Premier Manager Revealed: Matchweek 3 Full Quotes
The full record for Matchweek 3 of the 2026/27 season, including the Aston Villa v Arsenal fixture carried forward from Monday 31 August. Every supplied post-match answer appears below, followed by the score it earned for its leadership language.
These quotations are reproduced from the transcript supplied for this edition. Spacing and obvious copy artefacts have been regularised for readability; the wording has otherwise been retained. The credited source appears beneath each manager.
Back to Premier Manager Revealed Table: Matchweek 3
Monday 31 August
Aston Villa 0–1 Arsenal
Villa Park · Saka 59′
Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
Source: post-match mixed-zone interview, Villa Park, 31 August 2026 (transcript supplied)
Q: Unai, your reflections on what was a very entertaining game from my point of view, and I thought Villa really contributed well.
Good evening. We perform like we planned, and we compete like we planned. Then, how we didn’t achieve the result at the end, of course, is painful. But this is the message, through how we played, how we compete, how we were focused in the game here in Villa Park. It’s the way we want to build the game, also with the will, the team, like we want. And the debut of some players like Suzuki and Jackson, fantastic. The second match they are playing in the starting eleven, Hemmings, fantastic, George. Ross Barkley playing today as a midfield after a long time as well, taking responsibility, good. The players they were last year as well, more or less trying to support the idea we have, competing like we needed. The result is not enough because we lost, but this is the way we must try to rebuild the team. And, of course, adding more players for the next days, weeks, training, being ready to play, and, of course, getting the same level collectively like we wanted and we did last year with a new era or new chapter in our way.
Q: You possibly in some ways regret the number of players that have left the club, but is it also quite exciting to have so many new players that you can now work with and bringing a freshness maybe to the place?
Now we are happy how we close, or we are closing the transfer window, and we are not regretting anything. And the players we are joining, they are players, should be enough to rebuild the team again with the structure we want, and then showing their qualities individually, and to compete like we compete today, with the players progressively being ready to play. For example, Joao after red card, the midfielder, the German midfielder as well, okay, and then Maggio, he did a fantastic pre-season. We need the players we are joining in the squad to add their characteristics or qualities individually in our structure collectively, and this is the process we have.
Q: Goretzka, of course, you’re talking about. We saw in the crowd Ibrahim Umba and Taylor Howard-Bellis watching on today, two new signings you should get done?
The squad now, I think, is like we are with those players as well. I don’t know if it’s official Taylor signed, but hopefully we can close everything and work with the players we have now. Of course, we did a fantastic job progressively the last three years, and now with a new chapter for what we have, with the new players as well, try to rebuild the team as fast as possible and try to adapt them as best as possible in our structure and add their qualities. Of course, the Premier League is very difficult, and this is the first objective we have, and today we lost the first match as well, we lost, and we are starting a little bit behind our expectation, but we must accept it and try to be optimistic with the work we must do the next days and weeks and compete like we did today.
Q: And just finally, last season was one of the greatest seasons in this club’s history. You didn’t score a goal in the first four games, you didn’t win a game in the first five, and yet you went on to have such a fantastic season, and I think people should probably remember that.
Each year is different, each season is different. We don’t have the same players. We have, of course, our idea in our mind to build again and to create again a new chapter for this year. But of course, we have lost two matches, and after two matches we have six points less than we wanted. We don’t want to compare with last year or two years ago, three years ago. We must try to focus this year with the circumstances we can have and as well with the improvement we need.
12/12 · Identity level fed: Capability & Purpose
Emery praises the way Villa competed, the debuts of new players and Barkley’s responsibility, then places the defeat inside a rebuilding process. He says the players are good enough to rebuild the team and has seen them compete in the way he wants. The requirement to work, adapt and learn the collective structure is an imperative, backed by belief in their individual qualities. The difficulty is temporary, the players are capable and the route to the required level is clear.
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Source: arsenal.com, “Every word from Arteta’s post-Aston Villa presser”, 31 August 2026
Q: On the victory?
I think it was a squad victory and everybody that was involved in the game in any capacity made a difference for us. That’s a big message for all of us because with the depth that we have and with the quality that we have, if you really make that count, that’s going to be a massive boost for us.
Q: On winning at Villa Park after losing last season?
Well that was the state in my tummy and I spoke to the players about it. That image when the players were on the floor totally gutted. It was a really difficult one to take and we used that to bring energy, to bring more conviction and belief to understand the difficulty of the challenge that we had ahead, especially against a team that was so successful last year and then they lost a few days ago in a really big way. You expect a reaction and this stadium is a really difficult one, one for the big matches and they make those moments count. Today when we had to suffer, we did suffer and when we had to be really dominant, we were. So I’m really pleased.
Q: On the differences to seeing the game out this year?
It was very different, and that shows a lot of maturity; that shows as well the tools that we have in the players to change momentum and to understand what the game needed. We brought a lot of leadership into the team. People who can hold the ball and really dominate in spells through the ball and in duels and I think they’ve done it. Ebs comes in, he makes a difference to win the game. Ezri makes a debut in really difficult circumstances; it’s not easy emotionally to come here and play. But he looks so composed, so calm, so in control. For all those reasons, I think that’s the reason why we won the game.
Q: On Eze’s impact?
We knew that he could create an action. He created three actions that he put people almost looking at the goalkeeper one-against-one, but as well I have to trust him. When they make the rotation, especially on the right-hand side, and Cash’s goal last year he lost him, we conceded the goal – and this year, I think he learned a lesson because every time something was happening he was at it, and I think he helped the team in a great way.
Q: On limiting Aston Villa to zero shots on target?
In the Premier League away from home, when you come to these quality squads, these quality coaches and they know how to make life really tough for you, you have to be at it. Consistently throughout the game, and individually, we did that really well.
Q: On transfer deadline day?
