Fast, furious, exciting. It was non-stop footballing action, across England, on Saturday, in the English Premier League, with some mouthwatering encounters taking place. Econsport brings you all the action as it unfolded.
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 VS 1 ARSENAL
On
commencement of the current premier league season, Manchester United boss, Jose
Mourinho, talked up his side's chances of winning the title come May. Wanting to
compete, befitting a club of United's stature. Fast forward three months, and
he is in uncharted territory. Up against rival Arsene Wenger at Old Trafford,
on Saturday, a chance to get back on track, and his Manchester United side were
held to a 1-1 draw by Arsenal.
Juan Mata put Manchester United ahead against Arsenal
But Olivier Giroud leveled proceedings on the 89th minute, with a bullet header
The striker peels off in celebration
Seeking his eighth league win against Arsene
Wenger--having never lost against the Frenchman in the Premier League--a Juan Mata strike on 69
minutes put the red devils in front, a lead they never looked like
relinquishing, for most parts of the encounter. But out of the blue, Olivier
Giroud met an inviting Oxlade Chamberlain right-wing cross, with a thumping
header to give his team a share of the spoils, that their performance hardly
deserved. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic suspended, Marcus Rashford got the nod
upfront, flanked by Martial and Mata on either side. The game began at a
frenetic tempo, as United's high pressing disrupted the free-flow passing so
characteristic of Arsenal's play in recent weeks. United edged a first half
bereft of clear-cut chances, as Arsenal looked unusually clueless with the ball
despite having a lion’s share of possession. But for two brilliant saves from Petr
Cech in the visitor's goal—repelling goal-bound efforts from Anthony Martial
and Juan Mata—United would have went in ahead at the break.
They
didn't have to wait long however on resumption of the second period, after
spells of strong United dominance, Arsenal's resistance was broken. A flowing
move down the right started by Paul Pogba, resulted in Ander Herrera pulling the
ball back for Mata to sidefoot home. One nil United led, and they looked good
value for their lead.
Ander Herrera and Juan Mata celebrate the latter's opener for Manchester United
Mata's side footed shot flew past Petr Cech in the Arsenal goal
Jose Mourinho pumps his fists in celebration, in the aftermath of his side's opener.
United were denied what looked like a clear-cut penalty, in a major talking point of the first half, when Arsenal defender Nacho Monreal, upended Antonio Valencia in the box
There was to be a twist in the tale however, as United
failed to capitalize on their dominance and Arsenal's frailty. Marcus Rojo
planted a header wide,from a Dailey Blind left-wing cross, when it seemed easier to hit the target. And United were
made to rue that miss. Super subs, Chamberlain and Giroud combined to snatch an
equalizer right at the death—a real sucker punch—to deny Jose Mourinho's men
the much needed three points, to keep pace with the pacesetters at the top of the
league standings. For Wenger, the draw surely tasted like victory, considering
how second-best his side were for large parts of the encounter. A massive improvement is needed to
avoid a rudderless showing against Paris Saint German in the Champions league
in midweek. Mourinho and Manchester United on the other hand though, were left
licking their wounds, wondering what might have been, as the inability to close
out a game, proved their undoing once again. Surely his defence needs
questioning. This wasn’t the start to the season Mourinho envisaged. Give him a
top four ticket right now, and he is sure to go back home more than happy. End of
shopping. Even that possibility looks bleak right now.
CRYSTAL PALACE 1 VS 2
MANCHESTER CITY
Back from the wilderness. Away from the darkness and into the
light, Yaya Toure scored a brace to hand City all three points in a tightly
contested affair against Crystal Palace, at Selhurst Park, in London. The Ivorian ex-international had
been left out from the squad for weeks, due to comments made by his outspoken
and fiery agent, Dmitri Seluk, which were deemed unacceptable by manager Pep
Guardiola. Having apologized, he was brought back into the fold. Like the
biblical prodigal son, he returned to the starting line-up amidst much fanfare,
duly justifying his place with a great performance. The script couldn't have
been written any better.
Returning midfielder, Yaya Toure, scored twice for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
His second handed City victory after Crystal Palace had equalized through Cornor Wickham
Scores settled; Coach Pep Guardiola and midfielder Yaya Toure appeared to have buried the hatchet, after the latter agent's public outburst
Toure scored the curtain raiser on 39 minutes, hammering into the top corner from 15 yards, off a Nolito assist. City failed to build onto their lead, allowing Palace back into the game, as Cornor Wickham levelled proceedings at 1-1 in the second half. Storming out from the blocks, Palace grabbed a deserved equalizer on 66 minutes, their pressure finally telling on the vulnerable City defence. Palace striker, Wickham, finding the back of the net after being introduced at halftime. The Citizens were to have the last laugh however. Up stepped Toure yet again. The midfielder notched his second of the game, to secure the win, for City, who survived a barrage of late Crystal palace pressure in the dying embers of the game to cling onto the win.
SOUTHAMPTON 0 VS 0 LIVERPOOL
Brushing aside Crystal palace 4-2 away from home, decimating
Watford 6-1 at Anfield. Liverpool were simply unstoppable coming into this
encounter up against an equally impressive side,in Southampton, at St.Mary's. It
had all the inscriptions of a feast of goals written all over it. Liverpool,
spellbinding in attack, shaky in defence, versus a Southampton side also adept
at playing brilliant football. Those expecting a goals jamboree were left
disappointed however, as bad finishing, coupled with some brilliant goalkeeping
put paid to Liverpool's failure to convert a host of chances that came their
way. Not that the hosts were without theirs also, still, Liverpool should have
comfortably seen off the opposition with minimum fuss. It wasn't to be however.
