Chelsea go top as Reds, Man City snap at the heels

Chelsea and Liverpool continued to throw down the gauntlet to Premier League champions Manchester City after all three were victorious on their return to action on Saturday.

Liverpool won 2-1 at Tottenham, with the scoreline not doing Jurgen Klopp’s men justice.

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 edge ahead of Liverpool on goal difference.

City remain just 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.

Manchester United and Arsenal stay six points off the top after 2-1 wins at Watford and Newcastle respectively.

This was Liverpool’s first win away at Tottenham in four attempts for Klopp.

“It’s still early, five games, fantastic we won all five and improved. I like that development,” Klopp said.

Spurs’s stand-in goalkeeper Michel Vorm flapped at a corner six minutes before the break and Liverpool’s 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 Spurs’ Erik Lamela skilfully volleyed home from a narrow angle.

City manager Pep Guardiola started Sane for the first time this campaign and looked more like his old self as Fulham were put to the sword.

Sane tapped home Fernandinho’s inviting cross inside two minutes before Silva smashed his 50th Premier League goal and Sterling completed the rout.

In their match against Cardiff, Belgian Hazard scored twice in seven minutes to send Chelsea in ahead at halftime 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 Gray 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’ 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 scored Crystal Palace’s only goal in a 1-0 win at Huddersfield. –