Super Sunday saw the league’s top two go head to head, ending in a stalemate, while Manchester United’s fightback earlier on Saturday may just have saved Jose Mourinho his job.
Brighton & Hove Albion 1-0 West Ham United
Fresh from their victory over Manchester United last time out at Old Trafford, West Ham went down to Glenn Murray’s first half strike as Brighton got their first Premier League win in six attempts. The ever fresh 35-year-old Murray struck in the 25th minute. West Ham had a flurry of close chances and half chances, but Arnautovic could only shoot over the bar from six yards out, and Fabian Balbuena only managed to head wide with the goal begging.
Burnley 1-1 Huddersfield
Huddersfield fought their way to a draw with center back Christopher Schindler scoring his first Premier League goal to earn them a draw. Sam Vokes had handed Burnley the lead when he scored his second goal in as many matches in the 20th minute. Huddersfield Town are still searching for their first win but would have been happy to settle for a draw here, moving up to 18thon the table.
Crystal Palace 0-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves continued their fine start to life in the English top tier with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, moving up to 7th. Matt Doherty scored his first Premier League goal with a fine finish past Palace’ goalkeeper Hennessey in the 56th minute of the game. They pushed to add more cushion to their lead but had goalkeeper Rui Patricio to thank for an excellent double save in the 70th minute.
Leicester 1-2 Everton
Gylfi Sigurdsson scored a stunner to ensure that Everton left the King Power Stadium with their first away win of the Premier League season. Brazil international Richarlison had earlier given them the lead in the seventh minute from a deflection. Kelechi Iheanacho played in Rui Patricio who levelled for the Foxes on 40 minutes before they were reduced to 10 men just 5 minutes after the hour mark. Sigurdsson made this advantage count, ensuring the spoils were not shared as Everton moved level on points with Leicester.
Tottenham 1-0 Cardiff
Following their Wembley Champions League defeat at the hands of Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Tottenham returned to winning ways at the same venue. Eric Dier scored a rare goal from a deflected Kieran Trippier cross with only 8 minutes on the clock to get the tie going. Toby Alderweireld cleared on the line to preserve the lead, before Cardiff captain Sean Morrison repeated the trick at the other end. Mike Dean brandished a red card to the visitors just before the hour with Spurs occupying fifth place into the break.
Manchester United 3-2 Newcastle
With reports of Jose’s impending sack filling the buildup to the game, Mourinho needed his boys to stand up and make a statement. It was a struggling United against early relegation strugglers Newcastle who had yet to win – or even lead – a game in the league this season, after 7 tries. This was as winnable as they get, but United found themselves behind after just 7 minutes, and 2 down after 10 minutes – Kenedy and Yoshinori Muto (on his debut) helping Benitez’s men forward. The comeback was set in motion when Mata fired in a well-taken free-kick at 70 minutes. Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez scored one apiece to give United their first win in five games.
Watford 0-4 Bournemouth
Bournemouth eased to a 4-0 win over early fliers Watford at Vicarage Road with Christian Kabasele sent off early in the game. The Cherries took the lead on 14 minutes with David Brooks netting on the rebound. With Watford down to 10 men after 33 minutes, Joshua King scored from the spot for the penalty he’d won, before making it 3 before the break. Callum Wilson scored a goal of his own to make it 4-0 soon after the second period resumed, putting it completely out of reach for the Hornets.
Fulham 1-5 Arsenal
Arsenal stretched their winning run to 9 games in Sunday’s early kick-off, emphatically dispatching off Fulham in style. Alexandre Lacazette grabbed himself a double with substitutes Aaron Ramsey and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang getting one and two respectively. Lacazette opened the scoring at Craven Cottage with a fine finish from a Nacho Monreal pass just before the half-hour mark, but Andre Schurlle ensured both teams went in level at halftime. Following the restart, Lacazette restored Arsenal’s lead, before Ramsey and Aubameyang came on to seal the victory.
Southampton 0-3 Chelsea
Hazard continued his fine run in front of goal as Ross Barkley starred to ease Chelsea to a comfortable win at St. Mary’s. Hazard gave Chelsea the lead on the stroke of the half hour with a fine finish from Barkley’s assist, taking his tally to a league-leading seven goals in eight games. Barkley soon got off the mark for Chelsea for the first time since his Winter arrival, converting a delightful Olivier Giroud assist. Kepa made some excellent saves to preserve Chelsea’s clean sheet, before Morata got his second goal in as many games after good work by Eden Hazard, ensuring Chelsea goes into the break level on points with both City and Liverpool.
Liverpool 0-0 Man City
Man City may still be looking for their first Anfield win in 15 years, but they sure avoided embarrassment this time. The top of the table clash which had served up many thrillers last season failed to produce any goals as both Klopp and Pep paid their respects to tactically equal opponents. Mohamed Salah had one tame effort at goal, while City came close a number of times. The best chance of the night fell to Riyad Mahrez after Sane was felled by the otherwise reliable Van Dijk. Unfortunately for City, he blazed over, leaving City to rue a missed opportunity to go clear at the top of the table.
