LONDON – Defending champion Manchester Metropolis is on high of the English Premier League for the primary time this season.
And if Pep Guardiola’s group retains taking part in like this, it may very well be tough to knock Metropolis off its perch — even in a decent title race that noticed three completely different groups lead the standings throughout Saturday.
On a day when earlier chief Chelsea faltered, Metropolis displayed whole dominance in a 3-1 win at Watford that confirmed off the type of fluid passing recreation that helped Guardiola’s group win three of the final 4 league titles.
Bernardo Silva scored twice after Raheem Sterling’s early opener as Metropolis proved as soon as once more that it will probably do completely effective with no acknowledged striker within the lineup. It was a fifth straight league win for Metropolis, which is one level forward of Liverpool and two in entrance of Chelsea after 15 rounds.
“It’s all the time higher to be high of the league than second, third or fourth, nevertheless it’s nonetheless early,” Silva mentioned.
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West Ham shook up the title race by beating Chelsea 3-2 at residence within the early recreation, and Liverpool then wanted an injury-time purpose from Divock Origi to earn a 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton that put Jurgen Klopp’s group on high for a number of hours.
Metropolis, although, was in entrance from the beginning within the late kickoff.
Sterling scored the opener within the fourth minute as Metropolis capitalized on a free cross and Phil Foden crossed into the middle for Sterling to move residence unmarked. Silva then doubled the lead within the thirty first by weaving previous two defenders earlier than slotting the ball previous goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann.
Metropolis fully dominated the primary half, with 81% possession, and will have added extra targets earlier than Silva received the third with a intelligent curled effort into the highest nook within the 63rd.
Watford pulled one again by means of Cucho Hernandez, who adopted up his personal shot after it rebounded off a put up, to disclaim Pep Guardiola’s facet a ninth clear sheet of the season.
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CHELSEA STUMBLES
West Ham is proving fairly the stumbling block for England’s high groups.
David Moyes’ group had already handed Liverpool its solely lack of the league, overwhelmed Tottenham, and knocked each Manchester golf equipment out of the League Cup. This win underlined the Hammers’ personal top-four credentials, despite the fact that it required a fluke late purpose to finish the comeback.
Arthur Masuaku swung a speculative 87th-minute cross in from the left wing which veered towards purpose and caught Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy without warning. Mendy dove to maintain the ball out however managed to push it solely inside his close to put up.
“It was a little bit of a fortunate purpose,” Moyes conceded. “However it’s important to get the ball within the field, it’s important to strive it.”
Chelsea led twice by means of Thiago Silva’s header and a elegant volley from Mason Mount, however West Ham got here again each instances with a penalty from Manuel Lanzini and Jarrod Bowen’s low shot from the sting of the realm.
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Mendy was at fault for the penalty conceded as effectively, and supervisor Thomas Tuchel is aware of his group cannot afford many extra slip-ups after dropping 5 factors of their final three video games, following a 1-1 draw with Manchester United final weekend.
“It’s powerful to play right here however we made too many particular person errors. We did in opposition to Man United and in opposition to Watford and received punished,” Tuchel mentioned. “If you wish to have outcomes at this degree it’s important to minimise the errors.”
LIVERPOOL LEAVES IT LATE
Liverpool’s high-flying assault seemed like it will lastly be saved in test by a cussed Wolves facet. Then Origi delivered yet one more essential late purpose.
Mo Salah reduce the ball again for the substitute within the fourth minute of harm time, and Origi swiveled earlier than slotting the ball previous goalkeeper Jose Sa.
Liverpool hasn’t failed to attain within the league since March and had netted 4 targets in every of its final three video games. However the Reds struggled to take advantage of their stress in opposition to a resolute Wolves, with Salah, Sadio Mane and Thiago Alcantara additionally lacking possibilities as they pressed for a winner.
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Origi retains developing massive at essential moments, although. The ahead not often will get a begin beneath Klopp however added to a listing of late scores that additionally consists of the 96th-minute winner within the 2018 Merseyside derby and the purpose that settled the 2019 Champions League ultimate in opposition to Tottenham.
NEWCASTLE WINS AT LAST
Newcastle lastly has a win within the Premier League, 15 video games into the season.
Callum Wilson scored late within the first half and Newcastle held on to beat Burnley 1-0 in a recreation between relegation strugglers.
Wilson scored within the fortieth minute after Burnley goalkeeper Nike Pope couldn’t management Joe Willock’s cross.
The win was additionally the primary by Newcastle beneath new supervisor Eddie Howe, who was employed final month to exchange the fired Steve Bruce.
Burnley had been unbeaten in 5 video games however might muster just one shot heading in the right direction at St. James’ Park.
Neal Maupay’s purpose within the eighth minute of harm time rescued a 1-1 draw for Brighton at Southampton.
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Maupay reacted quickest to faucet in from shut vary after Jakub Moder’s free kick, to disclaim Ralph Hasenhuttl a win on his three-year anniversary as Southampton supervisor. Armando Broja’s sensible end put Southampton forward within the twenty ninth.
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