Cole Palmer scores four – and could have had seven – for Chelsea against Brighton

At some stage Pep Guardiola is going to have to come clean and admit that he and Manchester City made a terrible mistake in selling Cole Palmer to Chelsea.
Palmer not only became the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League game, but he also took his total number of goal contributions to 43 since making his Chelsea debut.
That puts him ahead of a certain Erling Haaland, who has contributed to 39 goals over the same period of time. Just imagine what they might have done together at City, not that Chelsea particularly care.
Chelsea got hammered for years for letting Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah slip through their fingers, but losing Palmer for just £40 million looks like it could be just as bad for City and Guardiola.
Palmer must already be worth well over £100 million and Chelsea have got him under lock and key until 2033, when he will be 31-years-old, after extending his contract in the summer.
This was the third hat-trick of Palmer’s Chelsea career and the second time he has scored four in one game. It moved his club just one point behind champions City, so no wonder the club’s fans cannot stop singing “Palmer again, ole, ole.”
To put into context just how well Palmer is doing, Chelsea legends Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard scored three league hat-tricks over the course of their entire Stamford Bridge careers.
Palmer will feel he should really have finished with a double hat-trick, having also missed two wonderful chances – hitting the post from one and shooting wide from the other. He also had a goal correctly disallowed for offside.
It looked a tough challenge for Palmer to replicate, never mind better, his first season at Chelsea, when he scored 22 league goals and also netted for England in the final of the European Championship. But he now has six league goals this season, having not scored his first Chelsea goal until October last term.
If Palmer’s first two goals – a tap-in from a smart Nicolas Jackson pass and a penalty after Jadon Sancho had been fouled – were relatively easy, then his third was anything but.
It looked ambitious even for Palmer to line up to shoot from a 35-yard free-kick, but he produced an unstoppable effort that curled into the top left-hand corner of Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen’s net.
Palmer beat Verbruggen at his near post for his fourth goal after being played into the area by Sancho, who has been quick to make an impact since joining from Manchester United.
If Sancho carries on like this then City will not be the only team in Manchester to have had their pocket picked by Chelsea, who are obliged to buy him for around £25 million if certain conditions are met during his season on loan.
That fee could prove to be a bargain for Sancho, who has already registered three assists and won a penalty in his first three appearances for the club. Like Palmer, he also had a goal disallowed against Brighton thanks to an offside.
One Chelsea player who will be particularly grateful to Palmer will be goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, who gifted both of Brighton’s goals to his former club.
Sanchez raced from his line and failed to clear before Georginio Rutter headed Brighton into the lead and played an awful pass that was intended for Moises Caicedo that allowed Carlos Baleba to score.
Levi Colwill and Malo Gusto were also compliant in Brighton’s goals and some of Chelsea’s defending had head coach Enzo Maresca bouncing up and down in frustration.
“I said to Robert and the other players that from now on we are going to concede 10 more goals like the way we conceded the second one because it is the way we want to play,” said Maresca. “We already scored goals with Robert involved in the build up.”
Maresca let out a shriek of delight at the final whistle as the win was Chelsea’s third in succession and their first in the League at Stamford Bridge this season.
“I was pleased because it was probably our most important game of the season for many reasons and I was happy for the result, for the performance, and it’s always nice to share that kind of moment with our fans,” said Maresca.
Having only lost to City in the league on the opening day, Maresca could barely have wished for a better start to his Chelsea reign. But he will have to do without Palmer for the Europa Conference League game against Gent on Thursday night after deciding against naming him in his European squad.
Palmer has been left out of the squad for the league phase of the competition to manage his workload and whoever was scouting Chelsea’s win over Brighton for Gent will be mightily relieved that they will not have to come up with a plan to try to stop him.
On this kind of form, Palmer is quite simply unstoppable.
After a victorious afternoon, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca told BBC Sport: “It was a good game. Probably we struggled in some moments of the game but I think this kind of game the team needed also to learn.
“I prefer to have more possession. But we struggled a little bit at the beginning of the game, we conceded possession because they surprised us a bit tactically, but overall we were quite good.
“I know Cole Palmer from many years ago, I had him at Manchester City in the under-23s. The best thing is the way he is as a human is the same way. This doesn’t change his life and that is the best thing for him.
“You’d have to be blind if you didn’t see those kind of things with Cole. I said that he scored four but he could have scored more, I say always to be ambitious and hungry to score more.”
Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui said: “We knew that we had a very tough match, they won both matches here against Southampton and Crystal Palace and we suffered by conceding in the first minute.
