Gordon Strachan supports evolution rather than revolution
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
CHELSEA and Manchester United maintained their 100 per cent records in the Premier League, as Leicester and Arsenal celebrated maiden victories on Saturday.
First-half goals from Eden Hazard and Willian put Chelsea in charge against Burnley at Stamford Bridge, before Victor Moses made absolutely certain of victory a minute from time.
That made it three wins out of three for Antonio Conte’s side and took them clear at the top of the table, but only until United’s dramatic last-gasp victory against Hull in the late game.
Hull’s David Meyler looked to have squandered the last clear chance of the game at the KCOM Stadium when he fired over, but José Mourinho’s side broke free at the other end and Wayne Rooney slid the ball back from the by-line for substitute Marcus Rashford to tap home from close range and reward their relentless pressure.
Prior to kick-off, Hull’s owners said they hope to complete the sale of the club within two weeks.
The Allam family, who have owned the Tigers since 2010, have announced a deal has been agreed with prospective new owners, understood to be a Chinese consortium headed by a brother and sister partnership of Dai Yongge and Dai Xin Li.
Ehab Allam said the club would reveal more details “in the near future”.
“A takeover of the club is at an advanced stage – a deal has been agreed and due diligence is well under way,” Allam said in his programme notes.
Meanwhile, the club have had an offer accepted by Cardiff City for Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall.
Earlier, Leicester secured the first win of their title defence with a 2-1 victory over Swansea, despite Riyad Mahrez missing a second-half penalty.
Jamie Vardy put Claudio Ranieri’s side in front after 32 minutes and Wes Morgan made it 2-0 early in the second half, before Mahrez had the chance to seal the win from the spot.
However, Mahrez saw his effort saved by Swansea goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and Leroy Fer pulled a goal back 10 minutes from time to set up a nervous finish for the Foxes.
Arsenal eased the pressure on manager Arsène Wenger with a 3-1 win at Watford.
Santi Cazorla opened the scoring from the penalty spot after 10 minutes and Alexis Sanchez doubled the lead five minutes before half-time.
Mesut Ozil then rubbed salt into Watford’s wounds with a third in first-half stoppage time and although substitute Roberto Pereyra pulled one back after 57 minutes, Arsenal were comfortable.
David Moyes secured his first point as Sunderland manager with a 1-1 draw at Southampton, but will have been disappointed not to have claimed all three at St Mary’s. Jermain Defoe gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot after 80 minutes but the Black Cats could not hold on to their advantage for long, with substitute Jay Rodriguez equalising five minutes later – his first Premier League goal in more than two years after serious injuries.
A penalty did prove decisive at Goodison Park as Everton enjoyed a 1-0 victory over Stoke in fortunate circumstances.
After Ashley Williams had been brought down in the area by Phil Bardsley, Leighton Baines scuffed his 51st-minute penalty, but saw it come back off the post, hit keeper Shay Given and cross the line.
Crystal Palace claimed their first point of the season with a last-minute equaliser against Bournemouth, who had taken the lead in the 11th minute through Joshua King.
Yohan Cabaye saw his 16th-minute penalty saved by goalkeeper Artur Boruc and it looked as though the visitors would claim all three points until Scott Dann headed home in stoppage time.
In the day’s early kick-off, Liverpool and Tottenham drew 1-1 at White Hart Lane after Danny Rose cancelled out James Milner’s first-half penalty.