Manchester United have won just one of their opening four Premier League games this season to leave them 13th, already 11 points adrift of the early pace-setters Manchester City.

Their total of four points from their first four Premier League games (W1 D1 L2) this season is their joint-fewest in the competition at this stage, along with 1992-93 and 2025-26, they did recover from those starts to finish 1st and 3rd in those respective seasons, however.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Craven Cottage

One point from four games is not good enough for Fulham, even if the point came at Liverpool last weekend.

The Cottagers do not want to be spending the three-week international break at the foot of the Premier League and even a point this afternoon will see them swap places with Tottenham.

But manager Alvaro Arbeloa wants more than that, as he explains in his programme notes.

"This afternoon is a massive game for us for many reasons, not least because it gives us an opportunity to record our first league win of the season, here at home," oulines the Fulham chief.

"We know we'll need to perform at our absolute best against a side with plenty of quality.

"We accept this challenge knowing that our maximum effort will give us the best possible chance of achieving a positive result."

Sunderland

Sunderland's Brian Brobbey speaking to Sky Sports post-match: "It's hard being on the losing side when you're scoring three goals. It's really hard to lose."

On it being a bonkers game: "It was up and down, up and down. Man City are a really good team with lots of quality so yes, we tried."

On not many teams being able to put three goals past City: "I think we played a really good game. We tried, it's hard when you lose. We just need to keep going."

On scoring three goals: "I'm really happy obviously with three goals, now going into the international break, it's a good feeling."

On the start of the season: "We won 1-0, so it's been good to get three points, we just need to keep building."

On positivty going forward: "That's why as a group we have to keep going."

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Liverpool

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola speaking to Sky Sports: "I'm obviously happy with the result becaue I know this is a difficult place to come.

"We finished the first half better and were better in the second half. It was difficult for us [at the start].

"Second half we controlled much better the game and had the chances to finish it. But in the first part of the game we were not winning second balls and when they play with such intensity you have to be at that level."

On the defence: "Overall as a team it's a third clean sheet in a row. Still things to improve but they are giving us solidity in the moments we need to defend."

On Florian Wirtz: "It was a slow start but after the first phase Florian helped us to improve and I am much happier with his performance in the second half."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Craven Cottage

If Manchester United could choose a Premier League away fixture to kick-start their season, Fulham would probably be it.

United have not been beaten at Craven Cottage since 2009.

Michael Carrick played in midfield that day as Danny Murphy, Bobby Zamora and Damien Duff scored for the home side.

While they were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw in the corresponding fixture last season, when skipper Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty, United won on eight successive visits before that.

Charlie Adam
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Maresca will be delighted in terms of how it's gone, the new players coming in and how he's adapted to being the Man City manager.

In terms of things to improve on they can't go through a season playing like that, they need to be able to control spaces at times, instead of getting dragged everywhere man v man.

I think if you're Marseca there's a real positive feeling that yes, we've done a decent enough job to start, we can go into this international break with real pride.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport Chief Football News Reporter at Craven Cottage

It's a beautiful day in west London, which means the walk from Putney Bridge station to Craven Cottage can be seen at its best.

The sun is reflecting off the River Thames, with plenty of rowers on the river, with numerous boat clubs on the banks.

Each ground has its own attractions of course but I really think, on a day like today, this is the best.

Image source, BBC Sport

Right then, still to come we've got Fulham v Manchester United. We'll bring you reaction from the 2pm games as we build up to that one.

Fulham, who have just one point from four games. And United, who have had a pretty torrid week with derby defeat in the league and exiting the EFL Cup after squandering a two-goal lead against Brighton at Old Trafford.

A must-win game for both sides?

Rob Green
Former Premier League goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live at Vitality Stadium

Score when you're in your good moment and Liverpool did that.

Cody Gakpo is in a good moment in his career right now and he'll get the plaudits for the goal.

You felt when Bournemouth went to their bench, went to their reserves to see what's in the tank they didn't really have it. They played well and pushed Liverpool but Liverpool stayed in the game without doing too much.

A big win for Liverpool.

Image source, Getty Images

Aadam Patel
Football Reporter at the Vitality Stadium

It wasn't pretty but Liverpool have got the job done. Andoni Iraola will know his side can be better but if you offered him an unbeaten start going into the September international break, I'm sure he would be happy.

"Isak is a red" is the chant from the travelling supporters. Boos for the referee from the home fans but ultimately Isak's clinical finish is the difference. Marco Rose is still awaiting his first league win as Bournemouth boss.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and centre-back partner Jeremy Jacquet have been speaking to Sky Sports together.

First, Van Dijk spoke about summer signing Jacquet: "I think he has showed a lot of good things so far this season. Still so young, a lot to learn and a lot to give. Let's keep it going.

"It's very important for us to get goals, Alexander Isak included. It was good win here, a clean sheet and we go to the international break before bracing ourselves for a very intense period.

"Hopefully [this team can be] very good. Let's all stay clam and keep working and not get ahead of ourselves. This was an important win at a difficult ground. We could have done a lot better but we come away with the three points and clean sheet."

Jacquet said: "It is big for me to play with Virgil. I can learn a lot from him.

"I'm very happy, I play with a lot of very good players so for me I just enjoy it."

Charlie Adam
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

A brilliant start to the season before this international break. A lot to work on but to score five goals at home and show that level of performance, and Arsenal losing yesterday, can they go into the break top of the table and they've done that today.

Three points for Manchester City. But that doesn't tell the whole story.

EIGHT goals, sloppy defending at both ends and a first-ever hat-trick for Brian Brobbey, but he still ends up on the losing team.

Erling Haaland has finally scored against Sunderland, meaning he has now netted against all 25 Premier League clubs he has faced.

Really entertaining watch, that.

All over. A huge win for Manchester City to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table before the international break.

Image source, Getty Images

Malick Fofana has an opportunity to pull one back late on but his header is straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma. Again.

Charlie Adam
Former Scotland midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

Both teams have played really well in terms of attacking, there's been some poor defending but the attacking has been really good.

We're into five minutes of added time as Sunderland have another big chance!

Gianluigi Donnarumma paws away from Trai Hume's initial shot but it comes in again and this time takes a deflection to ping off the post.

It's been chance after chance for both sides to be honest.