“We showed this [Brentford’s record of scoring early] to the players and it’s incredible we suffered. It’s a bad picture to conceded so early.
“We kept calm and I think we deserved to win the match in the second half, we showed character and commitment.
“We had three or four very clear situations to score a second goal but we didn’t manage it and we take a point. I have to keep positive.
“We always have to work as a team or we are weaker – I think we did this in the second half.”
Brentford goal-scorer Bryan Mbeumo, speaking to PLP, said: ““A bit frustrating because I think we played well in the first half but they were strong after half time.
”[Thomas Frank] told us that if we can’t win then just don’t lose.
“We need to work on a few phases in the game and come back stronger next week.”
On scoring his 50th league goal for Brentford, he said: “Very proud. I love to help the team by scoring or assisting.”
West Ham’s Tomas Soucek told PLP that his team’s draw against Brentford was a “big relief”.
He added: “We knew we needed points. I am happy I could score one. We were much more aggressive, especially in the second half. We need these kind of performances.
“When the fans sang my song, I know I have a great connection. In the last few weeks, in my country, the media said the West Ham fans did not like me.”
On facing Ipswich next, he said: “We play in front of our own fans, we lost our first three home games so we need to give them hope that we can be successful. We want to get three points before the international break.”
Everton manager Sean Dyche, speaking to Match of the Day, said: “I’m delighted for the players, they worked very hard to change a scoreline around.
“You know there’s been question marks over many things and of course there’s been a bit of relief there for me today and relief for the players and that’s a human thing.
“There’s a lot of demand here that we put on ourselves and we have to answer to that and I thought we did today. We certainly did enough to win the game and that’s what was important.”
First ever player to score four goals in the first-half in the @PremierLeague. We adore you. #CFC | #CHEBHA pic.twitter.com/Q02sqNT52i
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler said they “had a good start and controlled the game”.
Speaking to Match of the Day, he added: “We scored but afterwards we had too many individual mistakes and with too many individual mistakes you cannot win at Stamford Bridge. We should quickly learn from this.
“In possession we were good but to win games you need to be good in both phases and we didn’t defend well.
“We are still in a process and we have to learn from this quickly. Every time we made a mistake they punished it and punished it quickly.
“We have to analyse, we have to be honest with each other and be better next time.”
Gabriel Martinelli told BBC Sport he was “really happy with the performance”. He added: “I think we deserved the win. We played really well, we suffered a bit. We didn’t deserve to suffer that much but we won the game and this is the most important thing.”
On scoring for the first time since March, he said: ““It’s always nice to score goals and even more for us that plays up front so really happy with the goal and the assist as well.”
“We have to focus on ourselves and be ready for every single game and just do our job.
Discussing his team’s first win in the league this season, Everton manager Sean Dyche told BBC Sport: “Very pleased, a lot of hard work in the turnaround. We conceded a soft goal and we know we’ve got to correct that and we’ve done so well from that kind of situation. First phase and second phase set pieces.
“The reaction was superb, particularly second half to take the game on. Lots of work to be done of course but it’s another restart for us.”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner told BBC Sport his team’s loss to Everton was a “big disappointment”.
He added: “Over 70-75 minutes we controlled the game but you must be focused all game. It is a big strength of Everton’s in set-plays. They do it well and we defended it most of the time really well. It was always the second phase. It is important to always keep your focus high.
“We tried everything, we changed the system, brought on all our offensive players. They defended with 10 players around their box so we didn’t have a lot of space so it was difficult. Today we couldn’t score the equaliser. If you concede two goals it’s not so easy to get a point or to win.”
Addressing the fact his team is yet to win in the league this season, he said: “We know it when we look at the table. Maybe it is a welcome back to reality. Maybe we were flying too high after a great finish to the season. The Premier League is a fight.”
Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, Everton winger Dwight McNeil said: “Massive, especially at home, to get three points on the board. It’s been a tough start for us.
“We played well in some games but never took our chances but I think today, especially in that second half we defended really well. Now we’ve just got to step on and take it forward into the game next week.”
Arsenal get the win in the end, after a remarkably silly match. Mikel Arteta’s side finished the game with 4.06 goals on xG (compared to Leicester’s 0.27), 37 shots, 17 shots on target, 17 corners and 75% of possession. 
It was complete dominance, yet it somehow required a 94th-minute winner. 
Amid the late drama at the Emirates, the match at the City Ground concluded and Forest’s unbeaten start to the season has come to an end. 
