A huge sigh of relief at 'Theatre of Dreams'

With favourites Manchester City dropping points at Newcastle and Chelsea going down to a miserable defeat at Leeds United, it all added up to another extraordinary weekend which left Arsenal top after winning their first three matches.

This time last season the Gunners were bottom.

United’s 2-1 win against Liverpool was amazing considering their wretched performance in the first two games when they were outplayed by Brighton and Brentford.

Manager Erik ten Hag was rewarded for biting the bullet by dropping both underfire captain Harry Maguire and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Red Devils were good value for their win, collecting their first points of the season against a surprisingly listless Liverpool who seemed to lack the energy we are accustomed to.

It is early days and United supporters should not get too carried away based on just one game.

But after the dire performances they have been subjected to, you can understand the Old Trafford supporters believing this could prove a turning point.

Their side displayed a hitherto unseen enthusiasm and team spirit which will be essential if they are to build on this, as Ten Hag commented: “It’s all about attitude.”

He cautioned about fans getting too excited, noting “it’s just a start.”

He also said Maguire and Ronaldo would feature in future plans although that remains to be seen.

Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp will be particularly concerned at how his normally reliable defence was opened up with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold both having poor games.

Van Dijk was curiously static as Jadon Sancho scored United’s opener, prompting a blast of disapproval from James Milner.

Klopp can point to Liverpool’s long list of injuries and even suggested there’s a “witch” roaming their training headquarters.

The best game of the weekend took place at St James’ Park where Newcastle and Man City served up a thriller featuring outstanding passionate football from both teams.

All credit to Magpies boss Eddie Howe for his bold approach at “taking on” his powerful opponents.

This attitude sparked 90 minutes of classic entertainment and it was only fair that the spoils were shared. Even watching it on TV was exhausting.

Standout entertainer was Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin who revelled in showing his skills against the best team in England with his dazzling runs.

It is no wonder the Geordie fans have taken this Frenchman to heart because he is a joy to watch.

The whole Newcastle team played out of their skins including a brilliant display by goalkeeper Nick Pope.

Callum Wilson was on target again and Newcastle fans will be praying he avoids the injuries that have plagued his career.

Whether Newcastle can keep up that high tempo through the season we will have to wait and see.

City showed their class by fighting back from 3-1 down and at the end looking like the team most likely to grab a winner.

With players of quality like Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland in good form, Pep Guardiola’s squad are looking formidable.

Mendy howler

No doubt much to their own amazement, Leeds find themselves third in the table after their surprisingly comfortable win over Chelsea.

Once they took advantage of Edouard Mendy’s woeful goalkeeping error, Leeds grew in confidence and pushed on to a deserved win.

Mendy, who is not great with his feet, should take heed of one of football’s basic dictums: “if in doubt, hoof it.”

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel hardly inspired confidence after the match, seemingly more concerned that he had to suffer the indignity of travelling all the way on a coach than the fact his team put on such a tepid display.

One unfancied team doing very nicely are unbeaten Brighton who pulled off a deserved 2-0 victory at West Ham, who were booed off the pitch.

The Seagulls are improving every season since they landed in the top flight in 2017.

What awaits us this weekend, goodness only knows. The fixtures look straightforward enough, but in the Premier League anything can happen.