Burnley
Late VAR Penalty Secures Narrow United Win, But Questions Remain
Late VAR penalty gives United three points; injuries and finishing issues leave questions. Two weeks
Bruno Fernandes converted a stoppage-time penalty in the 97th minute after a VAR review to hand Manchester United a first Premier League win of the season, but the result masked a number of concerns at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim, who has faced scrutiny for his choice of words since the Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town, described mixed feelings after the final whistle. He said the team should have finished the contest earlier, pointing to a dominant first half that produced 15 shots to Burnley’s two and an xG of 1.57 yet left United only 1–0 ahead.
Burnley’s own goal from skipper Josh Cullen proved decisive. Bryan Mbeumo had forced a top save from goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka and Mason Mount hit the bar, but many United efforts went off target. Speaking after the match Amorim told Premier League Productions, “It is three points, if you look at the game we should solve it in the first half and control the game—but we are fighting to the last minute because of things we overcomplicate.”
Amorim added: “Look at the first half, we have so many chances to score. You feel you can control the game. But one throw in, one set-piece. I shook my head, because sometimes football is like this. We now have two weeks with a lot of opportunities. This was a game we had to win, but we have a lot to do.”
The match was also disrupted by injuries. Matheus Cunha was withdrawn suddenly and headed straight down the tunnel, a hamstring problem Amorim suggested may have followed playing the full Carabao Cup tie. Mason Mount did not return for the second half and the manager said of the issues, “I don’t know. We will check them.” Cunha’s availability for Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Bolivia is now in doubt.
When Cunha left, Benjamin Šeško was not introduced; Joshua Zirkzee came on instead. Šeško later had two headers that might have ended the game earlier but missed the target. André Onana remained on the bench after starting midweek, and Altay Bayındır, who has begun all three Premier League games, continues to be scrutinised for an error against Arsenal and nervousness in the air.
Bournemouth
Early returns: Premier League summer signings that have struggled so far
Early evidence suggests several costly summer signings have struggled to justify their transfer fees
More than £3 billion ($4 billion) and 155 incoming transfers set high expectations across the Premier League this summer. Several recruits have settled quickly, but others have produced worrying initial returns that have left managers and supporters asking questions.
Everton’s Thierno Barry arrived from Villarreal after a season that yielded 11 goals and four assists. The 22-year-old joined for £27 million ($36 million) with time to adapt, but he remains behind Beto, has made two Premier League starts, nine appearances in total and is still searching for his first goal or assist for the club. On two occasions he was substituted early: at half time at Anfield and after about an hour at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
West Ham’s £20 million ($26.7 million) signing Mads Hermansen began the campaign as Graham Potter’s first-choice goalkeeper but has endured a difficult start. The 25-year-old conceded 11 times in four appearances, sustained several high-profile errors and has dropped behind Alphonse Areola with Nuno Espírito Santo opting against an early recall.
Anthony Elanga moved to Newcastle for £55 million ($73.4 million) after scoring 18 goals for Nottingham Forest in 2024–25. The 23-year-old has made 10 appearances for the Magpies without a goal or assist and has oscillated between starting and the bench while competing with Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy.
Jean-Clair Todibo’s permanent move to West Ham cost £32.8 million ($43.8 million) after an obligation to buy. He has fallen out of favour following disciplinary issues under Potter and is unlikely to figure under Espírito Santo.
James Trafford returned to Manchester City for £31 million ($41.3 million) but is now behind Gianluigi Donnarumma and has been restricted to the bench following a difficult display against Tottenham Hotspur.
Alexander Isak joined Liverpool for a Premier League record £125 million ($166.9 million) but missed pre-season after a strike. Arne Slot has eased him in, using him alongside Hugo Ekitiké, with the record signing yet to reach expected levels.
Newcastle paid £55 million ($73.4 million) for Yoane Wissa from Brentford, but a knee injury means he is yet to play for his new club and has only two competitive appearances since the end of last season.
Chelsea’s £51.5 million ($68.7 million) addition Jamie Gittens has made seven appearances and three starts without making a major impact. At Liverpool, Milos Kerkez arrived for £40 million ($53.4 million) to succeed Andy Robertson but has made a sluggish start, was bullied on his debut by Antoine Semenyo and was hooked in the first half against Burnley as he edged toward a red card.