However, Fulham’s excellent start continues as they now sit sixth in the table with three wins, two draws, and just one loss.
Arsenal 4 Leicester 2 (Havertz)
Late drama at the Emirates!
Havertz has the goal in the net but there’s a nervy wait as the goal is initially ruled offside. 
However, VAR checks it, and the goal is given! The perfect end for Arsenal – they have capitalised on Manchester City’s lunchtime draw and, as the full-time whistle blows, they now sit comfortably behind their fierce rivals with the same amount of points.
Cole Palmer. Wow.
Welcome to Everton, Dan Friedkin. You are buying the weirdest team in the Premier League. 
The Hollywood producer will find all the material he needs here; comedy, horror, weepy and occasional romantic drama – there is no genre the Goodison audience fails to witness in the same afternoon. So it proved as Everton finally secured their first league win of the season, the split personality which has too often undermined them on this occasion proving their salvation.
A month ago, the Evertonians were clearing their throats ready to acclaim the most complete performance of the Sean Dyche era, only to somehow lose three goals in the last nine minutes to Bournemouth.
This week, mutiny was rampant at half-time when the crescendo of boos so frequent they could be mistaken for a club anthem received a poor first half performance against Crystal Palace.
Defeatism was rife, Dyche was being harangued for his team selection – he had to remedy it with a half-time substitution – and every Everton midfielder ducking out of a 50-50 was being suitably barracked.
Ten minutes into the second half the mood had violently swung, Dwight McNeil’s two superb goals ensuring the fresh air since the takeover news was covering the pitch as much as the boardroom.
Palace had led through Marc Guehi’s nudge past Jordan Pickford on ten minutes, but will ask themselves why they never turned up after the break.
For Dyche, it was a timely reminder that he knows the path towards Premier League safety, even if it is never smooth around Goodison Park.
The full-time celebrations of the vast home improvement were uproarious, although no representatives of the new owners were here to see it. When Dyche completes his audition to keep his job, he will not be short of dramatic scripts from his time in charge.
West Ham earned their first ever point at the GTech Stadium but it was a far from convincing performance against an injury-hit Brentford side. 
Thomas Soucek’s scrambled equaliser early in the second half prevented a third defeat in seven days for the Hammers after Bryan Mbeumo’s volley after just 37 seconds put the hosts in front. 
The Cameroon international’s strike saw the Bees become the first side in Premier League history to score in the opening minute in three consecutive matches in a poor game lacking in quality.
Brentford were convinced they should have been awarded a stoppage-time penalty when Danny Ings appeared to trip Keane Lewis-Potter but referee Simon Hooper waved the home side’s appeals and the points were shared.  
There’s the goal that Arsenal needed. They’ve had so many chances, so many corners… and finally one that counts. Trossard’s back-post effort, diverted into his own net by Ndidi. 
West Ham manager Lopetegui is absolutely furious. He thinks his team has been denied a corner as the referee blows the whistle for full time and is making his thoughts very clear on the touchline. 
A frustrating result for both sides.
Arsenal 3 Leicester 2 (Trossard)
Arsenal have done it!
Deep in extra time, Trossard has secured his second goal and powered the hosts to an important victory.
A crushing blow for Leicester who were so close to securing an important draw at the Emirates.
The home team have done it – Everton have their first win of the season. 
A heroic performance from McNeil with his third and fourth goals of the Premier League campaign. 
Can Arsenal find a winner?
The Leicester goalkeeper has been on excellent form this afternoon to deny the hosts a winning goal. 
This time, Calafiori attempts to power a header into the goal, however Hermansen is there with a brilliant reactive save.
At Goodison Park, Everton are just three minutes away from a big win – their first of the Premier League season. Can they hold on?
There are eight minutes plus extra time left to play at the Emirates – and Leicester continue to hold Arsenal to a 2-2 draw.
This was a must-win match for the hosts after Manchester City dropped points in today’s lunchtime game against Newcastle. A wasted opportunity if Mikel Arteta’s side fail to find that winning goal and capitalise on their rival’s draw.
It has been a tough second half for Chelsea’s Jackson. He has been sent through on goal five times, and has missed every chance. 
Most recently, he is fed the ball down the right hand side by Neto. He drives forward but shoots wide.
West Ham boss Lopetegui throws on Danny Ings and Crysencio Summerville for Antonio and Paqueta respectively for the final 20 minutes as he tries to force a first ever victory at The GTech Stadium. 
Good work from Jarrod Bowen and Carlos Soler earns a corner for the visitors but once again Brentford deal with it comfortably. The game has flat-lined somewhat and become a scrappy affair.
