse completely in the manner Everton did merely because The Cherries pulled a goal back hints at something rotten in the team, a lack of character, guts and strength of mind – as well as all the playing flaws.

    Bournemouth’s winner came right at the end but Everton keeper Jordan Pickford had already had to make two fine saves at 2-2. It was totally calamitous from Everton and a serious worry.

  8. Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week?published at 11:45 British Summer Time 2 September

    After every round of Premier League matches this season, BBC football pundit Troy Deeney will give you his team and manager of the week. Here are his choices.

    Manager - Arne Slot (Liverpool): He has been a monster. He handled the game really well and Liverpool dominated Manchester United from start to finish I thought.

    Troy Deeney Team of the Week graphic
  9. 'A lot of things up in the air'published at 11:42 British Summer Time 2 September

    Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool

    BBC 5 Live Breakfast

    Former Liverpool and England international goalkeeper David James on Alisson Becker's future: "Even Allison, the hero of the weekend, he's been questioning whether there is an extension with his future, with Mamardashvili joining the club.

    "There's a lot of things up in the air at the moment but when you're getting performances like you are, it seems like the right environment."

    Allison BeckerImage source, Getty Images
  10. 'Referee Kavanagh has made a rod for his own back'published at 11:39 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    James: Phil, the Declan Rice incident. I’m a Liverpool fan but I feel that needs talking about.Veltman surely should have had a red card for kicking Rice. What reform would you make to aid the referring system where inconsistency seems to run the show - a fed up football fan.

    Phil: Hi James. It’s hard to know what sort of system you could come up with to cure this because it was down to the referee Chris Kavanagh and there was inconsistency there.

    By the letter of the law, and I know this is a phrase that grates, Declan Rice had to go for tapping the ball away from Joel Veltman as he shaped to take a free-kick. He said so himself.

    Arsenal, however, will rightly complain that Joao Pedro went unpunished for lashing the ball away half the length of the field in the first half, although what Arteta was doing standing a couple of feet away from him well out of his technical area is a mystery.

    Referee Kavanagh has also made a rod for his own back now because you can guarantee fans, especially Arsenal’s, will be watching to ensure he applies the law as strictly and consistently as he did on Saturday.

    As for Veltman. I think you are right. It may have looked like an accident but that was a wild kick at Rice and he was very fortunate not be sent off.

    Declan Rice recieves a red cardImage source, Getty Images
  11. 'Mediocre'published at 11:35 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    @Wazza2188 on 'X': First thought that comes to your mind about Manchester United after their first three games?

    Phil: Mediocre.

  12. Arsenal turn down approach from Saudi for Trossardpublished at 11:30 British Summer Time 2 September
    Breaking

    Alex Howell
    BBC football news reporter

    Arsenal have turned down an approach from Saudi club Al Ittihad for Leandro Trossard.

    The basis of the deal would have been a loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent.

    One source, along with reports, say that the bid was €5m up front with €25m to make the deal permanent.

    Arsenal say the forward is not for sale at any price.

    The transfer deadline in Saudi Arabia close as 10pm BST.

    When Trossard joined the Gunners in 2023 he signed a contract of 4.5 years with the option of a further year.

    He scored the opening goal in the victory of Aston Villa in Arsenal's second game of the season and started the draw with Brighton on Saturday.

  13. get involved

    Get Involved - your favourite football star as a film characterpublished at 11:26 British Summer Time 2 September

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Bruno Guimaraes as Forest Gump - covered 423km last season. More than any other player.

    Mr Giles in Hereford

  14. 'They weren't ready to deal with the press'published at 11:23 British Summer Time 2 September

    Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool

    BBC 5 Live Breakfast

    More from Jesper Blomqvist on United's lack of preparation: "Manchester United have to be aware that they are playing Liverpool, one of the best in-form teams during pre-season. You have to be ready and up for that but they weren't ready to deal with the press."

