EPL Week 3: Saturday round-up - City, Norwich win, Everton fire blanks
Nathan Redmond of Norwich City
Cardiff City vs Everton (0-0)
Everton again were able to manage only a 0-0 draw at the Cardiff City stadium, this being the second time in their Premier League campaign this year, leaving their new boss Roberto Martinez without a competitive victory since taking over from David Moyes.
It was the same old story again, Everton dominating much of the possession (61%) but having nothing to show for it. Cardiff City, after having inflicted a shock 3-2 defeat on Manchester City, followed it up with another disciplined performance.
Newcastle United vs Fulham (1-0)
At St. James’ Park, just when the match was coasting towards a dull draw, in the dying minutes minutes of the game, Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa, assisted by Loic Remy, led his team to their first win of the season by netting a goal in 86th minute. Not much to choose between Newcastle and Martin Jol’s side, but Alan Pardew will have growing concerns about the lack of incisive ability from his side. This is the second defeat for Fulham in the season.
West Ham United vs Stoke City (0-1):
After defeating Crystal Palace 2-1 last weekend, Stoke City have notched up one more, this time a 1-0 victory over West Ham United at Upton Park. Jermaine Pennant scored the late winner for Stoke, who dominated the possession, from a free kick with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Having won one and drawn one before this match, this was West Ham United’s first loss of the season.
Norwich City vs Southampton (1-0):
Nathan Redmond’s solitary goal helped Norwich City defeat Southampton 1-0, which was the latter’s first loss after an impressive start to the season . The first half saw no goals, however Redmond, assisted by Leroy Fer, fired in a right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner to the home fans’ delight.
In the early kick off of the day, Manchester City, thanks to goals from Alvaro Negredo and Yaya Toure, defeated Cardiff City 2-0.
Crystal Palace vs Sunderland (3-1):
Paolo Di Canio’s Sunderland still remain winless, after three games of the Premier League season as they lost to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. The Eagles were lucky to take the lead as Daniel Gabbidon knew very little after John O’Shea’s clumsy clearance hit him and the ball bundled into the net.
Steven Fletcher equalised for the Black Cats with a towering header in the 64th minute. The match took a big turn in the 79th minute, when John O’Shea lunged into Palace striker Dwight Gayle in the box. O’Shea was sent off and Gayle made no mistake from the spot to put the London club into the lead for the second time in the game. Stuart O’Keefe sealed the victory with a cracking goal in extra time, his first goal for The Eagles, to send Palace fans into dreamland.