As I said, we’re trying to improve the squad – until tomorrow night we’re going to try to do that. I’ve been disconnected from the world for 24 hours because I think my energy probably has to be on the match, but I will get back on it now.
Q: Do you need more options?
It depends if everybody’s fit or not. We can talk about today, but it might change. We knew that if we had an injury on the backline with Jurrien out, we’d be in big trouble – so we had to do Ezri. Today, Mosquera could not continue, so we know the depth has to be really big when we’re fighting for four competitions in the manner that we play as well – so we’re going to try to do that.
Q: On Mosquera?
He’s fine, but he was feeling like he was about to have something, and that’s why we have the bench that we have, and that’s why we had to bring Ezri in.
To Sky Sports (Sky Sports match report): “It’s a tough place to come and earn three points. I think we deserved it.”
12/12 · Identity level fed: Capability & Belonging
Arteta combines Towards and Away From motivation. The image of the players on the floor after the previous defeat gives them something they do not want to experience again, and he turns it into energy, conviction and belief. He calls this a squad victory, then builds a specific list of SQAs: maturity, leadership, composure, calmness, control and the ability to change momentum. Those qualities belong to the players and strengthen their self-belief and resilience.
Friday 4 September
Ipswich Town 0–2 Liverpool
Portman Road · Isak 6′, 9′
Gary O’Neil (Ipswich Town)
Source: BBC Sport post-match interview, Portman Road, 4 September 2026 (transcript supplied)
Q: Commiserations. That cost you ten minutes in the end at the start of the game.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Two mistakes, I guess, and punished by some world-class players. But I thought we were excellent, unbelievably proud of the group. I thought probably the better side from that moment on. I think we had more shots, like some really good stuff. And it was a test, of course. You know, I spoke a bit about responding to setbacks at United and how we sort of lost our way, and if that was ever going to be tested, it was straight away, 2-0 down at home to Liverpool. And to respond the way they did, to fight back, to get control of the game was a very big effort from them. So very proud of what we produced. Of course, it doesn’t get us any points, but that’s the Premier League. You don’t always get points when you play well. But no, the group’s in a very good spot. I think there were some excellent performances out there, new players showing they had a good understanding of what we do, mentality to never stop. So no, very good, very pleased with them. Just disappointed that we obviously were 2-0 down so early.
Q: Yeah, for you especially, it was like a nearly but not quite situation. You got into so many good positions, balls flashed across the face, just that little final pass decision. You were so close to getting off the mark, weren’t you? But just those little tiny details costing.
Yeah, I think you’re up against world-class players, so if your defenders step out of line a fraction, you get punished. Their defenders make really good decisions when we get into dangerous situations and snuff things out and it becomes nothing. But tactically, there was no problem for us in the game, really, at all. Defended low well, defended high well, caused them loads of problems with the ball, like some excellent stuff. You don’t see many teams able to cut through an Andoni Iraola team like that. So to be able to play through them the way we did was impressive. So all the work put us in a really good spot. Unfortunately, it’s sport, and you can’t control everything. Sometimes things happen. We made a couple of mistakes that have meant we don’t leave with anything apart from a real belief. I think we take belief from today, I do especially, to see the group performing that way, and I’m really confident that we can move on.
Q: With so many signings as well, is this going to be a development process for a number of weeks, do you think?
I don’t want it to be. I don’t see any reason why we can’t be ready. I’m working unbelievably hard with the players. I didn’t see an understanding issue out there. I thought Palacios comes in after a few days of training with us and understood everything we do. Abdul Otara comes off the bench, it’s the same. Just a couple… It’s a ruthless league, especially when you play the top teams. So like I say, a soft first goal, an unbelievable pass and strike from them, to be fair, but a soft first goal, and then a little mistake in the back line for the second one. But yeah, apart from that, like toe to toe with Liverpool, fans were right with us, which is important. You can see at the end, really good reception for the players because we gave everything there and we come up a bit short, but now we’re ready to go again next week.
12/12 · Identity level fed: Capability & Esteem
O’Neil contains the loss inside two early mistakes against world-class players, then spends the interview describing what his team did well. Their response, fight, control, understanding and refusal to stop are credible SQAs, supported by what happened on the pitch. The mistakes are Narrow and Fleeting, while the team’s ability is treated as Lasting. They leave with belief and a clear instruction to be ready again next week.
Andoni Iraola (Liverpool)
Source: liverpoolfc.com, “Andoni Iraola press conference: Ipswich 0-2 Liverpool”, 4 September 2026
Q: On Liverpool’s professional performance?
Yes, very pleased with the win, obviously. We needed this win and as well with the performance – especially [in the] first half we have been a very good team. We put a lot of pressure to the opposition and I think we started really strong in the game. I think that we learned, probably, the lessons from the last two games where we conceded early goals and today we didn’t want this to happen, and we were really strong in the first half. In the second half also, I think in a different way. We controlled the game, we defended well, but we didn’t have this threat offensively, probably. But overall, I think it’s a game to finish quite pleased [about].
Q: On Isak looking like the player Liverpool were so keen to sign?
Yes, with Alex, if he’s fit, if he’s available, if he’s in good shape, I think he will produce the numbers. My demands with Alex will not be about the goals, probably. It will be about other things, I will demand other things so we can play well and if we play well, we are in good positions, the goals will come. I think he has to contribute to the collective and when everyone helps, I think after the goals and the other stuff will come.
Q: On Gakpo’s impact?
I have no doubt with Cody. He has been very good all the pre-season, has started very well this season, producing numbers. Today again, after the two assists, he finishes [the game at] No.9 to help us close the game. I think it’s good to have Cody because he can play in the three positions up top and to have him in this place for this beginning of the season is good.
Q: Does Gakpo’s attitude indicate how strong his mentality is?
