Eight games took place on Saturday, as we saw a total of 16 goals scored. The Premier League Red Card Tally, was doubled in a single day, as 5 red cards were shown. Three games ended in draws and only one of them ended goalless.
Newcastle United   0  –  1   Arsenal
Venue – St. James’ Park.
Newcastle came into this game after rescuing a crucial point from Old Trafford last weekend after a 0-0 draw against Manchester United. Arsenal themselves were held to a 0-0 draw at The Emirates against Liverpool.
Arsene Wenger decided to start with Theo Walcott as the striker and benched Olivier Giroud. Mesut Ozil was left out of the squad as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started on the wing.
Newcastle also made three changes to their team, as Daryl Janmaat returned from suspension, Moussa Sissoko returned from his injury and Florian Thauvin was handed his first start for the club.
Arsenal dominated the game from the start. Things got bad for Newcastle as their striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was shown a straight red for a rash foul on Francis Coquelin. The Magpies sat deep and defended well as the score remained 0-0 at half time.
The only goal of the match came in the 52nd minute as Fabricio Coloccini turned the ball into his own net after Chamberlain took a shot. The score remained 1-0 till the end, as Arsenal left St. James’ Park with all 3 points.
AFC Bournemouth   1  –  1   Leicester City
Venue – Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth came into this game after an impressive 4-3 victory at West Ham last weekend. Leicester was enjoying a great start to the season under Claudio Ranieri, as The Foxes were unbeaten so far. Bournemouth replaced injured Joshua King with Lee Tomlin. Gokhan Inler was on the bench for Leicester as Shinji Okazaki was replaced by N’Golo Kante.
The first goal came just after the mid-way point of the first half as Callum Wilson added to his tally of three goals to put Bournemouth in the lead. The striker now has four goals and tops the goal rankings alongside Riyad Mahrez who has also scored four. The score remained 1-0 at half-time.
Just as the home team and supporters were thinking they had got 2 successive wins in the League, Jamie Vardy was brought down inside the penalty area just 5 minutes from time. Vardy, himself, stepped up to take the spotkick and calmly converted it to make it 1-1. That late goal ensured that Leicester would remain unbeaten, and also came away with a point from Bournemouth.
Aston Villa   2  –  2   Sunderland
Venue – Villa Park.
Aston Villa’s last victory in the league came on the opening day when they won 1-0 at Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Sunderland were desperate for a win as they took just took one point from the previous three games.
Adama Traore missed the game because of an ankle injury, as Jordan Ayew was benched. Rudy Gestede was given another start for Villa. Sunderland’s new recruit Ola Toivonen was on the bench alongside Sebastian Coates, as Younes Kaboul and John O’Shea were the two centre backs for The Black Cats.
The first goal came just after 8 minutes, as Yann M’Vila curled the ball beautifully into the top corner from a free-kick. Then the equalizer came just three minutes later, after Lee Cattermole fouled Scott Sinclair in the six-yard-box. Sinclair then slotted the penalty to make it 1-1.
Aston Villa turned it around just 4 minutes before half-time and it was Scott Sinclair again, tapping in a cross from Jordan Amavi to make it 2-1 to the Villans at half-time.
The final goal of the match came after 52 minutes as Ola Toivonen provided an assist to just 5 minutes into his debut as Jermaine Lens scored to make it 2-2. Sunderland are still looking for their first win of the season.
Chelsea   1  –  2   Crystal Palace
Venue – Stamford Bridge.
A special occasion for the Special One, as the day marked Jose Mourinho’s 100th Premier League home game as Chelsea manager. Chelsea had won the first game of the league last weekend at West Brom. Crystal Palace were also in top form as they had won all but one game so far this season. Crystal Palace had never won at Stamform Bridge in a Premier League game making Chelsea strong favorites.
Kurt Zouma and Gary Cahill were in defense, as John Terry was serving his ban. Alan Pardew also made just one change as Connor Wickham lead the attack in place of Glenn Murray.Both teams had numerous opportunities but they weren’t converted to goals as the score was tied at half-time.
Crystal Palace’s new recruit Bakary Sako, shocked everyone inside the stadium after putting Crystal Palace in the lead after 65 minutes. Radamel Falcao came on for Willian instantly after the goal as Chelsea looked for an instant response. 11 minutes from time, Falcao headed in a cross from Pedro to make it 1-1. Just as it looked that Chelsea would turn the game around, Palace struck just two minutes after the equaliser after Joel Ward headed it into the net from Sako’s clever pull-back.
