Manchester City returned to the top of the
Premier League on goal difference as they
defeated Southampton 3-1 at the Etihad
Stadium.
City, who had recorded one draw and two defeats
in their last three games in all competitions, took
the lead on nine minutes when Kevin De Bruyne
was presented with the simplest of finishes
following good work from Raheem Sterling.
They doubled their advantage when Fabian
Delph, making his first Premier League start, sent
a deflected shot past Saints keeper Maarten
Stekelenburg.
Southampton did not give up the fight, though,
and after Virgil van Dijk sent a shot against the
woodwork in the first half, Shane Long pulled one
back with a header on 50 minutes.
Dusan Tadic might have equalised for Saints but
his chipped effort was clawed away by Willy
Caballero in the City goal, and Long saw his shot
blocked from the follow-up.
The hosts then restored their two-goal cushion
after De Bruyne set up Aleksandar Kolarov for a
fine goal on 70 minutes.
There was bad news for City as striker Sergio
Aguero had to leave the field with an injury, but
David Silva made his return as a late substitute.
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy set a new
Premier League record for scoring in consecutive
matches, but a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester
United meant they relinquished top spot in the
table after just one week.
Leicester took the lead in the 24th minute as
Vardy scored for the 11th consecutive match,
taking him past the record previously set by
United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Christian Fuchs played a superb ball down the
line and into the box for the onrushing Vardy,
who broke the offside trap and fired past David
De Gea.
United equalised in first-half injury time, Bastian
Schweinsteiger heading home a Daley Blind
corner.
Bournemouth salvaged a point in a 3-3 thriller
with Everton at Dean Court.
Everton dominated in the early stages from the
off and got their reward on 25 minutes when
Ramiro Funes Mori powered home a header from
a Ross Barkley corner.
Gerard Deulofeu then provided a superb pass to
set up Romelu Lukaku, who controlled neatly
before hammering into the net for 2-0.
Bournemouth, though, hit back late on, with
Adam Smith smashing a shot into the far corner
on 80 minutes before Junior Stanislas smashed
home an equaliser.
After Charlie Daniels had passed up a golden
chance for Bournemouth in injury time, Barkley
looked to have snatched it when he was able to
turn in the box and squeeze a shot home in the
95th minute.
However, the Cherries still had time to level as
Stanislas powered home a header to secure a
share of the spoils.
Crystal Palace came from behind to beat
Newcastle United as manager Alan Pardew
secured a 5-1 victory over his former club.
Papiss Cisse headed home the opener on 10
minutes from Daryl Janmaat, but Palace were
soon level when James McArthur's shot found the
net via a deflection from Paul Dummett.
Connor Wickham, who played a key role in the
equaliser, was heavily involved again when the
Eagles took the lead shortly afterwards, setting
up Yannick Bolasie to rifle home at the far post.
Wilfried Zaha then increased Palace's lead,
volleying home from Wickham's cross, on 41
minutes.
Bolasie added a fourth soon after the restart and
McArthur completed his brace in injury time.
The defeat leaves Steve McClaren under pressure
as Newcastle dropped back into the relegation
zone.
Sunderland moved out of the drop zone as they
scored two late goals to see off 10-man Stoke
City 2-0.
Jonathan Walters had the best chance of the first
half but was denied by Sunderland keeper Costel
Pantilimon, while Sunderland saw striker Jermain
Defoe substituted through injury.
Stoke saw Ryan Shawcross sent off at the start of
the second half when the centre-back collected a
second booking, and Sunderland were able to
seize the advantage.
Patrick van Aanholt broke the deadlock on 81
minutes following a free kick, and Duncan
Watmore -- who replaced Defoe -- made the
points certain from DeAndre Yedlin's throw-in.
Aston Villa boss Remi Garde is still searching for
his first victory after a 3-2 defeat at home to
Watford.
Odion Ighalo opened the scoring when he
pounced on the loose ball after Ben Watson's shot
had deflected into his path in front of goal.
Villa hit back through Micah Richards, who
headed home from Jordan Veretout's free kick
just before the break.
Watford, who saw goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes
stretchered off in the second half, restored their
lead on 69 minutes when Alan Hutton diverted
the ball into his own net from a Troy Deeney
throughball.
It seemed to be game over when Deeney made it
3-1 late on, and while Jordan Ayew gave Villa
hope when he curled home on 90 minutes, they
could not summon a third goal and Garde's men
were booed off after a defeat that leaves them
remain firmly rooted to the foot of the table.

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