Cody knows how much we value him, I think there is no doubt. I rate him very highly. I will demand from him, obviously, because there is also a strong competition for minutes because we have good players in those positions and it’s a matter of pushing each other. With Bradley, with Rio [Ngumoha], with Victor [Munoz], it’s a matter that sometimes they will start, sometimes they come from the bench, sometimes they will not play. But this competition, I think is going to be good for all of them.
Q: First impressions of Barcola?
I think Bradley hadn’t played a single minute since the World Cup so we needed to be careful. I think he is training well, in a good place, and I think that he has helped us. Probably, we haven’t found him in a couple of situations where I think he was going against the ‘keeper, but we haven’t really seen his movements. And also he has had a very good counter, very good passing side that I think Cody finished, but we didn’t score. But he was always a threat, you know? When he carries the ball, I think you can feel this threat and I’m happy because I think 30 minutes is going to be good for his fitness, for his build-up, and we will continue because now we play a lot of games, so he will have a chance to play more.
Q: Will fans need to be patient with Barcola due to his lack of game time?
I think it’s normal, he hasn’t played any pre-season minutes. I think he’s still in a good place. I don’t think he will need something like a very special build-up, but we have to be aware that he hasn’t been playing in a while and the demands of the games are very different from training, so we got to consider this.
Q: Relieved to get a first win after it took 10 Premier League games at Bournemouth?
Definitely. That couldn’t happen today because I think two points also don’t reflect our two first games, but it was the points we had. So, definitely we couldn’t lose any more today and I’m happy because I believe we controlled quite well the game.
7/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
Iraola connects the clean sheet and strong start to lessons from the previous two matches, and he gives Gakpo and Barcola some useful praise. A subtler pattern weakens the message. His Attention Direction repeatedly points towards External motivators: numbers, competition for minutes and selection. Numbers are Other. They do not tell a player what he can find within himself to know he is good enough or which Self qualities produce those numbers. Iraola also expresses relief at the first win, which does not communicate strong confidence in the side. The collective standards are valid, but the players receive too little Internal evidence of their own Capability.
Saturday 5 September
Newcastle United 2–2 Bournemouth
St James’ Park · Tavernier 9′, Thiaw OG 35′; Barnes 37′, Ramsey 88′
Matthias Jaissle (Newcastle)
Source: BBC Match of the Day, 5 September 2026; additional lines Chronicle Live / Northern Echo
Q: How do you feel after coming from 2-0 down?
I have mixed feelings. But after that start, you should be happy. But if we could have performed at the best level over 90 minutes, we could have had all three points. We couldn’t match Bournemouth’s intensity in the first half and conceded twice. That’s something you could avoid. But I’m proud of the team to have shown the reaction. We were clear it would be a tough, tough game. If you look at our history against Bournemouth, it was never going to be easy. We wanted to win. We need to make sure we get the three points next time. We will be consistent with our statements. I said from the first day, there will be ups and downs. We saw within the game today a down but also an up.
Q: Should Bournemouth’s first goal have stood?
Sorry for that. I cannot say anything right now. I haven’t seen it after the match again. I don’t want to make a wrong statement.
Q: On the reaction from Newcastle fans?
Lot of satisfaction after we did our round after the match. They saw that the team was trying and believed in themselves. We made the turnaround almost complete. But at least we got one point. I saw so many happy faces in the crowd.
Q: On the yellow card for leaving the technical area?
Apparently, I’m too active! That’s why I got a yellow card. If it against the referee (protesting), then it’s fine to get a yellow card, but if I am 20cm outside the technical area just pushing and supporting my team, I am not sure if that’s the point of the rules. I will need to ask why, as that was not the plan.
Q: On Jacob Ramsey and the substitutes?
Hopefully, we will continue like that, to make these substitutions. All of them showed a great input, not only JJ because he scored, but also the other lads. They showed a good energy and a real braveness, which was needed to make that turnaround. I am really pleased to see that.
6/12 · Identity level fed: Capability & Belonging
Jaissle says Newcastle could not match Bournemouth’s intensity and describes the two goals as something the players could have avoided. Neither point is balanced with an existing team SQA, so the language can sound blamey. “We need to make sure we get the three points next time” adds pressure without giving the players evidence from this game of why they can do it. His best language concerns the substitutes, whose energy, bravery and contribution are credited with the turnaround, but that praise does not fully repair the wider message.
Marco Rose (Bournemouth)
Source: BBC Match of the Day, “What Rose said”, 5 September 2026
Q: How do you assess the game?
It is what it is. We started really well. We played a top first half. Our pressing was impressive. The opponents had no solutions. We scored two goals and had more chances. Then we conceded in pretty much with the first chance for the opponents. In the second half, we dropped a bit in everything. Even we didn’t get real trouble in our box but we conceded again a late goal. This is disappointing but I’m really happy with the confidence the lads came here today to take the three points. At the end, we have to work on the things we need to improve. And that’s what we will do in the coming days. We knew that it’s going to be intense against Newcastle. We defended Anthony Elanga really well. We did all that but in the end, if you are 2-0 up and you have the chance to score a third goal, you should do it or you have to defend your goal better than we did.
Q: On conceding late again?
I try my best. Even the lads. It’s not with intention to do it. Sometimes you have phases where things like these happen. We should go for our first win the Premier League to calm down this kind of talks. Regarding the points, I am not happy. We just have two now. It’s about results in this level. But performance wise, I see a lot of good things.
10/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
Rose praises an impressive press, first-half confidence and several things Bournemouth did well, then identifies the late goal and the drop in the second half as the work. He treats repeated late concessions as a phase that can pass and promises to address them in the coming days. The balance of praise and criticism is credible, although the collective Identity is described less strongly than the performance.
Brentford 1–1 Sunderland
Gtech Community Stadium · Janelt 57′; Le Fée 82′ pen
Keith Andrews (Brentford)
Source: brentfordfc.com; PA / The Irish News; Sunderland Echo
Q: On the 1-1?