Arsenal have been producing wave after wave of attack but they are lucky to still have 10 men here, after Riccardo Calafiori did not receive a second yellow card for a trip on Facundo Buonanotte. Leicester are furious.
It has been a quieter second half at Stamford Bridge so far, but that’s not to say Chelsea aren’t still trying for a fifth goal.
Palmer has played Jackson through on goal three times in the past 20 minutes and has been denied each time. 
The home side continue to put the pressure on.
The hosts are continuing to put the pressure on in their pursuit for a third goal.
A huge save from the Leicester goalkeeper as he just about manages to deny Havertz’s powerful volley.
Tempting to suggest Dyche will want the cushion of a two goal lead, but given his recent experiences that may sound ironic.
Arsenal 2 Leicester 2 (Justin)
Out of nowhere, Leicester are level! Remarkable volley by Justin, at the back post, swerving in off the far post. A brilliant hit. Completely against the run of play. 
Brentford’s injury woes continue as Kevin Schade limps off with a knee injury. Already without fellow strikers Yoane Wissa and record signing Igor Thiago for several months, the loss of the German forward for a significant amount of time would be a huge blow for Thomas Frank. 
The Bees are on the front foot again after West Ham’s equaliser with the bustling Mbeumo looking a real threat whenever he is in the box.
Leicester may have started the second half on the front foot, but it is the home side who look more likely to score next.
Saka runs into space and shoots but can’t quite get his effort on target. Then, the Leicester goalkeeper makes a stretching save to deny Trossard a second goal.
McNeil must have heard what Cole Palmer is up to at Stamford Bridge as he slams in his second. Everton flying now. Is there a weirder club in the country? They have more mood swings than a Jazz festival at Goodison.
Hammers boss Lopetegui rings the changes at half-time with Kudus hooked in favour of Carlos Soler and Emerson is replaced by Konstantinos Mavropanos. West Ham are back in the game when Thomas Soucek turns the ball past Flekken after Antonio’s shot is blocked.
The goal followed West Ham’s best spell of the match that saw Antonio’s smart back heel find Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who charged down the Brentford right but saw his low shot turned away for a corner by Flekken. 
It’s all West Ham at the moment and they are deservedly level.
Fulham are ahead and, once again in what seems a weekly event, Forest are furious with the referee.
Murillo was adjudged to have pushed Andreas Pereira in the penalty area and referee Josh Smith made the decision after reviewing the incident on his monitor.
Raul Jimenez has put away the penalty and Forest are seething. It did look very soft on the replays, but Smith was convinced.
If you remember, Forest were angry last weekend at Morgan Gibbs-White’s dismissal after referee Rob Jones initially indicated that he had won the ball.
Leicester respond immediately with a very well worked free-kick from Facundo Buonanotte. 
Although it was James Justin’s header, the ball took a decisive touch off Kai Havertz and at last Leicester have an attempt on target – and a goal. 
Ricardo Calafiori has just been booked for a foul on Buonanotte. Things are looking marginally better for the away side although it will be a long battle to stay in the game.
Everton 2 Crystal Palace 1 (McNeil)
McNeil adds a second goal for the hosts in quick succession and Goodison Park is roaring.
Harrison plays in a cross to the back post where McNeil collects it and fires low under Henderson.
Brentford 1 West Ham 1 (Soucek)
A much-needed equaliser for the visitors. 
Nottingham Forest 0 Fulham 1 (Jiminez)
Forest’s unbeaten start to the season is under threat!
In the box, Murillo pushes Andreas to the ground and it doesn’t take long for the referee to grant Fulham a penalty.
Jiminez steps up and makes no mistake. Big response needed from the home side.
Let’s take a wild stab in the dark that Dyche had some harsh words for his team at the break. Lindstrom, as anticipated, was subbed for Harrison and now McNeil has scored a worldy from 25 yards. Should be a different game from here…
Arsenal 2 Leicester 1 (Justin)
Right, then. This wasn’t expected. Leicester have scored at the Emirates, just a few minutes into the second half. A simple free-kick into the box, headed by James Justin and deflected off the shoulder of Kai Havertz. We have a game again!
Everton 1 Crystal Palace 1 (McNeil)
We are back underway for the second half of today’s Premier League 3pm kick-offs.
… And it is the perfect start to the second half for the hosts at Goodison Park! What a hit from McNeil – game on.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s wisdom with substitutions has played a massive part in Forest’s unbeaten start, and he will be hoping to repeat the trick today.
