Premier League – Week 6

No Need for Rooney?

Manchester United slaughtered the Foxes 4 -1 on Saturday, with a line-up that was sans Rooney for most of the match. It may have started with the ominous signs of another dull United performance but, after Smalling’s opening 22^nd minute goal, the tempo changed and it was clear that Leicester were in trouble. Mata, Rashford and Pogba added to United’s tally, with an impressive long-range strike from Demarai Grey the only redemption for the struggling champions. Rooney came on to replace Rashford with only seven minutes remaining. Mourinho’s gamble paid off and there is no denying that questions will be asked about Rooney’s future. United now sit 6^th in the league with 12 points.

Cherries Sweeter than Toffees

Bournemouth completely outplayed Everton, beating them 1-0 on Saturday. The Cherries, playing at home, took a lead they kept after a Stanislas got one into the top corner in the 22^nd minute. Bournemouth kept the pressure up, Wilshere nearly bagging his first goal for the club. Eddie Howe will be brimming with confidence as the Cherries move up to 13^th in the league table, but Koeman will be worried as Everton slip to 5^th.

Reds Ride Roughshod Over Hull

The Reds crushed Hull 5-1 at Anfield on Saturday. In their third win in a row, Liverpool opened the scoring with Lallana in the 17^th minute, with Milner adding two penalties, whilst Mane and Coutinho completed the humiliation for the visiting Tigers. Hull suffered throughout the match with Elmohamady being sent off in the 29^th minute for a handball in the box, though Meyler did at least get one in the net for Hull to avoid a total disaster. A second heavy defeat in the space of a week, following their thrashing 4-1 by Arsenal at home, will be alarming for caretaker boss Mike Phelan, as the Tigers remain 12^th in the league with 7 points. Klopp, on the other hand, has been justified again and Liverpool now climb to 4^th with 13 points.

Chelsea Outgunned

Wenger’s boys were on form on Sunday, as they destroyed Chelsea 3-0 in an impressive display that was reminiscent of Arsenal’s glory days. Alexis Sanchez opened the assault for the gunners after just 11 minutes, whilst Walcott and Ozil also took advantage of Chelsea’s disarray to add to the tally at the Emirates Stadium. Their fourth Premier League win in a row has buoyed spirits and given them the trajectory to be challenger for the top spot.  Arsenal move up to third in the table whilst a reeling Chelsea slip to 8^th.

Eagles Leave it Late

Crystal Palace staged an impressive comeback, winning 3-2, after trailing 2-0 to Sunderland for most of the match at the Stadium of Light on Saturday. Defoe had put the home side in the lead with goals in the 39th and 60th minutes, but then Ledley answered in the 61st, followed by McArthur and Benteke before the game was over. Pardew’s deft player management, bringing on subs that made an instant impact, paid off – contrasting with the obvious friction between Sunderland boss Moyes and his squad, as he blamed his players after the match. The Eagles now stand 7th in the table, whereas Sunderland have sunk to last place.

City Still Sitting Pretty

Manchester City continued with their perfect start to the season, with Guardiola’s side defeating Swansea 3-1 at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday. The visitors took the lead thanks to Aguero, who was on target in the 9th minute, and also claimed a penalty at 65 minutes. Sterling contributed in the 77th just to make sure, whilst all the home side could manage was a goal in the 13 minute courtesy of Llorente. City are sitting pretty at the top of the table with 18 points but Swansea fall to 16th, with just four.

Elsewhere…

Spurs secured a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, thanks to two goals from South Korean Son Heung-min. Gibson managed to pull one back for the Boro in the 65^th minute, but it was a done deal. The Potters and the Baggies drew 1-1 at Stoke, as West Brom’s determination equalled Stoke’s talent on the pitch. Stoke’s desperately needed point moving them up to 19^th, whilst West Brom climbed to 9^th. The problems continued for West Ham on Sunday, as they were defeated by the Saints, 3-0. Austin scored his fifth goal in four appearances for Southampton, whilst Tadic and Ward-Prowse also added to the Saint’s tally. The Hammers now languish in 18^th place, after losing five of their six opening games in the top-flight, making it their worst season ever.

Get more ENERGY!