Premier League Roundup: Week 3
Match day 3 of the Premier League season featured league leaders Man City, United, and Chelsea continue to separate themselves from the pack, while struggling Arsenal and Leicester were each able to earn their first wins. Here is a complete recap and analysis of the weekend:
Liverpool and Spurs kicked off the weekend as both sides looked to establish some consistency and take 3 points into the international break. Liverpool looked the stronger outfit in this one, particularly in the 1st half when Spurs back up keeper Michel Vorm stood on his head to keep Tottenham in the game. The Reds struck first when newly appointed left back James Milner converted a penalty just before halftime. However Spurs responded in the 72nd minute as their own left back, Danny Rose, confidently beat shaky Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet on a poorly defended cross. The game finished 1-1 and while both teams will be disappointed in their failure to leave as victors, particularly Liverpool, they should each feel relieved to have at least earned a point.
Chelsea continued their undefeated start to the season with a 3-0 home thrashing of Burnley. Burnley was full of confidence after their 2-0 victory against Liverpool last week, but quickly sobered up after former Premier League Player of the Year, Eden Hazard, got on the score sheet in just the 9th minute of the match. It was pretty much all Chelsea after that. The Blues' midfield was suffocating as Willian and Victor Moses both added tallies to stretch their lead to 3-0 before the final whistle. Chelsea's back line was also in sync as they held the newly promoted visitors to zero shots on target.
Defending Premier League Champions Leicester City were able to earn their first win of the season as they defeated a pesky Swansea City team. After jumping out to a 2-0 lead, with goals from Jamie Vardy and Jamaican center back Wes Morgan, the Foxes looked to have the game in hand until Leroy Fer drew the Welsh side within 1 in the 80th minute. The final 10 minutes saw the Swans throw everyone forward in a desperate attempt to salvage a draw, but Leicester held on 2-1 and their supporters collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
Perennial Champion's League participant Arsenal also managed their first victory of the campaign, trouncing Watford 3-1. The Gunners lead 3-0 at halftime behind goals from Santi Carzola, Alexis Sanchez, and Mesut Ozil. Roberto Pereyra was able to get one back for Watford in the 57th minute, but by then the damage had already been done and Arsenal coasted to 3 points and Arsene Wenger is employed for another week.
Everton continued their surprisingly hot start to the season with a 1-0 win over an out of form Stoke City squad. A Shay Given own goal was the difference in this one although the term 'own goal' is a bit misleading. Leighton Baines's 51st minute penalty shot ricocheted off the upright into a fully extended Given's back and then into the goal. And while an 'own goal' may have been the deciding factor in this one, the Toffees thoroughly outplayed the Potters, controlling 55% of the possession and putting 9 shots on goal to Stoke's 1. Everton currently sit alone in 4th place in the table, earning 7 out of a possible 9 points, while Stoke are on the other end of the standings spectrum in last place with only 1 point.
Bottom table sides Crystal Palace and Bournemouth continued to struggle as they drew 1-1 on a late Crystal Palace equalizer by Scott Dann. The only bright spot in this one was that both teams earned their first point of the season.
Similarly, two other bottom table teams, Sunderland and Southampton, also drew 1-1 with both goals coming after the 80th minute. Southampton now sits in 15th place with 2 points, while Sunderland are just behind them in 16th after gaining their first point of the season.
In the Saturday matinee Manchester United squared off with surprising upstart Hull City in a battle of top 4 unbeatens. The Red Devils dominated the tempo of the game and controlled 62% of the possession while managing 29 total shots with 9 on net. Hull were able to weather the United onslaught for over 90 minutes and looked to steal a point from the English giants before late substitute Marcus Rashford buried the winner in the 90'+2 to grab all 3 points for Mancunians.
On Sunday, United's cross-town rivals Manchester City dominated West Ham 3-1 to extend their winning streak to 3. Raheem Sterling's brilliant form continued as he netted 2 for city and Fernandinho also got his name on the score sheet. Michail Antonio continued to impress as he added his second goal of the season to make it 2-1in the 58th minute, but City was too strong, deep, and skilled to let the Hammers get any closer. City now sit atop the league table with 9 points, while the Hammers, plagued by early injuries, are currently in 12th place.