Last Sunday it was the introduction of Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa from the bench which earned a draw, with the pair combining for the second goal.
In the historic win at Anfield earlier this month it was substitutes Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga who made the difference.
Nuno surely won’t be waiting long to bring on Hudson-Odoi and Elanga here in the second half.
A long second half awaits Leicester if they can offer no threat in attack for another 45 minutes. It did not look too bad for Steve Cooper’s side at a single goal behind, until Leandro Trossard tucked away a second in the first minute of time added on at the end of the first half. 
For all the pressure, Leicester had kept a good shape. They wanted a foul to be given for a push by William Saliba on Jamie Vardy for the turnover for the first goal, and when it wasn’t they seemed to lose their concentration. Bukayo Saka and then Jurien Timber worked the chance for Gabriel Martinelli to score.Wilfred Ndidi has been Leicester’s best player but he is on a booking – so too Cooper and Vardy for their protests over the first goal. At some point Leicester will have to try to stretch Arsenal. Currently the home team are confident enough to leave Saliba to mark Vardy alone.
What a first half!
Cole Palmer becomes the first player in Premier League history to score four goals in the first half of a match. 
He effortlessly scored his 28th minute penalty, ensuring he has converted 10 from 10. All around, an incredible performance from the midfielder amid a chaotic, end-to-end match.
Neither side have made the breakthrough yet at the City Ground. The home side are struggling for fluency, however Fulham are yet to test the goalkeeper despite having most of the possession.
The home side are comfortably in front after 45 minutes.
Bryan Mbeumo’s strike after 37 seconds separates the sides in what was otherwise a fairly tepid opening 45 minutes. 
Brentford started the stronger but West Ham enjoyed a better spell before half-time forcing two corners that were both comfortably dealt with by the Brentford defence. 
The visitors look toothless in attack with the veteran Michail Antonio still leading the line after all these years. Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen have shown some flashes for the Hammers, but nothing to really get excited about. Brentford look comfortable and on the evidence of the first half should make it three wins from three home matches. 
Palace deservedly ahead, Everton’s best moments coming when turning the game into a scrap. Dyche will have to make changes at time. Jesper Lindstrom has had an unfortunate afternoon. Doubt he’ll be out in the second half. 
Arsenal 2 Leicester 0 (Trossard)
Just as I was starting to wonder whether this might be becoming a little too easy for Arsenal, they turn up the dial and score a second. Martinelli’s low cross, followed by Trossard’s steered finish. Leicester are offering absolutely nothing in attack. 
It’s my job to provide some colour from this contest at the City Ground but, so far, it has been decidedly beige.
Fulham are monopolising possession without ever testing Forest’s goalkeeper Matz Sels, as Marco Silva’s team look to build on last weekend’s impressive win over Newcastle.
Forest are struggling for fluency. Minutes ago owner Evangelos Marinakis  angrily rose to his feet in the directors’ box after a very weird decision from referee Josh Smith to halt play when the home team had a clear advantage.
Oliver Glasner is fuming. Tarkowski won the ball in the penalty box against Mateta, but – as they say in the centre-back trade – he also “left one on him”. 
It looked ugly but VAR is content the referee Andy Madley made the right call. Mateta recovered soon enough.
Chelsea 4 Brighton 2 (Palmer)
Palmer has his fourth!!
An absolutely unbelievable showing at Stamford Bridge. Brighton are so open at the back – Sancho quickly passes forward to Palmer who runs through to score his fourth.
Four goals in 19 minutes for the midfielder. Incredible.
The home side are continuing to put the pressure on at the Emirates. Trossard crosses the ball into Havertz who tries his best to send it towards the goal, but he heads it narrowly wide. 
Surely another goal coming soon for Arsenal…
There hasn’t been much to celebrate for West Ham fans this season with just one win to their name. But the travelling support at The GTech Stadium cheer themselves up with, for no apparent reason, a rendition of My Name Is Ludo Miklosko, I Come From Near Moscow, one of the great 1990s terrace chants in homage of the club’s former Czech keeper. 
Mohammed Kudus has a shot which is comfortably saved by Mark Flekken. Julen Lopetegui, dressed very much like the man from C&A in his black sweater and dark jeans, shouts encouragement from the sideline as his side enjoy their best spell of possession of the game.  
There is already a ‘two subs at half-time’ vibe about this Everton performance. 
Cole Palmer, wow! The Chelsea midfielder has just completed his hat-trick in an amazing 10-minute spell and he saved his best until last with an incredible 35-yard free-kick. It seems a long time ago since Chelsea were struggling in this game.
