Man City return to winning ways
LONDON: Raheem Sterling scored the fastest goal of the Premier League season as leaders Manchester City got back on track with a 3-1 win against Watford on Tuesday, while Fernando Llorente put Tottenham on course for a 2-0 victory at his former club Swansea.
Sterling struck after just 38 seconds before Christian Kabasele’s first-half own goal put Pep Guardiola’s side in control at Eastlands. Sergio Aguero made it three as City gave the perfect response after their 18-game winning run was ended in a goalless draw at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Andre Gray’s 82nd minute goal for Watford came way too late to avoid a sixth defeat in their last seven league matches.
Unbeaten City are 15 points clear of second-placed Manchester United.
With Harry Kane only fit enough for a place on the bench former Swansea striker Llorente made his first league start for Tottenham and marked the occasion with a 12th minute goal.
Kane made his presence felt with a pass to Dele Alli and he finished at the second attempt to wrap up the points in the 89th minute.
Andy Carroll’s stoppage-time strike sealed a vital 2-1 win for West Ham against West Bromwich Albion. James Mcclean’s deflected shot put Albion in front in the 30th minute. But Carroll equalised with a header in the 59th minute. Carroll then fired a dramatic winner.
Crystal Palace came from behind to win 2-1 at Southampton. Palace fell behind in the 17th minute with Shane Long scoring. But Palace equalised in the 69th minute when James Mcarthur scored and Luka Milivojevic scored the winner in 80th minute with a long range strike.
FIXTURE PILE-UP WILL KILL PLAYERS: PEP
MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola says the fixture pile-up over the holiday season could “kill” players. The packed programme over Christmas is a stark contrast to most of the other Europe leagues, who all have breaks.
“We made five changes from the last game but it’s not our fault, I know here in England the show must go on, but that’s not normal, guys. The big bosses should reflect that.
“We’re going to kill the players. The federations don’t think about the players but they have to.
Tottenham