Matchday 5 of the EPL season is in the books, and we’re here to review it, identify the big takeaways, and examine the markets.
Around The EPL
Two goals inside 30 minutes propelled Liverpool to a 2-1 win over Everton in the Merseyside derby. It keeps Arne Slot’s side at the top of the EPL table after Matchday 5.
It took an Jan Paul van Hecke own goal to complete it, but Tottenham came back from 2-0 behind to finish level with Brighton & Hove Albion at American Express Stadium. Thomas Frank’s Spurs remain unbeaten away from home this season. In contrast, Brighton failed to win at home in a match they led for only the third time.
As expected, Burnley and Nottingham Forest both found the net in their 1-1 draw. West Ham and Crystal Palace did the same, but Tyrick Mitchell’s stunning volley proved the difference as Palace claimed all three points.
While Leeds United found themselves down 1-0 early, they rallied back to beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-1.
Manchester United and Chelsea both saw red on Matchday 5, but the Red Devils adjusted best to finish up with the 2-1 win. In a wild stat, the win makes it consecutive home United wins, in the same season and under the same manager for the first time since December 2023.
🚨 Maresca: “It was better to let Mbeumo score than getting the red card”.
“We still had 95 minutes to play… Robert Sánchez is aware of that. It's difficult… but if you ask me, I prefer to be one goal down after five minutes than one player down”. pic.twitter.com/aT1qiyvRRd
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 20, 2025
Alex Iwobi played a starting role as Fulam came from behind to beat Brentford 3-1. The goals dried up later in the day, though, as Newcastle and Bournemouth played out a goalless draw. Newcastle created history to become the first EPL team to draw their first three away games of the season 0-0.
Aston Villa finally found the net after 534 minutes without a goal, but couldn’t find the win against a 10-man Southampton with the game finishing level.
Lowest ebb of Unai Emery's tenure. A drastic turnaround is needed – and fast. Aston Villa haven't shown signs of improving their overall performance after five Premier League matches, deservedly earning fewer points than all three promoted teams.#AVFC pic.twitter.com/Fgs0y4rRU7
— John Townley (@johntownley11) September 21, 2025
Finally, it wouldn’t be a week in the EPL without Mikel Arteta playing the victim:
“I’m very proud of the team. We dominated them, and I’m very disappointed with the result”.
“It was so unfair to concede that goal, and after we dominated again”.
Manchester City scored early to take the lead. Despite Arteta’s claim of domination, it took until the 93rd minute for Gabriel Martinelli to find the equaliser.
3 Takeaways From Matchday 5
Trying To Figure Out Manchester United
Any sort of analysis on Manchester United is a minefield.
One moment we’re talking about their worst start to an EPL campaign in 33 years. The next, we’re highlighting their Premier League high 10.13 expected goals, and league-low -4.13 goals vs xG.
While we consider the fact United are creating opportunities to provide hope of results changing in the not too distant future, we then have to factor in Chelsea’s earliest-ever red card that contributed to their 1.74 expected goals on Matchday 5.
United sit 11th on the EPL table, far below where a club of this size should be. However, they’re only three points off Arsenal, one behind Chelsea and level with Manchester City. They’ve already played three of last season’s top four teams while implementing new players to Ruben Amorim’s rigid system.
For every negative to suggest Amorim is out of his depth and United are destined for failure under him, there is an underlying statistic or narrative to give life to the idea of a turnaround.
Ruben Amorim achieves back-to-back wins at Old Trafford in the Premier League for the very first time since taking charge of Manchester United 👏 pic.twitter.com/CJgi34yUXg
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 20, 2025
Manchester United managers aren’t often afforded a long leash. Some would argue Amorim’s has been let to run for long enough. Still, he’s doing enough right to keep his job for now, and can start to cement himself in the role with a win over Brentford next week at $2.10 favourites.
Liverpool Are The Big Winners Of The Week
While Gabriel Martinelli’s equaliser earned Arsenal a much-needed point from their clash with Manchester City, Liverpool are the big winners of the result.
It leaves Arsenal with only one point from a potential six against their immediate rivals to start the EPL season. Meanwhile, City are way down the table with only seven points from their opening five matches.
Pep Guardiola adopted a deep-defending and counter-attacking approach following Erling Haaland’s early goal. Their 32.8% possession share was the lowest ever recorded by a Guardiola team in a top-flight contest. It almost proved the winning formula before Martinelli collected Eberechi Eze’s looping ball to finally put one past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
It’s a match neither team could afford to lose, but neither will feel particularly positive about in the end. Not with Liverpool winning each of their opening five games of the campaign to build an early five-point advantage at the top of the table.
Disaster For Wolves
In going down to Leeds 3-1, Wolverhampton Wanderers are still waiting to earn their first point of the EPL season. They’ve become just the sixth team ever to start a Premier League season with five consecutive defeats.
Wolves strategy of selling their best players and signing bad players doesn’t look very clever
— Adam Crafton (@AdamCrafton_) September 20, 2025
Matheus Cunha and Rayan Ait-Nouri departing the club has had a significant impact on their start to the season.
“You sold the team, now sell the club,” could be heard around the ground as fans expressed their frustrations.
The major concern for Wolves is in defence. In letting Leeds find three before oranges on Matchday 5, Vítor Pereira’s side have conceded nine first half goals already this season – the most in the league.
Despite only recently signing an extension, Pereira’s position is under serious scrutiny as Wolves suddenly find themselves in a serious relegation battle.
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