Mohamed Salah scored twice to take Liverpool nine points clear at the top of the Premier League by beating Bournemouth 2-0 on Saturday, while third-placed Nottingham Forest smashed Brighton 7-0. Salah’s double took him above Frank Lampard as the sixth highest goalscorer in Premier League history with 178 goals on another significant day in the Reds’ charge towards a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. Bournemouth had not lost in 12 games in all competitions and beaten Arsenal and Manchester City at home earlier this season.

The Cherries can count themselves unfortunate not to have extended that run as they hit the woodwork either side of half-time through Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier.

Bournemouth were also furious over the awarding of a penalty that opened the scoring on the half hour mark as Cody Gakpo appeared to clip his own heels as he entered the box rather than being tripped by Lewis Cook.

VAR did not intervene to overturn referee Darren England’s original decision to point to the spot and Salah ruthlessly rifled home the resulting spot-kick for his 20th Premier League goal of the season.

Bournemouth pressed in vain for an equaliser after the break as the in-form Justin Kluivert missed two big chances either side of Tavernier’s strike off the post.

But one moment of magic from Salah sealed a massive three points in the title race when he cut inside onto his favoured left foot and curled into the top corner.

Second-placed Arsenal have a mountain to climb if they are to rein in Arne Slot’s men and host defending champions Manchester City on Sunday.

Forest land a punch

Forest moved level on points with the Gunners thanks to a scintillating performance that blew Brighton away at the City Ground.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men had been beaten 5-0 by Bournemouth last weekend but bounced back in style with Chris Wood netting a hat-trick.

Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams and Jota Silva were also on target for Forest after Lewis Dunk‘s own goal opened the floodgates.

“After what happened last week, the answer was good,” said Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo. “You get punched, you get up – fantastic!”

The two-time European champions are on course for a return to the Champions League for the first time since 1980 as they opened up a six-point cushion on fifth-placed Newcastle, who blew the lead to lose 2-1 at home to Fulham.

Jacob Murphy put the Magpies in front at St. James’ Park, but Fulham hit back thanks to goals from Raul Jimenez and Rodrigo Muniz to climb up to ninth and within four points of the top six.

Everton’s relegation fears in their final season at Goodison Park now appear over after thrashing Leicester 4-0.

Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring after just 10 seconds as David Moyes enjoyed a third win in his first four games since returning as Everton boss.

Beto then took advantage of some woeful Leicester defending to score twice before half-time and Iliman Ndiaye rounded off a resounding win in stoppage time.

The Toffees are now 10 points clear of the bottom three.

By contrast, Ipswich look doomed after Southampton ended their wait for a league win since November with a 2-1 victory at Portman Road.

Paul Onuachu scored the winner three minutes from time for Saints, who are still eight points adrift of safety, but move to with seven of Ipswich.

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim only joined the club in November, but is seemingly already running out of patience with the performances and the players at his disposal. In a move that is typically out of character for Amorim, the Portuguese reportedly damaged the giant screen television inside Manchester United’s dressing room, in a fit of fury following his side’s 1-3 loss at home against Brighton and Hove Albion. The result was United’s seventh loss in 15 games under Amorim, leaving them 13th in the Premier League table.

Following the defeat, Amorim had labelled the current United squad as the “worst in the history of the club”, and seemingly did not spare his players.

As per a report by British media outlet The Athletic, Amorim did not hold back his emotions after the loss, angrily letting his displeasure be known to the Manchester United players following his defeat.

In this process, the Portuguese manager reportedly damaged the giant screen television inside the United dressing room usually used to go through tactics before games. The screen will reportedly require fixing before United’s next game, against Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Amorim is reportedly a rather calm person, win or lose, and prefers to save his analysis of the match for the day after the game. Therefore, his rage after the 1-3 loss against Brighton came across as rather uncharacteristic.

The report also states that Amorim has previously said he is trying to shock his players and others at the club through his words, but results continue to be majorly disappointing.

Manchester United’s current squad have largely struggled to adapt to Amorim’s innovative 3-4-3 formation, with a 2-1 comeback win against Manchester City and a spirited 2-2 draw against league leaders Liverpool the only noteworthy positives.