No more goals were scored, as party poopers Palace came out with their third win of the season and all three points from Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool   0  –   3   West Ham United
Venue – Anfield.
Liverpool came into this game unbeaten and yet to concede a goal. They won the first two games and then drew their last game against Arsenal. West Ham had won their first game against Arsenal, but then lost two successive games.
Brendan Rodgers made no changes to his side as West Ham brought in Manuel Lanzini to replace Kevin Nolan, who left the club by mutual consent. James Tomkins came in for the suspended Carl Jenkinson.
Young debutante Lanzini, scored after just three minutes to put West Ham 1-0 up. Mark Noble then doubled The Hammers’ lead on the half hour mark and they went into half time with a shocking two goal lead.
Philippe Coutinho had gotten himself booked just before half-time. Things went from bad to worse for Liverpool just eight minutes after the break, as Coutinho was given his marching orders, after a rash challenge on Payet.
There was another controversial decision, as Mark Noble was shown a straight red, after diving in for a tackle which wasn’t two-footed. Another goal came and it came for West Ham again as they went 3-0 up after the 91st minute. Diafra Sakho calmly slotting the ball past Mignolet and bagging all three points for West Ham.
Manchester City   2  –  0   Watford
Venue – Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City are the most dominant team in the Premier League so far. They were hosting newcomers Watford who were winless, making City, the favourites. Even though Watford were without a win in the topflight, they hadn’t lost any of their games. All their previous games ended in draws.
Manuel Pellegrini made no changes in his team. Why would he? They are dominant the way they are. Watford made one change as Miguel Abdi came in for Ikechi Anya.
City was totally dominant throughout the game, as Watford wasn’t allowed to put a single shot on target. The score was 0-0 at half-time. Raheem Sterling was finally off the mark for his new club, as the young winger tapped in Sagna’s cross just two minutes after the break. Fernandinho doubled City’s lead with his second goal of the season, just ten minutes later.
The game ended 2-0 as Manchester City keep going strong with a 100% record and are yet to concede a goal. Watford are still looking for their first win of the season in the top flight.
Stoke City   0  –  1   West Bromwich Albion
Venue – Britannia Stadium.
Both sides came into this game without a win in the Premier League this season so far. Stoke had drawn the game against Norwich last weekend, while West Brom came very close to taking a point from Chelsea, but lost 3-2.
Joleon Lescott was included in the starting lineup as he replaced Chris Brunt. Callum McManaman was benched as Craig Gardner started. For Stoke, there was only one change as Charlie Adam came in for Marko Arnautovic. Stoke fans were very happy after hearing that Bojan Krkic was on the bench.
Controversy wasn’t absent from this match, as a red card was shown to Ibrahim Afellay after just 25 minutes. The Spaniard seemed to have slapped Craig Gardner after he fouled him. Stoke then went down to nine men as Charlie Adam was sent-off just six minutes later after he stamped on Craig Dawson.
Jose Salomon Rondon put West Brom into the lead in first half stoppage time. Even though Stoke were down to nine men, West Brom couldn’t find the net again as the game ended 1-0. West Brom finally have a win. Troubles continue for Stoke, but they can be happy after seeing Bojan on the bench.
Tottenham Hotspur   0  –  0   Everton
Venue – White Hart Lane.
Tottenaham were desperate for a win. They had lost their first game, and then took a single point from the other two games. Everton on the other hand were playing some brilliant football. They had taken 4 points from a possible 9.
Danny Rose came into the starting line-up as Erik Lamela was on the bench. Christian Eriksen missed out. For Everton, Bryan Oviedo took his position as left back. John Stones started alongside Phil Jagielka amidst speculations that he might leave the club.
It was a thoroughly entertaining match and lacked just one thing – Goals. Spurs did get more chances as compared to Everton but Tim Howard was there to block any shot that came at him which included a 1-on-1 against Harry Kane. Hugo Lloris was also quick to block Tom Cleverley’s brilliant attempt from the edge of the box.
After the game ended at 0-0, Â the Spurs had to be satisfied with their performance, but this is their third consecutive draw. Everton must be happy with the point they got, as they have one win, two draws, and one loss after four games.
