The Premier League entered its ninth week over the weekend and offered the usual entertainment of the previous eight rounds.
The action began in Saturday’s early kick off when Bournemouth hosted Tottenham Hotspur. The visitors had the better of the chances, particularly when Erik Lamela struck the bar in the opening stages, but neither side could find a way past their opponents in a goalless draw.
The fixture on the South Coast was one of three goalless stalemates on Saturday, with Middlesbrough holding Arsenal to a very credible draw at the Emirates Stadium to kick start their season after a mixed start to their first top flight campaign since 2009. Meanwhile, Bob Bradley earned his first point as Swansea City manager when the Welsh side drew with Watford.
Leicester City’s players reportedly held a meeting in midweek to turn their domestic form around after a disappointing start to their title defence. These talks appeared to have worked as they followed their record breaking Champions League victory in midweek with a 3-1 win against Palace. Following a tense start, Ahmed Musa opened the scoring with a twenty yard strike just before half time. A goal from Shinji Okazaki and a wonderful half volley from Christian Fuchs secured the three points for the Foxes, although Yohan Cabaye gave the traveling faithful something to cheer about with a consolation goal late on.
Burnley earned their first win in three games with a fantastic 2-1 victory over Everton. Scott Arfield scored in the ninetieth minute to inflict just the second league defeat of the Toffees’ season. Former Eagle Yannick Bolasie netted his first goal for the Merseyside club since his £27million summer move from Selhurst Park.
Stoke City continued their recent good form away at Hull City. Two stunning goals from Xherdan Shaqiri either side of half time gave Mark Hughes’ side yet another victory following their poor start to the season. The Potters now have seven points from their last three games, having earned just two from their previous six games.
West Ham United’s heavily scrutinised start to the season continued as they only just edged past struggling Sunderland at the London Stadium. The Hammers finally scored in the fourth minute of added time through Winston Reid, although fan frustration continues to grow over the move to the new stadium from the Boleyn Ground.
Liverpool continued their good form on Saturday evening, beating West Bromwich Albion 2-1 at Anfield. Goals from Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho secured the victory for the Reds who are now unbeaten in the top flight since their shock defeat to Burnley in match week two. Jurgen Klopp’s side are now joint top on twenty points.
Manchester City are now without a win in five games in all competitions following their draw with Southampton on Sunday. A mix up between John Stones and Vincent Kompany allowed Nathan Redmond to round Claudio Bravo and slot the ball into an empty net. Stones appeared to have redeemed his error when he volleyed home following a free kick but the linesman’s flag mysteriously cut all celebrations short, despite nobody being in an offside position. Pep Guardiola’s side eventually found an equaliser through substitute Kelechi Iheanacho who steered home Leroy Sane’s pass ten minutes into the second half.
The Citizens’ Manchester rivals, Manchester United, were humiliated at Stamford Bridge as Jose Mourinho suffered an embarrassing return. Chelsea needed just thirty seconds to open the scoring courtesy of Pedro and eventually strolled to a 4-0 victory over their former manager. Further goals from Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante secured the big win for the Blues.
The Premier League table is now starting to take shape and the early race for supremacy is as tight as possible. Just a single point separates first place Manchester City with fifth placed Tottenham as the division heads into its tenth week.
