Barclays Premier League: Matches Review
Manchester City’s perfect start to the new English Premier League season was halted by a stunning individual goal from Mame Biram Diouf as Stoke City claimed a shock 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium. Diouf ran from inside his own half and, as the City defence backed off, burst into the area before beating goalkeeper Joe Hart by shooting through his legs.
The goal came in the 58th minute, and for all their subsequent pressure, Manuel Pellegrini’s home side could not find an equaliser, allowing Stoke manager Mark Hughes to celebrate a memorable win over his former employers.
City’s neighbours United also drew a blank as Louis van Gaal’s winless start to his reign continued with a goalless draw against new boys Burnley at Turf Moor. Record signing Angel di Maria made his United debut but could not inspire an improved performance from the struggling side, who have now taken just two points from their opening three games.
Swansea City, in contrast, maintained their 100 per cent record as a flying start set them on their way to a 3-0 victory at home to West Bromwich Albion. Nathan Dyer, whose goal beat Burnley last weekend, put Garry Monk’s side in front after only two minutes before a wonderfully acrobatic strike from the edge of the area from Wayne Routledge made it two midway through the first half. Dyer rounded off the win with his second in the 71st minute, finishing from Gylfi Sigurdsson’s pass.
Neil Warnock’s return to the manager’s post at Crystal Palace got off to the ideal start against Newcastle United and finished with a bang too as his side claimed a thrilling 3-3 draw. Dwight Gayle opened the scoring inside the first minute for Palace at St James’ Park, but Darryl Janmaat fired the Magpies level before the break.
Although Jason Puncheon restored the Eagles’ lead three minutes after the restart, Rolando Aarons made it 2-2 and Mike Williamson bundled home a third for the hosts with two minutes to go. But Wilfried Zaha, on loan from Manchester United, equalised five minutes into stoppage time to earn Palace a first point of the season.
Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin scored twice as Southampton came from behind to win 3-1 at West Ham United and hand manager Ronald Koeman his first league win. Mark Noble put the hosts in front, but Schneiderlin levelled on the stroke of half-time and completed the comeback in the 68th minute. Graziano Pelle made the points safe seven minutes from time.
Queen Park Rangers picked up their first points of the campaign, Charlie Austin’s goal on the stroke of half-time sealing a 1-0 win at home to Sunderland.
Chelsea demonstrated the full extent of their attacking power with a thrilling 6-3 win over Everton at Goodison Park. The victory, in which Diego Costa opened and rounded off the scoring, made it three wins in three in the English Premier League for the Blues.
Jose Mourinho’s side got off to a flying start, with strikes from Costa and Branislav Ivanovic putting them two up after three minutes. Kevin Mirallas pulled one back on the stroke of half-time before a crazy period of five goals in 11 second-half minutes as Chelsea pulled clear only to be pegged back.
Seamus Coleman’s unfortunate own goal after 67 minutes made it 3-1, only for Steven Naismith to finish neatly two minutes later. Nemanja Matic’s low strike had Chelsea 4-2 up in the 74th minute, but two minutes after that Samuel Eto’o, on for his Everton debut off the bench, headed home his side’s third against his old club.
Ramires stabbed Chelsea’s fifth past Tim Howard a minute later and Costa finally put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute, rounding Tim Howard to score.
Source: Fifa.com
