The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsA review of all the Premier League action. A fantastic win for Arsenal when they played host to the Red Devils on Sunday, Manchester City inflicted a crushing defeat to Newcastle Saturday afternoon while Chelsea lost again, this time at the hands of Southampton.
Manchester City 6-1 Newcastle United.
Manchester City cruised back to the top of the league after a comfortable afternoon at the office. Five goals from Sergio Aguero and another goal for City new boy, Kevin De Bruyne, ripped Newcastle apart. Newcastle ironically took the lead, Alexsandar Mitrovic heading home in the 18th minute, sending Joe Hart the wrong way. Hart then had to produce a fantastic save to keep out Mitrovic yet again. Three minutes before the break and City were level, Aguero headed home from close range. Five goals in the first seventeen minutes of the second half absolutely tore the Magpies apart. Aguero seeing his deflected shot end up in the back of the net, then a superb flick over Tim Krul’s head. De Druyne then got himself on the score sheet, a very inventive volley over Krul’s head who was helpless. Aguero then curled one past the Newcastle stopper, and completed his scoring for the afternoon with a simple tap in, thanks to De Bruyne’s cross.
Chelsea 1-3 Southampton
Chelsea were beaten yet again, and Jose Mourinho looked extremely concerned in his post-match interview. Goals from Graziano Pelle, Steven Davis and Sadio Mane were enough to see the visitors leave with all three points. Chelsea opened the scoring in the 10th minute, a superb curling free kick from Willian that beat Maarten Stekelenburg at his far post. The Saints should have been awarded a penalty midway through the first half, Branislav Ivanovic pulling Virgil Van Dkij down inside the penalty area. The visitors were level in the 43rd minute, Davis’ first time half volley beat Asmir Begovic from the edge of the box. The second half Southampton came out fighting and rightfully took all three points back to St Mary’s with them. Mane used his strength to turn John Terry and convert home past Begovic. Only twelve minutes later and the encounter was all but finished. Southampton broke due to Cesar Azpilicueta giving the ball away too easy, Mane then ran straight at the defence of Chelsea, he then released Pelle whose outstanding effort found the back of the net. Chelsea left Stamford Bridge bemoaning the penalty appeal they had that was waved away, when Falcao was clipped over by onrushing Stekelenburg. Another disappointing afternoon for the Blues.
Sunderland 2-2 West Ham.
West Ham travelled up north to take on a struggling Sunderland. Two early goals from Steven Fletcher and Jeremain Lens was not enough to see off the Hammers as they fought back to earn a point, thanks to Carl Jenkinson and Dimirti Payet. Sunderland found themselves 2-0 up in the first twenty-two minutes, Fletcher blasting home a training ground worked free kick to give the home side the lead. Twelve minutes later and the hosts had doubled their lead, Lens with an outrageous chip that had been inch perfect to lob the Hammers stopper. West Ham pulled one back in stoppage time of the first half, Victor Moses’ cross was met by Jenkinson to halve the hosts’ lead. Lens then committed another silly foul and picked up his second yellow and was dismissed. Payet then equalised for West Ham, Costel Pantilimon fumbling the ball and Payet was first to react to ensure the visitors would be leaving with a point.
Norwich City 1-2 Leicester City.
Leicester travelled to Carrow Road where they picked up all three points in an exciting clash. Goals from, Jamie Vardy and Jeff Schlupp were enough to pick the hosts off. John Ruddy was called into action early on, making an impressive save to deny Danny Drinkwater. Vardy won his team a penalty in the 28th minute, Sebastien Bassong tripping up the England international. Vardy, himself, stepped up and converted to put the Foxes 1-0 up. Leicester only had to wait two minutes after the break to double their lead. Schlupp beating Ruddy from inside the box. Leonardo Ulloa thought he scored with his first touch of the game only for it to be disallowed for a foul on the Norwich keeper. Mbokani got one back for the hosts in the 68th minute but the Foxes held on to take all three points back to the Midlands with them.
Crystal Palace 2-0 West Brom.
Easy day at the office for Palace on Saturday. Comfortable winners thanks to a bit of Yohan Cabaye magic. The Frenchman scoring from the penalty spot while producing a world class cross for the opener was enough to see off the hosts. Wilfred Zaha had a great chance to open the scoring early, but could only drag his effort into the side netting. It took West Brom until midway through the second half to record a shot on target… It was one of those days for the Baggies unfortunately. Cabaye produced a beautifully weighted ball onto the head on Yannick Bolasie to score for the first time this season. Chris Brunt then brought down Zaha in the 89th minute and Cabaye stepped up to convert with ease. A very impressive performance from Yohan Cabaye, who was on another level.