It remains early and circumstances differ across clubs, but the opening weeks have provided enough evidence to raise concerns about several high-cost recruits.
Arsenal
The Ten Summer Signings Who Have Mattered Most Early in 2025/26
After a record £3.19 billion summer, these ten signings have reshaped Premier League starts. so far.
Premier League clubs combined to spend a record £3.19 billion during the 2025 summer window, and a number of arrivals have already influenced the opening months of the 2025/26 season.
Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony arrived from Bournemouth for £8 million and has become a central outlet in Scott Parker’s attack. The former Arsenal academy player has started both as part of a front two and out wide, and his four league goals currently lead Burnley’s scoring chart.
On Tyneside, the German forward has settled quickly. With Yoane Wissa nursing a knee injury, Woltemade has started up front and brought an immediate return of three league goals in four games, one of which included an extraordinary penalty. His unusual frame and aerial improvement have been noted by supporters.
West Ham’s recruitment has offered hope under Nuno Espírito Santo. El Hadji Malick Diouf, signed from Slavia Prague, has impressed as a one-on-one defender who delivers a dangerous cross from the left. He remains an up-and-down full back with clear potential.
Tijjani Reijnders produced an outstanding Premier League debut at Molineux and has since provided moments of quality, including the assist for Erling Haaland against Arsenal in September.
Martín Zubimendi was an early target for Mikel Arteta and has gradually displayed his class in the holding role. After a slow debut, he has shown his passing range and even contributed a memorable goal against Nottingham Forest.
Hugo Ekitiké has been arguably the most convincing of Liverpool’s summer recruits. The former Eintracht Frankfurt forward scored on his opening games against Bournemouth and Newcastle and has shown a willingness to drop in and combine, even if his league scoring has slowed in recent fixtures.
João Palhinha’s loan at Tottenham has been a robust addition. Thomas Frank leans on him heavily and the Portuguese midfielder leads Spurs with just over five combined tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes.
Sunderland’s Robin Roefs arrived from NEC Nijmegen, took the No.1 spot in preseason and has been a reliable shot-stopper. Only Dean Henderson has prevented more goals, and Roefs ranks fourth for success when attempting to claim the high ball.
Finally, Jack Grealish’s loan to Everton has begun well. He is joint-top of the assist charts and produced a last-gasp finish to end Crystal Palace’s 18-game unbeaten run before the international break.
Burnley
Walker accepts January exit from City was a ‘selfish’ choice but values the experience
Walker says leaving Manchester City for AC Milan in January was ‘selfish’ yet he does not regret it.
Kyle Walker has conceded that his midseason move away from Manchester City during the 2024–25 campaign was driven by personal motives even as he values the experience. Faced with reduced playing time, Walker pushed for a switch and completed a six-month loan to AC Milan before the summer brought a permanent transfer to Burnley.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Walker said he should have weighed his role at City more carefully when the club was struggling. He reflected: “Should I have left and gone on loan to AC Milan? I was the club captain, and you’re the first one in line when things are not going really well,” he reflected. “At that time in the season, should I have left? Looking back at it now, probably no.
“I should have stood by or next to my teammates, next to my friends and people who I class as my family. But for the first time probably in my career I was selfish and I thought about myself and I wanted to play football.
“I don’t see it as a bad reason but I wasn’t happy sitting on the bench and getting a game here, there and whenever. I felt that I still had a point to prove that I could still play at a high level. When a club like AC Milan comes, I didn’t think I could turn them down.
“When I came back in the summer I had time to reflect on it. But then I don’t regret it as I always wanted to play abroad and experience that. I’m glad I did the six months, but I probably could have done a bit better.”
Walker initially drew attention in Milan, but injuries and a dip in form saw him lose his place. AC Milan declined their option to make the loan permanent, an option worth around €5 million ($6.7 million). Burnley then paid a similar fee to secure Walker’s services at Turf Moor this summer.
Since arriving at Burnley he has featured prominently, playing every minute of the team’s first seven games of the Premier League 2025/26 season. Those appearances include a 5–1 defeat by his former employers late last month.
