Defending champions Manchester City registered a thumping victory over Southampton as they claimed the top spot in the Premier League, for the time being, thanks to a brilliant performance from Joao Cancelo.
The full-back was magnificent in City’s 4-0 thrashing of the Saints, exhibiting tremendous attacking capabilities as he scored a wonderful goal and assisted another. He was also solid at the back, as he and Phil Foden had a field day at the Etihad.
Graham Potter’s Chelsea career seems to have gotten off to a decent start, as they bagged three points at home to Wolverhampton. The Blues did not dominate much of the game but capitalised on Wolves’ inability to take their chances, wrapping up a 3-0 win. Mason Mount got two assists before Armando Broja sealed the win with a beautiful finish.
Elsewhere, Tottenham captured a hard-fought victory over Brighton thanks to a headed goal from veteran striker Harry Kane. Roberto de Zerbi’s men were well up to the task but missed their best chance of the game as substitute Kaoru Mitoma failed to capitalise on a huge opportunity. Spurs skipper Hugo Lloris also made four important saves as Spurs held on to third place in the league.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United tore apart a woeful Brentford 5-1, as Thomas Frank’s side seemed to be incapable of defending the constant threat offered by Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson, who tantalised the off-colour Brentford defence.
Eddie Howe’s men were bolstered by the spectacular Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes, who scored two wonderfully taken goals and the ever-reliable Kieran Trippier, who put in another remarkably solid performance at St. James’ Park.
Leicester’s struggles were compounded by a defeat away at the Vitality, as the Foxes bottled an early lead via Patson Daka to lose 2-1 to Bournemouth. Keeper Danny Ward had yet another questionable game as Leicester remarkably dropped their 15th point from winning positions this season.
Under-fire manager Brendan Rodgers’ inexplicable decision to sub off Daka for veteran Jamie Vardy, who has been unable to score so far this season, did not work out too well for the Foxes, as they continue to languish in the relegation zone.
