The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Tough return to the Bridge
Lampard misses out on happy homecoming win
Frank Lampard did not get the Chelsea homecoming he craved as his wait for a first win as manager goes on following a 1-1 draw with Leicester City.
The former midfielder, who played close to 650 games for the Blues, was in charge at Stamford Bridge for the first time since his summer appointment but had to settle for a point as Mason Mount’s early goal was cancelled out by Wilfred Ndidi’s second-half header.
After a 4-0 loss at Manchester United last week and a penalty shoot-out defeat to Liverpool in the Super Cup in midweek, Lampard is still to taste victory and as good as their first-half display was against the Foxes, their second-half struggle highlights the size of the task he faces.
John Lundstram’s second-half strike saw Sheffield United defeat Crystal Palace 1-0 as top flight football made a long-awaited return to Bramall Lane.
Back in the Premier League for the first time since their relegation in 2007, the Blades built on their opening-day draw at Bournemouth with three points.
Lundstram fired home the decisive goal after 47 minutes and the majority of the 30,197 crowd responded with a noise to rock the foundations of the world’s oldest professional football stadium.
Manchester City had a last-gasp goal disallowed by VAR as the champions had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday.
Raheem Sterling headed City in front in the 20th minute before Erik Lamela curled Spurs level.
Sergio Aguero’s smart finish from
another Kevin De Bruyne assist gave City a 2-1 half-time lead, but substitute Lucas Moura’s first-touch finish salvaged a point for the visitors.
City thought they had won it at the death when Gabriel Jesus curled home only for VAR to chalk it off for handball in the build-up.
Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino scored as Liverpool continued their 100% start by beating Southampton 2-1.
The Reds went in front on the stroke of half-time when Mane curled a superb effort into the top corner against his former club.
Firmino added a second 19 minutes from time before ex-Liverpool striker Danny Ings profited from a mistake by Adrian, who was fit enough to start despite an ankle issue, to set up a nervy finish.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang kept up his fine scoring run against Burnley in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium.
The striker made it seven goals in four games versus the Clarets with the winner in the 64th minute, securing the Gunners an 11th consecutive win over Sean Dyche’s side.
Alexandre Lacazette had shown great determination to nutmeg Nick Pope while on the ground to put Arsenal ahead in the 12th minute before Ashley Barnes’ third effort of the season levelled things up just before half-time.
Teemu Pukki scored a hat-trick to fire Norwich to a 3-1 win over Newcastle in their maiden home game.
Jonjo Shelvey netted a late consolation, leaving Steve Bruce looking for his first point as Newcastle boss.
Aston Villa suffered disappointment, losing 2-1 to Bournemouth at Villa Park.
The Cherries were 2-0 up after 12 minutes as Josh King scored from the penalty spot and Harry Wilson marked his debut with a deflected strike.
Douglas Luiz gave Villa hope in the 71st minute but the visitors held on.
Leandro Trossard’s second-half strike secured Brighton a 1-1 draw against West Ham after Javier Hernandez’s clinical finish gave the Hammers a lead.
Bernard’s 10th-minute goal gave Everton a 1-0 win over Watford.