The Premier League resumed following the second international break of the season and saw things hot up at the top of the table, as teams start to get into their stride. Chelsea and Arsenal were the only teams in the top five to manage victories this week, while Bournemouth spared no remorse for Hull after they put six past the Tigers, to move closer to the top half of the table.
The Liverpool - Manchester United clash capped off the week’s action as the rivals shared the points in a dull 0-0 draw at Anfield.
#1 Arsenal benefit from dropped points of rivals
Everton’s visit to the Etihad proved to be quite fruitful for Ronald Koeman’s men as they shared the spoils in an entertaining 1-1 draw. Maarten Stekelenburg saved two penalties in the game as Man City dropped points for the second game running and their first at home this season. Pep Guardiola will have wanted to get a win to boost confidence before his side visit Barcelona in the Champions League mid-week fixture.
Tottenham ended their run of four wins in a row when they failed to beat West Brom at The Hawthorns. Dele Alli salvaged a point for Spurs with a late equaliser after former
Former Spurs star Nacer Chadli had given the Baggies the lead. Mauricio Pochettino’s side dropped down from second position as a result with Arsenal occupying second place.
The Gunners are on a formidable run and have now won each of their last six games in the league. Theo Walcott scored his fifth goal of the campaign as his side were lucky to edge past Swansea 3-2. Granit Xhaka received his marching orders in the second half but Arsenal held on to their lead to inflict a first Premier League defeat for the Swans new manager Bob Bradley.
#2 Cherries smash six past helpless Hull
Bournemouth kept their good of form going by thumping Hull City 6-1 at home. Eddie Howe’s team had been fairly goal shy until now, as they only managed six goals in their opening seven games. Although that didn’t show as they ran riot against a Hull side who looked hapless as the home side came at them with wave after wave of attack.
The Cherries didn’t have the greatest of starts to the season but Eddie Howe seems to have turned them around. Bournemouth moved closer to the top half of the table in 11th position, level on points with Crystal Palace and Watford above them.
#3 Stoke and West Ham end poor runs
Mark Hughes’ Stoke City finally managed to win their first league game of the season. Joe Allen starred in the 2-0 win over bottom of the table Sunderland, who now remain the only team in the league without a win. The ‘Welsh Pirlo’ grabbed both goals on the day to continue his stunning form in recent weeks and now has four goals in his last three outings.
West Ham moved out of the relegation zone with only their second victory of the campaign. Manuel Lanzini scored the only goal of the game as the Hammers scrapped past Crystal Palace. Alan Pardew will rue his side’s missed opportunities with Christian Benteke also being guilty of missing a penalty.
#4 Not so ‘Super Sunday’
It wasn’t a classical ‘Super Sunday’ as the first game between Middlesbrough and Watford got off to the slowest possible start. A drab encounter at the Riverside was lit up only for a moment when Jose Holebas’ strike rifled into the back of the net. It was the only goal of the game as The Hornets got back to winning ways.
Burnley’s visit to Southampton began in similar fashion to Sunday’s opening game. Both sides looked cagey in the opening half with neither side threatening with real intent. The second half saw a far better improvement as the Saints emerged from the tunnel a different side. Nathan Redmond’s stunning effort was sandwiched between a Charlie Austin brace as Claude Puel’s side extended their run to four games unbeaten.
#5 Anfield Clash fails to live up to hype
The biggest clash of the week proved to be nothing more than an anti-climax as Manchester United visited Liverpool on Monday night. Both teams began the first half on a cautious note and were understandably more focussed on defending rather than scoring.
The second half showed little signs of improving with the Reds camping in the United half. Although it offered nothing in terms of entertainment value, it was the first time that the Red Devils managed a clean sheet in five games, while Liverpool kept their first shut out of the Premier League campaign.
Jurgen Klopp’s side would have gone level at the top of the table had they managed a win but remain in the top four for now. Jose Mourinho still appears to be searching for his best XI as his team dropped points for the second game running.
Results
Chelsea 3-0 Leicester City
Arsenal 3-2 Swansea City
Bournemouth 6-1 Hull City
Manchester City 1-1 Everton
Stoke City 2-0 Sunderland
West Brom 1-1 Tottenham
Crystal Palace 0-1 West Ham United
Middlesbrough 0-1 Watford
Southampton 3-1 Burnley
Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
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