Advertisement

Wolves ease pressure on Gary O’Neil with first win in 196 days

joel mians
·29-min read
Matheus Cunha
Matheus Cunha created a goal and scored another against Southampton to secure a first league victory of the season for Wolves - PA/Nick Potts

After an excruciating wait of 196 days, Wolverhampton Wanderers finally have a Premier League victory to savour and, for the moment, Gary O’Neil can breathe a little easier.

O’Neil has been coming under increasing pressure after an alarming start to the season but here was a result and performance that offered some hope of a brighter future.

In the battle of the slow starters, the scrutiny will now intensify on Southampton’s manager Russell Martin after a ninth defeat in 11 matches.

Southampton have replaced Wolves at the bottom of the table and Martin is fighting to convince billionaire owner Dragan Solak that defiantly sticking to his principles is what the club needs at this level.

His team did not manage a shot on target all afternoon and, in an era of statistics which include expected goals, most Southampton supporters are not expecting any.

With the cutting edge of a plastic spatula, Southampton were the ideal opponents for Wolves to finally end their horrific run.

A first league win of the season for Wolves also included a first clean sheet in the league since February while this was a rare occasion when they experienced a slice of fortune with VAR.

In Matheus Cunha, Wolves had the best player on the pitch and the Brazilian forward is leading by example in a time of difficulty. With a brilliant assist for the first goal and a thunderous strike of his own, he was the crucial difference between the teams.

After such a torrid time, this was exactly the response O’Neil required to temporarily stave off the questions over his future.

He said: “The players deserve it for putting in an enormous amount of work. We didn’t lack togetherness or fight and it’s a big win for the club.

“I’m disappointed with some of the quality shown but today was never going to be about that.

“It’s been an interesting journey this season so far, not getting the results we wanted and since the Brentford defeat I’ve had a lot of thinking to do.

“We’ve now gone three matches unbeaten and while we weren’t at our best, we did look solid.”

Southampton in serious trouble

While Wolves are hoping to finally kick-start their season, Southampton already appear doomed to a scrap around the bottom.

There is much to admire: they are clearly well coached and technically efficient, but never looked like scoring after Ryan Manning’s ‘goal’ was disallowed for a foul on Nelson Semedo.

It was a moment which angered Southampton, with referee Thomas Bramall ruling out what would have been an equaliser after being called to his TV monitor by VAR official Chris Kavanagh.

Yet despite that controversy, results will clearly be a concern for Southampton’s hierarchy.

Martin is not for turning, and may lack the personnel to abandon his philosophy, but it cannot be much fun for supporters watching these toothless displays.

He said: “We can’t just turn up and fight, we haven’t recruited for that. I know I’ll get asked about our style of play, and we have to find a different way of doing it.

“Hopefully I’ll be speaking to you [the press] in two weeks, if not we’ll see. I don’t worry about it and as a coach you have to find solutions.

“We’ve dominated the ball, I would expect us to get something and we didn’t.

“We have a lack of punch and we have to create. We should have done better and it’s about how we respond.”

Wolves took the lead after just one hundred and 49 seconds, with their fastest ever Premier League goal.

Picking the ball up on the halfway line, Cunha advanced towards the Southampton area before threading through a sublime pass for Pablo Sarabia who rounded Aaron Ramsdale to open the scoring.

Pablo Sarabia
Pablo Sarabia puts Wolves ahead despite the best efforts of the Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale - Getty Images/Lee Parker

How did Southampton respond? The only way Martin will allow, by passing and passing.

After Manning’s effort was ruled out, they dominated possession and transformed Molineux into an arena of anxiety, even though Jose Sa did not have a first-half save to make.

Wolves increased their lead with a goal of brutal simplicity in the 51st minute as Cunha crashed a shot into the corner from 20 yards.

It was a wonderful goal not without further controversy. Southampton were furious that a challenge from Craig Dawson on Cameron Archer had gone unpunished shortly before Cunha struck gold, with goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale booked for his protests.

Wolves were barely troubled in the final stages and, after the final whistle, O’Neil was even performing fist pumps in front of the home supporters.

