Manchester sides both falling flat
City, United both held to draws and remain far from top of standings
LONDON— The Manchester rivals are rolling the clock back six years in a way neither desires.
A pair of draws on Saturday left the teams with their lowest English Premier League points tallies after five games since 2014 — leaving both languishing in the bottom half of the standings.
City has eight points after being held at West Ham to 1-1. United has seven after a goalless encounter with Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s title defence is back on the winning path. After being humiliated 7-2 by Aston Villa and drawing with Everton, the champion came from behind to beat Sheffield United 2-1 to go second behind Merseyside rival Everton.
West Ham 1, Manchester City 1: After scoring 22 goals and conceding only once across five previous visits to West Ham, City found this trip to East London far harder going.
Fresh from grabbing a draw at Tottenham on Sunday, West Ham took the lead through Michail Antonio’s overhead kick in the 18th minute.
The point was rescued only by substitute Phil Foden’s secondhalf strike after he brought down Joao Cancelo’s cross. But Foden replacing Sergio Aguero is a concern for City, with the striker facing a spell out with a hamstring injury.
City manager Pep Guardiola is blaming coronavirus cases and the congested season for City’s sluggish start to the campaign.
“We need time and we don’t have enough regeneration for the players,” Guardiola said. “I’m just saying what the situation is.”
Manchester United 0, Chelsea 0: At Old Trafford, United captain Harry Maguire escaped punishment for wrestling Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta to the ground in the penalty
area.
“I felt his arms around my neck and shoulder,” Azpilicueta said. “The referee can make the decision and VAR is there. It is difficult but I would encourage the referee to go and look at the monitor. It is there to help so why not take 20 seconds to go and review it?”
Edinson Cavani came off the bench for his United debut in the second half and flicked the ball into the side netting with his first touch.
Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy had a bigger impact, making a string of fine saves including a diving block to keep out Marcus Rashford’s late shot.
“You rely on goalkeepers in those moments if it’s a tight game,” Chelsea manager Frank Lampard said. “We brought him in because of his quality. He’s showed great composure in the games he’s played already and I’m delighted with the saves he’s made today.”
After being beaten by Crystal Palace and Tottenham, Manchester United is still waiting for a home win after three matches. It’s been 48 years since United opened a season without winning any of its first three home matches.
Liverpool 2, Sheffield United 1: It’s now 62 matches unbeaten for Liverpool in the league at Anfield — one short of the club record.
But Jurgen Klopp’s side had to come from behind after Sheffield’s Sander Berge scored on a controversial penalty in the 13th minute. Fabinho appeared to tackle Oli McBurnie on the edge of the penalty area but the free kick was upgraded to a penalty. Liverpool levelled in the 41st when Sadio Mane’s header was only palmed away by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and Roberto Firmino was well placed to score. And Diogo Jota made it two goals in four league matches for Liverpool by heading in Mane’s cross in the 64th. Crystal Palace 2, Fulham 1: Palace is fifth in the standings, a point ahead of Chelsea. Wilfried Zaha’s reverse pass set up Jairo Riedewald’s opener in the eighth and he knocked in the second in the 64th from Michy Batshuayi’s cross. Fulham finished with 10 men after Aboubakar Kamara was sent off for a high challenge on Eberechi Eze, although Tom Cairney still managed to net a consolation goal.