However, the 39-year-old Amorim seemingly has the backing of club co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, with United looking for wing-back options in the January transfer window.

United stars Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have not played an integral part under Amorim, and are also apparently on the way out.

Manchester United slumped to a 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton as Old Trafford remembered the legendary Denis Law on Sunday, while Tottenham’s troubles also persist after they lost 3-2 at Everton. Nottingham Forest maintained an unlikely title challenge with a 3-2 victory over Southampton to take Nuno Espirito Santo’s men level with second-placed Arsenal and within six points of Liverpool. United, by contrast, are 24 points adrift of the leaders and focused on mere survival after Brighton stormed Old Trafford for the third consecutive season.

Ruben Amorim‘s men looked to have turned a corner after a thrilling 2-2 draw at Liverpool was followed by knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup earlier this month.

But after Amad Diallo’s late hat-trick papered over the cracks in a 3-1 win over bottom-of-the-table Southampton in midweek, Brighton exposed the glaring holes in the foundations of Amorim‘s United project.

Kaoru Mitoma squared for Yankuba Minteh to open the scoring inside five minutes.

Bruno Fernandes’ penalty levelled for United before the break.

Mitoma restored Brighton’s lead on the hour mark before Andre Onana dropped a cross into the path of Georginio Rutter to rifle in a third.

Victory lifts Brighton up to ninth and within four points of the top four.

United remain 13th but enjoy a 10-point cushion over the bottom three.

“We can’t be comfortable in thinking that this is ok, because it is not,” said Fernandes.

“I’m not here to lose games and be in the position we are in at the moment.”

Before kick-off, tributes were paid to one of the club’s greats in Law, who passed away on Friday aged 84.

The only Scot ever to win the Ballon d’Or, Law is the third top scorer in United’s history, with 237 goals in 404 appearances.

A piper played Scottish national anthem “Flower of Scotland” as the teams walked out, with United legends Alex Ferguson, Brian Kidd, Paddy Crerand and Alex Stepney on the pitch as a eulogy was read out over the tannoy.

Spurs winless in six

Tottenham are now winless in six league games after Everton boosted their survival chances with the first victory of David Moyes’ second spell in charge.

The goal-shy Toffees had failed to score in nine of their previous 11 league games but struck three times before the break.

Dominic Calvert Lewin’s first goal since September opened the scoring before a brilliant individual run and finish from Iliman Ndiaye.

Archie Gray’s own goal compounded Tottenham’s misery.

Late goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison reduced Spurs’ deficit but could not avoid a 12th defeat in 22 games.

“It is a challenging situation for sure, when you are losing players the amount we are at the moment,” said under-fire Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, who was without 10 first-team regulars.

“It’s up to me to get us out of it and I’ve got to be good enough to do that.”

Everton pull four points clear of the bottom three and within four points of 15th-placed Tottenham.

Forest were also rampant in the first 45 minutes to cut the gap at the top and consolidate their lead in the race for a place in the Champions League next season.

Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood netted before the break.

Southampton salvaged some pride in the second period through Jan Bednarek and Paul Onuachu but they remain on course for an immediate return to the Championship, 10 points adrift of safety.

Manchester City have slipped to eighth after results on Saturday but the defending champions could move level with Newcastle in fourth should they win later at Ipswich.

Arsenal blew a chance to make up significant ground on Premier League leaders Liverpool on Saturday with a frustrating draw at Brighton as Manchester City pummelled West Ham 4-1. In-form Newcastle inflicted another painful defeat on Ange Postecoglou’s struggling Tottenham and Chelsea’s recent woes continued with a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. Mikel Arteta‘s Arsenal, Premier League runners-up over the past two seasons, travelled to the south coast hunting a fourth straight league win in the evening kick-off. Seventeen-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, in for the injured Bukayo Saka, scored a first-half goal to put them on course for a vital three points.

But after being felled by an accidental headbutt from William Saliba, stand-in Seagulls captain Joao Pedro fired home from the spot in the 61st minute.

The 1-1 draw means the second-placed Gunners are five points behind Liverpool, having played two games more, with Arne Slot’s in-form leaders hosting crisis-hit Manchester United on Sunday.

