There was little surprise in the Premier League’s 3pm kick-offs today, which had just two games, but provided plenty of entertainment.
Manchester United bounced back from their nightmare trip to Brentford last weekend with a commanding 2-0 victory against newly-promoted Sunderland in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
An elegant finish from Mason Mount opened the scoring for the hosts, while Benjamin Sesko grabbed his second goal in as many games to secure the victory.
In north London, Arsenal also cruised to victory 2-0 against West Ham, courtesy of Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.
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Both Ruben Amorim and Mikel Arteta will be pleased to head into the international break on a positive note, while Nuno Espírito Santo will have plenty of thinking time to ponder how to improve this Hammers side that remain stuck in the relegation zone.
With that being said, here is a full round-up of both matches.
Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
Mason Mount opened the scoring for Manchester United with a brilliant touch and finish
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Starting off at Old Trafford, where United got the win they, and Amorim, so desperately needed after a woeful away performance at Brentford last week.
Today was a very different story, with the Red Devils putting on a commanding and dominant display in front of their home fans.
Mason Mount opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes with a brilliant touch and finish into the bottom corner.
While his United career is yet to really get going, he has shown brilliance in spurts this season, and this afternoon was the latest chapter in his comeback.
Benjamin Sesko doubled United's lead with his second goal for the club
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Matheus Cunha, who was signed for £62million, was relegated to the bench in place of the 26-year-old, and he repaid his manager’s trust and then some.
He will feel like a new signing if United can keep him fit throughout this season.
One player who actually is a new addition to the squad, Sesko, got on the scoresheet to double the lead for the hosts with a tidy finish, benefitting from football’s latest fashion trend: the long throw.
A minute's silence was held before the game after the week's tragic terror attack on a Manchester synagogue
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The striker will take huge confidence from consecutive goal-scoring performances, and that can only be a good thing.
Getting a good start is so important - as evidenced by Florian Wirtz at Liverpool - and even more so as a striker.
While Sesko has often been on the periphery of the games he has featured, having two Premier League goals to his name already is impressive - Rasmus Hojlund scored just four last season.
But Sesko was not so much on the fringes of this game, showing neat touches for his large stature.
The Slovenian slipped Bryan Mbuemo through for what seemed a certain goal, but the Cameroonian squandered the opportunity spectacularly.
The rest of the game would go by for Sunderland, who struggled to really threaten debutant Senne Lammens in the United goal.
All that was required for Amorim was the three points, but take with it the ease of victory and goals for both Sesko and Mount, and he will be absolutely delighted.
And they will need all the confidence they can get; they travel to Anfield after the international break in their toughest test of the season so far.
Arsenal 2-0 West Ham
Bukayo Saka scored from the spot to secure the three points
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It was dominant, it was comfortable, but it could have been a lot worse for West Ham, who arrived at the Emirates and left, firmly in the relegation zone and in a heap of trouble.
It took 38 minutes for the hosts to get on the scoresheet, with the breakthrough coming from Declan Rice.
The midfielder timed his run into the box perfectly and hammered the ball into the roof of the net.
Jurrien Timber was then adjudged to have been brought down inside the penalty box by West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf, although replays appeared to show the foul occurring outside.
Martin Odegaard left this field with an injury yet again
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Nevertheless, Saka stepped up and dispatched the spot kick emphatically, as Arsenal cruised to yet another home victory.
The major concern for Gunners fans, however, will be Martin Odegaard’s first-half injury. Arteta’s new midfield trio that started the game of Eberechi Eze, Rice and their skipper did not last long.
The Norwegian was substituted on the half-hour mark, becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three consecutive league starts.
But, thanks to a huge near-£300million outlay this summer, Arsenal truly have strength in depth. Martin Zubimendi is not a bad replacement by any means.
Arteta will be pleased yet again after another comfortable and commanding performance from his side, who are really getting into their stride now.
The Gunners travel to Craven Cottage on their return from the international break, looking to continue their impressive start to the campaign.
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