A total of eight matches were played on Day one of Round 9 in the Premier League on Saturday. Only two teams managed to win at home, four won away and there were two draws, including the one in the early kick-off encounter between Chelsea and Manchester United.
The clash at Stamford Bridge was a great game to watch if you are a neutral. Chelsea went into the lead first, courtesy of Antonio Rüdiger before the Red Devils managed to turn it around with two goals by Anthony Martial, in the 55th and the 73rd minute. Ross Barkley came on for Mateo Kovacic in the 69th minute and scored an unlikely equalizer in the 6th minute of time added on. Victor Moses wasn’t in the squad for Chelsea this time.
In the 3 pm kick-off, Southampton didn’t have long to travel to meet the home side Bournemouth and play out the only game of the day where no goals were scored. Jordon Ibe subbed in late in the game for Ryan Fraser. Nigeria’s U-20 player Nnamdi Ofoborh didn’t make it into the squad for Bournemouth.
At St James’ Park, Newcastle suffered another defeat, this time to the visiting Brighton. Beram Kayal scored the only goal in the game. Once, Leon Balogun was on the bench for Brighton but didn’t feature.
Leon Balogun (www.brightonandhovealbion.com)
West Ham welcome Tottenham Hotspurs at the London Stadium in this London derby game. Even though the Hammers were better on the day, Erik Lamela managed to score just before the break for Spurs giving them the lead and ultimately the win in this lively match. The injured Luke Amos, who is out for the season, watched the game from the stands.
Watford travelled to Wolverhampton to play the Wanderers. Isaac Success Ajayi, who’s been in great form, started for the Hornets. He didn’t get on the scoresheet this time, but Watford still won an important game away. And they have done it by scoring two goals in succession, in the 20th and the 21st minute. Etienne Capoue and Roberto Pereyra were the scorers.
In the last game of the day and an evening kick-off, Huddersfield had a tough task to get something out of the game against the unbeaten Liverpool side. Philip Billing was in the starting eleven for the Terriers but was subbed out in the 70th minute. Liverpool had much of the ball in the first part of the game with Mohamed Salah eventually giving them the lead. Huddersfield, to their credit, never gave up and were dangerous at times but Liverpool hang on to win for the seventh time this season and stay unbeaten.