05:14 PM GMT

Goals galore at the Gtech

Brentford’s terrific home run continues after gaining 16 points from a possible 18 at home this season. 

And there’s just been the small matter of 29 goals scored in those six matches too.

Meanwhile, Bournemouth remain winless against Brentford, now going five matches without a win since their first Premier League meeting in October 2022

05:08 PM GMT

Mbeumo and Wissa setting the Tone for Brentford

05:03 PM GMT

Full time scores

05:02 PM GMT

Full time: Wolves 2 Southampton 0

Howls of delight are ringing around Molineux now, as Wolves finally get their first league win of the season, with a 2-0 victory over Southampton, leapfrogging their opponents in the process.

04:59 PM GMT

Full time: Palace 0 Fulham 2

A miserable day out for the home fans at Selhurst Park, as Fulham secure a much-deserved 2-0 win over their London rivals.

04:58 PM GMT

Full time: Brentford 3 Bournemouth 2

Another enthralling match at the Gtech Stadium ends in victory for Brentford, despite twice going behind.

04:55 PM GMT

Full time: West Ham 0 Everton 0

The final whistle has blown in east London, as Pickford revels in his last-minute save that has earned his side a massive point on the road.

04:54 PM GMT

93 mins: West Ham 0 Everton 0

A magnificent save from Jordan Pickford has kept this game goalless, as Danny Ings’ deflected shot results in Pickford producing a heroic save to flick the ball over the bar and preserve his clean sheet.

04:52 PM GMT

Final few minutes of action

All four matches are heading into injury-time, with the West Ham- Everton game the only match not to see a goal.

04:48 PM GMT

87 mins: West Ham 0 Everton 0

West Ham are still striving for an opening goal in this match, and Danny Ings’ curled effort is adroitly palmed away by Everton’s Jordan Pickford.

04:46 PM GMT

View from Selhurst Park

Time was running out for Palace, reduced to ten men after Daichi Kamada’s sending off for a crude challenge. But Harry Wilson’s goal - his third in two games, each time coming off the bench - surely settles it.

04:44 PM GMT

GOAL! Palace 0 Fulham 2 - Wilson

Wilson celeb
Wilson celeb

It’s that man from the bench again for Fulham. Harry Wilson has got his side’s second of the match, as Fulham look set to clinch another London derby triumph within five days.

04:41 PM GMT

View from Molineux

Over seventy minutes have elapsed and Southampton have still not registered a single shot on target.

While there is much to admire in Russell Martin’s philosophy, they have all the cutting edge of a plastic spatula.

Expected goals? Southampton supporters aren’t.

04:38 PM GMT

76 mins: Palace 0 Fulham 1

Crystal Palace’s afternoon is getting worser by the minute, as Daichi Kamada’s forceful challenge on Fulham’s Tete prompts the referee to issue the Japanese midfielder with a red card.

04:34 PM GMT

73 mins: West Ham 0 Everton 0

West Ham have just rattled the post, as Summerville’s strike hits the goal frame but bounces away from any one in a claret and blue shirt who could pounce on a rebound.

04:32 PM GMT

72 mins: Palace 0 Fulham 1

It feels like a matter of time before Fulham get their second at Selhurst Park, as Alex Iwobi bends an effort narrowly outside of the far right post.

04:31 PM GMT

70 mins: Brentford 3 Bournemouth 2

Brentford have just missed an excellent chance to go further ahead, as Bryan Mbeumo fires a shot off target from a very good position.

04:27 PM GMT

View from the London Stadium

An air of restlessness is starting to grow around the London Stadium.

Both sides have come close to breaking the stalemate in this second half - with the most recent chance falling to West Ham. Summerville darted down the right but was taken down after a strong challenge. However, the ball fell perfectly to Rodriguez who took a first-time shot. His effort was saved by Pickford.

Everton also went close just before - Ndiaye played Mangala in down the left. He fired a cross towards the back post which Lindstrom managed to get to. His header was on target but Fabianski managed to turn it behind for a corner.

Feels like the breakthrough could be coming very soon...

