Manchester City, Chelsea romp to huge victories

Manchester City, Chelsea romp to huge victories

Raheem Sterling shone for Manchester City and Romelu Lukaku delivered for Manchester United as the Manchester clubs maintained a tight grip on the Premier League title race with Saturday victories.

Sterling scored a brace as City crushed bottom club Crystal Palace 5-0 and are top on goal difference above United, who won 1-0 at Southampton courtesy of Lukaku’s first-half goal.

Manchester United's Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku (L) vies with Southampton's Japanese defender Maya Yoshida during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on September 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
Manchester United’s Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku (L) vies with Southampton’s Japanese defender Maya Yoshida during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Manchester United at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton, southern England on September 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO

 

Champions Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur kept pace with the top two, putting the pressure on Liverpool, who visit Leicester City later on Saturday, and Arsenal, who host West Bromwich Albion on Monday.

Palace have now lost their first six games of the season after crashing to a heavy defeat at the Etihad Stadium in Roy Hodgson’s second league game as manager.

City suffered an early blow when left-back Benjamin Mendy was forced off after hurting his knee in a collision with Andros Townsend, with Danilo taking his place.

Pep Guardiola’s side went in front shortly before half-time when Leroy Sane converted after a one-two with David Silva.

Sterling’s quick-fire double took the game beyond Palace, the England forward tapping in passes from Sane and Sergio Aguero in the 51st and 59th minutes.

Aguero made it 4-0, heading in Sane’s cross to close to within one goal of Eric Brook’s all-time City record of 177 goals, before Fabian Delph curled in a fine fifth.

City have scored 16 goals in their last three league games, having previously trounced Liverpool 5-0 and won 6-0 at Watford.

Manchester City's Brazilian defender Danilo (L) and Manchester City's German midfielder Leroy Sane celebrate winning the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
Manchester City’s Brazilian defender Danilo (L) and Manchester City’s German midfielder Leroy Sane celebrate winning the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO

 

United had a rather less straightforward afternoon at Southampton, but they prevailed thanks to Lukaku’s sixth goal of the campaign.

The Belgium international struck in the 20th minute, scoring at the second attempt after his header from Ashley Young’s in-swinging cross was saved by Fraser Forster.

Morata treble 

United manager Jose Mourinho was sent to the stands in stoppage time after encroaching onto the pitch.

Chelsea remain three points off the pace in third place after Alvaro Morata scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win at Stoke City.

The Spain striker struck three times at the bet365 Stadium, opening the scoring in the second minute, with Pedro also on target.

Chelsea's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata celebrates scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England on September 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO
Chelsea’s Spanish striker Alvaro Morata celebrates scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Stoke City and Chelsea at the Bet365 Stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, central England on September 23, 2017. / AFP PHOTO

 

Harry Kane took his tally to six goals in four games as Tottenham Hotspur won 3-2 at West Ham United to claim a third successive away win.

Kane’s first-half brace and a Christian Eriksen effort put Spurs 3-0 up before Serge Aurier was sent off and West Ham came back into the game through Javier Hernandez and Cheikhou Kouyate.

“We suffered a little bit, but I like it when you suffer, because it means you are alive,” said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.

“Overall I think we deserved to win and the good thing is we can compete.”

Second-half substitute Oumar Niasse netted twice as Everton snapped a run of three successive defeats by coming from behind to win 2-1 at home to Bournemouth, who had gone ahead through Josh King.

Richarlison’s 89th-minute strike saw Watford snatch a 2-1 win at Swansea City, who looked set for a first home point after half-time substitute Tammy Abraham cancelled out Andre Gray’s 13th-minute opener.

There was little to write home about at Turf Moor as Burnley and Huddersfield Town played out a goalless draw.

Tags:

manchester city Manchester United chelsea Raheem Sterling Alvarao Morata Lukakaku

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories