Costa fires Chelsea back to the top, United beat Spurs

LONDON - Chelsea striker Diego Costa's class shone through as he fired them back to the top of the Premier League on Sunday with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion as the previous day's goal glut turned into a trickle.

The Spain international's fine second-half strike at Stamford Bridge toppled a defensive West Bromwich Albion side and restored the Blues' three-point advantage over Arsenal as they chalked up their ninth league victory in a row.

The Gunners had taken provisional top spot with 34 pooints from 15 games on goals scored after recovering to beat Stoke City 3-1 at the Emirates on Saturday.

"It was a tough game," said Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. "We played with passion. West Brom is a tough team, a physical team who are difficult to break down. It was a good win and now we must continue.

"We have won nine in a row which is fantastic because this league is very tough. We are working very well."

All six home teams in action on Saturday scored at least three goals, with Jamie Vardy bagging a hat-trick as champions Leicester City returned to form with a 4-2 home win against Manchester City.

Sunday's opening three matches all ended 1-0, Chelsea's early scoreline reflected later at Old Trafford and St Mary's with Manchester United and Southampton seeing off Tottenham Hotspur and Middlesbrough respectively by the same margin.

Only the porous defences of third-placed Liverpool, now three points adrift of Arsenal, and struggling West Ham United raised the average with a 2-2 draw at Anfield in the later kickoff.

Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp, whose side lost 4-3 at Bournemouth last weekend, would still have been happier to see fewer goals on the scoresheet.

"The goals could have been avoided. That's how it is in football. Mixed emotions, it's still a point. A draw doesn't feel too good. doesn't feel too bad," he said.


DEFENSIVE ERROR

With the game at Chelsea heading for a stalemate, Costa seized on a West Brom defensive error to break the deadlock with a superb shot into the top left corner in the 76th minute.

It was the league top scorer's 12th goal of the campaign, as many as he netted in the whole of last season.

Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan opened his league account with a sizzling strike just before the half-hour mark for Jose Mourinho's side, having scored his first for the club in the Europa League on Thursday.

The Armenian midfielder's afternoon ended painfully, however, when he was taken off on a stretcher with 10 minutes remaining after a heavy tackle left him clutching his ankle.

The Portuguese coach played down Mkhitaryan's injury, saying it looked more serious than it was and that he could be out for a week.

"Maximum a couple of weeks. It doesn't look like something that is very dangerous or difficult. He brings everything I want an attacker to play. Maybe one week out and it is better to be fresh for Boxing Day (Dec. 26)," he said.

United remained sixth with 24 points, three behind fifth-placed Tottenham who might otherwise have overtaken Manchester City, who are fourth, on goal difference.

Southampton recovered from the disappointment of their Europa League elimination to return to winning ways.

Their goal came in the 53rd minute when Sofiane Boufal picked the ball up from James Ward-Prowse and unleashed an unstoppable left-foot shot to claim his first league goal.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez and Ken Ferris)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

PREMIER LEAGUE: City, Arsenal, Liverpool press on, Mourinho off

LONDON, United Kingdom -- Sergio Aguero and Ilkay Gundogan each scored twice as Manchester City crushed West Bromwich Albion 4-0 on Saturday to keep their noses in front in the Premier League.

Arsenal won 4-1 at Sunderland and Liverpool prevailed 4-2 at Crystal Palace, but City's win kept Pep Guardiola's side above them both on goal difference as they ended a six-game winless run.

"When we lose there are always doubts," said Guardiola. "It's the first time I have not won in six games. Always you have doubts, (but) not over the principles."

Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands and Ander Herrera dismissed as Manchester United drew 0-0 at home to Burnley despite having 37 shots at goal, while champions Leicester City drew 1-1 at Tottenham Hotspur.

Guardiola, whose team host his former club Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday, made eight changes to his starting XI from Wednesday's 1-0 League Cup defeat at Manchester United.

Aguero was among the players who returned to City's starting line-up at The Hawthorns and his first-half brace effectively settled the game.

He broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, slamming a shot between Ben Foster's legs from Gundogan's pass, and doubled his tally nine minutes later with a stunning shot from the edge of the box.

The goals ended Aguero's six-game scoring drought and lifted his City tally to 149 -- one more than club great Francis Lee.

Aguero teed up Gundogan for City's third in the 79th minute and the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder sealed victory in the last minute of normal time.

"We need Sergio," said Guardiola, who dropped the Argentina striker for City's 4-0 defeat at Barcelona. "He is one of the best."

Manchester United's title hopes faded a little after their stalemate with Burnley left them eight points off top spot in eighth place.

Former United goalkeeper Tom Heaton was Burnley's saviour, producing stunning saves from Jesse Lingard, Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

United also hit the woodwork in the second half through Juan Mata and Ibrahimovic.

Mourinho was sent to the stands at half-time, reportedly after complaining about referee Mark Clattenburg's failure to award Matteo Darmian a penalty.

Herrera was sent off in the 70th minute after being shown a second yellow card for sliding in on Dean Marney.

"I think the referee did fantastic work. I won't say more than this," United assistant Rui Faria, who faced the media instead of Mourinho, said sarcastically.

"The people in the stadium could feel that the players gave everything. We fought until the last second. We have to keep working and things will happen."


- Spurs lose ground -
Arsenal had earlier strolled to victory at bottom club Sunderland, who are without a win after 10 league games and have made the worst start to a Premier League season.

Alexis Sanchez put Arsenal in front in the 19th minute with a header from an Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cross.

Jermain Defoe equalised from the spot in the 65th minute after Petr Cech was booked for impeding Duncan Watmore.

But Olivier Giroud restored the visitors' advantage six minutes later, volleying in a Kieran Gibbs cross with his first touch after coming on, and he scored again with his head before Sanchez completed the scoring.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool joined City and Arsenal on 23 points courtesy of an entertaining victory at Palace.

Palace midfielder James McArthur hit back twice to haul the hosts level after Liverpool went ahead first through Emre Can and then Dejan Lovren.

But Joel Matip's 44th-minute header restored the visitors' advantage and Roberto Firmino chipped in from Jordan Henderson's pass to seal victory with 19 minutes remaining.

"Nice and easy game, eh!" Liverpool manager Klopp exclaimed with a smile on BT Sport.

"I don't think we've played much better offensive-wise. But then we opened the game by ourselves again.

"Close game, deserved win at the end. I'm very happy at the moment."

Tottenham were left three points off the pace in fourth place after drawing at home to Leicester, who climbed one place to 11th.

Vincent Janssen gave Spurs the lead with a 44th-minute penalty, but Ahmed Musa equalised early in the second period, sliding in bravely to apply the finishing touch to Jamie Vardy's cross.

Watford stole above United into seventh place after edging Hull City 1-0 courtesy of a late Michael Dawson own goal.

Middlesbrough pulled clear of the relegation places after beating Bournemouth 2-0 through a memorable Gaston Ramirez solo goal and a Stewart Downing strike.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PREMIER LEAGUE: Liverpool climb to second as Arsenal, Spurs misfire

LONDON -- An 81st-minute Gareth McAuley goal prevented Liverpool from provisionally going top in the Premier League as they defeated West Bromwich Albion 2-1 on Saturday.

Needing a two-goal win to move above leaders Arsenal, Liverpool took a 2-0 lead through Sadio Mane and Philippe Coutinho, but McAuley's strike left them in second place on goal difference.

Arsenal had earlier been held to a 0-0 draw by Middlesbrough, while fourth-place Tottenham Hotspur played out a goalless stalemate at Bournemouth.

"I'm really pleased with the performance," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports.

"It was unbelievably difficult against West Brom. You have to always concentrate. They are so dangerous at set-pieces.

"But I think it would have been kind of a joke if we hadn't won today. It was unbelievable, how we played."

Pep Guardiola's Manchester City can reclaim first place by avoiding defeat at home to Southampton on Sunday, when Jose Mourinho makes his return to Chelsea with Manchester United.

Klopp made one change to the Liverpool team held 0-0 by United last Monday, with the fit-again Adam Lallana returning to the starting XI at the expense of Daniel Sturridge.

Roberto Firmino took over from Sturridge up front and played a key role in Liverpool's neat 20th-minute opener, crossing for Mane to volley home after Coutinho's dummy had freed Emre Can.

Mane turned provider 15 minutes later after a sliced clearance by visiting goalkeeper Ben Foster, slipping in Coutinho, who cut inside two defenders and scored at the near post.

West Brom centre-back McAuley halved the deficit late on, volleying in from close range at a corner.

Arsenal, 6-0 winners over Ludogorets Razgrad in the Champions League in mid-week, were seeking an eighth successive win in all competitions.

But Middlesbrough came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half at the Emirates Stadium when Gaston Ramirez curled a 21st-minute free-kick against the post.

Arsenal dominated the second half, but had goalkeeper Petr Cech to thank for ensuring the visitors' counter-attacks came to nought.

"It is a game where you had a lot of possession, but there were tired legs and you are prone to counter-attacks," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who was celebrating his 67th birthday.

"You make it difficult for yourself. Seventy-five percent possession, but you could have lost the game. That is modern football."

- Shaqiri, Shaqiri -

Tottenham extended their unbeaten start to the season to nine games -- something they last achieved in 1990 -- but squandered an opportunity to go top in a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth.

Both teams hit the woodwork in the early stages, Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris diverting Charlie Daniels's shot onto the bar and Erik Lamela clipping the post from distance.

"We had control, but we didn't create enough chances to score," said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.

