Palace stun Chelsea, Man City cruise as Arsenal back on track
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho suffered only his second Premier League defeat at Stamford Bridge as Crystal Palace clinched a shock 2-1 win over the spluttering champions on Saturday.
Mourinho was taking charge of his 100th home fixture in England’s top-flight, but Palace ensured that milestone won’t be remembered with any fondness by the Portuguese coach as they inflicted his first league loss on home soil since Sunderland’s victory in April 2014.
It was the latest setback for Mourinho’s side, winners only once in their first four matches and already languishing eight points behind leaders Manchester City, who extended the last 100 percent record in the top tier with a 2-0 win against Watford at Eastlands.
Just seconds after clearing a Gary Cahill header off the line, Mali forward Bakary Sako struck at the other end, sweeping high into the net from Yannick Bolasie’s cross to give Palace a 65th minute lead.
Colombia’s Radamel Falcao looked to have rescued a point for Chelsea when the on-loan Monaco striker headed in a Pedro Rodriguez cross for his first goal for the Blues in the 79th minute.
However, parity was short-lived as defender Joel Ward headed home from Sako’s cross in the 81st minute to give second placed Palace their first win at the Bridge since 1982.
Raheem Sterling’s first goal for City since his $75.4 million pre-season switch from Liverpool broke Watford’s stubborn resistance in the 47th minute as the England winger stabbed in Bacary Sagna’s cross.
RECORD LEAGUE WIN
Fernandinho bagged City’s second goal in the 56th minute, the Brazilian lashing home after a one-two with David Silva to seal a club record 10th successive league win dating back to last season.
Liverpool were beaten for the first time this season as West Ham’s 3-0 victory gave the east Londoners their first league triumph at Anfield since 1963.
After 42 fruitless visits to Anfield, the Hammers, who have already won at Arsenal this term, took the lead in the third minute. Martin Skrtel’s poor headed clearance fell at the feet of Aaron Cresswell and his low cross was prodded in by Manuel Lanzini, a 22-year-old Argentine midfielder on loan from Al Jazira.
Slaven Bilic’s team doubled their lead in the 29th minute when Mark Noble side-footed home after Reds defender Dejan Lovren carelessly allowed Lanzini to seize possession.
A dismal day for Liverpool was completed when Brazilian playmaker Philippe Coutinho was sent off for his second booking in the 56th minute.
Referee Kevin Friend also sent off Noble in the closing stages for a lunging tackle, but there was still time for Diafra Sakho to complete Liverpool’s embarrassment with a third goal in stoppage-time.
Arsenal clinched their second league win of the season as Fabricio Coloccini’s own goal gifted the Gunners a scrappy 1-0 success at 10-man Newcastle.
Although they were below their best again, Arsene Wenger’s team got back on track at St James’ Park with the help of hot-headed Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic’s latest indiscretion.