Blues make Liverpool see red
STAYING AHEAD Costa on target as Chelsea maintain lead at top, Mata helps United win
LONDON: Diego Costa scored his 10th goal of the campaign as unbeaten Premier League leaders Chelsea continued their excellent start to the season by winning 2-1 at Liverpool on Saturday.
Bidding to avenge their costly 2-0 loss in last season’s corresponding fixture in April, scene of captain Steven Gerrard’s infamous slip, Liverpool took an early lead through Emre Can’s deflected shot.
But Gary Cahill equalised almost immediately before Costa slammed home 23 minutes from time to silence Anfield and safeguard Chelsea’s four-point advantage at the summit.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers felt that his side should been awarded a late penalty after a shot from Gerrard struck Cahill on the arm in front of the Kop.
Chelsea were on course to move six points clear until substitute Shane Long scored a quick-fire late brace to earn second-place Southampton a 2-0 win over Leicester City at a soggy St Mary’s.
Manchester United had substitute Juan Mata to thank after they secured a 1-0 win at home to Crystal Palace that lifted Louis van Gaal’s side up to sixth place, 13 points below Chelsea.
West Ham inched above Arsenal into fourth place despite drawing 0-0 at home to Aston Villa.
BARCA WIN
BARCELONA:
Luis Suarez set up two late goals to lead Barcelona’s 2-1 comeback victory at Almeria in the Spanish league on Saturday. The Uruguay forward used a burst of speed to shed his marker before crossing for fellow substitute Neymar to equalise in the 73rd minute. He then picked out Jordi Alba to grab the winner in the 82nd.