Liverpool much too good for Tottenham
● Chelsea and Liverpool continue to challenge Premier League champions Manchester City as all three won on their return to Premier League action yesterday.
Liverpool showed their credentials in targeting a first title since 1990 are for real and such was the Reds’ dominance the scoreline did not do Jurgen Klopp’s men justice in winning 2-1 at Tottenham.
Chelsea also made it five wins from as many games under Maurizio Sarri thanks to the brilliance of Eden Hazard, who scored a hat-trick in a convincing 4-1 win over Cardiff to head Liverpool on goal difference.
City remain two points back, though, and looked back to their best in tearing apart Fulham 3-0 thanks to goals from Leroy Sane, David Silva and Raheem Sterling.
Liverpool’s first win away at Tottenham in four attempts for Klopp was another sign of progress under the German.
Spurs paid a heavy price for the absence of captain Hugo Lloris through injury as stand-in goalkeeper Michel Vorm flapped at a corner six minutes before the break and Georginio Wijnaldum looped a header over the line before Vorm could scramble clear.
Roberto Firmino tapped home a second nine minutes into the second half.
However, the visitors had to see out a nervy final few seconds when Erik Lamela volleyed home from a narrow angle and Son Heung-min had a meritorious penalty appeal waived away with the final attack.
Sarri is still to taste anything but victory in English football, but had a scare early on at home to Cardiff when Sol Bamba put the visitors in front at Stamford Bridge.
However, Cardiff’s failure to significantly strengthen over the summer means they are liable to being outclassed at this level and were undone by the brilliance of Hazard.
“I thought that Hazard was one of the best players in Europe.
“But now I change my mind because maybe he is the best,” said Sarri. The Belgian scored twice in seven minutes to send Chelsea in ahead at half-time and completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot before Willian added a fourth.
United further eased the pressure on Jose Mourinho by ending Watford’s 100% record at Vicarage Road.
Two goals in three first-half minutes from Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling put the visitors in command.
But they had to withstand some late pressure after Andre Grey halved their advantage and Nemanja Matic saw a late red card.
Mesut Ozil quietened his critics with his first Arsenal goal since February at St. James’s Park as the Gunners ground out a third straight win.
Bournemouth moved up to fifth with an impressive 4-2 victory over 10-man Leicester with Ryan Fraser scoring twice.
And Wilfried Zaha underlined his importance to Crystal Palace with the only goal in his return from injury in a 1-0 win at Huddersfield.