04:26 PM GMT

Smith Rowe just a smidgen off side

This is how close Smith Rowe came to getting his first ever Premier League brace.

04:24 PM GMT

62 mins: West Ham 0 Everton 0

Everton are threatening to grab the game’s first goal, and Jesper Lindstrom heads towards goal after Managala’s cross but Fabianski does well to tip the ball over the bar.

04:20 PM GMT

View from Selhurst Park

Despite being behind, Palace are still battling well - and as Emile Smith-Rowe sees his effort disallowed for offside, the Selhurst Park crowd celebrate as though their team has scored. But they still trail.

04:18 PM GMT

GOAL! Brentford 3 Bournemouth 2 - Wissa

Wissa dink
Wissa dink

Deary me! I predicted a goal fest pre-match, and this game is wonderfully mad!

Brentford have now gone ahead for the first time in this match, as Yoane Wissa dinks the ball over Kepa to get his second of the game.

04:16 PM GMT

GOAL! Wolves 2 Southampton 0 - Cunha

Cunha S'mpton strike
Cunha S'mpton strike

Matheus Cunha has unleashed a powerful strike to double Wolves’ lead, as the stands at Molineux are rocking.

04:12 PM GMT

53 mins: Palace 0 Fulham 1

Smith Rowe thought he had doubled his tally for the day, tapping in at the back post to give Fulham their second.

But Var has ruled the goal offside as the score remains 1-0.

04:10 PM GMT

GOAL! Brentford 2 Bournemouth 2 - Damsgaard

I need a second to catch my breath!

It is now Brentford 2 Bournemouth, as Damsgaard’s rasping shot flies past Kepa into the back of the net, and it only took 80 seconds for the home side to strike back.

04:08 PM GMT

GOAL! Brentford 1 Bournemouth 2 - Kluivert

Wow, a fantastic start to the second half for Bournemouth, as Justin Kluivert fires Bournemouth back in front from the edge of the box!

04:06 PM GMT

Second halves are underway

We are back in action across the Premier League!

04:03 PM GMT

Smith Rowe delight back in South London

Emile Smith Rowe, born in south London in the Thornton Heath area, gets onto the score sheet today in familiar surroundings.

03:55 PM GMT

Half time verdict from the London Stadium

Much has been said about West Ham’s lack of identity under Lopetegui and, in the first half of this game, the hosts certainly looked like a team with little direction.

They grew into the game just minutes before half-time - with Bowen producing his team’s first shot in the 43rd minute. Then, just seconds before the whistle blew, he played in Antonio who produced West Ham’s first shot on target which was cleared behind.

There was a sense of nervousness and indecision in that final third however those two efforts before half-time show that the hosts have enough firepower to get something from this game. It will have given them a much-needed boost heading into the break.

Everton looked far more dangerous for the majority of the half and almost caught Fabianski out a few times. He struggled whenever the visitors broke - something they needed to capitalise on. They had eight shots in the first half but need to start making them count, or risk falling behind to a West Ham team who - for the majority of the 45 minutes - created very little.

03:54 PM GMT

Half time verdict from Selhust Park

Depleted Palace go into the break a goal down thanks to Maxence Lacroix’s awful error, but Oliver Glasner’s side can count themselves unlucky on the balance of play. 

Fulham have been very nervous in defence and sloppy with their passing. But Thornton Heath-born Emile Smith-Rowe’s quality in finishing is the difference.

03:53 PM GMT

Half time scores

Half time across all four of the afternoon’s 3pm matches.

Here are the scores:

  • Brentford 1 Bournemouth 1

  • Palace 0 Fulham 1

  • West Ham 0 Everton 0

  • Wolves 1 Southampton 0

03:50 PM GMT

GOAL! Palace 0 Fulham 1 - Smith Rowe

ESR Palace
ESR Palace

Dean Henderson will not want to watch this goal back, as Fulham go in front before the break.

Emile Smith Rowe’s effort squirms under the goalkeeper’s left hand and nestles in the net to spark the away end into some jubilant celebrations.

