Gerrard’s pride as Villa reign gets off to the perfect start
Steven Gerrard admitted to feeling a mixture of pride and relief after two late goals got his managerial reign at Aston Villa off to the best possible start.
Gerrard celebrated exuberantly when Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock after 84 minutes to put Villa in front against Brighton.
And the former Liverpool midfielder
was jumping around his technical area again two minutes from time when Tyrone Mings lashed in.
Gerrard said: “I was feeling a combination of things. It was a mixture of excitement, relief and pride. I cannot be any more proud of the players. This was a big week, a big game for the team on the back of losing five. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted he is “embarrassed” by Manchester United’s current run, but refused to be drawn on his future as the pressure mounted following a 4-1 hammering at Watford.
In the match, Josh King and Ismaila Sarr put Watford 2-0 up at the break before substitute Donny Van De Beek pulled one back.
But United’s under-fire captain Harry Maguire was sent off after 69 minutes and late goals from Joao Pedro and Emmanuel Dennis punished the Red Devils.
Allan Saint-maximin spared new boss Eddie Howe defeat in his first game in charge as Newcastle came from behind twice to snatch a draw with Brentford after a six-goal thriller.
With Howe watching from afar after testing positive for Covid-19, the Magpies looked to be heading for defeat when skipper Jamaal Lascelles inadvertently turned substitute Frank Onyeka’s 62-minute shot into his own net.
However, Saintmaximin claimed a 3-3 draw with 15 minutes remaining to set up a grandstand finish.
Lascelles had put the home side ahead, before Ivan Toney quickly replied with Rico Henry putting the visitors 2-1 ahead. Joelinton scored to restore parity before the half-time break.
Maxwel Cornet’s superb volley was the pick of the goals as Burnley and Crystal Palace took a point each from a hugely entertaining 3-3 draw.
Christian Benteke scored twice, either side of Ben Mee and Chris Wood goals, before Marc Guehi gave the away side the lead at the break.
Dean Smith called on Norwich and their fans to turn Carrow Road into a fortress after they secured a second league success of the season with a 2-1 win over Southampton.
Goals from Teemu Pukki and captain Grant Hanley on his 30th birthday undid Che Adams’ early effort and saw the Canaries make it back-to-back triumphs.
Leaders Chelsea got back to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 demolition of Leicester.
First-half goals from Antonio Rudiger and N’golo Kante put Thomas Tuchel’s men on course at the King Power Stadium, before Christian Pulisic added a third after the break.