Sturridge takes great strides on the road to redemption
STERLING JUSTIFIES HIS PLACE IN GUARDIOLA’S PLANS AT MAN CITY
Chelsea ended title rivals Liverpool’s perfect start to the Premier League season in a thrilling 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Champions Manchester City are top on goal difference from Liverpool, while Manchester United’s 3-1 loss away to West Ham United raised fresh questions over the future of manager Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.
Here is a look at the top talking points in the Premier League
Sturridge saves the day
Liverpool’s strong challenge for a first title in 29 years seemed set to suffer its first setback at Stamford Bridge courtesy of more Eden Hazard magic for Chelsea. But on a day when Liverpool’s famed front three of Mohammad Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane failed to fire, Jurgen Klopp was able bring Daniel Sturridge off the bench to score a sensational dipping equaliser from 25 yards a minute from time to preserve the Reds’ unbeaten start to the Premier League season. Sturridge has now scored twice against his former club Chelsea and Paris StGermain in three separate competitions.
Mourinho’s bizarre decisions
Jose Mourinho is desperately searching for answers to Manchester United’s stuttering form but some of his decisions during a damaging defeat by West Ham were surprising. Jesse Lingard and Alexis Sanchez were not even in the match day squad despite their attacking threat.
And Mourinho chose to play Scott McTominay in defence, alongside Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof. It followed the decision to play Ander Herrera as a makeshift defender earlier this season against Tottenham.
Sterling justifies Guardiola praise
A day after Pep Guardiola said he was now a “more mature” player, England forward Raheem Sterling did his best to live up to the Manchester City manager’s words. Not only did he open the scoring for the champions in a 2-0 win at home to Brighton, turning in Leroy Sane’s cross just before the half-hour, his precise pass to striker Sergio Aguero also set up City’s clinching second goal in the 65th minute.
Leno gets his chance
Signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £19 million ($25 million) in the close-season, Bernd Leno had hoped to make an immediate impact with Arsenal, but the German goalkeeper has been made to wait for his chance. That moment arrived after a hamstring injury to Petr Cech in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Watford.
Leno then produced a fine save to keep out Troy Deeney and coped well with the visitors’ bombardment. If he continues in that vein, former Chelsea star Cech may struggle to regain his place once his injury has healed.