Arteta said his team had under-performed in the second half, failing to build momentum, adding that the penalty award was “bizarre”.

“We are really disappointed with the decision that leads to the goal because I have never seen something like this in my life,” the Spaniard told the BBC. 

“He (Saliba) touches the ball as well.”

City turned corner?

Manchester City’s win at home against West Ham means they have now won successive matches for the first time since October and Pep Guardiola will hope they are back on track after a horror run of one victory in 13 games in all competitions.

The defending champions took an early lead through a Vladimir Coufal own goal and two goals from Erling Haaland put City in total command.

Phil Foden made it 4-0 before Niclas Fullkrug grabbed a consolation for Julen Lopetegui’s men, who suffered a 5-0 mauling by Liverpool last week.

Despite their shocking run, sixth-placed City are just two points behind Chelsea, in fourth, but Guardiola said his team were still not back in the groove.

“I’m very pleased for the result but you cannot ask me if the old City is back,” he said. “If you saw the game, we are not.

“You saw many times during the years what we have done with the opponents.”

In the early kick-off, Newcastle came from behind to clinch a fifth straight Premier League win and heap more misery on injury-hit Spurs.

The home side went ahead in the fourth minute through Dominic Solanke.

Newcastle levelled two minutes later when Anthony Gordon arrowed an effort into the bottom corner, but Postecoglou stood in disbelief on the touchline looking at referee Andrew Madley after Joelinton intercepted Lucas Bergvall’s pass with his hand in the build-up.

VAR deemed Joelinton’s arm to be in a natural position and the contact to be accidental.

In-form Alexander Isak scored what turned out to be the winner towards the end of the first period.

The 2-1 victory, watched by new England manager Thomas Tuchel, leaves Newcastle in fifth spot, which may yet prove enough to secure a place in the Champions League next season.

But Spurs have slumped to 12th in the table after five defeats in seven matches.

Postecoglou said he was proud of his players but was the “angriest I think I have ever been in my career”.

“I think it’s clear,” said the Australian. “Now whether people agree with me or not whether it wasn’t handball or it was accidental, I’m just not interested in any of that discussion.

“I know what everyone wants me to say, but all I’ll say is that on any other day, on a fair and even playing ground, we would have won that game. Simple as that.”

Enzo Maresca‘s Chelsea were breathing down Liverpool’s necks just two weeks ago but have taken just two points from four games over the festive period.

The prolific Cole Palmer gave the visitors a first-half lead, but they could not capitalise on their possession and Jean-Philippe Mateta levelled in the 82nd minute.

Aston Villa beat relegation-threatened Leicester 2-1 at home, with goals from Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey.

Brentford recorded their first league win on the road this season, smashing hapless Southampton 5-0, and Bournemouth beat Everton 1-0.

Southampton were denied victory by a controversial VAR decision in a 1-1 draw at high-flying Brighton on Friday. Flynn Downes had just cancelled out Kaoru Mitoma’s opener for Brighton when Cameron Archer thought he had put the Saints 2-1 up. A VAR check of more than four minutes eventually decided Archer was onside but penalised Adam Armstrong, who was offside but did not touch the ball, for interfering with play. Southampton had to settle for a first away point of the season as a result and remain bottom of the table, four points adrift of safety.

A point was enough to lift Brighton up to second on alphabetical order ahead of Manchester City, who face leaders Liverpool in the pick of the weekend’s action on Sunday.

Brighton were left to rue not making more of a dominant first-half display.

Georginio Rutter hit the post and fired another effort wide, while Mitoma wasted a huge chance in the opening stages.

Brighton’s pressure finally paid off on the half hour mark when Mitoma stooped to head in Tariq Lamptey’s cross.

Southampton levelled 13 minutes into the second half with the impressive Tyler Dibling the architect.

The teenager’s square ball teed up Armstrong, whose shot was blocked, but the loose ball found its way to Downes, who hammered home first time from the edge of the area.

Eight minutes later Dibling wriggled clear of three Brighton players inside his own half and then spread the ball to Fraser.

His low cross evaded Armstrong and was finished at the far post by Archer – only to be chalked off to the dismay of boss Russell Martin.

