Saturday’s Premier League action produced a few interesting results and a whole lot of controversy. Here is what happened on an eventful first day of gameweek 3:
Champions held by Wolves
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City dropped their first points of the season, as Pep Guardiola’s side drew 1-1 with Wolves at Molineux.
City should have scored twice in the first period, as Sergio Aguero hit an effort against the post from 12 yards out before Raheem Sterling saw a superb half-volley tipped onto the bar by Wolves goalkeeper Rui Patricio.
The home side took the lead just before the hour mark, as centre-back Willy Boly bundled a superb Joao Moutinho cross past Ederson with his arm. None of the officials saw the infringement, so the goal stood.
City equalised on 69 minutes, though, as centre-back Aymeric Laporte produced a powerful effort from an Ilkay Gundogan set-piece. Aguero completed his off day in stoppage time, as the striker’s free-kick clipped the top of the bar.
The Citizens will be unhappy with the nature of the defeat. However, it was a rare blip in what could be another exciting season for the men from Manchester.
Liverpool continue hundred per cent record
Liverpool continued their perfect start to their Premier League campaign by defeating Brighton 1-0 at Anfield in the late kick-off.
Liverpool dominated for much of the first period. The only goal of the game arrived on 23 minutes through a familiar source, Mohamed Salah. Good pressing from the Reds saw Roberto Firmino slip the Egyptian through on the edge of the area and the forward side-footed a first time effort past a helpless Mat Ryan in the visitor’s goal.
The Reds did not have it all their own way though, as Alisson had to be alert in the second half to keep a Pascal Gross header. The result was a good one for Jurgen Klopp’s side, but they were certainly not in top form.
Cherries and Toffees play out an entertaining draw
The pick of the 3 PM kicks was arguably at the Vitality Stadium, where Bournemouth and Everton played out a 2-2 draw, as both teams finished the game with ten men.
The first half was a lacklustre affair, with the biggest talking point coming on 41 minutes, as Toffees season star so far Richarlison was dismissed for brushing head against Adam Smith’s. The Cherries players certainly made the most of a nothing incident.
Despite being down to ten men, Everton took the lead ten minutes into the second period. Cenk Tosun held the ball up well to set off Theo Walcott who ran at pace down the wing before firing a superb low effort beyond Asmir Begovic in the home goal.
Just beyond the hour-mark, the home were reduced to ten men, as Smith hauled back Walcott with the forward seemingly in on goal. Five minutes later Everton doubled their lead.
Gylfi Sigurdsson produced a superb far post cross to find Michael Keane, whose header squirmed under the body of Begovic and over the goal line. The visitors looked in control, but inevitably let the Cherries back into the contest with 15 minutes left on the clock. Experienced full-back Leighton Baines gave Callum Wilson a nudge in the area and Josh King scored from the resulting spot kick.
Four minutes later the Cherries scored an equaliser. Wilson headed a Jordon Ibe cross against the post only for centre-back Nathan Ake to score with the rebound. In stoppage-time, Keane and Idrissa Gueye went in bravely to clear a cross with the former being knocked out cold and stretchered off the pitch after a long delay.
In the end, the draw was probably a fair result. Both teams remain unbeaten, but the visitors will be disappointed not to have won the game after gaining that two-goal lead.
Other Premier League results
Arsenal 3-1 West Ham
Huddersfield 0-0 Cardiff
Southampton 1-2 Leicester
Which game was the match of the day in the Premier League on Saturday?
