The third round of the English Premier League season got underway with Saturday’s early kick of between Bournemouth and Manchester City at the Vitality Stadium, with Bournemouth starting aggressively and taking an early lead through Charlie Daniels’ half volley via the underside of the bar. However, a City side with several changes from their side for the mid week draw at Everton, including a debut for Benjamin Mendy, struck back quickly with an equaliser from Gabriel Jesus, until a last minute injury time winner from Raheem Sterling gave City a 2-1 victory, and condemned Bournemouth to their third consecutive defeat, though Sterling ended up being yellow carded, and then dismissed for a red card due to 2 bookings, for his goal celebrations after 7 minutes of injury time, which Bournemouth claimed was more than the amount due, and ruling Sterling out of their next fixture against Liverpool after the international break.
In later games, Crystal Palace were beaten 2-nil by Swansea at Selhurst Park, courtesy of goals from Tammy Abraham and Jordan Ayew, Huddersfield Town drew nil-all with Southampton, Newcastle United were 3-nil victors over West Ham, with goals scored by Joselu, a header from Kieran Clark, and Aleksandar Mitrovic, whilst Watford drew nil-all with Brighton, with Watford’s endeavour’s undermined by the first half dismissal of Miguel Britos for a dangerous challenge on Anthony Knockhaert. In the late game, Manchester United continued their winning ways with a 2-nil defeat of Leicester City at Old Trafford, courtesy of second half goals from substitutes Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini, after United had been frustrated for an hour by a determined Leicester defence, particularly goalkeeper Kaspar Schmeichal, who made numerous fine saves, including a penalty from Romelu Lukaku. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and West Ham have all started with 3 consecutive defeats, with consequent pressure mounting on respective managers Eddie Howe, Frank de Boer and Slaven Bilic who have to get through the international break before getting another chance to get their season back on track.
In Sunday’s early matches, West Bromwich drew 1-all with Stoke City, with Jay Rodriguez opening the scoring for Albion, but with Peter Crouch scoring with a simple header into an empty net for the equaliser following a poor defensive error, whilst Chelsea recorded their second consecutive win of the season with a 2-nil win at home to Everton at Stamford Bridge, with Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata the goal scorers.