03:46 PM GMT

43 mins: Palace 0 Fulham 0

Alex Iwobi nearly gives Fulham the lead after Emile Smith Rowe clips a ball into the box and finds Iwobi, but Henderson flings out his arm to palm the ball over the bar.

03:41 PM GMT

View from Selhurst Park

Jean-Philippe Mateta is giving his old Palace teammate Joachim Andersen a tough time in the Fulham defence with his physicality and pace. 

One header flies wide from a free kick - if he could find his shooting boots he has to be Palace’s best chance of getting a result here.

03:40 PM GMT

Pablo makes history for Wolves

Pablo Sarabia’s goal for Wolves was scored after one minute and 49 seconds, Wolves’ fastest ever Premier League goal.

Will it be enough for the home side to finally earn a Premier League victory this season?

03:37 PM GMT

View from Molineux

Russell Martin is not one for turning, and he will never compromise his footballing principles regardless of any external pressure.

Southampton are passing, and passing, and passing. It is all very technically efficient, and requires full concentration from his players, but the big question will always be whether it hurts the opposition.

The plan is clearly to patiently wait for the gaps to appear, yet Wolves seem comfortable so far.

03:34 PM GMT

32 mins: Palace 0 Fulham 0

Fulham are on top in this match, and Emile Smith Rowe has come close to breaking the deadlock, but his driven shot is well saved by Palace keeper Dean Henderson.

03:31 PM GMT

View from the London Stadium

It had been a frustrating opening 20 minutes for the home fans, with West Ham creating very little and finding themselves held back by a dominant Everton side.

However, they are starting to get into this game a bit more, with a few decent chances in quick succession. Antonio picks out Bowen who powers towards the Everton box, sending a low cross in which no one is quite able to reach in time.

They then have a free kick after Ndiaye fouls Bowen just outside the box. Summerville takes it and fires a cross into the area but Pickford comes out to collect.

The hosts are slowly but surely working themselves into this game.

03:28 PM GMT

GOAL! Brentford 1 Bournemouth 1 - Wissa

Wissa header
Wissa header
Wissa Bournemouth
Yoane Wissa (left) wheels away in celebration after his header restores parity at the Gtech Stadium.

Goals were always guaranteed in this match, and Brentford have got their leveller via a Yoane Wissa header from close-range, despite Bournemouth’s protests for handball against the Congolese striker.

03:26 PM GMT

Premier League’s official verdict for Southampton goal

03:23 PM GMT

Bournemouth’s Brazilian bagsman

03:21 PM GMT

View from Selhurst Park

Injury hit Crystal Palace may be down to the ‘bare bones’ of their squad today thanks to injury and suspension, but it is they who have caused the early problems at Selhurst Park, with Jean-Philippe Mateta twice getting behind the Fulham defence, but each time fluffing his lines.

03:20 PM GMT

View from Molineux

Huge escape for Wolves after a rare moment of fortune with VAR.

It’s no surprise Wolves have failed to keep a clean sheet since February, after another masterclass in poor defending allowed Southampton to find the net.

Luckily for Wolves, there was an alleged foul on Nelson Semedo by Mateus Fernandes just before Ryan Manning’s ‘goal’ and referee Thomas Bramall reversed his decision after watching the incident on his monitor.

Wolves famously tried to get rid of VAR over the summer - with a 19-1 vote in favour of keeping it - but they got away with it this time.

03:18 PM GMT

GOAL! Brentford 0 Bournemouth 1 - Evanilson

Evanilson Brentford goal
Evanilson Brentford goal

Evanilson has given Bournemouth the lead, slotting the ball past keeper Mark Flekken after going one on one, following an awful back pass. This is the Brazilian’s third goal in three league games.

03:15 PM GMT

13 minutes: Wolves 1 Southampton 0

Southampton thought they had responded to going behind with a rocket into the top corner from Ryan Manning to equalise.

However, Var have caused the goal to be disallowed with a rather contentious decision as Matheus Fernandes was deemed to have fouled Semedo.

03:13 PM GMT

11 minutes: West Ham 0 Everton 0

A miraculous piece of defending from Summerville has prevented Everton taking the lead, after he races back the entire length of the pitch and produces an excellent intervention to deny Gueye, who was one on one with the goal at his mercy.