Sadio Mane, Coutinho and Roberto Firmino all had chances go begging, as the
Reds were held by Claude Puel's side. A draw was by no means a bad result, but
such has been Liverpool's rapid transformation under the watchful eyes of manager Jurgen Klopp,
that many expect them to just show up and blow opponents away. The enthralling
nature of the premier league however ensures that remains a distant dream.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3 VS 2 WEST HAM
UNITED
89
minutes had passed and the score board read 1-2 in favour of West ham. White
heart lane was edgy. Hopes fading fast, time ticking away, three points looked a
Herculean task, a draw seemed remote at best.
Their unbeaten run on the verge of being ended. The next two minutes
however altered the complexion of the tie, and perhaps will do same to
Tottenham’s domestic campaign. Enter Harry Kane, with two goals in the
space of 160 seconds. The stadium erupted. Fans went into delirium. From
nowhere, their side had stolen maximum points. They seemed in dreamland, but
alas, this was reality at its peak. In truth, up until the dying moments of the
game, that looked unlikely as Spurs were far from their fluid attacking best.
There goes the stuff of champions; winning even when not at their optimal level.
Michael Antonio had given West ham the lead, his sixth league goal of the
season.
Harry Winks grabbed the equalizer for Tottenham Hotspur after Michael Antonio had put West Ham United in front
Argentine International, Manuel Lanzini scored from the penalty spot, to give West Ham the lead, upon Harry Winks's equalizer for Spurs
The number 10 celebrates his goal, as teammates join in
Up stepped Harry Kane, as the English striker brought Spurs back on level terms, for the second time in the match
The crowning glory; Kane buried a penalty to decide the tie in Spurs favour. Two goals in the space of 160 seconds.
Tottenham goalie, Hugo LLoris congratulates Harry Kane at full time.
Youngster Harry Winks restored parity, but after Manuel Lanzini put the
visitors back in front, the other Harry took centre stage. A back-post tap in
showed his poacher's instinct. He wasn't done though. Substitute Heung Min Son,
on for the disappointing Vincent Janssen,in attack, gazumped into the box, West ham substitute, Nordtveit slid in recklessly. The outcome definite. A Stone wall
penalty. Who else to step up and put the final nail in the coffin of the hammers than
Harry Kane? He is the go-to man these days.
Kane couldn't hide his relief as his dying minute winner secured the win for Spurs
The rest is history. Low and hard,
the ball flew into the net. Highspirited, the Spurs players leapt for joy.
Downcast the West ham faithful sank in despair. Unbeaten, undeterred, the Spurs
go marching on. In the cut and thrust nature of the premier league, the win did
a whole world of good for Mauricio Pochettino's side's title ambition. Come May
they may well reflect on this as crucial points gained.
WATFORD 2 VS 1 LEICESTER
Direct,
clinical, creative; Clueless, misfiring, lethargic. The difference between the
Leicester of last season, that won hearts all over, and the one limping in the
defence of the premier league title, couldn’t have been any clearer. No one
expected them to win the league back to back, but they weren't expected to be
lurching perilously close to the relegation zone at this stage of the season.
Jamie Vardy cut a forlorn figure in Leicester City's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Watford
Summer signing, Roberto Perrerya scored a cracker of a goal for Watford
With Jamie Vardy going on a dry spell, Riyad Mahrez being seemingly unsettled
by transfer speculation, add in the mix the under-performing signings added to
bolster the squad—Ahmed Musa and Mendy certainly culpable—and Leicester are
in for a long journey. The loss of midfield enforcer, Ngolo Kante, to Chelsea has
ripped the league winners of their heart and soul. Goals from Etienne Capoue
and Roberto Perrerya either side of Mahrez's equalizer, consigned the champions
to yet another defeat. Manager Claudio Ranieri has a difficult task on his
hands, as the thoughts of relegation come encircling. Leicester fans wouldn't
dare think about that. They know the pains of those struggles all too well.
Winning the EPL title is a great feat in every sense of the word, successfully
defending it even greater. Nobody said it was easy, but for Leicester, surely
nobody said it will be this hard.
Elsewhere,
in the English Premier League, Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth recorded a hard fought
one nil victory over Stoke City at the Brittania Stadium, thanks to a goal from
Nathan Ake. Sunderland defeated Hull City 3-0 to boost their survival hopes,
with Jermain Defoe—netting his 150th premier league goal—and
Nigerian, Victor Anichebe, grabbing the goals. Everton versus Swansea City ended
one apiece.
Jermain Defoe scored a brilliant solo goal for Sunderland against Hull City, at the Stadium of light.
While strike partner, Victor Anichebe( pictured far right) scored a brace
Chelsea loanee, Nathan Ake's goal, proved the difference as Bournemouth defeated Stoke City 1 nil.
On Sunday, Chelsea continued their fine run of form, with a brilliant display away from home, to defeat Middlesbrough 1 nil, going top of the League table in the process. The only goal of the game was scored by Spanish international, Diego Costa, in the 41st minute, his tenth league goal of the season.
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