It was a game that had a lot in it, that’s for sure. I thought they played well in the first half and we didn’t hit the levels that we have done in recent weeks. That’s why we have a squad, we were able to make changes and I thought the subs coming on and the approach of the squad in the second half was more like us. We got ourselves in front, unfortunately we couldn’t quite see that out and get the three points.
Q: On the tactical battle with Le Bris?
I thought it was a proper game. We’ll have areas where we’re not happy, which I’ve already discussed, but if I’m in the stand or watching that game from afar, I think it’s a proper game of football. It’s what the Premier League is all about. What you’re alluding to is what makes me feel alive: our players going toe-to-toe with a really good team and a good coach, the way he sets them up and the way all those things unfold. Every different aspect of the game was there, from what you do with the ball and without it to everything in between and set-pieces. I thought it was an enthralling game that had so much in it. Yes, I do enjoy that side of it.
Q: On the penalty and the officiating?
I must say, I wasn’t bowled over by some of the officiating today, which, as you know, I rarely say. On that particular one, I felt we could have done better. I don’t tend to go on about the officials too much. I’m certainly not going to discuss them much more than I already have because I’ll talk myself into trouble. I didn’t like the flow of the game today. I thought there were incidents where it wasn’t quite under control and some of the decisions weren’t right for me.
Q: On the second-half improvement?
We caused ourselves a lot of problems. We were better in the second half. We started fighting more, did the ugly side of the game and played with a bit more conviction. There was a real improvement, and I thought the game was there for the taking in the second half. The fact we’re looking round the place and there is a tinge of disappointment. Nothing is given to you in this league – you have to go and earn it.
12/12 · Identity level fed: Capability & Belonging
Andrews tells the players that watching them go toe-to-toe with a very good team makes him feel alive. That is an inspiring reflection of the quality and style they displayed. “We didn’t hit the levels that we have done in recent weeks” makes the first half an exception, while the substitutes came on and produced something “more like us”. Fighting, doing the ugly work and playing with conviction are specific SQAs. This is powerful Identity language, building belief in the team’s intensity, football and ability to respond.
Régis Le Bris (Sunderland)
Source: BBC, via beIN Sports; Northern Echo
Q: On the first half and the point?
I was really happy and pleased with our first half. It was probably one of our best first halves in the Premier League so far because Brentford are a really good team at home. But you have to be clinical. We dominated the ball and had a good bit of possession. It’s a bit of a shame to concede the goal when we did. But the lads stayed connected. It was good for the substitutes because when they came on they were good and gave us extra drive.
Q: On bringing Isidor on alongside Brobbey?
It [playing with Brobbey and Isidor] is a good set-up, especially away. We thought that it could be a good idea when we have to chase, even before.
11/12 · Identity level fed: Belonging & Capability
Le Bris calls the first half one of Sunderland’s best in the Premier League, credits the quality of the opposition and praises the players for staying connected after conceding. The substitutes added drive and the two-forward shape gives the team a practical option when chasing a game. It is a compact answer, but it carries belief, togetherness and a usable tactical path.
Brighton 1–1 Leeds United
Amex Stadium · Bogle 15′; Vušković 71′
Fabian Hürzeler (Brighton)
Source: BBC Match of the Day; Sussex Express; ESPN
Q: On the draw?
Every second phase, every second ball landed for a Leeds player. That’s what we changed in the second half, and we were a better team. We don’t need long to change a game. We had plenty of chances, but it’s all about fighting for the clean sheet and being better together. We had a lack of energy, lack of intensity, but showed another face in the second half and could have won the game. It has cost us energy to chase the game. We need to be at the highest level from the start and need to find solutions for that. Our start to the season can be better, can be worse. There were positives but also things to improve.
Q: What changed after the break?
We had more intensity, more energy, we won personal duels. We were sharp on the second ball. We understood that, first of all, it’s about doing the basics, right. Being physical, trying to outwork, outrun the opponent, that’s always the foundation of the game. And then we are good in possession. I think it’s important to understand that we saw it in the second half. We can change a game within two or three minutes. We don’t need a lot, we have this quality, but we need to understand we have to be consistent in outworking or outrunning the opponent.
Q: On Luka Vušković’s first goal?
What he has is the physicality to quickly adapt to the Premier League. But definitely we shouldn’t underestimate he’s a really, really young boy. For his young age, he plays very mature and he definitely adapts quick. He still has moments , similar to the whole team performance , where he switches off a little bit, moments where he’s not 100% into the game, moments where he also has a lack of experience, but this will come over time. He played his third Premier League match, he played against a striker who is so experienced. That’s definitely something he will learn from and the Premier League will educate him. We try to help, we try to give him support, and then he can be a top player.
10/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
Hürzeler is exact about the first-half problem and the team’s response. Brighton changed the match through greater energy, intensity, physical work and second-ball sharpness, and he reminds them that they have the quality to do that quickly. He is still quite critical. The lack of energy and intensity is not clearly made Other or Fleeting, and the collective criticism is not balanced by enough explicit team SQAs. His feedback to Vušković is stronger because the player’s maturity and physicality sit alongside the areas he will learn through experience.
Daniel Farke (Leeds)
Source: BBC Match of the Day, “What Farke said”, 5 September 2026
Q: How do you see the result?
It’s a good point on the road. It’s a tough place to come so it’s a good point because Brighton are a good team. But we had a chances to win it. Normally if you miss so many chances in an away game, you come away with no points so I’m happy to have a point in our hands. It’s a very good start for us – two difficult away games. It can always be better but overall it’s a good start and we are happy with it.
Q: On Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
Dominic was a big leader for us. He normally puts his chances to bed, but he’s a fantastic leader, fantastic player and we are happy to have him.