03:10 PM GMT

West Ham remembers

Pictures of the minute’s silence moments earlier at the London Stadium.

03:07 PM GMT

6 minutes: Wolves 1 Southampton 0

After their thrilling start, the mood has slightly dampened at Molineux now, as Pablo Sarabia is laying on the turf, clutching his calf, waiting to receive treatment.

03:06 PM GMT

View from Molineux

One hundred and ten seconds in, and Wolves are ahead.

Matheus Cunha has been one for the few positives in a dismal season and is leading by example, providing the brilliant pass for Pablo Sarabia to open the scoring.

Wolves have to push on from here, and keep the crowd on their side.

03:03 PM GMT

GOAL! Wolves 1 Southampton 0 - Sarabia

Sarabia
Sarabia

Oh my word! Wolves have stormed in front, after Pablo Sarabia puts Wolves ahead with just two minutes gone!

Will they finally get that elusive Premier League win this afternoon?!

03:02 PM GMT

Football remembers this weekend.

A minute’s silence is being held at all four fixtures, as all teams pay their respects before Remembrance Sunday tomorrow.

02:58 PM GMT

Kick off is approaching

The teams are walking out the tunnel across the Premier League, as kick off looms closer for all four of the 3pm fixtures.

02:52 PM GMT

Will Adam strong arm another Southampton win today?

AA Everton goal
AA Everton goal

Southampton striker Adam Armstrong scored the only goal in the team’s huge 1-0 home victory against Everton, their first Premier League win of the season.

Manager Russell Martin will be grateful for more goals from his forward, with his team’s seven goals currently the fewest scored by all Premier League teams this season.

If Armstrong scores again today, it will be the first time the 27 year old has scored in consecutive Premier League matches, having failed to do so in his previous 75 appearances.

02:41 PM GMT

View from Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace go into today’s game with Fulham with a major injury crisis. 

Eight players are out with fitness problems, and midfielder Will Hughes is suspended. Midfielder Justin Devenny, 21, is thrown in for his debut.

02:40 PM GMT

View from the London Stadium

A concerning stat for Julen Lopetegui and his team - Everton have won more Premier League games in total (29) and away from home (13) against West Ham than they have against any other opponent.

Recent history is also on the visitor’s side - they took all three points in their last visit to the London Stadium, thanks to a second-half strike from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. In fact, all three of Calvert-Lewin’s Premier League goals against West Ham have come at the London Stadium.

The striker hasn’t exactly hit the ground running this season, scoring just two goals in 10 Premier League appearances. Dyche will be hoping today might just be the day his centre-forward can truly kick-start his 2024/25 campaign.

02:38 PM GMT

View from Molineux

Ruben Neves, the former Wolves midfielder, is back at Molineux today and how his old club could do with him on the field.

Neves was a £47m sale to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal last summer and his departure is one of many that the club has found difficult to absorb.

Quite what he makes of Wolves’ plight under Gary O’Neil right now would be revealing.

02:37 PM GMT

Can Harry Houdini conjure more magic for Fulham?

Wilson Brentford
Harry Wilson’s brace against Brentford gave Fulham a huge 2-1 victory on Monday vs Brentford. - Rob Newell/Getty Images

Harry Wilson, whose injury time heroics, gained Fulham their last-gasp victory against Brentford on Monday, is amongst the substitutes for today’s match against Crystal Palace.

Can the Welshman make the difference from the bench for a second time this week in a London derby?

02:28 PM GMT

View from London Stadium

The pressure is on at the London Stadium as West Ham host Everton, with both teams looking to bounce back after defeats last weekend. Both Julen Lopetegui and Sean Dyche are heading into “must-win” territory, with the former in particular facing increased scrutiny around his tenure.

Lopetegui makes two changes to his side that started last weekend’s loss to Nottingham Forest. Soucek returns to midfield after recovering from illness while Antonio leads the line. Alvarez was sent off in his team’s 3-0 defeat at the City Ground, and serves the first of his two-match ban today.

