The top Premier League moments of the month - September 2021
By Sean Walsh
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The return of fans in stadiums has coincided with the return of fun football.
Coincidence? We think not.
We're six games into the 2021/22 season and there still hasn't been a shortage in standout games or goals. It's a shame cars can't run on either of these things, am I right?
Anyway, here are the best moments from a super September of Premier League football - ranked from 10 to 1.
10. Martin Odegaard's super free-kick
After three horrendous defeats to open the new season, Arsenal came out of the September international break desperate to get their campaign back on track.
They squeezed past struggling Norwich, before this piece of brilliance from summer signing Martin Odegaard helped them to another three points against Burnley.
9. Man City edge past Chelsea in title contender showdown
In a replay of last season's Champions League final, Man City finally found a way to break down Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea.
Gabriel Jesus' deflected effort was enough to earn Pep Guardiola's side the three points, and City looked back to their best as they kept the European champions at arm's length and were unlucky not to score three or four.
8. Allan Saint-Maximin & Raphinha's Friday night duel
From a one-sided game to a perfectly matched one that the streets certainly won't forget.
Newcastle and Leeds played out a thrilling 1-1 draw in which 39 shots were shared by the two sides. Allan Saint-Maximin's incredible solo effort cancelled out Raphinha's cross-cum-shot on an end-to-end night on Tyneside.
7. Jesse Lingard returns to haunt West Ham
Ah, the old cliche of a player coming back to bite the hand that used to feed them.
Jesse Lingard's return to the London Stadium was a memorable one, proving to be the match-winner in a game marred by late penalty controversy.
At least he was kind enough not to celebrate, eh?
6. Naby Keita's nonchalant volley
Poor Naby Keita has yet to really take off for Liverpool, but he does pop up with the occasional moment of magic.
He put the icing on the cake in a 3-0 win over Crystal Palace, finding the top corner with an outrageous volley and then acting like he does that every week.
5. Romelu Lukaku's homecoming
There was always a feeling that boyhood blue Romelu Lukaku had unfinished business at Chelsea and that he would wind up at the club again.
He returned from Inter this summer and finally broke his Stamford Bridge duck against Aston Villa, before providing us with one of the most iconic photos of the season so far.
4. Michail Antonio beats Leeds at the death
If Michail Antonio had managed to stay fit for the last few years, you wonder just how different his career could've been.
But the Jamaican is making 2021 a year to remember, and continued his fine scoring form with a superb stoppage time winner at Elland Road.
3. Brentford and Liverpool play out thrilling draw
Brentford are proving a worthy addition to the Premier League so far, and claimed their second scalp of the season when they took a point off Liverpool.
Curtis Jones must have thought he had done enough to see off the resilient Bees with a scorcher from distance, but Yoane Wissa ultimately had the final say with a delightful dink over Alisson at the near post.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo returns in style
12 years after leaving Old Trafford, Cristiano Ronaldo's much-anticipated return to Manchester United did not disappoint.
The legendary Portuguese grabbed two goals on his return to the club on a day that match-going United fans will certainly never forget.
1. Arsenal run rings around Tottenham in north London derby
Arsenal crisis? What Arsenal crisis?
A fine month for the Gunners was rounded off in the best way possible, thrashing north London rivals Spurs and humiliating them from start to finish.
Mikel Arteta certainly enjoyed his day on the touchline, while the fans rediscovered the feel-good factor that comes with seeing Arsenal play some quality attacking football.
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