Wins for Chelsea, Man City and Bournemouth the main highlights of Premier League weekend
With 9/10 fixtures of the weekend played over Saturday/Sunday, there is plenty for fans to be talking about come Monday morning
Bournemouth’s 4-3 win was by far the most eye-catching result in a weekend dominated by draws. However, there were some stand-out performances and some outstanding debuts, and with Arsenal to host Liverpool later on today, all is to play for.
Manchester United 0-0 Newcastle United
Manchester United were at home to Newcastle in Saturday’s lunchtime kickoff. The major highlights included Wayne Rooney’s 3-minute goal controversially disallowed for offside.
On his first start for Newcastle, Aleksandar Mitrovic hit the bar, while Javier Hernandez was denied by Krul and Chris Smalling hit the post in stoppage time.
The results leaves Louis van Gaal’s side remaining unbeaten and yet to concede a league goal this season. A first start being handed to German international Bastian Schweinsteiger is also worth noting.
Crystal Palace 2-1 Aston Villa
It was late, but Bakary Sako’s 87th minute goal stole the points for Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon, with the match appearing to be heading for a draw.
Palace defender Scott Dann had headed his side in front after 71 minutes, only for the visitors to equalise when Pape Souare netted an Own Goal six minutes later.
Leicester 1-1 Tottenham
Two goals within two minutes gave both fans something to cheer about at the King Power Stadium as Leicester remained unbeaten after their first three fixtures.
It was 24-year-old Riyad Mahrez who was the hero, after equalizing just 90 seconds after Tottenham’s Dele Alli had put Spurs in front.
Mahrez was denied a strong penalty shout in the first half and hit the post after the break before netting his side’s equaliser.
Norwich 1-1 Stoke
Norwich and Stoke were another two teams to share the spoils after a brilliant display from visiting goalkeeper Jack Butland allowed Stoke to steal a point from Carrow Road.
Attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri made his debut for Stoke and impressed after his big-money move from Inter but Butland was the key man for the visitors, producing some fabulous saves in the second half.
Mame Biram Diouf gave Stoke a first-half lead from a Shaqiri free-kick but Russell Martin levelled for Norwich just before the half-hour.
The result leaves Norwich a promising 8th after three games, while Stoke find themselves down in 15th.
Sunderland 1-1 Swansea
A draw of much more significance helped Sunderland pick up their first point of this season’s campaign.
Garry Monk’s side were the more dominant throughout the match and created the better chances, but Jermain Defoe’s goal after an hour cancelled out Bafetimbi Gomis’ first-half strike.
It was certainly a better performance from The Black Cats, but they still remain in early trouble, sitting 19th in the league. Swansea, however, after a draw away at Chelsea and a 2-0 win at home to Newcastle, are still unbeaten and are sat 6th in the league.
West Ham 3-4 Bournemouth
Bournemouth earned their first ever Premier League points in style as they came out on top in this high-scoring game at Upton Park.
Callum Wilson netted a hat-trick for the visitors, two coming in the first half to set Bournemouth up for a 2-0 lead at half time.
West Ham had battled back to 2-2 through a Mark Noble penalty and a Cheikhou Kouyate goal, but Mark Pugh restored Bournemouth’s lead in the 66th minute.
Then came the late drama as Jenkinson saw red for a foul on Max Gradel with Wilson stroking home the penalty, before Modibo Maiga struck eight minutes from time to ensure a nervy finish.
For the neutrals watching, this pulsating game had everything – goals, a sending off, two penalties and end-to-end action.
West Brom 2-3 Chelsea
The first of Sunday’s saw Champions Chelsea in action, still looking for their first win of the season. Jose Mourinho handed new signing Pedro his debut as The Blues travelled to West Brom.
After West Brom missing a penalty early on, Pedro delivered by opening the scoring after 20 minutes with a scrappy goal, and Diego Costa double Chelsea’s lead ten minutes later.
James Morrison made up for his penalty miss by getting West Brom back into the game on 35 minutes, but Chelsea right-back Cesar Azpilicueta made it 3-1 before the break.
However, Chelsea didn’t have the game in the bag just yet, with captain John Terry being sent off on 54 minutes after bringing down West Brom debutante Saloman Rondon and being last man. West Brom pulled a goal back 5 minutes later, but Chelsea defended well and survived a big chance for Callum McManaman.
Watford 0-0 Southampton
Watford and Southampton played out a 0-0 draw at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon, leaving both sides still looking for their first win of the season.
It was Watford’s second consecutive 0-0 home draw so far, while Southampton will have been pleased to get their first clean sheet of the season.
Everton 0-2 Manchester City
Manchester City maintained their perfect start, beating Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday.
Despite Everton possibly being the better side in the first half, City’s perseverance paid off when Aleksander Kolarov put the Sky Blues ahead on the hour mark, after Romelu Lukaku had hit the bar and David Silva had hit the post.
Both sides had chances in a very open encounter at Goodison Park, with Sergio Aguero twice denied by Tim Howard and Jesus Navas spurning a glorious opportunity to kill the game off, before Samir Nasri sealed the result late on.
By Ben Kelly – Follow me on Twitter for more articles! @benkelly_10
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