The English Clubs made resounding statements in the UEFA Champions League as an exciting, but not surprising Match Day 3 unfolded across Europe in the mid-week.
Newcastle United got the better of a struggling Benfica with a 3-0 victory. Manchester City got past a tough opponent Villarreal with a 2-0 margin. Chelsea plundered Ajax 5-1 while Arsenal, looking in imperious form dismantled Spanish giants Atlético Madrid 4-0, in a tremendous performance.
Tottenham drew with Monaco in a goalless fixture. However, the biggest news came from Liverpool, who, after four consecutive defeats, eventually put up an encouraging performance against the German side Eintracht Frankfurt. The Reds won 5-1 and made a statement of their own.
What impressed me most was the goal-scoring prowess on display by the English Clubs in particular. 19 goals were scored across the board by the English against strong sides, and no wonder that out of the top 8 teams in the Champions League so far, 3 are from England. Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle are in the top bracket, but Liverpool and Chelsea are not far behind either and at the moment occupy the 10th and the 11th position respectively. Though it is still early days in the competition, the English clubs have made a fine beginning.
Liverpool were looking shaky after their loss to Manchester United at Anfield last weekend, having also suffered losses to Chelsea and Crystal Palace and also to Galatasaray in consecutive matches. But the Reds redeemed themselves in no uncertain terms. Mo Salah, for once, did not start the match with Liverpool going with a 4-3-3 formation. For the first time, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike started together. The change in a way helped Liverpool. The ever-consistent Gakpo, the prolific Ekitike, Van Dijk, Konaté and Szoboszlai all scored. The victory must have given Liverpool huge confidence going into their vital away game against Brentford in the EPL this weekend.
Arsenal, with 3 wins for 3 games in the Champions League, once again looked in brilliant form, with Gabriel, Martinelli and Gyökeres ( with a brace) scoring for the Gunners against a very strong opponent in Atlético Madrid. As the season is shaping up, Arsenal are looking more and more assured of themselves. Some silverware for sure should come their way.
Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester City put in fine performances too. Erling Haaland once again scored for City in an amazing show of consistency from the Norwegian. Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes put up a great show for Newcastle, while half of Chelsea scored against a hapless-looking Ajax.
The Champions League table, though, is led by the ever-impressive defending Champions PSG, who gave a serious dressing down to Bayer Leverkusen in a staggering 7-2 win in Germany.
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