It was another week of immense drama at both ends of the Premier League table. This week had a bit of everything, seeing 17 teams (only three failed to score) combining for 34 total goals which dictated some movement in the table.
Manchester United continued their revival under manager Jose Mourinho as they came from behind to beat high-flying Bournemouth on the south coast. The Cherries managed to score first, but Manchester United managed to stay the course and find an equalizer later in the first half through Anthony Martial. Then, after an eventful but otherwise-scoreless second half, Marcus Rashford found the moment of magic in the Bournemouth box at the death, in the 90+2'. This is becoming a theme for United, as they just came from behind to beat Juventus in Turin with two goals in the last five minutes of the match. The Juventus result keeps the Red Devils alive and now thriving in the Champions League
In other news at the top of the table, United's crosstown rivals, the Cityzens, trashed Southampton 6-1. It was Sergio Aguero who headlined the day, scoring once and assisting a couple more. The goal marked his 150th in the Premier League, making him the 2nd fastest to reach this milestone, only behind legend Alan Shearer.
Aguero, scorer of what many regard as the most history goal in Premier League history, will ultimately go down as one of the best natural finishers to ever play in the league. This win made it three on the bounce for City and four out of their last five. Manchester City will face Manchester United next in the Manchester derby on Saturday.
Two of the league's hottest teams—Liverpool and Arsenal—played to an entertaining 1-1 draw at the Emirates on Saturday. Since Spurs and Chelsea both won, Liverpool and Arsenal both dropped a place in the table. It must be said that Liverpool may feel a bit aggrieved, as they lead into the into the final 10 minutes of the match until Alexandre Lacazette found a way through Allison and the Liverpool back line. The negative momentum has appeared to continue as Liverpool just fell in a shocking 2-0 defeat to Serbian side Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League.
Spurs fought off a spirited comeback from Wolves, who dropped out of the top half of the table with this loss. Tottenham appeared to be cruising before two second-half penalties made them sweat at the end. Chelsea survived a tough test against rivals Crystal Palace in their London derby over the weekend. It appears that Spanish striker Alvaro Morata has be revitalized under Maurizio Sarri, as he bagged two more goals in this match. This marks four goals in the Spaniard's last for PL matches.
These results mean that City, Chelsea and Liverpool have extended the new streak of three teams being undefeated in the league to 11 games. It remains to be seen if these teams can push the streak to 12; but if they wish to do it, City will have to avoid defeat to United and Chelsea will have to handle Everton.
Everton put an end to Brighton's longest ever Premier League win streak when they won comfortably 3-1 at home on Saturday. Behind a two-goal effort from Brazilian stud Richarlison, the Toffies have now made it four wins in their last five as they look to challenge for a spot in Europe this season.
Leicester City won on the road in Wales 1-0 in what was an emotional fixture. Leicester forward Demarai Gray removed his shirt after scoring the only goal of the game, revealing an undershirt with the message "For Khun Vichai", a tribute to the club's late owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who tragically died in a helicopter crash along with four others after the club's last Premier League fixture against West Ham. All teams observed a moment of silence for the club and those affected before the kickoff of their respective matches.
There was not much movement in the bottom half of the table this week. However, a couple teams produced massive results.
Entering matchweek 11, only two teams in the league had not won a match. These teams were Newcastle and Huddersfield Town, both of which were floundering in the relegation zone. On Saturday, fresh on the back of captain Jamaal Lascelles signing a new long-term contract with the club, the Magpies secured a shock 1-0 win over top-half side Watford. Striker Ayoze Perez latched onto a set piece and the squad was able to keep a vital clean sheet. This win elevated the side out of the relegation zone, at least for the moment.
The lone Monday fixture featured an early season relegation battle. Huddersfield Town, who had only scored four goals in the league to this point, played host to struggling Fulham. The Terriers were able to grab a goal in the first half and defend it with their lives in a gutsy display. This marked the first time Huddersfield has scored a goal in the league at home since April, a streak that dated back to the last season. Huddersfield do remain in the relegation zone on goal difference, but this result lifts them off the bottom.
Fulham are in trouble. Going back-and-forth with their goalkeeper situation has harmed them. Former non-leaguer Marcus Bettinelli helped lead the club to promotion last season. In the summer, preparing for life in the top flight, the club bought goalkeeper Sergio Rico from Sevilla in Spain. They elected to start Rico from the beginning of the season. When that wasn't going well after a handfull of matches, they went back to Bettinelli. This seemed to reenergize the team, as they were able to string together a small streak of results. However, Bettinelli then suffered an injury, thrusting Rico, now lacking confidence, back into job. None of this helps when the team can't score goals. The ability to find goals is almost always what teams struggle with when they find themselves in a relegation battle.
The only other team in the bottom of the table not to lose was West Ham United, who were 4-2 winners against Burnley. The Hammers went ahead twice, only to be pegged back both times. It was Felipe Anderson's goal in the 84' minute that won the match, while Mexican international Javier Hernandez added one more in stoppage time.
Cardiff, the odds on favorite to go down before the season started, now find themselves in the relegation zone, only above fellow newcomers Fulham on goal difference. They will host Brighton next time out looking for something to hang their hat on.
Interesting stat:
Sergio Aguero is only the 3rd player in Premier League history to score 150 goals for a single Premier League club; the other two being Thierry Henry (175 for Arsenal) and Wayne Rooney (183 for Manchester United).
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