Win puts Liverpool back on top
LONDON: Liverpool returned to the top of the English Premier League (EPL) yesterday as it maintained its winning start to the season by overpowering Southampton 30 at Anfield.
Champion Manchester City kept up the pressure by thrashing Cardiff 50 while Harry Kane got on the scoresheet as Tottenham claimed a welcome 21 win at Brighton.
Manchester United, meanwhile, had to settle for a 11 draw against Wolves on the day Sir Alex Ferguson returned to Old Trafford.
Liverpool did all the damage in the first half. It was soon into its stride, taking the lead after 10 minutes when a Xherdan Shaqiri cross took a deflection and rebounded into the net off Wesley Hoedt.
Joel Matip headed the second and Mohamed Salah pounced for another after a Shaqiri freekick hit the bar.
Riyad Mahrez scored twice in Wales as City recovered from its midweek Champions League setback.
Pep Guardiola’s side clicked into gear with three goals in the closing 13 minutes of the first half, Sergio Aguero netting the first on his 300th appearance for the club. Bernardo Silva headed a quickfire second and Ilkay Gundogan curled in a fine third before Mahrez came off the bench to add two more goals.
Kane scored for the first time in four games — a penalty late in the first half after a Glenn Murray handball — as Spurs ended its threegame losing run on a wet night at the Amex Stadium. Brighton did rally but Erik Lamela added another 14 minutes from time before an Anthony Knockaert consolation.
Sir Alex Ferguson was welcomed back to Old Trafford for the first time since having emergency brain surgery in May but the recordbreaking former United boss could not inspire the Red Devils to victory.
Fred’s first goal for United put the host ahead after 18 minutes but Wolves, which had already spurned a handful of chances, recovered and levelled with a brilliant effort from Joao Moutinho after 53 minutes.
Burnley finally claimed its first win of the season, at the sixth attempt, by thrashing Bournemouth 40 at Turf Moor.
Bournemouth’s Nathan Ake saw a shot deflected on to the bar but the Clarets took command with two goals in quick succession from Matej Vydra and Aaron Lennon shortly before the interval.
Ashley Barnes added two more in the final seven minutes.
Huddersfield’s wait for a first victory goes on after it was beaten 31 at Leicester.
The Terriers took an early lead when Mathias Jorgensen netted from close range following a freekick but Kelechi Iheanacho equalised with a breakaway goal.
James Maddison put the Foxes ahead in the 66th minute, moments after Laurent Depoitre failed to take a chance for the visitor, and Jamie Vardy put the result beyond doubt.
Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a late equaliser as Fulham grabbed a 11 draw against Watford at Craven Cottage.
The Hornets took a secondminute lead through Andre Gray but were punished for missing further chances when Mitrovic, who also hit the bar late on, levelled after 78 minutes.
Mamadou Sakho was guilty of a bad miss as Crystal Palace was forced to settle for a goalless draw against Newcastle at Selhurst Park. Sakho headed wide from close range and James McArthur also went close as Palace chased a late winner.
Newcastle, also still winless, earlier felt aggrieved when Joselu had a penalty appeal turned down. — BPA