Fernandes hat-trick fires Manchester United to 5-2 comeback; Chelsea edge Brighton 4-3

Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick as Manchester United rallied to beat Ipswich 5-2 at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday, easing pressure on the club after a disappointing start to the campaign. Chelsea also won, prevailing 4-3 against Brighton at Stamford Bridge with Cole Palmer among the scorers.

United began the weekend having lost 2-0 to newly promoted Hull City in their opening match, a defeat that prompted manager Michael Carrick to call for patience. Ipswich threatened early at Old Trafford by taking the lead in the 29th minute, but Fernandes pulled United level with a powerful left-footed finish at the end of a counterattack in the 40th minute. Fernandes, who was named the Premier League's player of the year last season, continued to influence the game after the interval.

The hosts took the lead through an own goal when Harry Maguire’s effort deflected off Ipswich defender Jacob Greaves; Maguire had handled the ball in the build-up, but no foul was given as the goal resulted from the defender’s deflection rather than directly from Maguire’s shot. Fernandes then converted a penalty in the 61st minute before completing his hat-trick seven minutes later with a composed finish.

Bryan Mbeumo rounded off a memorable afternoon for the hosts after racing onto a Fernandes pass and lifting the ball over the Ipswich goalkeeper from outside the box. Ipswich managed a late consolation when Lisandro Martinez lost possession close to his own goal.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea survived a late scare to beat Brighton 4-3, with Cole Palmer driving forward and curling a fine effort into the net from the edge of the area to restore breathing room for his side. With England manager Thomas Tuchel watching from the stands, Palmer’s strike effectively ended Brighton’s hopes of a comeback.

Chelsea had raced into a two-goal lead inside 14 minutes through Romeo Lavia and Pedro Neto, and Joao Pedro added a third in the 32nd minute for Xabi Alonso’s side. Brighton replied before halftime when Malick Yalcouy pulled one back, then benefited from Joao Pedro turning a Pascal Gross cross into his own net in the second half; Palmer’s goal made it 4-2, and Gross scored Brighton’s third with the final kick of the match.

Chelsea’s second successive league win followed their 3-2 victory over Fulham earlier in the week, a game in which Palmer also scored. The victory was tempered by an injury concern for Moises Caicedo, who lasted only 14 minutes after being introduced as a second-half substitute, while Emiliano Martinez was handed his Chelsea debut in goal just hours after completing his move from Aston Villa.