12/12 · Identity level fed: Esteem & Capability
Farke values the away point, respects Brighton and keeps the missed chances in proportion. Calling Calvert-Lewin a fantastic player and a big leader protects his Esteem after the misses and tells the group what remains true about him. The absence of a concrete next action does not weaken this answer. Its purpose is to recognise a good start, preserve confidence after missed chances and remind a senior player and the squad of the qualities they can trust.
Fulham 2–3 Crystal Palace
Craven Cottage · King 11′, Palacios 42′; Mitchell 35′, 54′, Chilwell 77′
Álvaro Arbeloa (Fulham)
Source: BBC Match of the Day / BBC Sport match report, 5 September 2026
Q: Did you deserve to lose?
We didn’t deserve to lose this game. My players did everything – good attitude, they were brave, so many chances to score more goals. They [Palace] took their chances – in the end football is about that. We did many good things to win the game. It was similar against Chelsea but we lose. For the players it’s a difficult situation, difficult moment, but I am very proud of them.
Q: On the second Palace goal?
We were really unlucky in this goal.
Q: On Palacios and García?
Cesar Palacios and Gonzalo Garcia both had a great game. Cesar scored a goal, and for Gonzalo another great performance.
10/12 · Identity level fed: Esteem & Capability
Arbeloa gives the players bravery, attitude and effort after a painful loss, and he names two strong individual performances. He accepts that Palace took their chances, although ‘we didn’t deserve to lose’ and ‘really unlucky’ place part of the explanation outside Fulham’s control. The praise builds belief, but he does not make it overtly clear that continuing to perform this way will bring the wins.
Pierre Sage (Crystal Palace)
Source: BBC Match of the Day, “What Sage and Mitchell said”, 5 September 2026
Q: How do you assess the win?
The fans give us their best whenever they are with us. We need points, and the strength the fans give us is important. The result is positive but I am aware of the game, but sometimes it is like this, you have to take the points. We didn’t play as we expected, I’m happy but disappointed for the other team and the coach because they had opportunities [to win] too. I am not happy with the way we defended, we have a lot of things to move. The confidence from this result can help us. It’s like with a car, when you put petrol inside you can drive.
5/12 · Identity level fed: Safety
Sage is generous to Fulham and honest that Palace did not defend as expected. He recognises the supporters’ strength and sees the result as fuel for confidence. The criticism remains broad, however, and no player or team SQA is named to balance it. ‘We have a lot of things to move’ gives only a vague path, so the win does less for the team’s Identity than it could.
Manchester City 1–0 Coventry City
Etihad Stadium · Haaland 26′
Enzo Maresca (Manchester City)
Source: BBC Sport, “Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye show signs of promise”, 5 September 2026
Q: On Enzo Fernández’s debut?
It is much more easier when a player you already share time together [joins] because they know exactly what you want. We know each other very well, I know how good he is and I know that he is going to help the team to win games.
Q: On Iliman Ndiaye?
Ili just had two sessions with us. He needs to understand how to move. Most of the time he was moving in the wrong way, wrong position, but he needs to learn and for sure he is going to learn. When Marc Guehi has the ball and he was dropping a lot and we don’t need that. We need him in the last third so he can be a little bit more higher. That space was more for Josko Gvardiol. It is the same thing in this [other] side. But it is normal and with time they will learn the way we want them to play.
Q: On Elliott Anderson?
Really impressed. Not just today. He was very good against Palace; he was also very good against Bournemouth, having only been one week with us when we changed him for cramp. But the best thing with Elliot is the day by day. He is asking how he can learn. We sit with him one-v-one video [analysis] and he wants to be better, and that is the best thing for any player.
9/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
Maresca gives Fernández and Anderson strong Capability messages, especially Anderson’s wish to learn and improve every day. His correction of Ndiaye is technically useful and explicitly temporary, but it lists wrong movements and positions without naming an existing quality Ndiaye can rely on. The individual development path is clear; the win and the collective Identity receive little attention.
Frank Lampard (Coventry)
Source: BBC Match of the Day, “What Lampard said”, 5 September 2026; extra lines Football.London
Q: Did you deserve to lose?
I don’t think we deserved to lose. As the game went on we grew, of course they created chances but the boys did great, I’m disappointed we didn’t get what we deserved which was a point. We have played the two toughest teams on paper. All you can do is control the performance, the boys grew and the pressure we had in periods of the second half was great progression from Arsenal two weeks ago. There was a real organisation to the team, Ethan [Pinnock] came in and was great. There were not too many moments when we were on edge, I am really pleased with our lads and the fans showed what they thought of the performance. We should take a lot from these three games. Our season will be defined more by the games against likes of Hull, which was disappointing but we have plenty more games to come.
Q: On the difference from Arsenal two weeks ago?
Going to Arsenal two weeks ago felt very different, it felt like our first game for 25 years in the Premier League. Today felt like a competitive Premier League team coming with a clear idea and a threat, so we must take that forward. We’re not playing Manchester City every week. The Premier League is a high, high level and we’ll play different versions of quality against us. What’s more important to the players today is they take confidence out of the performance and we’re disappointed to lose. But in reflection there will be a lot of good taken out of it if we can use it in our mentality.
Q: On Elliott Anderson?
He is a really good player. I admire him from afar and did at Forest, but this was the first time I had seen him close up in the flesh. Very smart, very talented and a very good player – good brain, everything you need in a midfield player – and he is going to be a fantastic player for Manchester City. He had a lot of the ball today. I don’t think he could hurt us, but he was constantly on it and I highly respect players like that, no doubt.
12/12 · Identity level fed: Capability & Esteem
After a third defeat, Lampard gives Coventry a strong confidence-building message. He calls them a competitive Premier League team and supports that Identity with organisation, second-half pressure and visible progress from the Arsenal match. The two strongest opponents are placed in their proper context, and the disappointing Hull match is not excused. His players hear that they are improving, reaching the required level and capable of carrying this mentality forward.
