LONDON, Sep 2: Half a billion dollars spent on new signings and Chelsea still looks like a team badly in need of reinforcements.
Chelsea lost at home to Nottingham Forest 1-0 in the English Premier League on Saturday, a day after closing the summer transfer window by taking its spending past the $500 million mark with the addition of Cole Palmer.
Record signing Moises Caicedo was partly at fault for the goal, giving the ball away cheaply before Anthony Elanga tapped in a cross from Taiwo Awoniyi in the 48th minute.
Fellow newcomer Nicolas Jackson was held scoreless for the third time in four matches and Chelsea’s attack looked toothless again. Mauricio Pochettino has overseen two losses, one draw and just one win against promoted Luton for an underwhelming start to the season.
Chelsea’s lack of a scoring threat was even more noticeable when Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Tottenham’s Son Heung-min both scored hat tricks in big wins.
City hammer Fulham 5-1
City maintained its perfect record with a 5-1 home win over Fulham thanks to three second-half goals from Haaland, although it was a disputed VAR decision that turned the game in the hosts’ favor just before halftime.
Nathan Ake’s headed goal to make it 2-1 for City was allowed to stand after the video assistant referee ruled that Manuel Akanji did not interfere with play from an offside position even though he was in goalkeeper Bernd Leno’s line of sight when he jumped over the ball.
That incensed Fulham manager Marco Silva and his players, and Haaland’s first goal in the 58th ended their resistance.
The Norway striker added a penalty and an injury-time goal.
Spurs beat Burnley 5-2
Tottenham came from an early goal down to beat Burnley 5-2 away. Son was at the center of a free-scoring Spurs attack that looked much sharper in the absence of Richarlison, who was dropped to the bench after going scoreless in the opening three league games.
Other matches
Brentford maintained its unbeaten start after Bryan Mbeumo equalized in injury time to secure a 2-2 home draw against Bournemouth.
In the early game, Everton finally ended its Premier League goal drought in a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United on Saturday, with both teams earning their first point of the season. (AP)
