Goalkeeping errors, record-breaking performances and plenty of twists and turns – Premier League’s Matchweek seven had everything. Here are some of the Winners and Losers. Bet on the Premier League here.
Winners
Jamie Vardy and Leicester City
Leicester continued their terrific start to the season with an emphatic 5-0 win over struggling Newcastle at the King Power Stadium. The win took the Foxes to third in the table and they look like a top-four team at the moment. The highlight of the match was Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, who was unplayable. The 32-year-old scored twice to take his tally for the season to five. Although it’s still early days, Leicester look dangerous and Vardy is showing no signs of slowing down.
Chelsea
Frank Lampard and Chelsea registered their first home win in this season’s Premier League following a comfortable 2-0 win over Brighton. Jorginho and Willian got the goals in the second half to send Chelsea up to sixth. This was the Blues’ ninth win out of nine league games against Brighton. Moreover, this was their first clean sheet in ten matches after conceding in their last nine games in all competitions.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace continued their decent start to the season with a 2-0 home win over Norwich City. Goals from Luka Milivojevic and Andros Townsend sealed the win for Roy Hodgson’s side. Palace’s unbeaten record at home stretches back to April, when they lost to eventual champions Manchester City. Their defence has also conceded just once in four home games. The Eagles won most of their points last season away from home but, this season, they will fancy their chances at Selhurst Park.
Losers
Newcastle and Watford
Newcastle plunged to 18th in the table following an embarrassing 5-0 defeat away to Leicester. The Magpies had won just one of their last five games, the 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur. Isaac Hayden’s red card in the first half at the King Power gave Steve Bruce’s side a mountain to climb. After the sending off, the Foxes tore them apart. Not only did the Magpies fail to find the net against Leicester, but they also did not register a single shot on target. They face Manchester United next weekend as they try to kick start their season.
Dean Henderson and Hugo Lloris
Liverpool registered a narrow win over newcomers Sheffield United through a Georginio Wijnaldum goal. However, the Reds will have to thanks Blades keeper Dean Henderson who spilled the shot through his legs. Despite that unfortunate moment, the Blades were arguably the better side for the 90 minutes.
Spurs captain Hugo Lloris was another keeper that had a weekend to forget as he gifted Southampton a goal in their clash. The 2018 World Cup winner was inexplicably dispossessed inside his own six-yard area by Danny Ings for the Saints’ equaliser following a back pass. The French goalkeeper made two excellent saves that redeemed him.
Manchester United and Arsenal
Manchester United and Arsenal played another dull, uninspiring and mediocre game at Old Trafford evidence of how far the two former giants have fallen. The game ended in a 1-1 stalemate but both sides were disgraceful. United dominated possession in the first half but lacked quality. Arsenal dominated the second 45 but they lacked the cutting edge. With Leicester and West ham pushing for the top four and top six respectively, these two sides will have to work even harder. United are tenth and have now made their worst start to the season in 30 years. Despite spending big in the summer, Arsenal are yet to hit the ground running under Unai Emery. It will take years for these two to start challenging again.