17 things we loved this weekend: Zinchenko, Romero, Messi, Neville…

Planet Football • 15 Aug 2022

All eyes were on Manchester United over the weekend as they suffered an embarrassing 4-0 defeat away to Brentford.

Elsewhere, Chelsea drew 2-2 with Tottenham in a dramatic game at Stamford Bridge while the new La Liga and Serie A seasons kicked off.

We’ve rounded up the best of the action on and off the field.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Zinchenko has quickly established himself as a real fans favourite at the Emirates.

🤩 Stop that, Zinny pic.twitter.com/ofyLUyLr64

— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) August 13, 2022

Gabriel Jesus

Jesus is already looking like a bargain signing for Arsenal.

Only two players have been directly involved in 4+ goals in a Premier League game for Arsenal since the start of the 2016/17 season:

◉ Alexis Sanchez vs. West Ham (2016)

⚽⚽⚽🅰️

◉ Gabriel Jesus vs. Leicester (2022)

⚽⚽🅰️🅰️

What a home Premier League debut. 😍 pic.twitter.com/wE0gQzeoU7

— Squawka (@Squawka) August 13, 2022

Thomas Tuchel & Antonio Conte

Tottenham vs Chelsea was entertaining but this clash was the true highlight.

🔵⚪ Late dug out drama leads to both Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte receiving a red card 😳 pic.twitter.com/l9Zq9UZhlu

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 14, 2022

Cristian Romero

Romero had a very eventful afternoon at Stamford Bridge…

https://twitter.com/eurofootcom/status/1558876538426228740

Jamie Redknapp & Gary Neville

Redknapp treating Neville like a naughty child is absolutely hilarious.

Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp are CLASHING on #SNF 😳😳🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/e9d3jAeZN2

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) August 13, 2022

Erik ten Hag

We bet Sir Alex Ferguson would approve of these methods.

Erik ten Hag wanted to make Manchester United players run 13.8 kilometres (8.5 miles) during their exercises in their extra training session today. Brentford players ran 13.8 kilometres more than them yesterday. Distance covered yesterday: Brentford 109.4km United 95.6km.

— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) August 14, 2022

Seny Dieng

Alisson, eat yer heart out.

HOW ABOUT THAT!! 🤯⚡

QPR keeper Seny Dieng scored in the 92nd minute to rescue a comeback against Sunderland! 🧤 pic.twitter.com/XZJt7pFLoZ

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 13, 2022

Antony

We’re starting to understand why Ajax want £100million for Antony.

Stop that Antony. pic.twitter.com/HZLyUL6Qao

— Stop That Football (@stopthatfooty) August 14, 2022

David Alaba

Alaba’s first touch of the La Liga season was pretty special.

MAGIC from David Alaba! 🤩

A brilliant free kick with his first touch after coming off the bench puts Real Madrid 2-1 up 🎯 pic.twitter.com/Z4qm68uZ3L

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) August 14, 2022

Lionel Messi

Most players would just bring the ball under control with their first touch but Messi isn’t most players.

what a pass from Messi pic.twitter.com/DbgSEKVRuo

— 🥷🏽 (@lapulgasantos) August 13, 2022

Matheus Nunes

It’s easy to see why Liverpool and Manchester City have been linked with Nunes.

⚽ GOLO
Matheus Nunes 67'
Liga Portugal bwin (#2) | Sporting 2-0 Rio Ave#LigaPortugalbwin #SCPRAFC https://t.co/BQjSdmshIE pic.twitter.com/AsxyvQqdSP

— VSPORTS (@vsports_pt) August 13, 2022

Pierre Lees-Melou

Norwich City fans are probably why he didn’t do this in the Premier League last season.

Send it, Pierre Lees-Melou! 🚀

The former Norwich City midfielder scores with a sensational long-range strike for Brest! pic.twitter.com/iRUYGaQPjE

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 14, 2022

Roque Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz is 40 years old and still embarrassing defenders.

Roque Santa Cruz, profession légende pic.twitter.com/AhmGRrIB1e

— Lucarne Opposée (@LucarneOpposee) August 14, 2022

Alan Shearer

Forget about Match of the Day, we need Shearer on Live at the Apollo.

Top tier banter from Alan Shearer here #MOTD pic.twitter.com/3DixavwMRx

— C (@Chaz18_) August 13, 2022

Bristol Rovers

You have to admire the pettiness from their social media manager.

5' Predictably warm welcome for Oxford's Matty Taylor. Say what you like about him, he was a great ̶s̶e̶r̶p̶e̶n̶t̶ servant for the Gas.#BristolRovers #typo

— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) August 13, 2022