With the Premier League season now well underway, the table is starting to take shape with the early pace-setters making up the top four and the struggling sides languish in the relegation places.
Friday night’s action saw Crystal Palace continue their excellent form with a very credible draw at Everton. Romelu Lukaku gave the hosts the lead with a free-kick towards the end of the first half following a dubious decision from referee Jon Moss. The Eagles fought back, though, and were level five minutes into the second half courtesy of Christian Benteke’s emphatic header. Palace could have won the game and appeared to have taken the lead soon after when Damien Delaney headed home, although the linesman had adjudged James McArthur of being offside as the Scottish midfielder challenged for the ball.
Five top flight games featured on Saturday with the pick of the action coming in the midday kick off at the Liberty Stadium where Liverpool left it late to come back and win against Swansea City. Leroy Fer’s goal within ten minutes gave the Welsh side a shock lead against the in-form Reds and it took until ten minutes into the second half for Roberto Firmino to equalise for Jurgen Klopp’s side. With the game heading towards a draw, Angel Rangel conceded a penalty which James Milner coolly dispatched. Francesco Guidolin was subsequently sacked in the aftermath of the game and replaced by American Bob Bradley who has an excellent record abroad, although he will need to continue that success in his first Premier League job if the Swans have any hope of having a good season.
Chelsea’s fortunes improved at Hull City where they beat the newly promoted Tigers 2-0 at the KCOM Stadium. However, the Blues, who have had a stuttering start under Antonio Conte, had to wait until the second half to break down their opponents. Two stunning, and fairly similar, strikes from Willian and Diego Costa secured the three points as Chelsea look to close the gap on the top four.
Another side who were expected to do well this season, yet are struggling, are West Ham United who played Middlesbrough on Saturday. The Hammers are not taking to life in their new stadium too well and fell behind once again when Mark Noble failed to clear Christian Stuani’s header away from the line and the Goal Decision System ruled that the whole of the ball had crossed the line. However, it took just moments for Dimitri Payet to re-introduce himself to the Premier League following a break after Euro 2016 when he picked up the ball on the left hand side of the pitch and weaved in and out of several challenges before rolling the ball into the corner of the net in a style not too dissimilar to a certain George Best.
Watford and Bournemouth played out a very entertaining 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road which could have seen either side come away with all three points. The Cherries took the lead twice in the game, with goals coming from Callum Wilson and Josh King, only for the hosts to equalise twice courtesy of Troy Deeney and the wonderfully named Isaac Success. Eddie Howe’s side hit the post a remarkable three times during the second half, with Jack Wilshere striking the post twice and Junior Stanislas cracking a free kick against the crossbar.
Two sides that could find themselves battling for their top flight status come the business end of the season are Sunderland and West Bromwich Albion. They both met at the Stadium of Light and played out a 1-1 draw, with the visitors taking the lead through Nacer Chadli, who could prove to be a very shrewd signing for the Baggies. Patrick van Aanholt equalised for the hosts but tension remains high at both clubs with David Moyes and Tony Pulis heavily under pressure.
The best of Sunday’s action came at White Hart Lane where Tottenham ended Manchester City’s winning start to the season with a magnificent 2-0 win in a thrilling encounter. Aleksandar Kolarov’s own goal opened the scoring before a wonderfully crafted Dele Alli strike secured victory just before half time. Erik Lamela could have made it 3-0 in the second half but saw his penalty saved by Claudio Bravo.
Meanwhile, Manchester United dropped points once again, this time against Stoke City who held the Red Devils to a 1-1 draw. Anthony Martial opened the scoring with his first league goal of the season, but former Liverpool midfielder Joe Allen scored to give the Potters, who have struggled recently, a share of the points.
Arsene Wenger celebrated his twenty year anniversary as Arsenal manager with a win against Burnley, although his side left it extremely late to score the only goal courtesy of Laurent Koscielny four minutes into second half injury time. The Clarets seemed to have held on for a very good point but a controversial goal from the Frenchman, in which he appeared to handle the ball, continued the Gunners’ good form.
Finally, the only 0-0 draw of the weekend came at the King Power stadium where Leicester City and Southampton failed to find a way past the opposition in a game that certainly will not be remembered by the neutrals.