“I’m fed up talking about decisions,” said Martin.

“We were told it affects Bart Verbruggen ability (to play the ball) and if Adam’s run moved Verbruggen from his position then I would understand the decision, but he hasn’t moved.

“I cannot see how it has affected the goalkeeper.”

The VAR delay led to 13 minutes of added time and Brighton nearly snatched victory at the death.

Simon Adingra’s effort on the stretch flicked off the outside of the far post.

Arsenal got their Premier League title challenge back on track with a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday as Chelsea moved up to third by beating Leicester 2-1. Champions Manchester City are aiming to snap a four-game losing streak when they host Tottenham later. Arsenal were expected to be contenders to take City’s crown after finishing second in each of the past two seasons. The Gunners had failed to win in their previous four league games to start the weekend nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who travel to bottom-of-the-table Southampton on Sunday.

Martin Odegaard‘s return from injury is a major boost to Arsenal’s hopes of a first title in over 20 years and his pass teed up Bukayo Saka to blast home the opener on 15 minutes.

Saka turned provider for another special strike, this time by Thomas Partey, to double the home side’s advantage early in the second period.

Ethan Nwaneri then came off the bench to score his first Premier League goal as the highly-rated 17-year-old slotted in Raheem Sterling‘s cross.

Chelsea remain ahead of Arsenal on goals scored despite failing to make their dominance show in manager Enzo Maresca‘s return to Leicester.

Nicolas Jackson prodded the visitors into a first-half lead with his seventh goal of the season.

Cole Palmer‘s goalbound effort was deflected behind by his team-mate Noni Madueke as Chelsea wasted a series of chances for the second goal.

It eventually arrived 15 minutes from time when Enzo Fernandez headed in after Jackson’s header was saved.

Leicester pulled a goal back in stoppage time through Jordan Ayew’s penalty but defeat leaves the Foxes just two points above the relegation zone.

Villa winless in six

Aston Villa are now winless in six and had to twice come from behind just to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace.

Ismaila Sarr and Justin Devenny twice put the Eagles in front either side of Ollie Watkins’ leveller before half-time.

Villa also had Youri Tielemans‘ first-half penalty saved by Dean Henderson but the Belgian midfielder made amends with the delivery for Ross Barkley‘s header to secure a point.

Brighton’s incredible start under 31-year-old boss Fabian Hurzeler continued with a 2-1 win at Bournemouth to climb up to fifth.

Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma were on target for the Seagulls, who survived playing the final half hour down to 10 men after Carlos Baleba saw red.

Wolves are out of the bottom three thanks to a stunning 4-1 at Fulham.

Matheus Cunha strike twice for the visitors at Craven Cottage, while Joao Gomes and Goncalo Guedes were also on target in a second consecutive win for Gary O’Neil‘s men.

Everton failed to take advantage of an early red card for Brentford’s Christian Norgaard in a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park.

Ruben Amorim takes charge of Manchester United for the first time in the pick of Sunday’s action when the Red Devils visit Ipswich.

Brighton And Hove Albion vs Manchester City LIVE Streaming Premier League© AFP

Manchester City felt the absence of star midfielder Rodri as the Premier League champions were held to a damaging 1-1 draw at Newcastle, while Cole Palmer scored four times in Chelsea’s 4-2 win against Brighton on Saturday. City’s second successive draw in the league was especially frustrating as Arsenal moved level on points with them with a last-gasp 4-2 win against Leicester a few hours later. Rodri has been ruled out for the rest of the season after surgery on a knee injury suffered in last weekend’s bruising 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal.

Josko Gvardiol put City in front at St James’ Park, but Newcastle were well worthy of the point given to them by Anthony Gordon‘s second-half penalty.

Guardiola described Rodri, who is unbeaten in his past 52 Premier League appearances stretching back to February 2023, as “irreplaceable”.

To fill the void left by the Spaniard, Rico Lewis was thrust into a central midfield role alongside Mateo Kovacic.

But City lacked the control and poise so often provided by Rodri on and off the ball.

“It is always difficult here with their physicality and they defend so deep. We had chances but (Nick) Pope (the goalkeeper) was brilliant so we take the point,” said Guardiola.

