2021-22 Premier League Week 3 Recap: Spurs Takes Solo Lead; Chelsea, Liverpool, Man UTD 2 Points Back

(Photo : GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean striker Son Heung-Min (R) shakes hands with Tottenham Hotspur's Portuguese head coach Nuno Espirito Santo as he leaves the game, substituted during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Watford at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on August 29, 2021.

This season, Tottenham became the last Premier League team to maintain its perfect record after beating Watford in Week 3 of the 2021-22 campaign. Title contenders Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool, are bunched together in second place just two points back as the league heads into an international break.

Spurs grab the top spot with narrow win over Watford

Son Heung-Min continued his fine start to the season, scoring the lone goal in Spurs' 1-0 victory over Watford at White Hart Lane on Sunday. His in-swinging free kick deceived Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, with the ball finding the bottom-right corner in the 42nd minute.

That proved to be enough as Spurs notched their 300th Premier League home win in their history. Nuno Espirito Santo made history with the victory as he became just the second Tottenham manager to win his first three league games in charge of the club, with Arthur Rowe the last man to accomplish that feat in 1949.

The key to his impressive start as manager has been Spurs' terrific defense. They have yet to concede a goal this season, recording clean sheets against Manchester City, Wolves, and Watford.

Chelsea hold Liverpool to 1-1 draw

10-man Chelsea survived a second-half onslaught by Liverpool to escape Anfield with a precious 1-1 draw. In this contest, the Blues had their work cut out for them after Reece James was sent off in first-half injury time for sweeping Sadio Mane's goal-bound shot with his hand.

Mo Salah took full advantage of that infraction, converting the ensuing penalty to level the contest at one goal apiece. The Blues were the better side before James' red card, with Kai Havertz scoring the opener with a glancing header and Mason Mount coming close to doubling their advantage.

It didn't help matters that Chelsea entered the second half without their influential midfielder N'Golo Kante, who aggravated his ankle injury during the game's opening 45 minutes. However, Thomas Tuchel made a tactical masterstroke, inserting Thiago Silva and Mateo Kovacic, who helped Chelsea frustrate Liverpool with a terrific defensive display in the second half.

Manchester United frustrate Wolves with 1-0 win

On Sunday, Manchester United rode their luck, escaping Molineux with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Wolves. Much of the talk before the game revolved around the impending arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, but it was current starting forward Mason Greenwood who stole the show for United, scoring his third goal of the season with a strong effort from the right side of the box in the 80th minute to give the Red Devils an undeserved lead.

It was a gut-wrenching defeat for Wolves, who were the better side for most of the match. They wasted several goal-scoring opportunities throughout the contest, none bigger than Romain Saiss' efforts minutes before Greenwood's strike that required a heroic double save by United keeper David de Gea.