Clinical Wilson puts Cherries in top-four frame
Callum Wilson heaped more woe on struggling Fulham with a double at Craven Cottage, as Bournemouth ran out 3-0 winners to keep pace with the Premier League’s big-hitters.
The Cherries striker converted an early penalty and, after David Brooks made it 2-0 by shooting through Sergio Rico’s legs in the 72nd minute, Fulham lost Kevin Mcdonald to a red card. A fantastic through ball from Ryan Fraser allowed Wilson to beat the goalkeeper at the near post, sealing a convincing win. Eddie Howe’s team are unexpectedly on course to challenge for qualification to the Champions League, and the 40-year-old said: “It has been a great start for us. I’m really pleased with the players. What we have to ensure is we don’t get ahead of ourselves.”
Roberto Pereyra scored a fine solo goal to kick-start Watford’s dominant 3-0 home victory over Huddersfield, who sank to the bottom of the table.
The former Juventus winger dribbled past the entire Terriers defence to open the scoring after 10 minutes, not long before Gerard Deulofeu steered a fine finish across Jonas Lossl to double the hosts’ lead. Isaac Success was well-placed to bundle the ball over the line after Watford produced a free-kick routine late on. Glenn Murray’s 100th goal for Brighton and Hove Albion boosted the Seagulls to a third straight league win as Wolves went down 1-0 on the south coast. Shane Duffy had fired Nuno Espirito Santo’s ambitious side a warning in the first half when heading against a post, but it was veteran forward Murray who settled the match in Brighton’s favour by following up Bruno’s miss, minutes into the second half.
Chris Hughton, the Brighton manager, praised the desire of Murray after he overcame a serious head injury, suffered against Newcastle the previous week, to reach his landmark.
“Glenn always was adamant he was fine, he wanted to play,” said Hughton. “Because we followed the protocol, we knew medically he was fine to play so then really it’s about the player.”
Leicester City earned a point against West Ham as under-fire manager Claude Puel fights to save his job. Fabian Balbuena put West Ham ahead at the King Power but, following Mark Noble’s first-half red card for a dangerous tackle, it was always going to be a struggle for the visitors, who conceded late on from a goal by Wilfred Ndidi.
Rafael Benitez insisted Newcastle’s goalless draw at Southampton was a point gained despite their winless start to the season extending to 10 matches.
Benitez’s side continue to set unwanted club records for their poorest start to a term and they never looked likely to break their win duck on the south coast. “We have to consider where we are and where Southampton are,” said Benitez, who retains the support of the travelling Toon fans who sung his name while once again going through their repertoire of unpleasantries towards owner Mike Ashley.