“We made bad decisions (with the chances) to make it 2-0.”

At the Emirates Stadium, Gabriel Martinelli put Arsenal ahead in the 20th minute with his first goal this season, the Brazilian winger drilled a low finish inside the far post from Jurrien Timber’s cross.

Martinelli turned provider on the stroke of half-time, setting up Leandro Trossard to stroke in Arsenal’s second goal.

James Justin reduced the deficit with a deflected 47th-minute effort and stunned the Emirates Stadium into silence in the 63rd minute when his thunderous volley cannoned in off the woodwork.

But Mikel Arteta‘s men stole the points four minutes into stoppage-time when Trossard’s shot deflected off Leicester’s Wilfred Ndidi for an own goal, with Kai Havertz netting moments later to confirm the victory.

Palmer runs riot

Palmer became the first player ever to score four goals in the first half of a Premier League match with a stunning display at Stamford Bridge.

Former Brighton duo Moises Caicedo and Robert Sanchez were guilty of mistakes when Georginio Rutter put the Seagulls ahead in the seventh minute.

Just moments after hitting the post and then having a goal disallowed, it was third time lucky for Palmer in the 21st minute.

Palmer equalised with a clinical finish after Nicolas Jackson seized on Adam Webster’s mistake to tee up his fellow forward.

When Jadon Sancho was tripped in the area by two Brighton defenders, there was never any doubt that penalty expert Palmer would step up to dispatch the 28th-minute spot-kick with ease.

Palmer completed his nine-minute-and-48-second treble in the 31st minute, curling a brilliant free-kick past Bart Verbruggen from 25 yards to make it five goals in six league games this term.

Carlos Baleba pulled one back in the 34th minute, but Palmer’s incredible afternoon wasn’t over and, in the 41st minute, the England star converted Sancho’s pass with an emphatic strike.

West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek rescued a 1-1 draw at Brentford, who made Premier League history thanks to Bryan Mbeumo’s quick-fire opener.

Under-fire Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui saw his side fall behind after just 37 seconds as Mbeumo’s superb volley made Brentford the first Premier League team to score in the first minute in three consecutive games.

But Soucek swept in West Ham’s 54th-minute equaliser to avoid a fourth defeat in their last five games in all competitions.

Dwight McNeil struck twice in the second half as Everton beat Crystal Palace 2-1 to end their winless start to the league season, just days after the Goodison Park takeover by a group led by American billionaire Dan Friedkin.

Raul Jimenez‘s 51st-minute penalty gave Fulham a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool will go top of the table if they win at Wolves in Saturday’s late game.

Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge hit its first stumbling block in a 1-1 draw with Brighton after Declan Rice was sent-off on Saturday, while Aston Villa won 2-1 away at Leicester. Both Arsenal and Brighton had maximum points from their opening two games and the Gunners looked set for another victory when Kai Havertz pounced on a Lewis Dunk error to lob in the opening goal. However, the game turned just seconds into the second half when Rice controversially received the first red card of his career.

The England midfielder was deemed to have kicked the ball away as Joel Veltman shaped up to take a Brighton free-kick and was shown a second yellow card.

“I was amazed, amazed, amazed!” an outraged Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said. “Amazed because of how inconsistent decisions can be.

“In the first half, there are two incidents and nothing happens. Then, in a non-critical area, the ball hits Declan, he turns around, he doesn’t see the player coming and he touches the ball.”

Brighton quickly made their man advantage count as Joao Pedro swept home the rebound after David Raya denied Yankuba Minteh.

Both sides had chances to win it as Bart Verbruggen denied Havertz and Georginio Rutter headed off target late on for the visitors.

But Arsenal had to settle for a point that could see them cede early ground in the title race.

Defending champions Manchester City can go top when the visit West Ham in Saturday’s 1630GMT kick-off.

Duran delivers for Villa

Villa bounced back from their defeat to Arsenal last weekend to secure their second win in three games.

Amadou Onana stretched to turn in Jacob Ramsey’s cross from a well-worked free-kick to open the scoring.

Ollie Watkins is yet to find the net this season after helping England to the Euro 2024 final, but his understudy Jhon Duran has started the campaign in fine form.