Nottingham Forest 0–0 Tottenham Hotspur
City Ground · Williams goal disallowed (VAR, handball)
Oliver Glasner (Nottingham Forest)
Source: BBC Sport, 5 September 2026
Q: On the disallowed Neco Williams goal?
I watched five or six different angles and, to be fair, from one angle you can guess that the ball touched the arm because the shirt moves a little bit, but it’s not clear is it the ball or [Sandro] Tonali on the goalline. I think the VAR can’t intervene when he is guessing. It was not clear and obvious. We had a briefing before the season that the threshold for VAR intervention this year should be very high, which is why this is a wrong intervention. If it’s not 100% clear, stick to the on-field decisions. This is the inconsistency today. I told the referee after the game that I felt the goal should have stood.
I think, yeah, we had a very, very well-organised defence today. In a few situations, we had a big chance. It was the same, was no offside. The big chance right before half-time of Morgan, but we didn’t take it. So on the other side, if we take our clear chances we had, I think we should have won the game.
Q: You just mentioned the defending. I was going to ask you about the overall performance of your team. Can you see, game by game now, just starting to take shape as to what you want?
Yes, things are getting clearer and clearer, how we want to defend, and it’s how we want to then do our transitions. I think in possession, it’s still, yeah, we’re giving the ball away too easily in many situations without pressure, playing a risky pass, losing, is running again. I think here we need a little bit better decision-making. But yes, I see players feeling more and more comfortable. You could see Morgan had two fantastic chances, one against the keeper, with an incredible pass of Liam Delap, with a fantastic pass of James McAtee. So yeah, we’re getting there, but again today it feels it should have been more.
Q: And Liam Delap in from the start, Daniel Munoz on as a substitute. These new relationships between players, how long is that going to take to really knit?
I see, I don’t know exactly. I think what we can see midfield, James McAtee and Salihs Schlager, I think they know each other now for four weeks, have never played. So this was the second game they played together after Ibrahim Sangaré was injured. I think understanding each other better and better, and then this is, yeah, and it’s the same. I really believe Neco Williams had a fantastic game today. He should have been rewarded with a goal, or at least with, let’s say, an assist because we get a penalty. I think for Liam’s first appearance for us, or starting for us, was very well as well. And Morgan, what’s important, had good chances today. So overall, I think we’re going in the right direction.
7/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
Glasner is visibly deflated and returns repeatedly to the result he feels Forest deserved, which reduces the force of his leadership language. There is still useful positivity. He praises a well-organised defence, says the players are growing more comfortable and names Williams, Delap, McAtee and Morgan’s contributions. Better decision-making in possession gives them a specific area to improve. The interview supplies some evidence of progress, although the grievance and flat delivery prevent it from becoming a strong confidence-building message.
Roberto De Zerbi (Tottenham)
Source: BBC Match of the Day, “What De Zerbi said”; Sky Sports via BBC; NBC Sports
Q: On the performance and the 0-0?
In terms of performance I am very, very proud. I’m delighted to watch my players fight like this. We didn’t concede risk to concede goals. We are working now, because we started last Thursday, very happy for the spirit, the attitude, the behaviour of the players. The players who played 90 minutes, 70 minutes, 20 minutes, 10 minutes. This is our way, great qualities of the players. The human level of the dressing is great, now we have to work and improve in all levels of the football. Our mood is to win, to win, to win. But I think we have to stay calm to keep the confidence in ourselves. Then I think we have the players good enough to score many goals like [Dominic] Solanke, Savio, [Omar] Marmoush.
Q: Do you have everything you need?
I’m very happy for the transfer market, I think the club, the sporting director and the CEO worked it very, very well with ambition and clear ideas. Now we have to work because in football you cannot ask for time but without time you can do nothing.
Q: On Football Manager and building a team?
We bought very, very good players but you can’t just build the team with the names like in Football Manager. We are disappointed for the result but for the performance very happy. Considering we started to work together last Thursday for the first time, for the first day. We have to improve in every part of football, organisation with and without the ball. Even today I thought we defended very well. We have to work because I think we played very well with the ball, we found the solution. I think we can be much better in the final third.
Q: Why haven’t Spurs scored in three games?
It’s not to unlock [the final third]. It’s the mistakes. We have to work in this part. I think we played very well with the ball, we found the solutions because they press [our defenders] with three, but one of our full backs was always alone and we found him always in 90 minutes. So in build-up, we played very well. In the last third, I think we can be… better. Much better.
12/12 · Identity level fed: Belonging & Purpose
De Zerbi names spirit, attitude, behaviour, human quality and the contribution of every player, regardless of minutes. He keeps the lack of goals Narrow by locating it in final-third decisions, while backing the squad’s ability and asking them to stay calm and confident. Daily work, better organisation and improvement in the final third provide a clear path without weakening the group he already has.
Hull City 0–0 Aston Villa
MKM Stadium
Sergej Jakirović (Hull City)
Source: BBC Match of the Day, “What Jakirovic said”; Hull Daily Mail
Q: On the result?
I’m realistic. I think this is a realistic result. We gave everything we had. They had two clear chances, we also could win the game at the end. I won’t be ungrateful, this is a great result for us. Seven points, three games. Clean sheet. Let’s move on.
Q: On balancing new signings?
I know the core of my team, this is the Championship players. Of course, we brought the players in to put some quality there. We have. The big problem for me is who didn’t have a pre-season. This is a very big problem. But we will try. For example, on Tuesday, we will use that to give minutes and at the end, they will get a new chance.
Q: On Oli McBurnie’s late chance?
Maybe fatigue, because it’s a great effort from Oli. It is very demanding because we were out of possession which is very normal. Aston Villa is a good team, they need more time with their new players. Same with Ali-Cho. I don’t know how many meters, if he shoots one metre around the goalkeeper. He has a chance. But we will not be ungrateful, we will be looking forward.
