Manchester United thrash Ipswich 5-2 as Como stun Napoli and Real Madrid cruise in weekend's standout results

Premier League

The headline act in England was Manchester United’s emphatic 5-2 demolition of Ipswich, a scoreline that underlines the gulf between the two sides and will do United’s confidence no harm at all heading into the season. At the other end of the table’s drama, Chelsea edged a breathless 4-3 win over Brighton — seven goals at Stamford Bridge suggesting neither defence had a particularly comfortable afternoon. Sunderland picked up a disciplined 1-0 win over Fulham, a result that will raise eyebrows given Fulham’s established Premier League pedigree, while Leeds and Brentford cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw that leaves both sides searching for more consistency.

La Liga

Real Madrid were ruthless at home, putting four past Malaga without reply in a display that reinforces their status as the benchmark in Spain. Equally eye-catching, though, was Deportivo La Coruña’s 3-1 victory over Valencia — a result that raises serious questions about Valencia’s form and suggests Deportivo, back in the top flight, are not here simply to make up the numbers. Athletic Club also kept their momentum going with a composed 2-0 win away at Celta Vigo.

Bundesliga

SC Freiburg delivered the most convincing performance in Germany this weekend, dismantling Werder Bremen 4-1 in a result that highlights Freiburg’s early-season sharpness and leaves Bremen with a defensive record they will want to address quickly. FC Augsburg were equally ruthless, shutting out Schalke 04 and winning 3-0 in a result that piles pressure on Schalke, who will need to find answers fast if they are to avoid a difficult campaign.

Serie A

The most striking result in Italy came at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where Como won 2-1 away to Napoli. A newly promoted or re-established side taking three points in Naples is never routine, and the result is sure to prompt scrutiny of Napoli’s defensive resilience. Inter, by contrast, were efficient if not spectacular, grinding out a 1-0 win at Cagliari to keep their points tally ticking over. Lazio also registered a narrow 1-0 home victory against Genoa, with all three Serie A results decided by a single goal — apart from that surprise in Naples.

Ligue 1

Paris FC continued to make a statement in France, following up recent form with a commanding 3-0 defeat of Nice — a result that will turn heads given Nice’s usual capacity to trouble the division’s upper echelon. Monaco also impressed, seeing off Marseille 2-0 in a derby with tangible bragging rights attached. Rennes rounded off a positive weekend for the league’s attacking sides by edging out Le Mans 3-2 in a lively encounter, though Le Mans will feel the margin flattered their opponents slightly. Ligue 1 looks wide open if the scorelines from this round are anything to go by.