The Colombian’s towering header just two minutes after replacing Watkins gave Villa the breathing space they needed.

Facundo Buonanotte pulled a goal back, but the Foxes remain winless on their return to the Premier League.

Southampton have found the jump up to the top flight just as hard.

Brentford eased past the Saints 3-1 with Bryan Mbeumo scoring twice.

Everton suffered another gut punch on their final season at Goodison Park as Bournemouth came from 2-0 down after 87 minutes to win 3-2.

Two quickfire goals from Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin early in the second half had put the Toffees in control.

But Antoine Semenyo gave Bournemouth life before Lewis Cook and Luis Sinisterra ensured Everton remain without a point this season.

Ipswich got their first Premier League point in 22 years in a 1-1 draw against Fulham.

Liam Delap put the home side in front at Portman Road but Adama Traore secured a draw for Fulham.

Honours were also even in a 1-1 draw between Nottingham Forest and Wolves.

Manchester United host Liverpool in the blockbuster fixture of the weekend at Old Trafford on Sunday.

After the first two matchdays, expected Premier League title challengers Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool all have a perfect 100% record, along with the ever-exciting Brighton. New Liverpool boss Arne Slot has made a perfect start to the daunting task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp with two wins from his opening two Premier League games without conceding. Now, Slot faces his first major test with a trip to Manchester United, while Newcastle and Tottenham also face off on Sunday hoping to dispel early season doubts over their credentials for a top-four finish. We look at the best of this weekend’s action in the Premier League:

Dutch duel at Old Trafford

His first chance to seriously impress the Liverpool support comes at one of Klopp’s least favourite grounds as English football’s two most successful clubs face off at Old Trafford.

Despite Liverpool largely enjoying the superior league position during Klopp’s near nine-year reign, he won just two of his 11 away games to United.

That run included a 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final exit and 2-2 Premier League draw last season that precipitated a Liverpool collapse in his final few months in charge.

Yet the pressure is arguably even more on the Dutch manager in the other dugout.

Erik ten Hag was backed by those at the top of United’s new sporting structure at the end of last season despite finishing eighth – the club’s worst ever Premier League performance.

Hope of a new dawn for the Red Devils has been diminished in the opening weeks of the new campaign.

Joshua Zirkzee’s late winner on his debut at least ensured a winning start against Fulham, but a 2-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend had many of the same hallmarks that have seen United struggle previously under Ten Hag.

Another damaging defeat at home to fierce rivals will put the former Ajax boss’ future back on the agenda just three games into the new season.

Spurs’ Newcastle nightmares

Tottenham’s last two trips to St James’ Park have resulted in 6-1 and 4-0 thrashings by the Magpies.

Both sides have four points from their opening two games but have a point to prove to further their ambitions of returning to the Champions League next season.

Newcastle battled past newly-promoted Southampton 1-0 with 10 men on the opening weekend but were lucky to emerge with a point from a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.

Eddie Howe’s men also needed penalties to get past Nottingham Forest in the League Cup in midweek and there is frustration on Tyneside at their inability to strengthen in the transfer market.

Newcastle have the financial might of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund behind them but have been restricted by the need to meet profit and sustainability rules.

Tottenham cruised past Everton 4-0 last weekend but a 1-1 draw at Leicester exposed familiar vulnerabilities for Ange Postecoglou’s men on the road as a combination of missed chances and careless defending cost them all three points.

Big-spending Brighton to trouble Arsenal?

Two of the four sides still with a perfect record meet at the Emirates as Arsenal host Brighton.

The Seagulls have become accustomed to having their best talents picked off by richer rivals in recent years but this time it is Brighton who have been one of the biggest spenders in the division.

New boss Fabian Hurzeler has been backed with a near £200 million ($264 million) spending spree on eight new signings.

That investment has been met with an immediate reward in wins over Everton and United, but 31-year-old Hurzeler is aware of the step up in class his side face on Saturday.

“They’re one of the best teams in the world at the moment,” said the youngest manager in Premier League history.

“They don’t have a lot of weaknesses, they have quality and solutions for all phases.

“We’re going to need a really good day. We’ll need individual performances, a great togetherness. We go there to win because my squad has the potential.”