Match week three of the 2018/19 Premier League saw Manchester City drop points while Liverpool, Chelsea and Watford made it three wins from three.
By Dinura & Azhar
Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion
Liverpool defeated Brighton 1-0 thanks to a first half goal from Mohamed Salah.
Unsurprisingly, it was a very dominant performance by Liverpool as they played a very high tempo attacking game in the first half. They continued to launch attack after attack putting the Brighton defense under heavy pressure whilst keeping high possession of the ball.
Referee waved play on for a potential handball by a Brighton defender from a Robertson cross as Liverpool had several chances through the likes of Mane, Firmino and Alexander-Arnold whose free-kick bounced off the crossbar.
It was the Pharaoh magician Mohamed Salah who got the breakthrough for Liverpool in the 23rd minute with a magnificent finish from top of the box from a perfectly timed through ball by Firmino. Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan had to make a few saves as the first half ended.
Half time – Liverpool 1 – 0 Brighton
Second half started off with a close call for Liverpool as Knockaert’s shot went just wide of the post. Liverpool soon managed to find their rhythm as they continued their attack from the first half forcing all Brighton players behind the ball.
In the 58th minute, another shout for penalty by Liverpool players but was waved play-on as Salah’s shot deflected off a Brighton defender’s leg onto his hand.
Halfway into the second half, Brighton managed to improve their performance and created a couple of threatening opportunities but was still unable to test the Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson at the post.
Similarly, Liverpool kept struggling to create a clear-cut chance to seal the game off as Brighton displayed an impressive second half performance while Pascal Gross’ headed ball was palmed away by the Allison for a corner in the 89th minute.
Full time – Liverpool 1 – 0 Brighton
Goal Scorers
Liverpool – Mohamed Salah 23’
Newcastle United v Chelsea
A late own goal secured all three points for Chelsea in a 2-1 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle started the game brightly with Murphy testing Kepa Arrizabalaga but Chelsea took control of the game quickly.
In the 17th minute Eden Hazard’s corner somehow found Antonio Rudiger but his effort went wide off the target. Hazard had a crack at goal from the edge of the box but it drifted wide off the post.
Hazard used his quick feet to dribble past defenders in the 39th minute and set up Pedro but he could not time his shot properly.
Half time – Newcastle 0 – 0 Chelsea
5 minutes into the second half, Hazard and Pedro set up Azpilicueta and he shot to the bottom corner from the edge of the box which was saved by the Newcastle goalkeeper.
Late in the game Rudiger sent a rocket of a shot from 30 yards out but unfortunately for him it hit the crossbar. Couple of minutes later Chelsea full back Marcos Alonso was brought down in the box by Schar and Hazard slotted home the penalty.
7 minutes later in the 83rd minute substitute Joselu headed from a DeAndre Yedlin cross to make it 1-1. However, with three minutes to go Yedlin became the villain for Newcastle as he diverted a Alonso shot into his own goal.
Full time – Newcastle 1 – 2 Chelsea
Goal Scorers
Newcastle – Joselu 83’
Chelsea – Eden Hazard 76’, DeAndre Yedlin 87’ (OG)
In other matches
Arsenal v West Ham United saw the Gunners secure their first win in the season with a 3-1 win. Marko Arnautovic scored in the 25th minute for West Ham but Nacho Monreal equalized 5 minutes later. Issa Diop’s own goal in the 70th minute gave Arsenal the lead before Danny Welbeck sealed the win in injury time.
Bournemouth v Everton ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw with both sides going down to 10-men. Everton’s Richarlison was the first to get red carded in the 41st minute as the first half ended 0-0. Theo Walcott scored for Everton early in the 2nd half as Adam Smith was dismissed for Bournemouth minutes later.
Michael Keane scored in the 66th minute giving a 2-0 lead but a Joshua King penalty in the 75th minute and a Nathan Ake goal 4 minutes later rescued a point for the Cherries.
Huddersfield v Cardiff City ended in a goalless draw with Huddersfield’s Jonathan Hogg getting a red card in the 63rd minute.
Southampton v Leicester City was a 2-1 win for Leicester City. After a 0-0 first half Ryan Bertrand scored for Southampton in the 52nd minute before Demarai Gray equalized 4 minutes later. Harry Maguire scored in injury time for Leicester to secure the win. Emile Hojbjerg of Southampton received a double yellow in the 77th minute.
Watford v Crystal Palace saw Watford winning 2-1 with all the goals coming in the 2nd half. Roberto Pereyra scored in the 53rd minute and Jose Holebas added the 2nd for Watford in the 71st minute. Wilfried Zaha was able to pull one back seven minutes later but Palace could not complete the comeback.
Fulham v Burnley was a high scoring affair where Fulham won 4-2. Michael Seri opened the scoring for Fulham in the 4th minute before Jeff Hendrick equalized in the 10th minute. Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice in three minutes (36’ & 38’) but James Tarkowski made it 3-2 three minutes later. In a tense 2nd half Andre Schurrle scored in the 83rd minute to seal the win.
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