The Malta Independent on Sunday
Man City only unbeaten EPL side after Man U lose at Huddersfield
Football in the UK
Manchester City comfortably beat Burnley 3-0 to remain the only unbeaten side in the English Premier League after Manchester United lost at Huddersfield 2-1 yesterday.
It was the first time in 65 years that Huddersfield beat United, which was made to pay dearly for defensive errors.
Chelsea came from behind to beat Watford 4-2 thanks to two late goals, and avoided a third straight league defeat.
City stretched its lead to five points above its fellow Manchester club. Third-placed Tottenham can draw level with United if it beats Liverpool today.
Sergio Aguero set City on its way to victory with a first-half penalty before goals from Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane ensured their side equalled the club record of 11 consecutive victories in all competitions.
Also, Leicester made a winning start to life after the dismissal of Craig Shakespeare as it beat Swansea 2-1, and Bournemouth won at Stoke 2-1 in a tussle between two of the three bottom sides. Last-placed Crystal Palace lost at Newcastle 1-0 after substitute Mikel Merino netted four minutes from time.
Aguero ties club scoring record
Manchester City took a fivepoint lead in the English Premier League as Sergio Aguero became the club’s joint top goal-scorer.
The Argentina striker started the game one behind Eric Brook’s record of 177 which has stood for 78 years.
After nine rounds, City has 25 points - five more than rival Manchester United.
Aguero, back in the starting lineup after breaking a rib in a car crash three weeks ago, converted a penalty kick in the 30th minute at Etihad Stadium.
That brought him level with Brook, who scored his goals for City from 1927-39.
Aguero has made 262 appearances for City in all competitions to reach the record mark, compared to Brook’s 493.
Aguero has 129 Premier League goals, third highest among active players - behind Wayne Rooney (201) and Jermain Defoe (159).
Nicolas Otamendi and Leroy Sane added second-half goals for City against hard-working Burnley.
Aguero had a controversial penalty to thank as City reached a club record-equalling 11th suc- cessive win in all competitions, despite Burnley proving tough opponents amid torrential rain for Pep Guardiola’s free-flowing side.
But Aguero will have to wait to claim the record outright after being substituted in the 76th minute.
Man United falls to surprise 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield
Manchester United fell to its first Premier League defeat of the season, surprisingly losing 2-1 at newly promoted Huddersfield.
First-half goals from Aaron Mooy and Laurent Depoitre, following defensive lapses from Man United, helped Huddersfield to one of its best wins in decades.
Marcus Rashford headed home 12 minutes from time to reduce the deficit but United couldn’t find the equaliser and a remarkable roar greeted the final whistle.
It was Huddersfield’s first win over United in more than 65 years.
There was further bad news for United as it lost Phil Jones to injury midway through the first half.
Leicester City beats Swansea 2-1
Leicester moved out of the English Premier League relegation zone as the post-Craig Shakespeare era began with a 2-1 win at Swansea.
Michael Appleton was in caretaker command after Shakespeare’s midweek sacking, and Leicester fully merited the three points handed to them by Federico Fernandez’s first-half own goal and Shinji Okazaki’s fifth of the season just after the interval.
Alfie Mawson reduced the deficit from a 56th-minute corner but Swansea was poor for most of the contest and was indebted to goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski for keeping them in the contest.
Shakespeare paid the price for a winless run of six games and just one league victory all season.
Chelsea comes from behind to beat Watford 4-2
Chelsea left it late but came from behind to beat Watford 4-2 and avoid a third straight defeat yesterday.
Pedro had given Chelsea the lead in the 12th minute with a superb curling strike but Abdoulaye Doucoure levelled on the stroke of halftime and Roberto Pereyra put Watford in front four minutes after the break.
Watford wasted a number of chances to extend its advantage before substitute Michy Batshuayi headed in the equaliser.
Cesar Azpilicueta gave Chelsea the lead three minutes from time and Batshuayi doubled his tally in stoppage time to secure victory for the defending champion.
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s relief was clear when he celebrated Azpilicueta’s goal by diving in among the Chelsea fans.
Chelsea leapfrogged a point above Watford into fourth place. It is six points below leader Manchester City which hosts Burnley later.
Chelsea was without a win since September after league losses to City and Crystal Palace. Man City Man United Tottenham Chelsea Watford Newcastle Arsenal Liverpool Burnley Southampton Huddersfield Brighton West Brom Leicester Swansea Everton West Ham Stoke Bournemouth Crystal Palace Yesterday Today Yesterday PW D 9 8 1 9 6 2 8 5 2 9 5 1 9 4 3 9 4 2 8 4 1 8 3 4 9 3 4 9 3 3 9 3 3 9 3 2 9 2 4 9 2 3 9 2 2 8 2 2 9 2 2 9 2 2 9 2 1 9 1 0
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PW D Wolves 13 9 2 Cardiff 13 8 3 Sheffield U. 13 9 0 Leeds 13 7 2 Aston Villa 13 6 4 Bristol City 13 5 6 Preston 13 5 6 Derby 12 5 4 Norwich 12 5 4 Ipswich 11 6 0 Fulham 13 4 6 Nottm F. 13 6 0 M’boro 13 4 5 Hull 13 4 4 Millwall 13 4 4 Sheffield W. 13 4 4 QPR 13 3 6 Brentford 13 2 7 Barnsley 12 3 3 Reading 12 3 3 Birmingham 13 3 2 Burton Albion 13 2 4 Sunderland 13 1 6 Bolton 13 1 3
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