Reds too strong for Villa
Liverpool builds on unbeaten streak with 1-0 win
LONDON — Liverpool continued its perfect start to the Premier League season as Daniel Sturridge scored a superb goal to give the Reds a 1-0 win at Aston Villa on Saturday, while Arsenal brushed off talk of crisis with a 3-1 win at London rivals Fulham.
The England striker showed his technical finesse in the 21st minute after Philippe Coutinho let Jose Enrique’s low cross run past him to Sturridge, who skipped around two Villa defenders and goalkeeper Brad Guzan before poking the ball into the roof of the net with the outside of his left foot.
Sturridge’s eighth goal in his last seven Premier League appearances gave Brendan Rodgers’ men a second consecutive win after they opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Stoke. Liverpool, which has yet to concede a goal, plays host to bitter rival and defending champion Manchester United next weekend.
Liverpool weathered the home side’s attacks in the second half and goalkeeper Simon Mignolet made sure the team returned to Merseyside with three points by denying Christian Benteke’s shot from the right side of the box with a great save in the 86th minute.
“I think we deserved the win. They put us under some pressure in the second half but we deserved it,” said Sturridge. “The manager’s philosophy is that we play well as a team and that’s what we did. It’s nice to score, but it’s more important we win.”
Arsenal eased its angry fans’ concerns about their lack of signings by earning its first points in the Premier League this season with its win at a rain-soaked Craven Cottage.
Germany striker Lukas Podolski scored a brace and Olivier Giroud grabbed his third goal in as many games as Arsenal bounced back from a home defeat against Aston Villa in a convincing manner, looking in total control most of the time.
In Saturday’s other matches, Stoke came from behind to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 while newlypromoted Hull claimed its first win of the season with a 1-0 victory over Norwich. Everton was held to a 0-0 draw by West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle and West Ham also finished scoreless and Southampton drew 1-1 with Sunderland.
Manchester United hosts Chelsea on Monday in a much-anticipated clash between the clubs’ new managers, David Moyes and Jose Mourinho.
The comfortable win over Fulham is likely to appease Arsenal fans, who voiced their discontent and concerns after the Villa loss, urging their club to bring in new players. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still looking to make a marquee signing before the end of the transfer window and said reinforcements could come before the Gunners host North London rival Tottenham next weekend.
“It’s possible,” said Wenger. “Honestly, I’m not the only one that can decide that because the clubs who sell the players (are also involved). We are on the market, you know that. I know we expect news from us.”