Liverpool thrash United, Newcastle beat Spurs
Two goals from Luis Diaz and one from Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool stroll to a 3-0 victory at Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, with Erik ten Hag’s side humbled by their fierce rivals.
Liverpool dominated a United team who could not keep pace with them in the first half, the visitors taking the lead in the 35th minute through a back-post header from Diaz after United midfielder Casemiro had given the ball away.
Casemiro was again at fault for Diaz and Liverpool’s second, again supplied by Mohamed Salah, with the Colombia international sweeping home three minutes before the break, sending United supporters off for their halftime refreshments early.
With United on the ropes, Liverpool smelled blood after the break, Salah adding a third 11 minutes into the second half, but the visitors settled for three as they maintained their 100% record this season under new coach Arne Slot.
Isak hands Newcastle 2-1 victory over wasteful Tottenham
Newcastle United’s striker Alexander Isak secured a 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur with a simple tap-in as they weathered a second-half storm from the visitors to secure the points in an entertaining Premier League clash at St James’ Park on Sunday.
Harvey Barnes’ first-half opener for Newcastle was cancelled out by a Dan Burn own goal after the break as Spurs dominated the chances in the second period but spurned numerous openings and were beaten by a lightning-quick break from the hosts.
Joelinton’s defence-splitting pass was perfect for Jacob Murphy who, after drawing out keeper Guglielmo Vicario, laid the ball on a plate for Isak to secure the three points for manager Eddie Howe’s side, who remain unbeaten at home since January.
Adding to Newcastle’s delight, their Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali made his first league appearance since being handed a 10-month ban for a breach of betting rules and received a rapturous reception from the home supporters.
Newcastle now have seven points from their first three games, while Tottenham remain on four.
Chelsea held at home by Palace after Eze equaliser
Chelsea had to settle for a 1-1 home draw against Crystal Palace after a second-half equaliser by Eberechi Eze gave the visitors their first point of the Premier League season on Sunday as they bounced back from a poor start in a much-improved second half.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 25th minute after Palace defender Marc Guehi made an ill-advised raid forward and lost the ball, quickly exposing the visitors’ defensive frailties.
Winger Noni Madueke surged down the right before picking out Cole Palmer, whose deft pass found Nicolas Jackson steaming through the centre to score with ease from close range.
After slumping to successive defeats in their opening games against Brentford and West Ham United and starting badly at Stamford Bridge, the Eagles finally got lift-off after the break.
After the influential Palmer almost scored from a direct free kick, Palace found their mojo as Eze equalised in the 53rd, picking up the rebound from Cheick Doucoure’s blocked shot and curling the ball beautifully into the net from outside the box.
Both sides continued to chase a winner, with Levi Colwill going close for Chelsea and Palace’s Daichi Kamada forcing a fine save from Robert Sanchez as the clocked ticked towards 90 minutes.
Eze had a shot from the edge of the box blocked but his team seemed to tire in stoppage time and Jackson had two great opportunities to snatch a winner for the Blues.
First he drove a shot into the side netting to the right of Dean Henderson’s goal and a minute later was played in behind the defence only for the keeper to quickly leave his line to avert the danger.
Despite just over eight minutes of added time, neither side could find another goal and the game ended in a stalemate.