Arsenal off the mark under Emery as West Ham’s drought continues
Arsenal won for the first time under new manager Unai Emery as they came from behind to clinch a 3-1 victory against West Ham United.
Emery’s side had lost the first two games of the post-Arsene Wenger era against Manchester City and Chelsea in the club’s worst start to a Premier League campaign since 1992.
They were on the verge of more unwanted history after Marko Arnautovic gave West Ham a surprise lead at the Emirates Stadium. A defeat would have made this the first Arsenal side to lose their opening three fixtures for 54 years.
But, while Emery’s team were dismal in defence, they possessed just enough attacking quality to stage a much-needed fightback.
Nacho Monreal equalised before half-time and West Ham defender Issa Diop deflected influential substitute Alexandre Lacazette’s shot after the interval. Danny Welbeck came off the bench to wrap up the points in stoppage-time.
“The three points were very important. Today I saw good things, but also things for improve,” Emery said. “It was very important for our supporters. After 1-0, the team was improving, the players, the substitutes made the difference. It was for that I am happy but there are things we must improve.”
Everton’s flying start to their new era under Marco Silva stumbled as they threw away a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Bournemouth and saw £50 million (Dh236m) record signing Richarlison sent off.
Richarlison scored three goals in his first two Everton games to dismiss doubts over his price tag. But the Brazilian is now set to miss the next three games after seeing red for a soft butt on Adam Smith in the first half at Bournemouth.
Despite being a man down, Everton went in front via Theo Walcott before the numbers were evened up by a red card for Smith. Michael Keane doubled the visitors’ advantage but Bournemouth struck back to go level on points with Manchester City at the top on seven points through Josh King’s penalty and Nathan Ake.
Defender Harry Maguire’s stoppage-time goal gave Leicester City a hard-fought 2-1 victory over 10-man Southampton.
After a goalless first half, Southampton left-back Ryan Bertrand broke the deadlock with a thunderous strike from the edge of the box.
The lead proved short-lived as Leicester winger Demarai Gray punished slack Southampton defending to rifle home the equaliser and the sending-off of Southampton midfielder Pierre Hojbjerg in the 77th minute proved pivotal.
Hojbjerg’s foolish dive and subsequent dismissal for his second yellow card handed the initiative to the visitors and Maguire sent a low shot into the bottom corner for the winning goal in stoppage time.
Huddersfield Town survived Jonathan Hogg’s sending off to claim their first point of the season after a goalless draw against Cardiff City.