Chelsea 3 Brighton 2 (Baleba)
Brighton have pulled a goal back – what a game!!
Another error from Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez as he passes the ball straight to Baleba, who slots it neatly into the goal.
Chelsea 3 Brighton 1 (Palmer)
Another one for Palmer!!
He has scored a hattrick in 10 minutes – what a performance from the midfielder and what a comeback. 
Palmer steps up to a free kick from 25 yards out and curls the ball into the top corner – he is just too good.
Fabian Hurzeler has got himself into hot water with officials on a couple of occasions already this season and he had a moan at fourth official David Webb after Palmer scored the penalty that put Chelsea ahead. He should be having a moan at his defenders who have completely imploded.
Calvert-Lewin has had a couple of chances. Everton have upgraded from terrible to mildly terrible since going behind, which is a start. 
Eze is a constant threat on the counter-attack, however, and every Palace set-piece is being welcomed like a hand grenade by Everton defenders. 
Chelsea 2 Brighton 1 (Palmer)
The home side are given a penalty after a tangle in the box. Palmer steps up to the mark and makes no mistake – the ball flies straight to the back of the net. A confident comeback from Chelsea.
Brighton are playing the highest of high lines and just got caught out against but, fortunately for them, Madueke was an inch offside.
What a couple of minutes for Cole Palmer. 
First, he missed a sitter after being sent clean through on goal, then he had a goal disallowed and finally he equalised for Chelsea after being set up by Jackson.
Gabriel Martinelli wasted his first goal scoring opportunity but he was clinical with his second, converting Jurrien Timber’s low cross. It’s Martinelli’s first Arsenal goal since early March. 
Leicester felt they should have been awarded a free-kick in the build-up, as Jamie Vardy tussled with William Saliba, but the referee had no interest. Arsenal are now pushing for more… 
Chelsea 1 Brighton 1 (Palmer)
Second time lucky for the striker!
Jackson runs into the box. For a second, it looks like he has misjudged his run and gone too far, but he recovers and crosses to Palmer who slots it home. His second attempt in as many minutes counts this time.
Cole Palmer has the ball in the back of the net but it is ruled offside. 
He ran onto a long ball, powered into the box and slotted it home. 
It was a quite clearly offside and the on-field decision was quickly confirmed by VAR.
Arsenal 1 Leicester 0 (Martinelli)
A neat finish from Martinelli puts the home side in the lead at the Emirates.
The game has settled down somewhat after that blistering start from the Bees. 
Bryan Mbeumo’s superb volley sees Brentford become the first team in Premier League history to score in the opening minute in three successive matches. 
Thomas Frank’s side are well on top with Fabio Carvalho in particular causing plenty of problems for the Hammers who have had Emerson booked for a late challenge on the former Liverpool man. 
Arsenal are in control now, as expected. Martinelli has just had their best chance, from Saka’s pass, but he could not quite get his feet sorted out. It was a poor finish in the end, stabbed over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat. 
So then, remember all that nonsense 15 minutes ago about how Everton’s defence should be more solid this afternoon? File that under ‘extreme optimism’. 
Guehi nudged past Pickford after a series of errors in failing to deal with a corner. Palace already look the more accomplished side. 
Eberechi Eze looking in the mood to have a bit of fun. Conceding the goal has increased the volume in the home stands, though, which usually has an impact…
Three Saturdays on the trot, three first-minute goals for Brentford. They are the first team to do that in Premier League history:September 14: Yoane Wissa, away to Man City – 23 secondsSeptember 21: Bryan Mbeumo, away to Spurs – 24 secondsToday: Bryan Mbeumo, home to West Ham – 37 seconds.
The Brighton fans are singing ‘one Robert Sanchez’ at their former goalkeeper after he gifted the away team the lead. Sanchez fired the ball into Baleba, it flew into the air and Rutter headed it into the net. Rutter needed treatment but is ok to continue.
It’s a lovely day at the Emirates, where Arsenal are expected to beat Leicester, but the first chance of the game fell to the visitors. James Justin had space in the penalty area but could not get his shot away in time. 
Everton 0 Crystal Palace 1 (Guehi)
The Everton defence has been breached for the 15th time in just six games. 
It is Guehi’s first goal in 17 months – and a strike that adds to Everton’s nightmare start to the season. 
1-0 Brentford. For the third game running the Bees take the lead in the opening minute as Bryan Mbeumo volleys his side in front after Fabio Carvalho nods a Kevin Schade cross into his path. He finds the top right corner from just outside the six-yard box. A VAR check for offside clears the goal.
