Swansea hand United first defeat of fledgling season
LONDON: Swansea City defeated Manchester United 2- 1 for the third successive meeting as Louis van Gaal’s side’s unbeaten start to the Premier League season ground to a halt on Sunday.
United went ahead through Juan Mata early in the second half at the Liberty Stadium, but Andre Ayew equalised in the 61st minute and then set up Bafetimbi Gomis for the winner five minutes later. Van Gaal had lost 2-1 at home to Swansea in his first game as United manager last season and having also seen his team go down by the same scoreline in the return fixture, he was given more reason to curse Garry Monk’s side on the occasion of his 50th game in English football.
Swansea climbed to fourth place in the table, a point above United and four below early leaders Manchester City, having started a top-flight campaign with four unbeaten games for the first time in their history.
SOUTHAMPTON THRASH NORWICH 3-0
Dusan Tadic scored twice as Southampton won 3-0 at home to 10- man Norwich City to register a first win of the campaign at the fourth attempt. Steven Whittaker was sent off for Norwich in the 31st minute after receiving quick- fire yellow cards for preventing Matt Targett from taking a quick throw-in and hauling Tadic back on the halfway line.
Man of the match Sadio Mane crossed for Graziano Pelle to sweep Southampton ahead in first-half stoppage time before teeing up the first of Tadic’s two goals in the 64th minute. Tadic struck again three minutes later, following up after Pelle’s header was parried by Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy.
“It was a very positive result,” said Southampton manager Ronald Koeman, whose side was eliminated from the Europa League by Danish champions FC Midtjylland on Thursday.