Bruno Fernandes hat-trick fires Manchester United to victory as Chelsea survive Brighton thriller

Manchester United launched their Premier League campaign with a 5-2 win over Ipswich Town as captain Bruno Fernandes scored a hat-trick, while Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea maintained their perfect start with a dramatic 4-3 victory against Brighton on Sunday.

United had been beaten heavily by Hull City last weekend and were again unsettled by a promoted side when Leif Davis put Ipswich ahead at Old Trafford. However, Fernandes equalised on the counter-attack before a Jacob Greaves own goal gave Ruben Amorim’s side the lead.

Fernandes added two more goals after the interval, including a penalty, before Bryan Mbeumo extended United’s advantage with a lob. Substitute Chuba Akpom scored a late consolation for Ipswich as heavy rain fell at Old Trafford.

The result was a significant response from United, with Fernandes once again underlining his importance to the club. Marcus Rashford started for the first time in more than 18 months following loan spells with Aston Villa and Barcelona, but it was the Portuguese midfielder who dictated the match.

Ipswich took the lead in the 29th minute, leaving the home supporters stunned. United recovered when Marcelino Nunez slipped, allowing Matheus Cunha to release Fernandes, who drove a powerful finish into the net.

United went in front after 56 minutes when Harry Maguire’s shot was inadvertently diverted past the goalkeeper by Greaves. Fernandes struck from the penalty spot two minutes later, then completed his hat-trick when a deflected effort fell kindly to him inside the area.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea took control against Brighton with three goals inside the opening 32 minutes. Romeo Lavia opened the scoring after a defensive mix-up involving Mats Wieffer and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, before Pedro Neto finished from close range after Morgan Rogers had beaten Brighton’s record signing Luka Vuskovic.

Joao Pedro then scored against his former club to put Chelsea 3-0 ahead, but Brighton, who began the season with a 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa, responded strongly.

Malick Yalcouye volleyed in a loose ball in the 35th minute, while Pascal Groß’s effort later deflected in off Joao Pedro to make it 3-2. Chelsea ended their opponents’ hopes of completing the comeback when Cole Palmer produced a composed finish.

Groß headed Brighton’s third deep into stoppage time, but Chelsea held on for a victory that placed them alongside Manchester City and Hull City on six points after two rounds of fixtures.

New goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made his Chelsea debut after completing his transfer from Aston Villa, replacing Robert Sanchez in the starting line-up. Although he conceded three goals, Chelsea’s attacking performance again provided the main talking point.

The London club have now scored seven goals and conceded five in their opening two league games, while still failing to keep a clean sheet in the competition since January. Their next test will be a trip to champions Arsenal, with Alonso acknowledging that his side still have defensive work to do.

“During the game there are different moments and some moments that we have done really well and other moments that we can do better,” Alonso, whose team’s credentials will become clearer after next week’s trip to Arsenal, said.

“I want to win, whatever it takes to win. Today was a big challenge and next Sunday it’s going to be a big one.”

Brentford were denied a second successive victory when Dominic Calvert-Lewin rescued a 1-1 draw for Leeds United at Elland Road.

Kevin Schade put Brentford ahead with an excellent finish, and the visitors dominated the first half. They had 22 attempts on goal and looked set to join Chelsea on six points, but Calvert-Lewin tapped in from Lukas Nmecha’s cross after the break.

New Brentford midfield signing Mamadou Sangare again impressed after playing an important part in the previous weekend’s rout of Tottenham Hotspur. Thomas Frank’s side will feel they missed a chance to take all three points.

Sunderland claimed their first points of the season by beating Fulham 1-0 at home. Wilson Isidor came off the bench to score, condemning a disappointing Fulham side to a second defeat in two matches under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa.

Chelsea had begun their campaign with a 3-2 win at London rivals Fulham, prompting renewed optimism after the problems of last season. Alonso’s first home game in charge delivered further encouragement, despite the late Brighton pressure.

Arsenal complete the second round of fixtures on Monday when the champions travel to Aston Villa.