Sean Dyche has also made two changes to the team that handed Southampton their first win of the season last weekend. Doucoure returns to Everton’s starting line-up and Branthwaite makes his second start of the Premier League season, while McNeil will be a big miss for the visitors as he deals with an injury issue.

02:27 PM GMT

View from Molineux

Huge game at Molineux today, for both clubs and both managers.

Gary O’Neil has not won a Premier League match since April 27 and needs a victory here, plus a positive performance.

With a growing number of Wolves fans demanding a change, the reaction from the crowd today will be interesting and could prove decisive.

Russell Martin picked up his first league win last weekend against Everton but defeat here would drag Southampton back to the bottom of the table.

The stakes could not be higher, just ten games into the season.

02:26 PM GMT

Will Brentford’s deadly duo strike again at the Gtech?

Mbeumo and Wissa
Mbeumo and Wissa

“We’re going to score one more than you!” seems to be the policy for Brenford at the Gtech Stadium, who have won four and drawn one of the five Premier League matches at the ground this season, despite failing to keep a clean sheet in all these matches.

This owes largely to the goalscoring double act of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.

Mbeumo, on eight Premier League goals this season is just one goal away from matching his best season’s tally for Brentford.

Meanwhile, his strike partner Wissa has notched five league goals from just seven shots on target this campaign.

02:13 PM GMT

Can Dominic do it again at West Ham?

DCL WHU
DCL WHU

Everton have only won one of their past 16 Premier League away games, but they did take all three points in their last visit to the London Stadium. 

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s second half strike gave Everton a 1-0 win away at West Ham last season, and will be hoping to repeat the trick this afternoon.

02:00 PM GMT

Wolves vs Southampton full lineups

Wolves

Sa, Bueno, Dawson, Toti, Semedo, J Gomes, Lemina, Sarabia, Ait-Nouri, Cunha, Strand Larsen.

Subs: Doherty, Andre, R Gomes, Doyle, Forbs, Bellegarde, Guedes, Pond, Bentley.

Southampton are unchanged from their 1-0 win over Everton last week.

Southampton

Ramsdale, Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning, Stephens, Downes, Lallana, Fernandes, Armstrong, Archer.

Subs: Bree, Aribo, Dibling, Brereton-Diaz, Amo-Ameyaw, Sugawara, Onuachu, Ugochukwu, McCarthy.

01:58 PM GMT

Crystal Palace vs Fulham full lineups

Crystal Palace

Henderson, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Kamada, Clyne, Mitchell, Devenny, Sarr, Mateta.

Subs: Turner, Matthews, Schlupp, Ward, Richards, Doucoure, Kporha, Marsh, Agbinone.

Fulham are unchanged from their eventful 2-1 Premier League derby victory over Brentford on Monday.

Fulham

Leno, Tete, Andersen, Bassey, Robinson, Andreas Pereira, Berge, Nelson, Smith Rowe, Iwobi, Jimenez.

Subs: Benda, Reed, Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz, Cairney, Traore, Castagne, Sessegnon, Diop.

01:56 PM GMT

Brentford vs Bournemouth full lineups

Brentford

Flekken, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Collins, Janelt, Lewis-Potter, Damsgaard, Norgaard, Jensen, Mbeumo, Wissa.

Subs: Schade, Carvalho, Mee, Yarmoliuk, Meghoma, Konak, Roerslev, Maghoma, Valdimarsson.

Bournemouth

Kepa, Smith, Kerkez, Cook, Senesi, Zabarnyi, Semenyo, Adams, Christie, Kluivert, Evanilson.

Subs: Huijsen, Brooks, Tavernier, Araujo, Hill, Unal, Billing, Aarons, Travers.

01:54 PM GMT

Crystal Palace lineup

01:54 PM GMT

West Ham vs Everton full lineups

West Ham

Fabianski, Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Emerson, Bowen, Rodriguez, Soucek, Paqueta, Summerville, Antonio

Subs: Foderingham, Cresswell, Soler, Coufal, Mavropanos, Guilherme, Ings, Irving, Scarles

Michail Antonio and Tomas Soucek are in for the suspended Edson Alvarez and Mavropanos, who is on the bench.

