Bournemouth 0 – 1 Newcastle

A single first half goal turned out to be enough to give Newcastle their first away win of the season and drag them out of the Premier League relegation zone.

After a couple of somewhat unfortunate results over the past few weeks it was about time Newcastle got some luck going their way. This turned out to be the point that their luck changed. Bournemouth dominated the game from start to finish, registering 20 shots on goal only to be denied by an incredibly in form Rob Elliot in the Newcastle goal. Ayoze Perez registered Newcastle’s only shot on target when he stabbed home in the 27th minute to give Newcastle one of the most undeserved victories of the season.

This drags Newcastle out of the bottom three as they swap positions with Bournemouth, who finish the weekend in 18th position.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq_zlizkpqQ

Leicester 2 – 1 Watford

Leicester continued their excellent start to the Premier League season with a 7th win against a Watford side who may feel that they deserved more.

Watford had the better of the first half between these sides, with the visitors stifling all attempts at attacking play for Leicester and hoping for their 3rd positive win in a row. But a howler from eccentric goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes saw Ngolo Kante open the scoring early in the second half. He then made a rash challenge on the onrushing Jamie Vardy to give away a penalty. It was Riyad Mahrez who picked the ball up, but an onslaught of chants from the home support saw him give the ball to that man Jamie Vardy, who converted it to see him get on the scoresheet for the 9th game in a row. A penalty from Troy Deeney gave Watford a glimmer of hope, but Leicester held out.

This moves Leicester to with a point of Manchester City and Arsenal at the end of the weekend, with a four point safety net in the top four. Watford maintain their position in 11th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvk3rIUUEGo

Manchester United 2 – 0 West Brom

Manchester United got back to winning ways in the Premier League with a fairly comfortable victory over West Brom.

A defensive approach from both sides saw this game play out in a predictably drab fashion. Only one shot on target was made in the first half, and it took a moment of brilliance from Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard to breathe some life into the game. The talented attacker was excellent in their win against CSKA Moscow in midweek, convincing Louis van Gaal to start him on Saturday. He paid back his managers’ faith by netting his first Manchester United goal early in the second half. Saido Berahino spurned a wonderful chance late on, but then Anthony Martial was brought down in injury time to give the hosts a penalty. Juan Mata converted to seal the win.

This brings Manchester United back into the title race after a disappointing few weeks. They are now just two points behind Manchester City, but sit in 4th behind them, Arsenal, and Leicester. West Brom move down to 13th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X9AegZutlQ

Norwich 1 – 0 Swansea

Norwich managed to break their losing streak and record their first clean sheet of the season with a hard fought win over the disappointing Swansea.

It was a scrappy encounter from the moment the whistle was blown, with Swansea holding on to the ball well but failing to threaten an unusually organised Norwich defence. The visitors didn’t register a single shot on target and their attacking trio of Bafetimbi Gomis, Andre Ayew, and Jefferson Montero failed to impress again after their blistering start to the season was halted. Jonny Howson scored his first goal of the season to win the game in the 70th minute, tapping in from a corner. There was not much else going on in the final thirds, and the pressure will be piling on Garry Monk after another disappointing performance and result.

Norwich rise to 15th after breaking their four match losing streak, with Swansea just a point above them in 14th after their fall from grace over the past couple of months.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WD3jS2s9KOw

Sunderland 0 – 1 Southampton

A much improved Sunderland side still couldn’t muster a performance to match the visitors as Southampton extended their unbeaten streak.

It took until the 69th minute for the deadlock to be broken at the Stadium of Light, when Ryan Bertrand was fouled in the box and Dusan Tadic stepped up to convert the resulting penalty. Southampton were unlucky not to be ahead already though, with Jose Fonte and Steven Davis seeing their efforts cleared off the line. This extended Southampton’s unbeaten streak to six Premier League games, and they picked up their 2nd clean sheet on the bounce against a Sunderland side who failed to create any more than the one clear chance that Duncan Watmore spurned.

Southampton remain in 7th following this victory, but they have narrowed the gap to Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham to just a single point. Sunderland remain in 19th position, and see the gap to safety increase to four points following Newcastle’s win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl8-D4sIy_M

West Ham 1 – 1 Everton

It was honours even at Upton Park as West Ham and Everton picked up a deserved point apiece after an even match.

