City’s SAS storm Palace
STERLING AND SANE INSPIRE BRILLIANT BLUES
RAHEEM Sterling scored twice as Manchester City maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season with a comfortable 5-0 victory over struggling Crystal Palace.
Leroy Sane put City in front just before the break after latching on to David Silva’s lofted pass, lobbing the ball over Scott Dann and poking through the legs of Wayne Hennessey.
The Germany winger then turned provider as Sterling easily side-footed his cross from the left under the diving Hennessey in the 51st minute.
Sterling added his second eight minutes later from Sergio Aguero’s low cross before the Argentina forward netted the fourth and Fabian Delph rounded off the rout late on.
Palace, who have yet to pick up a point or score in the league this season, remain bottom of the table.
Manchester United had boss Jose Mourinho sent to the stands late on, but remain hot on the heels of their tabletopping neighbours after seeing off Southampton 1-0 at St Mary’s.
Romelu Lukaku lashed in his sixth Premier League goal of the season from close range after seeing his initial header well saved by Fraser Forster in the 20th minute.
Mourinho’s side are also unbeaten and are level on 16 points with City, but find themselves sitting in second place courtesy of an inferior goal difference.
Alvaro Morata grabbed a hat-trick as Chelsea extended their unbeaten league run to five games with a 4-0 win at Stoke.
Morata lashed home a ball over the top in the second minute before Pedro grabbed the second after half an hour.
Former Real Madrid striker Morata added his second after 77 minutes and, moments later, he completed his first treble for the Blues.
Philippe Coutinho scored his first goal of the season as Liverpool held on to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory at Leicester in the late game.
The Brazilian fired home a stunning first-half free-kick to add to Mohamed Salah’s early opener.
The Foxes hit back through Shinji Okazaki before the break but the Reds restored their two-goal lead through Jordan Henderson after 68 minutes.
Jamie Vardy grabbed a goal back for Leicester just a minute later and then had the chance to level with a penalty but Simon Mignolet atoned for his foul on the striker by saving his spot-kick.
In the early kick-off, Tottenham survived a late West Ham onslaught to emerge with a 3-2 derby win.
Harry Kane scored twice in four firsthalf minutes and Spurs were cruising when Christian Eriksen added a third.
But Javier Hernandez pulled one back before Spurs’ Serge Aurier picked up a needless red card.
Cheikhou Kouyate halved the deficit, but Spurs held on to extend their unbeaten run to four league games.
Oumar Niasse continued his Everton renaissance to score twice and complete a 2-1 comeback against Bournemouth at Goodison Park after Josh King had put the visitors ahead.
Watford left it late to secure a valuable 2-1 victory away at Swansea.
Andre Gray scored his first goal for the Hornets before substitute Tammy Abraham’s equaliser but Richarlison had the final word in the 90th minute.
Elsewhere, Burnley were held to a 0-0 draw by Huddersfield at Turf Moor as both sides continued their strong starts.