Football: Aston Villa struggles, Chelsea and Liverpool in slow mode

Published on: 12/09/2026 - 19:53

3 min Reading time

The fourth round of the Premier League has so far been marked by numerous disappointments for the major English clubs. Among all these letdowns, Crystal Palace, managed by Pierre Sage, surely experienced the most bitter, conceding a decisive goal in the 90th minute against Ipswich (3-2) after valiantly battling with ten men. The French coach will have to wait longer for his first league victory at Selhurst Park. In the stands, emotions swung from joy after taking the lead (14th minute, 1-0), to worry following Axel Disasi's red card (34th), to equalizers from Emersonn (23rd, 1-1) and Leif Davis (45th, 1-2), an explosion of happiness with Jorgen Strand Larsen's goal (75th, 2-2), and finally despair from Zian Flemming's fatal strike (90th, 2-3).

Aston Villa's morale also took a hit when Nottingham, through Igor Jesus (88th, 1-2), found the net against Zion Suzuki just before the final whistle. The Birmingham club has only one point and already three defeats after four matches, placing them in nineteenth position. However, a small positive note: Unai Emery's team finally scored their first league goal this season, from a cross by captain John McGinn that was headed in by Alysson (74th, 1-1), one of the players introduced by the coach at halftime.

Hull, the surprise continues

His fellow Spaniards, Xabi Alonso and Andoni Iraola, also faced disappointments from the benches of Chelsea and Liverpool. The Blues were held to a draw at Stamford Bridge by Hull City (2-2), the surprising promoted team that remains in the top three after four matches. Joao Pedro, from a cross by Cole Palmer, limited the damage (66th, 2-2) for a Chelsea side that has been far too defensively vulnerable, having conceded a brace from Algerian striker Mohamed Belloumi (28th, 34th) within six minutes. The Londoners now have 18 goals scored and 12 conceded in six matches across all competitions.

Liverpool, meanwhile, did not concede a goal, but also failed to score, which is a resounding failure against Fulham (0-0), hampered by a defense that has struggled since the start of the season.

Bradley Barcola, once again a starter, missed a chance at the back post (43rd) and Alexander Isak narrowly missed the target from a corner by Dominik Szoboszlai that he headed wide (90+1). It could have been even more complicated at Anfield without solid defensive interventions from Frenchman Jérémy Jacquet, who notably blocked a shot in front of his goal (11th).

There was no winner either between Bournemouth and Brentford (2-2).

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