"I think we need to be pleased in the end because it's one point more, one clean sheet, but it's true for us to be contenders we should be winning the games like today."

Champions Leicester City did not need Jamie Vardy as they won 3-1 at home to Crystal Palace to climb to 12th place.

With Vardy starting on the bench after a groin problem, strikers Ahmed Musa and Shinji Okazaki struck either side of half-time at the King Power Stadium.

Christian Fuchs sealed victory in the 79th minute, the Austrian left-back netting from distance with a sensational strike to register his first Leicester goal.

Yohan Cabaye replied five minutes from time for Palace.

"That was our best performance so far this season," said Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri. "It was the shape and model of last season and we concentrated on doing our job."

Sixth-place Everton spurned a chance to make ground on the leading sides in a 2-1 defeat at Burnley, who took a 39th-minute lead when goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg's blunder gifted Sam Vokes a tap-in.

Yannick Bolasie equalised just before the hour with his first Everton goal, but Scott Arfield struck at the death to condemn Ronald Koeman's men to a fourth league game without victory.

Xherdan Shaqiri scored two stunning goals -- the second a free-kick -- as Stoke City won 2-0 at Hull City to climb out of the relegation zone at their hosts' expense.

Sunderland remain rock-bottom after Winston Reid's goal deep into stoppage time earned misfiring West Ham United a 1-0 win at their London Stadium.

Swansea City stayed second from bottom after Bob Bradley's first home game as manager concluded in a 0-0 draw with Watford.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PREMIER LEAGUE: Mata off as Man Utd lose, Benteke saves Liverpool

LONDON -- Juan Mata was sent off as Manchester United's hopes of Champions League qualification were dealt a serious setback in a 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

The Spaniard received two quick-fire bookings mid-way through the first half, for blocking a free-kick and then taking a swipe at Darren Fletcher, and West Brom made their numerical advantage count in the 66th minute when Salomon Rondon netted his fourth goal in six Premier League games.

It ended United's recent revival of four straight wins and left Louis van Gaal's side in sixth place, three points below the Champions League berths having played a game more than fourth-place Manchester City.


"We have played 60 minutes with 10 against 11 and this is the fifth match in 14 days, so it's very difficult to play against 11 players," said United manager Van Gaal, who branded Mata's first booking "stupid".

"That's the reason that we lost this game."

United are now in danger of being caught by forthcoming Europa League opponents Liverpool, who are three points behind them with a game in hand following a last-gasp 2-1 win at Crystal Palace.

"It's a big blow because these kind of matches, you have to win," Van Gaal added.

Asked what United require from their final nine league games to finish in the top four, the Dutchman replied: "27 points."

Mata was shown his first yellow card in the 24th minute at The Hawthorns for blocking Fletcher's free-kick and saw red two minutes later for clumsily swinging his foot at the former United midfielder.

Craig Dawson almost put West Brom in front immediately, only for his ambitious 25-yard lob to fall inches wide of the left-hand post.

Having survived until half-time, United started the second half strongly and threatened through young forwards Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard.

But West Brom claimed the points when Venezuelan striker Rondon gathered Sebastien Pocognoli's drilled left-wing cross before slamming home left-footed to lift Tony Pulis's men 15 points clear of the bottom three.

- 'Big moment' for Liverpool -

"The most important thing is the next game," said Pulis, whose side are now one point shy of the 40-point mark traditionally synonymous with survival.

"As you've seen this year, results have been off the radar. Let's get 40 points. I think that's definitely safe."

Earlier, substitute Christian Benteke won and scored a 96th-minute penalty as 10-man Liverpool came from behind to win 2-1 at Palace.

Joe Ledley's 48th-minute strike and Liverpool midfielder James Milner's second-half dismissal for two bookable offences looked to have set Palace on course for a first win in 12 league matches.

But a slip by Palace goalkeeper Alex McCarthy gifted Roberto Firmino a 72nd-minute equaliser, before Damien Delaney's rash challenge on Benteke enabled the Belgium striker to net the winner from the spot.

"You can try (to make changes), but the rest is passion," Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp told Sky Sports at Selhurst Park.

"Football is like this. You make a plan at the end, but the lads did great. This is the third league win in a row. I can't believe how it feels -- really good, a big moment for us."

Liverpool climbed two places to seventh after recording a third successive league win for the first time in a year.

Palace manager Alan Pardew, whose side are without a league win in 2016, criticised referee Andre Marriner's decision to award Benteke a penalty.

Delaney pulled out of a sliding challenge on Benteke inside the box, but the Irishman had already gone to ground and replays showed that his right knee had clipped the Belgian's left foot.

"(Benteke) is looking for it. Our player is pulling out of it," said Pardew whose team side remain nine points above the relegation zone.

"If the linesman gives it for the touch of the knee in the last minute, I think it is harsh."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com