Q: Champions League places, given seven points from three?
Maybe expect to fight for a Champions League place? No, of course it is early. Our goal is to as soon as possible, collect the points. I think around 38/40 points, so as soon as possible to get these points.
Q: Is defence the key to staying up?
In my opinion, defence wins titles and of course, our title is to stay in the league. 100 per cent. You will always create some chances. Even today, from 70 minutes to the 85th minute, we sat back waiting for our opportunity and in the end we had two excellent chances. I am aware of what we can do and how we can play. It’s a great recipe for us but also we can try and improve and we have plan B always.
11/12 · Identity level fed: Safety & Capability
Jakirović treats the point as valuable evidence: seven points from three games, a clean sheet and two late chances against a strong opponent. He sets a realistic survival Outcome, backs the existing core and gives underprepared players a route to minutes. The focus on 38 to 40 points is worth watching as the season develops. It is sensible now, although reaching it early could create a sense that the job is done when more may still be available. At this stage, the dominant message is practical confidence.
Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
Source: Sky Sports, via beIN Sports; Express & Star
Q: Did you do enough to win?
The result is not enough, but how we played and how we created, with our chances to score – I think we deserved more. We weren’t clinical. We had four very good chances to score and, of course, if we score, the match can change. But overall, after 90 minutes I feel comfortable that we are progressing. It’s hard, but we have to accept how we are. Again, we are building the team.
Q: On the finishing?
It is not enough because we are not being clinical, we are not being ruthless. But we created chances. We are building and there is still work to do. This is the direction I want. It’s a good point. It is not enough. Now we are building the team. We are trying to understand with the new players how we can build our structure, try to get as strong as possible our ideas. Today we showed it, more or less. After the 90 minutes I can feel there is a lot of positive news. There are some players getting better. Collectively, how we played and respond on the field, trying to understand our ways like that, we did it. After the plan this morning we were speaking, we did it.
12/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
Emery is honest about the missing ruthlessness while keeping the problem Narrow: Villa created four strong chances and followed the plan. He describes progress, players improving and a collective structure taking shape. The players have shown that they can carry out the ideas discussed that morning, and the work with the new group will make those ideas stronger. The draw is handled credibly, with belief in the players and a clear imperative to keep building.
Sunday 6 September
Everton 2–2 Manchester United
Hill Dickinson Stadium · George 83′, Maitland-Niles 90+6′; Mbeumo 46′, Šeško 88′
David Moyes (Everton)
Source: Sky Sports, Manchester Evening News; Liverpool Echo; The Guardian
Q: On the 2-2?
For periods we played well. I thought Man United played better than they have done in their other games. The first goal we concede is shabby. But I thought if anyone was going to go on and win the game after we equalises it would be us. I set out to win. For us, to give the crowd moments, it was a big moment. But I wanted to win and I thought we were capable of winning. I need to win my home games. You don’t plan as a manager to equalise in the last minute. But I thought the boys did amazing to keep running. We did well to ride their pressure and we got the great finish to end.
Q: Did you deserve to be behind?
I thought we played pretty well for periods. I thought Manchester United played better than they have in other games but I didn’t think we deserved to be behind in both cases, but we lost the first goal a minute into the second half, which was pretty shabby. And then we get back to one each and I felt that if anybody was probably going to be the team who would be on top and win it, it would be us. I thought that we never really got the ball back, never really controlled the game for the minutes after that which allowed them to go and get 2-1 up. I think it would be hard to say that we didn’t do enough to get something out of the game.
Q: On Maitland-Niles’ debut goal?
If nobody knew you that goal would get you plenty of headlines. It was a brilliant goal, brilliant technique. We have not had a chance to get to know Ainsley but it was a great start from him. It was a big moment to get back in the last minute. It didn’t feel as big for me because I wanted to win and I felt we were capable of winning. That meant I was happy to get the point but obviously a bit disappointed because I want to win my home games.
Q: On the transfer-window disruption and being a player down?
It was the exact opposite. I said to the players there would be no excuses from any of us and the players all agreed. The players hugely bought into it. It can hurt you being a player down but it can also have the opposite reaction. Sometimes when you have less players it means everybody has to be ready and you have to find a way of making it work.
10/12 · Identity level fed: Capability & Belonging
Moyes says Everton were capable of winning, praises the players for continuing to run and makes a shared no-excuses commitment explicit. Being a player short becomes a reason for everyone to be ready and find a way, while Maitland-Niles receives specific praise for his technique. Calling the play that conceded the first goal “shabby” is not balanced by language that makes it Other, Narrow or Fleeting, so it costs him a point.
Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
Source: BBC Match of the Day; BBC Sport
Q: On conceding so late?
Yeah, for sure, it is. I thought there were a lot of good things in that game for us. We played some good football and looked dangerous at times, for the most part I thought we defended really well as a team. A few more balls went into the box, made it a little bit more difficult for us when we should have seen out of the game. We’re disappointed that we didn’t come away with a win.
Q: On Everton’s goals?
They were two great strikes to be fair. We didn’t give them clear chances, I thought we defended really well, a few bits dropped around the edge of the box, a few shots which we got blocks to.
Q: On United’s performance?
I thought that we played some really good football at times. Earlier on in the game and towards the end not so much, but we did a lot of good things, and looked dangerous. We caused them a lot of problems at certain times. Both were really good goals for different reasons, and the second one should have been the winner for us.
Q: What went wrong?
Of course we don’t want to concede goals. Today was different to the others, it was about finishing the game off more than anything because we were in a really good position.
Later, to BBC Sport:
It feels like a defeat. All the work that went into putting us in that position at different stages to then come away like that. We’re disappointed, bitterly disappointed. We can’t ignore the fact we have taken a point, but it feels that we should have had a lot more. We were that close to coming away with three points today. That’s football. There were little moments we can deal with a bit better, but we’ll be fine. The mentality is there. It’s two really good strikes from distance from their point of view. Sometimes they fly in the top corner, more often than not they probably don’t. But we obviously can’t ignore it. We need to concede fewer goals to give us a better chance of winning games.
