EPL round-up: Manchester United scrape past West Brom; Chelsea lose again
A Saturday that didn’t see too many goals in the Premier League saw Manchester United win at home but a Jose Mourinho side without the Portuguese manager on the sidelines lost to Stoke City at the Britannia.
Manchester United 2-0 West Brom
Louis van Gaal’s men walked away with all three points against the Baggies, but failed to entertain for them most part with the attacking football their fans crave so much. They were helped on the way by 2 second half goals. The first came from the youngster Jesse Lingard who scored his debut goal for United from a long range effort to beat Boaz Myhill.
Juan Mata would add the second from the spot late on after Anthony Martial was brought down by Gareth McAuley in the box, the West Brom defender being the last defender was sent off for a professional foul. The result puts United within touching distance of the top but both Arsenal and Manchester City are yet to play this weekend.
Stoke City 1-0 Chelsea
A Chelsea team thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons at the start of this season succumbed to their 7th defeat in 12 games so far this season. With their manager missing from the sidelines, the Blues looked better than they had all season but still succumbed to another loss this time to Mark Hughes’ Stoke City. Marko Arnautovic’s goal in the second half was enough to sink the Londoners who couldn’t find a way past the Potters despite all their huffing and puffing.
Bournemouth 0-1 Newcastle United
A dull affair for the most part, it was only Ayoze Perez’s strike that separated the sides as Newcastle won the 3 points to leapfrog Bournemouth. Their results are starting to pick up in the last few games. Eddie Howe’s side created a few good chances but didn't have enough people getting on the end of those to finish off the newly promoted side.
West Ham 1-1 Everton
The Hammers have enjoyed a decent start to the season and have recorded a few impressive wins over the top sides so far but were denied the win against Everton by Romelu Lukaku who cancelled out Manuel Lanzini’s superb curler. There were few other chances for either side to clinch the winner but neither dazzled, the home side though came oiff worst. They lost Dimitri Payet to injury and also Enner Valencia who had just returned from the treatment table.
Leicester City 2-1 Watford
The Foxes have been used to coming from behind so far this season, but Ranieri’s men went up in the lead with goals from Kante and Jamie Vardy, who has now scored in 9 consecutive games for his club, a record that only former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has surpassed. Troy Deeney would grab a consolation from the spot for his side but that won’t bother Leicester, who’re flying high at the moment.
Norwich City 1-0 Swansea City
In a weekend that lacked goals, Howson’s first half goal was what separated the two teams. It gave Alex Neil’s side a much needed win in what has been a poor run of results so far. It also marked a poor run for Garry Monk’s men who’ve been shy of good results for a couple of games.
Sunderland 0-1 Southampton
Ronald Koeman’s side have continued a stellar run with a win over Sam Allardyce’s Sunderland. The new manager on Wearside has found the going tough as he’s failed to get any good results in his early days. This time Dusan Tadic’s penalty enough to consign Sunderland to a defeat.