A terrible start for the Hammers.
Chelsea 0 Brighton 1 (Rutter)
Seven minutes in, Rutter has put Brighton in front with his first goal for the club.
It is a mess from the home side as goalkeeper Sanchez rushes off his line, allowing the Brighton player to head the ball above him into an empty net.
Nottingham Forest are still unbeaten in the league and face a test without the inspirational Morgan Gibbs-White today.
Gibbs-White is suspended after his controversial dismissal at Brighton last weekend and it has required some careful team tweaking by Nuno Espirito Santo.
Forest are aiming to go six league games unbeaten from the start of a season for the first time since 2014-15, and first in the Premier League since 1995-96.
Brentford 1 West Ham 0 (Mbeumo)
Mbeumo has done it again!
After scoring in just 23 seconds against Spurs last weekend, he has volleyed the ball in against West Ham after just 37 seconds of play. Extraordinary stuff from the forward and a nightmare start for the visitors.
All five 3pm Premier League matches are underway – as Arsenal seek to capitalise on Manchester City’s lunchtime draw against Newcastle, and Chelsea hope to end Brighton’s unbeaten start to the season at Stamford Bridge.
Elsewhere, Everton host Crystal Palace, Fulham travel to Nottingham Forest, and Brentford take on West Ham.
Both teams are out doing the obligatory handshakes at the GTech Stadium. Hey Jude is blaring out and now joins the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army, Insomnia by Faithless and The Clash’s London Calling in the list of truly great songs utterly ruined by unimaginative football clubs up and down the country who ubiquitously play them pre-kick-off each week. 
West Ham have lost every Premier League game they have played on this ground whereas Brentford have a 100 per cent record on home soil this season. Under-pressure Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui needs something from this game.
The return of Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton’s player of last season, could not have come soon enough for Sean Dyche. Of all the mitigating factors for his side’s terrible start, Branthwaite’s absence is the most significant. 
It’s a fair bet Everton would not have surrendered two goal leads in successive games but for his injury. The home side should look more like themselves at the back with Branthwaite and James Tarkowski reunited against Crystal Palace. 
If they don’t, the excuses really will be running out…
Ethan Nwaneri helped lead a youthful Arsenal side to victory in a midweek League Cup clash against Bolton. 
As Sam Dean reports, Martin Odegaard’s ankle injury provided a chance for the 17-year-old to demonstrate his ability and show he is prepared for big-time football.
Against Bolton Wanderers in the League Cup on Wednesday night, Nwaneri did just that. On his first senior start for the club, he scored twice in a 5-1 win and played with a technical class that enchanted the home crowd. “The boy is ready,” said Arteta. “You can tell he is playing without pressure, with confidence.”
He has a place on the bench for Arsenal’s clash against Leicester at the Emirates this afternoon.
Read Sam’s full piece here.
In today’s early Premier League fixture, Newcastle held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park. 
This means Arsenal now have a big chance in their 3pm fixture against Leicester to go top of the table. They will need to win by a three-goal deficit to equal City’s goal difference and overtake their fierce rivals. 
It also means Chelsea or Brighton have the chance to slot into second place – depending on who comes out on top in their clash and how many goals are scored.
One thing’s for sure – it will be all change at the top of the table once today’s 3pm fixtures are over.
West Ham have had a tough start to the season, with three losses, one draw, and a win in the league and a third round exit from the Carabao Cup. 
However, as Jason Burt reports, Julen Lopetegui has defiantly claimed he can only be judged at the end of the season amid growing concerns as to whether he is the right head coach to lead the team. 
Asked whether he had, so far, lived up to expectation after succeeding David Moyes, Lopetegui said: “I think the Premier League has 38 matches and we talk in May.”
However there is growing concern at West Ham following the disappointing start to the campaign with sources close to the club having told Telegraph Sport that the two games before the international break are “huge”. 
West Ham are at home against newly promoted Ipswich Town next week and need to win at least one of their two games otherwise the attention will shift even more strongly on to Lopetegui and whether he will prove to be a success.
Read the full story here.
Christian Norgaard misses out again for Brentford, who have an injury list that is longer than a Leonard Cohen song. Thomas Frank said yesterday he was “very confident” the midfielder would return from what has been described as a minor injury, but that confidence was evidently misplaced. 
Norgaard is joined by Yoane Wissa, Igor Thiago, Joshua Dasilva, Mathias Jensen, Rico Henry, and Aaron Hickey on the unavailable list. Kevin Schade starts up front. 