10/12 · Identity level fed: Capability
Carrick praises United’s football, danger and defending as a team, then limits the disappointment to finishing the game. He credits Everton’s two strikes and says the mentality remains in place. The adverse moment is Narrow and Fleeting, and ‘we’ll be fine’ protects belief. The delivery is a little flat and “we need to concede fewer goals” gives the team only a broad direction, so the interview stops at ten.
Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea
Emirates Stadium · Rogers 2′; Havertz 25′, Ødegaard 50′
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
Source: Football.London, “Every word Arteta said”, 6 September 2026; Sky Sports mixed-zone
Q: You called Monday a squad victory, was this similar for you?
I think it was an exceptional performance. I think I enjoyed every minute of it from the beginning to the end, and the beginning was tough, but I enjoyed it because the team reacted in a spectacular way. The conviction, the determination, the quality of which I intend to have them constantly, it was beautiful. It was a fascinating game, I think, for the spectator as well, and I think we deserved to win the game, which I’m really pleased with, obviously.
Q: You’ve not considered a goal yet this season until that Rogers goal, what do you learn in those moments when your team go a goal down at home in such a big game?
There are some things that we do badly in that goal that we discussed before, but credit to them as well, that from that ball in the air, somebody’s able to put the ball very close to the post and score against David, which is not easy. And after that, react, insist, I think the crowd was incredible, again, I think the atmosphere we generated in the stadium was so inspiring as well, and it’s so helpful, and yeah, it feels like a big win for us.
Q: You created so many chances. Chelsea have been tipped as title challengers. On the basis of today, is that an early marker?
I think it’s an indication for us of how capable we are to perform at an even higher level than last season, and it depends on how we maintain and sustain that desire, that humbleness and continue every day to try to find a better version of myself and the team. We still have a lot to grow and a lot to offer, and this is the ambition of the team.
Q: Konsa’s tackle on Morgan Rogers?
Very English tackle, the crowd reacted to that, you guys love that more than a goal sometimes. It was great, obviously. What else we’ve done, I think he played 11 minutes, he had five or six training sessions, the way he played tonight against this opponent, playing man to man against Joao Pedro, he was phenomenal.
Q: Only Arsenal and City have 100%. Is that how hard the league is?
I don’t know, it’s super hard, and the margin is that you win games, and we’ve seen that. We went to Villa Park a few days ago and it was a really tough one, and today again, and we will go to Sunderland and it will be again so, so tough. We know every week it’s going to be like this, but that’s what we prepare for.
Q: Martin Ødegaard , what has changed?
Well first of all that he’s fit, he feels confident, I think one of the highest that I’ve seen him, and he has a point to prove from last season as well, and after missing so much football. When that happens, Kai the same, Bukayo the same, we miss so many attacking players last season for long, long periods, and I don’t know how many times they’ve played together those two in the last year or so, but probably not much, and when you start to feel the chemistry they have between them and what they can produce, it’s great. For me, he gets to that point because he’s enjoying his football, and when you are that, you have to enjoy what you do, you have to play with real intent, and that’s what I love to see him today, he was running forward, he took shots, he created so many situations for his teammates, so it was great.
Q: Kai looks in great shape?
Yeah, he looks, again, he looks happy, he looks settled, he looks happy, his personal life, some great things have happened as well, he feels fit, he’s training every day, he has this routine right now, and he’s scoring goals, and not only that, but it’s been an amazing work for the team.
Q: Update on Cristhian Mosquera?
Yeah, so he had a muscular issue, and we think it’s not too much, but we need to wait and see in the next few days how this evolves.
12/12 · Identity level fed: Capability & Purpose
Arteta makes the early concession a specific mistake and concentrates on the response: conviction, determination, quality, insistence and composure. Individual praise for Konsa, Ødegaard and Havertz is backed by observable behaviour, while the team’s ambition is daily improvement beyond last season’s level. He credits Chelsea, enjoys the win and still gives the group a demanding path.
Xabi Alonso (Chelsea)
Source: BBC Match of the Day, “What Alonso said”, 6 September 2026; Sky Sports mixed-zone
Q: Your assessment?
The assessment and the feeling [is that] it hurts. It hurts to lose. It hurts to suffer our first defeat. It has been a very intense game, a great fight between two sides who have given everything. They have played with the top level of concentration, of intensity. We have tried, we score early, after that Arsenal push us hard and we were struggling a little bit to get control of the ball. After the equaliser, it has been quite balanced. We had a couple of chances. It’s about details. Once you concede, you need to know it’s just one goal. Disappointed that we couldn’t take anything from here.
Q: On creating opportunities?
It was never going to be a game to create 12 opportunities. They are hard to beat, they are hard to create chances [against], but we had 3, 4, chances to score more than one goal. This is a process. It’s still early days for us. We want to start having clean sheets, they will come. The players are committed to working hard, to knowing that we’re on the way to compete in each game. Not happy that we couldn’t get anything but we need to keep calm and carry on.
Q: Too early to say Chelsea will score a lot but also concede a lot?
It’s too early. Time will tell. We want to keep improving in certain areas, we want to keep doing as well as we are doing.
To Sky Sports: “It hurts. It hurts because a defeat has to hurt. It has been a very intense game with different moments for everything. We had chances to equalise.”
12/12 · Identity level fed: Capability & Purpose
Alonso allows the defeat to hurt while containing it within one goal, a few details and an early stage of the process. He credits Arsenal’s pressure and praises his own players’ concentration, intensity and commitment. Calm, hard work, clean sheets and continued improvement give Chelsea a credible path, so the loss remains Fleeting without being dismissed.
