Reuters
London, August 29: Manchester City maintained their perfect start to the season with a 2-0 victory over promoted Watford as champions Chelsea suffered a shock 2-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace Saturday.
Raheem Sterling scored his first competitive goal for the club and Fernandinho netted a superb second to lift City to their fourth successive win and open an eight-point advantage over Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge side’s underwhelming start to the season continued despite Radamel Falcao’s first goal for the club, Joel Ward grabbing the Palace winner nine minutes from time to put his side second in the table.
City, who had begun the season in ominous form, struggled to break down a Watford side who had not tasted defeat in three matches following their promotion to the top flight.
After a frustrating first half against a spirited Watford, Sterling ghosted into the box and converted Bacary Sagna’s cross in the 47th minute to open his account.
That lifted the tension which had been building and City played with added freedom, doubling the lead nine minutes later through Fernandinho following a sublime one-two with David Silva.
Chelsea were frustrated by Alan Pardew’s well-marshalled Palace side from the start. Bakary Sako pounced to convert Yannick Bolasie’s dangerous cross to put Palace ahead.
Falcao headed home his first Blues goal 14 minutes later to restore parity before Ward stabbed in a late winner as Jose Mourinho suffered only his second league defeat in 100 home games as Chelsea manager.
Liverpool, slumped to a surprise 3-0 home defeat by West Ham United and had midfielder Philippe Coutinho sent off.
Manuel Lanzini and Mark Noble, who was later sent off, gave West Ham a 2-0 half time lead before Diafra Sakho sealed the visitors’ first win at Anfield since 1963 with a goal in stoppage time.
Newcastle United’s Fabricio Coloccini scored an own-goal as Arsenal laboured to their second win of the season with a highly-charged 1-0 victory over their 10-man hosts at St James’ Park. Newcastle’s Aleksandar Mitrovic was dismissed early in the first half.