West Ham are still without Germany striker Niclas Fullkrug due to a calf injury and Edson Alvarez is suspended after his sending off in the 5-1 mauling at Liverpool in midweek. 
Michail Antonio starts up front with Crysencio Summerville dropped to the bench. On loan France international defender Jean-Clair Todibo makes his first Premier League start as West Ham look to end their dismal record at the GTech Stadium where they have never won a single point.
The Arsenal and Manchester City managers have dominated the headlines since their tempestuous 2-2 draw at the Etihad last weekend. 
Tempers flared in the game, prompting Arsenal’s Gabriel to declare “war” against Manchester City, to which Guardiola responded: “You want a war? Now we war.”
As Jason Burt reports, the rivalry, the bad blood, the toxicity that has developed between Manchester City and Arsenal spreads from the pitch to the stands to the boardrooms. Not until this week has it also affected the dugouts.
Between Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta it has always been cordial, built on their friendship, but now it seems that dynamic, too, has changed and we are heading for a classic head-to-head between the two big beasts of the Premier League: pass the popcorn because this one could run and run.
Read Jason’s full piece here.
Manchester City find themselves level after 70 minutes at St. James’ Park. Anthony Gordon was brought down in the box by Ederson and the referee did not hesitate in giving a penalty to the home side. Gordon coolly slotted it home, bringing the score line to 1-1.
If it stays like this, Arsenal could go top of the league with a convincing three-goal win over Leicester and Chelsea could find themselves just a point from the top with victory against Brighton…
Brentford XI: Flekken, van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer, Janelt, Damsgaard, Carvalho, Lewis-Potter, Mbeumo, Schade.
West Ham XI: Areola, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Rodriguez, Soucek, Paqueta, Kudus, Bowen, Antonio.
Forest XI: Sels, Murillo, Anderson, Awoniyi, Wood, Dominguez, Ward-Prowse, Moreno, Yates, Milenkovic, Aina.
Fulham XI: Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Lukic, Pereira, Traore, Smith-Rowe, Iwobi, Jiminez.
Everton XI: Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Mangala, Doucoure, Lindstrom, Ndiaye, McNeil, Calvert-Lewin.
Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Lacroix, Guehi, Lerma, Mitchell, Wharton, Kamada, Eze, Nketiah, Mateta.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella, Fernandez, Caicedo, Madueke, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Kadioglu, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Wieffer, Rutter, Mitoma, Welbeck.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Rice, Partey, Trossard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.
Leicester XI: Hermansen, Justin, Okoli, Faes, Kristiansen, Winks, Skipp, Ndidi, Buonanotte, Mavididi, Vardy.
Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of the five matches kicking off at 3pm in the Premier League. 
Arsenal host Leicester after a week dominated by talks of “war” and an escalating rivalry between Mikel Arteta’s side and Manchester City. The two teams played out a tempestuous 2-2 draw last Sunday and there has been plenty of bluster from both managers since, with Arteta hinting that Pep Guardiola is familiar with the “dark arts” of the sport.
City are currently leading Newcastle 1-0 at St. James’ Park in today’s 12:30pm kick-off so the pressure is on for Arsenal to cement a convincing victory over their lower-table opponents at the Emirates.
Across the capital, Chelsea host Brighton amid a strong start to the season which has seen them win three in their last four league matches. It is a clash between two of Graham Potter’s former clubs – this week, he told Telegraph Sport’s Matt Law how the West London club was the “perfect storm”. Brighton have also had a positive start to the season and are yet to lose a match.
Brentford take on West Ham in a London derby where both teams will push for a convincing win after a tough start to the season. The pressure is on for Julen Lopetegui after West Ham bombed out the Carabao Cup in a 5-1 loss midweek against Liverpool. He remains defiant amid criticism and told doubters to “judge him in May”. 
Fulham head to Nottingham Forest, with the hosts one of just four remaining clubs yet to lose a game this season. They have been in strong form, most significantly beating Liverpool 1-0 at Anfield which marked the first loss of Arne Slot’s tenure. Forest sit 8th in the table with Fulham closely behind in 9th place – this one could go either way.
The final 3pm kick-off takes us to Merseyside where Everton host Crystal Palace in a lower table clash. Both teams are yet to record a league win this season, with Everton on just one point after five matches, and Palace on three. The hosts have made a habit of dropping points from winning positions this season so Sean Dyche will be hopeful that today is the day his team manages to hold on to a lead. 
Team news coming soon…