Liverpool climbed to the top of the Premier League table after securing a 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, with Mohamed Salah converting a crucial penalty.
The win came after Manchester City’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle United earlier on Saturday, offering Arne Slot’s side the opportunity to leapfrog City and Arsenal.
The decisive moment came when Nelson Semedo brought down former Wolves player Diogo Jota inside the box, and Salah calmly slotted home the penalty to secure all three points.
This was after Ibrahima Konate had given Liverpool the lead with a header, but the French defender’s mistake allowed Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri to equalise early in the second half.
Despite Wolves briefly pulling level, they struggled to pose a consistent threat for a second equaliser, as Liverpool pushed for a third goal in the latter stages but ultimately settled for a 2-1 win.
With this victory, Liverpool now sit one point clear of both City and Arsenal at the summit, while Wolves remain at the foot of the table with just one point from six matches.
Wolves’ continued struggles see them having lost 12 of their last 16 league games (D3 L1), including a run of four consecutive home defeats at Molineux, a record they last experienced in December 2022.
Mohamed Salah’s spot-kick extended his remarkable Premier League contribution for Liverpool, bringing his tally to 231 goal involvements (159 goals and 72 assists). This achievement places him in illustrious company, as only Wayne Rooney (276), Ryan Giggs (271), Harry Kane (259), Thierry Henry (249), and Frank Lampard (237) have contributed more goals and assists for a single team in Premier League history.
Wolves’ shining light in 2024 has been defender Rayan Ait-Nouri, who has been directly involved in five Premier League goals (three goals, two assists) – a figure only bettered by defenders Ben White, Fabian Schar, and Josko Gvardiol, each with six.
Liverpool’s victory also marks the third time in the club’s history that they have won their opening three away games of a Premier League season, previously achieving the feat in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns. However, Wolves’ wait for a first win this season continues, with the club stuck at the bottom of the league standings.
In a fiercely contested London derby, West Ham United came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium, thanks to Tomas Soucek’s second-half equalizer.
Bryan Mbeumo had given the hosts an early lead, but the Hammers fought back to claim a hard-earned point.
The game began with a moment of Premier League history in front of a 17,000-strong crowd, as Brentford found the net just 38 seconds after kickoff.
It marked the third consecutive fixture in which the Bees have scored within the first minute, replicating their fast starts against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. After a Kevin Schade cross wasn’t fully cleared by the West Ham defense, Fabio Carvalho rose to keep the ball in play, setting up Bryan Mbeumo for a stunning volley.
That goal not only broke the deadlock but also saw Mbeumo surpass Ivan Toney as Brentford’s all-time leader in Premier League goal contributions, with 48.
Despite Mbeumo’s milestone, Brentford couldn’t maintain their early momentum. While Thomas Frank’s side looked dangerous on the flanks, Alphonse Areola remained largely untested as the hosts frequently squandered possession with misplaced long balls.
West Ham began to grow into the game, applying pressure on the Bees, but their lack of a cutting edge up front saw several opportunities sail harmlessly over the bar.
The second half saw a transformation in West Ham’s play, as manager Julen Lopetegui’s tactical adjustments paid dividends.
The Hammers came out with more urgency, and their persistence was rewarded when Tomas Soucek capitalized on a blocked effort from Michail Antonio, slotting home the equalizer.
Brentford responded with a barrage of attacks, putting West Ham under significant pressure and appealing for penalties on multiple occasions, all of which were dismissed. Despite the Bees’ relentless drive to regain their lead, Lopetegui’s men held firm to secure a vital point.
The draw leaves Brentford in 12th and West Ham in 14th in the early stages of the Premier League season, with both teams still looking to build momentum.