The hosts opened the scoring half an hour in as Manuel Lanzini showed his quality yet again with a beautiful curler. The lead didn’t last long though, with Romelu Lukaku latching on to an excellent through ball from Gerard Deulofeu to level the scored two minutes before half time. This was the 7th match in a row that he has scored against West Ham. Dimitri Payet injured his ankle thanks to a James McCarthy challenge just before the break, and the influential playmaker limped off five minutes into the second half. His absence severely hampered West Ham’s creativity, and the Hammers will be desperately hoping that this injury isn’t too severe. The match itself was very even, and a point apiece is a deserved outcome.

West Ham remain in 7th position in the Premier League, but the gap to the top four increases after Leicester and Man Utd won. Everton leapfrog their arch rivals Liverpool after their loss to Crystal Palace, but remain in 9th as Crystal Palace overtake them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG1-lUgzIU8

Stoke 1 – 0 Chelsea

Chelsea manager served a one match stadium ban as Chelsea’s dreadful start to the Premier League season continued with an undeserved loss to Stoke.

With Jose Mourinho watching with the rest of us on TV, he saw his trio of assistants directing the Chelsea team who played much better than they have recently. Their 19 attempts on goal included Pedro hitting the post and a string of saves from the impressive Jack Butland. They certainly deserved at least a point from this match, but an acrobatic goal from Marco Arnautovic early in the second half snatched this away from them.

Stoke rise to 12th in the table, and have now lost just one of their last nine games after their disappointing start to the season. Chelsea move below Norwich to 16th after their 7th league defeat of the season. Interestingly, this is the first time Jose Mourinho has ever lost seven league games in a managerial campaign, and we’re only 12 matches in!

Aston Villa 0 – 0 Manchester City

Aston Villa kept a Premier League clean sheet for the first time since the opening day of the season as they held the Premier League leaders Manchester City in Remi Garde’s first game in charge.

It was bottom meets top in Sunday’s early kickoff, and not many gave Aston Villa a chance going into this one. But it seems new manager Remi Garde has organised his new club’s defences well. They limited Manchester City to just three shots on target, but Raheem Sterling will be disappointed at missing a close range header for the visitors. Aston Villa created next to nothing going forward, but they will be more than happy to limit Mancheter City’s attack and pick up their first since August.

Arsenal’s failure to win means Manchester City still lead the Premier League table on goal difference, but wins from Leicester and Manchester United see them close the gap to two points. Aston Villa remain bottom of the table, but the confidence this will instil in them could be important.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kA9ZZ70S4A

Arsenal 1 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur produced a very impressive display at the Emirates, but ultimately failed to capitalise on their dominance as they drew with Arsenal.

Spurs were the dominants in the first half of this North London derby, and eventually made their mark on the game as Harry Kane was sent through on goal to slot home the opener in the 32nd minute. Arsenal began to turn the screw in the second half though, with Mesut Ozil being at the centre of everything good for the hosts. He provided the cross for Kieran Gibbs to bundle in the equaliser 13 minutes from time. Overall it was a deserved point for both sides.

With Manchester City failing to win, this was an opportunity for Arsenal to take the lead in the Premier League title race. As it stands, they trail on goal difference and now only hold a point advantage over 3rd placed Leicester. Spurs extend their unbeaten run in the league to 11 games, and they are just three points outside of the top four and looking like very solid contenders for a Champions League spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QXBfJIC7N4

Liverpool 1 – 2 Crystal Palace

Jurgen Klopp suffered his first defeat as Liverpool manager as Crystal Palace ended a four match winless streak with victory at Anfield.

Crystal Palace came flying out of the blocks at Anfield to try and take advantage of Liverpool’s midweek fatigue, and it worked. Yannick Bolasie took advantage of poor defensive work in the 21st minute as he was allowed to swivel inside the box and fire home the opener. Phillipe Coutinho levelled before the break, but Scott Dann made it count for nothing as he headed in the winner eight minutes from time.

Crystal Palace move up to 8th in the Premier League after ending their four match winless streak, whilst Liverpool drop behind cross-city rivals Everton and into 10th.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ff8DOqL5Zo