    CasemiroImage source, Getty Images
  15. 'Newcastle showed real character'published at 11:18 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Mike: Newcastle question for Phil, been a tough start but 7 points and unbeaten. With Barnes & Tonali back, hopefully Willock and Schar back after the international break can we have a little reset and start the season again?

    Phil: Hello, Mike. It will certainly be good for Newcastle, and especially manager Eddie Howe, to focus on the football after all the debate around the failed pursuit of Crystal Palace defence Marc Guehi, lack of signings and speculation about key players like Anthony Gordon leaving.

    The return of players of the calibre of Harvey Barnes and Sandro Tonali after missing so much of last season has already shown how important they are and Newcastle showed real character to get that result against Tottenham after periods fighting a rearguard action.

    So yes, they have started the season well but they can also use this break just to calm everything down even more and for Howe to work with the collection of good players he already has.

  16. 'It's three teams' - Blomqvist on title racepublished at 11:13 British Summer Time 2 September

    BBC 5 Live Breakfast

    Manchester United's treble-winning former midfielder Jesper Blomqvist, on this season's title race: "I think that it's three teams. Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool, and I think it's going to be really tight this year.

    "I've been really impressed with Liverpool in pre-season and their start to the league.

    "Arsenal will be even stronger this year after getting in some good players and City are strong but they've haven't really got any new players. I don't think there will be any other teams involved."

  17. get involved

    'This can work both ways'published at 11:08 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Asad: Curious to hear Phil's thoughts on how the international break might affect club momentum this season. Any surprises in the player call-ups?

    Phil: Hi Asad. I think this can work both ways. Those who have started the season well, such as Liverpool and Manchester City, may feel momentum has been disturbed but others who have started very badly like Everton may feel it gives them time to regroup and have a re-think while integrating new players.

    As for international selection, it was good to see England manager Lee Carsley trusting to youth and those who have graduated from his under-21 side that won the Euros in 2023.

    The most interesting one for me was the inclusion of Lille’s Angel Gomes. Carsley spoke glowingly of the former Manchester United midfield so it will be intriguing to see if he figures against either the Republic Of Ireland or Finland.

  18. 'He's actually getting better' - James on Haalandpublished at 11:03 British Summer Time 2 September

    West Ham 1-3 Manchester City

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    David James on Manchester City and Erling Haaland's hat-trick - his second in consecutive matches - in Saturday's 3-1 win at West Ham: "I think when you're facing Manchester City and Erling Haaland is in it, then I think you have problems

    "Interestingly, I think that might be the first time in his professional career that Erling has scored two goals from outside the box in consecutive games.

    "The big worry is between the 1st and 3rd goal in the last two games have been around 70 to 80 minutes. Usually it's around 30 minutes, so he's actually getting better."

    Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images
  19. get involved

    Get Involved - your favourite football star as a film characterpublished at 10:56 British Summer Time 2 September

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Haaland as Silas from The Da Vinci Code. A driven, relentless (blonde) assassin. Sinister and terrifying if he isn't in your FPL side.

    Matt in Bulgaria

    Erling HaalandImage source, Getty Images
  20. 'I will hold fire on telling Arteta he has made a mistake'published at 10:51 British Summer Time 2 September

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Matt, West Kensington: Hey Phil. Was it a mistake for Arsenal not to pursue Ivan Toney? He was sold for so little. Surely Arsenal could’ve coughed up the amount with all their departures in the summer?

    Phil: Morning Matt. I will hold fire on telling Mikel Arteta he has made a mistake as I initially doubted him for replacing goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale with David Raya and signing Kai Havertz, who I called a “vanity project” last season. We know now who was right. And it wasn’t me.

    I was a little bit surprised Arteta did not go all in for a proven goalscorer and Toney looked a live candidate, but clearly the Arsenal manager decided against that.

    Time will tell if it is a mistake, but I still feel Arsenal could do with reliable 20-goal-a-season striker.

    Mikel Arteta with Ivan ToneyImage source, Getty Images