Liverpool win at Chelsea, as West Ham see-off United

Monday, September 23rd 2019|

Sunday’s Premier League action featured four of last seasons top-six, with Liverpool recording a narrow win over Chelsea, Manchester United suffering defeat at West Ham and Arsenal defeating Aston Villa. Here are more details on Sunday’s game:

Liverpool grind out a win against Chelsea

As we predicted, Liverpool recorded a 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge to maintain their hundred per cent record in the Premier League this season.

Liverpool took the lead on 15 minutes. Mohamed Salah flicked a free-kick to Trent Alexander-Arnold on the edge of the area and the full-back smashed home effort. Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham had the big opportunity on 24 minutes, as he found himself through on goal, only for Reds ‘keeper Adrian to save the effort.

The home side looked to have equalised soon afterwards. A goalmouth scramble resulted in full-back Cesar Azpilicueta bundling the ball home. The home crowd celebrated, but after a long VAR check, referee Michael Oliver disallowed the goal for offside with Mason Mount’s left-foot offside in the build-up to the goal.

Just two minutes later it got worse for the home side, as Roberto Firmino got up highest to head home from an Andy Robertson cross. The goal looked like it may well kill-off the home side.

However, Chelsea kept going and produced a determined performance, although Kepa produced a brilliant save from a Firmino volley. The Blues got back into the game with 19 minutes remaining through an unlikely source too. French midfielder N’Golo Kante ran at the defence and curled an effort past Adrian.

The home side then had two golden opportunities. Substitute Michy Batshuayi headed over when completely unmarked from the centre of the area, while Mount fired wide from a Marcos Alonso cross when well placed.

However, Liverpool held on to record their 15^th straight Premier League victory. The Reds have now gone five points clear of champions Manchester City. However, Jurgen Klopp’s team remain second-favourites for the title this season.

West Ham see-off Manchester United

Manchester United’s inconsistent start to their Premier League campaign continued at the London Stadium, as the Red Devils suffered a 2-0 defeat against West Ham.

The Hammers took the lead just before the half-time break through a superb team move. Mark Noble found Felipe Anderson on the edge of the United box. The Brazilian then played a one-two with Andriy Yarmolenko, who advanced on goal, took a touch and smashed a powerful effort past David De Gea.

Spanish midfielder Juan Mata missed a fantastic opportunity to level the scores, firing wide from an Andreas Pereira cross with the goal at his mercy.

United experienced a bad injury blow when striker Marcus Rashford when off injured, replaced by winger Jesse Lingard, leaving Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team without an out-and-out forward.

West Ham sealed the victory with just 15 minutes left on the clock, as full-back Ryan Cresswell scored with a fantastic free-kick from 25 yards out.

The win moved West Ham up to fifth-place in the table. Meanwhile, Manchester United dropped to eighth place. The defeat added to the question marks over Solskjaer’s ability to turn things around at Old Trafford.