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Liverpool and Chelsea dropped more points in the Premier League after being held to surprise draws at home on Saturday.
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Liverpool’s big money forwards Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola couldn’t find a way past winless Fulham in a goalless contest at Anfield.
Chelsea’s fragile defense was exposed again by newly promoted Hull in a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Aston Villa’s nightmare start to the season continued with a 2-1 loss at home to Nottingham Forest.
Substitute Zian Flemming scored a 90th-minute winner as Ipswich beat Crystal Palace 3-2, while Bournemouth and Brentford drew 2-2.
Tottenham is still without a goal after a 0-0 draw with Everton.
Frustration for Liverpool
Liverpool has spent more than half a billion dollars rebuilding its attack over the past two seasons, but was nullified by a Fulham team that had not kept a clean sheet and was pointless going into the game.
In front of a frustrated Anfield crowd, Andoni Iraola’s expensively assembled team was held to a draw for the third time this season, halting the momentum of back-to-back wins, including a midweek victory against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
British record signing Isak ($170 million) came up short, while Barcola — signed from Paris Saint-Germain for $166 million — failed to produce anything in his first start in the league. It was the same story for Florian Wirtz ($156 million) and the relatively inexpensive Victor Munoz ($46 million).
“Collectively we didn’t play well. Many things we tried to do, we couldn’t do well,” Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson said.
Iraola is still finding his feet in his first season at Liverpool after previously impressing at Bournemouth. But it has been an unconvincing start that has left his team with ground to make up even this early in the campaign.
“When you draw, especially at home, you can’t be happy,” Iraola said. “Today we lacked a bit of freshness and we did not do enough offensively to make the difference. In the first half we started the game slow, we lacked energy and it was not enough.”
Problems mount for Chelsea
Chelsea’s defensive problems are becoming increasingly costly.
Xabi Alonso’s team has conceded at least two goals in each of its league games and 12 goals in six games in all competitions. Its only clean sheet came against third division Luton in the English League Cup.
“We can do better. We got what we deserved,” Alonso said. “We need to be more solid and be more controlled. New players and new staff. This is the process. In a few months I’m sure we’ll be able to control better.”
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It took a goal from Joao Pedro in the 66th to salvage a draw after Mohamed Belloumi’s double saw Hull rally from 1-0 down to lead 2-1.
Morgan Rogers put Chelsea ahead in the seventh minute.
Another blank for Spurs
Tottenham remained goalless and winless in the Premier League on Saturday despite a summer of heavy spending including the arrival of Manchester City forwards Omar Marmoush and Savio.
A 0-0 draw at home to Everton made it more than six hours without a goal for Spurs after spending more than $400 million in the market to overhaul a squad that has flirted with relegation in back-to-back seasons.
A dour match at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was short on clearcut chances with neither team looking likely to find a winner.
The point moved Everton level with Merseyside rival Liverpool on six.
Jesus sinks Villa
Villa’s Champions League win midweek proved not to be a turning point in what has been a desperate start for Unai Emery’s much-changed team.
The loss of a slew of star players is taking its toll on a team that won the Europa League last season and finished fourth in Premier League.
Alysson Edward gave Villa fans hope of a point at home after Liam Delap put Midlands rival Forest ahead just after halftime. But Igor Jesus found a winner in the 88th.
Emery bemoaned Villa’s second half performance.
“We started so poor, they scored and they were creating chances,” he said. “We lost because we decided to lose.”
Ipswich leaves it late
Ipswich picked up its second win on its return to the top flight against 10-man Palace.
Flemming’s 90th-minute winner at Selhurst Park settled a game that swung one way and another.
Anan Khalaili put Palace ahead before Ipswich took a 2-1 lead into the break through Emerson and Leif Davis either side of a red card for Axel Disasi.
Jorgan Strand Larsen scored his third goal in two games to level the match again, but Flemming claimed the winner, converting after Davis struck the bar.
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Kevin Schade scored twice to earn Brentford a point at Bournemouth.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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