Everton

Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Mangala, Lindstrom, Doucoure, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Virginia, Begovic, Patterson, Keane, Harrison, Beto, O’Brien, Armstrong, Bates

Jarrad Branthwaite and Abdoulaye Doucoure replace Michael Keane and the injured Dwight McNeil in the Everton starting XI.

01:50 PM GMT

West Ham lineup

01:49 PM GMT

Wolves lineup

01:49 PM GMT

Brentford lineup

01:48 PM GMT

Southampton lineup

01:48 PM GMT

Bournemouth lineup

01:48 PM GMT

Fulham lineup

01:47 PM GMT

Everton lineup

01:47 PM GMT

Fancy a flutter?

Betting on the football today? Take a look at these best betting sites for free bets and betting offers.

01:33 PM GMT

Preview: What more drama will this weekend’s 3pm games produce?

Good afternoon and welcome to the Telegraph’s live clockwatch of the four Premier League matches kicking off at 3pm this afternoon.

A tantalising, rip-roaring goal fest may be on the cards later on, as Brentford host in-form Bournemouth. No Premier League ground has witnessed more goals so far than the Gtech Stadium, with a remarkable 24 goals scored in the five matches played there this season.

What’s more, Brentford boast the best home record in the league at present, having won four and drawn one of their first five home matches. Yet, today’s opponents Bournemouth enter this match on the back of a string of impressive recent results, namely their surprise 2-1 triumph over Manchester City at home last Saturday.

However, both teams have only kept one clean sheet between them this campaign, and with Brentford having already dropped a huge 14 points from winning positions in the league, most recently in their dramatic 2-1 derby defeat away at west London rivals Fulham on Monday, goals aplenty surely await us all at the Gtech once again.

Crystal Palace take on Fulham at Selhurst Park, but the home side will be without a host of key players, as Eddie Nketiah, Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze and Jefferson Lerma all miss this fixture through injury, while Will Hughes misses this match through suspension.

Although, Palace seem to be finally addressing their terrible start to this league campaign, earning four points from their past two league games, one more than they had accrued from the eight previous matches. A home win today would secure two successive Premier League London derby victories for the first time in seven years.

Meanwhile, Harry Wilson’s astonishing stoppage-time brace in the final minutes of Fulham’s 2-1 derby win over Brentford on Monday, not only ensured victory, but also secured the club’s best start to a Premier League campaign in 21 years, with 15 points from 10 matches.

And manager Marco Silva will be keen to achieve back-to-back London derby victories to cap off a terrific week for Fulham, heading into the international break.

West Ham welcome Everton to the London Stadium, with both teams heading into this fixture on the back of damaging defeats in their previous league matches.

The east Londoners were subject to a 3-0 vanquishing by high-flying Nottingham Forest, with the added blow of having midfielder Edson Alvarez dismissed in their dismal showing in the east Midlands.

The home side may take solace by the fact their five league losses this season have come at the hands of teams currently in the top five. A match against the 16th placed team may prove to be the ideal tonic for West Ham, who face an Everton side who granted Southampton their first league win of the season after their 1-0 loss away at St Mary’s last weekend.

Indeed, Everton have only won one of their last 16 Premier League away matches, but Sean Dyche’s men may be buoyed by their last visit to the London Stadium, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the away side, courtesy of an excellent Dominic Calvert-Lewin strike. Will lightning strike twice for Everton today.

Finally, at the foot of the table, bottom-placed Wolves, still in search of their first league victory of the season, after their 2-2 home draw against Crystal Palace last weekend, play again at Molineux against Southampton, fresh from their first league win of the season last weekend against Everton.

Interestingly, should Wolves go winless once more this afternoon, they will fail to win their opening 11 top-flight matches for just the second time in their history, the other time happening in 1983/84, a campaign which they were ultimately relegated. 

However, the home side have won their last five top-flight matches against Southampton, their longest-ever Premier League winning streak against a single opponent, and extending this run today would considerably ease the pressure on manager Gary O’Neil after a very tough start to the season.

Team news to follow.