By Ryan Moran
- Sergio Aguero’s five goals put City back on top.
- Sanchez double knocks United off of top spot.
- Eight games without a win enough for Advocaat to resign.
As the Chelsea saga drags on, Sergio Aguero put five past Newcastle United after being a goal down. An Alexis Sanchez brace helped Manchester City climb back to the top while a draw wasn’t enough to persuade Dick Advocaat that he could pull them to safety for a second consecutive season.
Arsenal 3-0 Manchester United
After 20 minutes, the game seemed beyond United as a Sanchez brace either side of a Mesut Ozil netted after Theo Walcott utilised his pace to run at the opposition’s defensive line. A back heel from the Chilean international finished off the home sides first attack before Walcott combined with Ozil as the Gunners scored two goals in a minute. 19 minutes on the clock and the game, if not already seemed beyond the Red Devils as Sanchez’s strike from the edge of the box found the net. Louis Van Gaal’s side looked more threatening in the second half, however Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hit the bar late in the game. Not only have the home side moved up to second, on goal difference they move ahead of the former table toppers.
Everton 1-1 Liverpool
Draw number 71 was added as the 225th Merseyside derby ended all square at 1-1. Danny Ings opened the scoring for Liverpool, heading in James Milner’s corner four minutes before half time. One minute into stoppage time, Romelu Lukaku put the ball past Simon Mignolet after regaining possession through a poor Emre Can clearance. Mignolet was finally beaten after keeping his side in the game, keeping Steven Naismith out twice while James McCarthy also couldn’t find a way past the Belgian. Even though a goalless second half ensued, the Toffees will feel it was two points lost as the blues seemed the more likely to win the game. Brendan Rodgers’ side held out for a draw leaving them in tenth while a point leaves Roberto Martinez’s side in seventh.
Manchester City 6-1 Newcastle United
As key players remained side lined, many thought Newcastle were going to pile on the misery for a Manchester City side without a win in their last two games, after going five games unbeaten. Alexsandar Mitrovic opened the scoring, heading past Joe Hart. What followed was a masterclass by Aguero himself, scoring five goals as Kevin De Bruyne also got onto the scoresheet, netting City’s fourth goal of the game. Firstly, the striker headed his side level before a deflected effort put the home side in front, completing his hat trick with a solo effort. De Bruyne volleyed the fourth before the Argentinian striker curled his fourth and his sides fifth before a close range finish completed his rout of the Magpies before being substituted.
Chelsea 1-3 Southampton
A dark cloud looms over Stamford Bridge as Jose Mourinho’s once formidable home record slowly loses its gilt-edged shine. Willian once again came to Chelsea’s rescue to put them ahead of Southampton with a free kick, his second set piece conversion in two games. Steven Davis drew the Saints level before half time. Sadio Mane put the away side ahead 15 minutes into the second half, Graziano Pelle added a third to sink Chelsea even lower down the table, further away from those four Champions League places.
Swansea City 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
After a record that stacked the odds against the home side, a point would feel like a job well done, even though that record now stretches to nine games against Spurs without a win. Andre Ayew put the Swans into an early lead, heading past Hugo Lloris only for Christian Eriksen’s 25 yard free kick to pull the away side level. Harry Kane has struggled to maintain the prolific goal scoring form in the league, but found his own net in this game, slicing Jonjo Shelvey’s corner past Lloris. Eriksen once again came to his side’s saviour, from a set piece once again to take a point back to White Hart Lane.
Sunderland 2-2 West Ham United
Advocaat’s reign at Sunderland finally came to an end as his resignation was handed in with three points from eight games. A two goal lead for the Black Cats gave hope that their first win was only 68 minutes away after Steven Fletcher converted Yann M’Vila’s free kick ten minutes into the game. Jeremaine Lens doubled the host’s lead 12 minutes later chipped effort beat Adrian. Victor Moses’ cut back fell for Carl Jenkinson in first half stoppage time to give the Hammers a fighting chance, indefinitely changing half time team talks for both sides. Lens’ afternoon became eventful for all the wrong reasons as a second yellow card finished the winger’s game, giving the visitors a man advantage. This turn of events was summed up three minutes after the sending off when Dimitri Payet capitalised on a mistake by Costel Pantilimon to draw level. The home side moved off the foot of the table on goal difference with the point earned. The search for a manager started on Sunday after it was announced the Dutchman had departed the club, Sean Dyche of Burnley and Sam Allardyce’s names mentioned as possible replacements at the Stadium of Light.
In the weekend’s other fixtures:
Tim Sherwood’s side slide ever closer to the relegation zone as Marko Arnautovic scored the only goal of the game after having an earlier effort disallowed for offside. Leicester City’s two goal lead left a mountain to climb for Norwich City after a Jamie Vardy penalty and Jeffrey Schlupp added a second. Dieumerci Mbokani scored to give his side a lifeline only for Nathan Redmond to strike the bar as the Foxes held on for the victory.
Tony Pulis’ old club climbed the table with a 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion when Yannick Bolasie headed home with the result confirmed by a Yohan Cabaye penalty after Chris Brunt brought down Wilfried Zaha. Glenn Murray replaced Callum Wilson in the Cherries starting line-up and filled the void when heading past Heurelho Gomes. Odio Ighalo made Artur Boruc pay for a lazy pass as half time approached with the scores level. Adam Smith was fouled by Etienne Capoue, Murray stepped up to dispatch the subsequent penalty only to be denied by Gomes as both sides took a point from the game.
Aston Villa 0-1 Stoke City
Norwich City 1-2 Leicester City
Crystal Palace 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
AFC Bournemouth 1-1 Watford
Tottenham host Liverpool for the lunchtime kick off after the international break on 17th October.
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