The Premier League season is now well underway and match week five offered more of the excitement that we have become accustomed to throughout the previous four weeks.
The action began on Friday night with Liverpool beating Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. The visitors raced into a 2-0 lead in the first half thanks to a Dejan Lovren goal, followed by a wonderful curling effort from Jordan Henderson. Diego Costa halved the lead in the second half but Jurgen Klopp’s side held on and earned a memorable win.
Just five matches took place on Saturday, further fuelling the anger at the forever decreasing number of games kicking off at the traditional time of three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon. The best of the action came at the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City demolished Bournemouth by a 4-0 score line. An inspired performance from Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, arguably the division’s best player so far this campaign, struck a clever free kick that went underneath the Cherries’ wall and crept into the corner of the net. Young forward Kelechi Iheanacho added a second ten minutes later before Raheem Sterling bagged a third in the second half to cap off an impressive personal performance. Summer signing Ilkay Gundogan scored his first goal for the club late on to secure the victory and maintain Pep Guardiola’s sensational start to life in English football.
Saturday’s biggest shock came at the Hawthorns where West Bromwich Albion beat struggling West Ham United 4-2. Tony Pulis’ side have been criticised for their lack of goals but they certainly proved their capabilities in the final third in this encounter, albeit with the help of some horrendous defending. A Nacer Chadli brace, along with goals from Salomon Rondon and James McClean, gave the hosts are surprising 4-0 lead. A late fightback from the visitors included goals from Michail Antonio and Manuel Lanzini but the Hammers continue their poor start to the season which has caused further discontent among their fans who are largely unhappy with the move to the Olympic Stadium.
Arsenal are starting to creep into a good run of form, which has been helped by their late recruitment in the transfer window. Goals from Alexis Sanchez, Theo Walcott and a stunner from Granit Xhaka helped them to a 3-1 win over Hull City at the KCOM Stadium, with the hosts’ goal coming from Robert Snodgrass.
Another newly promoted side, Middlesbrough, have had a mixed start upon their return to the Premier League. Four points from their first three games gave many people the ammunition to predict a good season for the Teesiders but their recent 3-1 defeat to Everton was their second-successive loss. Ronald Koeman’s side have had an impressive start to the season and goals from Gareth Barry, Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku earned another victory against Aitor Karanka’s team.
Summer signings were proving to be the difference for many clubs over the weekend and another, Islam Slimani, bagged a brace as his Leicester side won 3-0 against Burnley. The Algerian appears to have taken some of the weight held solely last season by Jamie Vardy and the pair could strike a very good partnership. The 3-0 win, completed by Ben Mee’s own goal, could give the current champions some much needed momentum following a disappointing start to their title defence.
The best of Sunday’s action came at Vicarage Road where Watford stunned Manchester United, winning 3-1 against the Red Devils. Etienne Capoue continued his surprising goal scoring form by opening the scoring in the first half, but talented youngster Marcus Rashford levelled the score soon after half time. Many expected Jose Mourinho’s side to turn the game around, but a goal from Juan Camilo Zuniga followed by a late Troy Deeney penalty means United have now lost their last three competitive games.
Crystal Palace appear to have finally turned their awful league form around and beat a heavily under-performing Stoke City side 4-1 at Selhurst Park. The Eagles stormed into 2-0 lead within twelve minutes courtesy of centre back pair James Tomkins and Scott Dann, before second half strikes from James McArthur and Andros Townsend secured the three points. Marko Arnautovic scored a mere consolation for the visitors who are now bottom with just one point. Alan Pardew’s side have now picked up seven points from their last three games having won just twice since December before their victory against Middlesbrough last weekend.
Similar to Stoke, another side in disarray are Sunderland who lost once again on Sunday, this time against Tottenham Hotspur. Harry Kane scored the only goal of the game before worryingly leaving the field on a stretcher with reports suggesting the England forward could miss the next two months.
The final game of the weekend came at St Mary’s Stadium where Southampton defeated Swansea City by a single goal. Charlie Austin struck midway through the second half in a game that should have been much more comfortable for the hosts. Francesco Guidolin is now heavily under pressure at the Liberty Stadium and has seen two players storm down the tunnel after being substituted in recent weeks.
