Manchester United’s winning start to the 2017-18 English Premier League, EPL season was finally ended by a resilient Stoke City who ensured the game ended 2-2 at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday evening.
Rashford found himself in the right place at the right time after a Paul Pogba header hit him and went in on the stroke of half-time.
Lukaku put Mourinho’s men ahead for the first time in the fixture when he beat Jack Butland after 57 minutes with a second bite of the cherry, having been threaded through by Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Stoke deservedly hit back from a corner as Choupo-Moting evaded Phil Jones’ marking to head home. United however deserved more than a draw.
Saturday’s main attraction was an afternoon meeting between title contenders City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, where the home side dominated.
Aguero drew his name in the Premier League sands when he rounded Simon Mignolet to score a landmark opener after 24 minutes.
The Reds already looked to be on the back foot but saw their hopes of a comeback stunted when Sadio Mane’s high-footed challenge on City goalkeeper Ederson deemed dangerous.
The resulting red card divided opinion as Mane’s attempt didn’t look malicious, and even City boss Pep Guardiola conceded it was contentious.
From there, the hosts ran rampant thanks to star performances across the pitch, with full-backs Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy heavily involved, while Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva dazzled from the middle.
Aguero’s strike partner Jesus scored a deserved brace before substitute Leroy Sane made the most of his time on the pitch.
No fewer than five players netted braces in Saturday’s Premier League action, and Welbeck’s double aided Arsenal greatly in their 3-0 romp against Bournemouth, who were astutely outclassed in north London.
Despite the arrival of club transfer-record signing Lacazette, it was fit-again forward Welbeck who stole the show at the Emirates.
He wasn’t the only England star to impress, however, and Harry Kane matched his feat in bagging two for Tottenham Hotspur at Goodison.
Everton couldn’t respond to his double and Christian Eriksen’s addition before the break, and Kane continued to put his slow August form behind him by collecting a historic Premier League accolade.
N’Golo Kante reminded former club Leicester City what they’re missing after scoring the winner in a 2-1 Chelsea victory at the King Power Stadium. The Frenchman netted after Alvaro Morata’s headed breakthrough, with Jamie Vardy’s 62nd-minute penalty but a consolation for the hosts.
Southampton suffered their first defeat of the term elsewhere as manager Mauricio Pellegrino saw his side beaten 2-0 at home by Watford, and Radio Solent’s Adam Blackmore posed bad omens for the campaign to come:
It was a more enjoyable day for Brighton, however, as they sealed their first-ever Premier League win against West Bromwich Albion, thanks largely to the two goals of German midfielder Pascal Gross.
He netted either side of the break before Tomer Hemed increased the Seagulls’ lead to 3-0, enough to withstand a late fightback, with West Brom’s James Morrison reducing the deficit.
2017-18 EPL Week 4: Saturday’s Results
Manchester City 5-0 Liverpool
Arsenal 3-0 Bournemouth
Brighton & Hove Albion 3-1 West Bromwich Albion
Everton 0-3 Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton 0-2 Watford
Leicester City 1-2 Chelsea
Stoke City 2-2 Manchester United
After the games played, blow is how the teams rank on the EPL table.
EPL Standings (Goal Difference)
1. Manchester United – 10 (+10)
2. Manchester City – 10 (+8)
3. Chelsea – 9 (+3)
4. Watford – 8 (+4)
5. Tottenham Hotspur – 7 (+4)
6. Huddersfield Town – 7 (+4)
7. Liverpool – 7 (0)
8. West Bromwich Albion – 7 (0)
9. Arsenal – 6 (-1)
10. Stoke City – 5 (0)
11. Southampton – 5 (-1)
12. Burnley – 4 (0)
13. Brighton & Hove Albion – 4 (-2)
14. Swansea City – 4 (-2)
15. Everton – 4 (-4)
16. Newcastle United – 3 (0)
17. Leicester City – 3 (-2)
18. Crystal Palace – 0 (-6)
19. Bournemouth – 0 (-7)
20. West Ham United – 0 (-8)
CREDIT: Additional information obtained from bleach report
