By Chris Sampson
- Saints end O’Neil’s unbeaten run to move out of relegation zone
- Nunez header gives resurgent Reds victory over West Ham
- Red Devils see off Spurs to stay fifth, wins for Newcastle and Palace
UK – A much needed victory for Southampton in the South-coast derby, Liverpool keep their momentum going, defences on top in South London derby and Manchester United’s best performance of the season.
Bournemouth 0 Southampton 1
Bournemouth slipped to their first defeat under interim manager Gary O’Neil as Southampton claimed their first win in six games along with the South-coast bragging rights, to lift the pressure on manager Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Saints took an early lead when Che Adams glanced in a header for Romain Perraud’s cross from the left. They continued to look lively going forward but lacked the quality to add more goals.
As the minutes passed by Southampton sat back, inviting pressure from Bournemouth. They invited pressure from Bournemouth after the goal, but the hosts also lacked quality in the final third and a well organised Saints backline held firm.
Bournemouth had been aiming to equal their longest unbeaten run in the top flight, and although they played with confidence, they ultimately came up short, although they have clearly made pleasing progress under O’Neil.
Southampton secured their first win since August 30 and their first clean sheet in 17 games, stretching back to last season. Hasenhuttl will be hoping that they can use this as a platform to move away from danger.
Liverpool 1 West Ham United 0
Darwin Nunez’s third goal in four games, his first at Anfield, gave Liverpool victory over West Ham United. Nunez had already gone close when he met Kostas Tsimikas’ cross and placed a downward header beyond Lukasz Fabianski. Nunez had a chance to double the lead moments later but this time Fabianski was able to make the save. The Uruguayan appears to be running into form and Liverpool appear to be finding some fluency as a team and he went close again, hammering a shot off the post.
Though Liverpool had dominated the first-half they were given a scare on the stroke of half-time, when Jarrod Bowen was fouled by Joe Gomez and the Hammers were awarded a penalty. Bowen took the spot-kick himself but Alisson Becker was equal to it, producing a fine diving save.
Liverpool continued to control the contest after the break and should have added more goals, with Roberto Firmino and Curtis Jones going close before Kurt Zouma deflected Jordan Henderson’s cross onto his own bar.
Liverpool though, were almost punished for their profligacy and three minutes from time it took a block from James Milner to prevent Tomas Soucek equalising from close range. However, Liverpool continued their recent momentum and backed up Sunday’s fantastic win over Manchester City with another three points.
Manchester United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0
Manchester United gave their most complete performance under Erik ten Hag in a convincing victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford. United dominated proceedings and only a fantastic display from Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris prevented a more emphatic victory.
The first half saw the home side pepper the Tottenham goal with 19 shots with Lloris making five great saves.
The deadlock was broken two minutes into the second-half when Fred’s shot deflected in off Ben Davies. The goal may have been fortunate but United thoroughly deserved the lead for a high quality and high intensity display. The win was all but sealed on 69 minutes when Bruno Fernandes curled home.
Fernandez and Fred had both performed well with Casemiro helping them control midfield as United moved the ball well and pressed with intensity out of possession. Antonio Conte has set Tottenham up to be a counter-attacking side, but they sat so deep they conceded the initiative, in a similar manner to their performance in their North London derby defeat to Arsenal.
Victory keeps Manchester United fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders Arsenal. Spurs remain in third.
Magpies fly high, Bees hold Blues
Newcastle United continued their good form with a home win over Everton, Miguel Almiron’s superb curling strike giving Eddie Howe’s side victory. Apart from a twenty-minute spell at the end of the first half, where they played some great football, the hosts looked a little jaded after Sunday’s hard-fought draw with Manchester United, however Howe will be encouraged with the manner in which they ground out the win, earning their fifth clean sheet of the season.
The West London derby between Brentford and Chelsea finished goalless after a hard-fought encounter. Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga saved well from Ivan Toney, twice, and from Bryan Mbeumo. Brentford’s David Raya denied Cesar Azpilicueta and Kai Havertz. Chelsea pushed for a winner late on with Raya making important saves from substitutes Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Christian Pulisic.
Crystal Palace came from behind to beat Wolves while Brighton and Nottingham Forest finished goalless. Fulham enjoyed a comfortable home win over Aston Villa and Leicester City beat Leeds United two-nil.
The top two, Arsenal and Manchester City, were due to lock horns but Arsenal’s Europa League commitments saw their fixture postponed. Arsenal continue to lead the table on 27 points, with City three points behind in second, ahead of third placed Spurs on goal difference. Tottenham missed the chance to go above City and close the gap on the Gunners with their Old Trafford defeat, while fourth placed Chelsea close to within three points of City and Spurs. Manchester United and Newcastle United complete the top six.
Southampton move out of the relegation zone with their win at South-coast rivals Bournemouth. Nottingham Forest are bottom 0f the table on six points, Leicester are one place and two points ahead of their East Midlands rivals while three teams are on nine points, Leeds are in 16th with a superior goal difference to Aston Villa (17th) and Wolves (18th) who occupy the final relegation place due to having scored less goals than Villa.
The Premier League returns at the weekend with matches on Saturday October 22nd, Sunday October 23rd and Monday October 24th.
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