We review match action from a busy and entertaining weekend in England, Germany, Italy and France.
ENGLAND
Manchester City handed Liverpool a comprehensive 5-0 dress-down, inflicting a first season’s defeat on the Reds, a result which drops Liverpool to eight-place on the table. Sergio Aguero put Manchester City ahead beating Simon Mignolet in a one-on-one situation, after which Sadio Mane was correctly sent-off for an accidental game-ending foul on goalkeeper Ederson. It was a one-way traffic afterwards, as Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane contributed a brace each to hand Liverpool their heaviest defeat in Jurgen Klopp’s era, an outcome which has left huge doubts hanging over their title credentials.
Champions Chelsea were dominant in a 2-1 away success against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, as they powered up to third-place. Alvaro Morata-a third league goal and N’Golo Kante-his first goal of the season, were the Chelsea goal scorers on the day, rendering Jamie Vardy’s 62nd-minute penalty a mere consolation for the home team.
Manchester United survived their first major test of the league campaign with a point away at Stoke City, as the Red Devils were held to a 2-2 draw by the Potters in a thrilling game. Free signing, Eric Choupo-Moting netted a brace for Stoke City, while Marcus Rashford netted a goal he knew absolutely nothing about, before Romelu Lukaku added a second goal for Manchester United, minutes before the hour mark, his 4th league goal of the season and 150th career club goal.
GERMANY
RB Leipzig earned a comfortable 2-0 away victory at Hamburg SV, thanks to second half strikes from Naby Keita and Timo Werner, a win which lifted Leipzig into fourth-place.
Bayern Munich were shocked to their bone marrows, as Hoffenheim recorded a 2-0 home success against the Bavarian giants, a defeat which saw Bayern Munch drop four spots into sixth-place. Mark Uth was the hero on the day, his brace in either half causing fans and critics to ask the question ‘Has Carlo Ancelotti lost his mojo early in the season, despite the raiding the league in the summer’? Certainly, not the best of times for Don Carlo.
ITALY
Champions Juventus prepared for the start of the UEFA Champions Legaue, achieving a convincing 3-0 home success against Chievo Verona, to sit first on the log. Perparim Hetemaj, Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala with the goals on the day for the Old Lady of Turin.
Lazio made menace meat of a pathetic AC Milan side, who despite their heavy surgical changes over the summer could do nothing as they fell freely 4-1 at the Stadio Olimpico. Ciro Immobile completed his hat-trick within 48 minutes, after which strike partner Luis Alberto netted a fourth a minute later. Riccardo Montolivo netted a consolation strike for the Rossoneri who must pick themselves up from this heavy and humiliating defeat.
FRANCE
Paris Saint-Germain were ruthless away from home on Friday night, defeating Metz 5-1, with the Neymar, Edison Cavani and Kylian Mbappe attacking partnership all contributing a goal, to herald the start of what is expected to be a fruitful long-term striking combination. Cavani netted a brace, Neymar, Mbappe-a goal on his debut and Lucas Moura all scored for the capital club, ensuring Emmanuel Riviere first-half equaliser was a mere consolation.
Champions Monaco were handed a shocking 4-0 away defeat at OGC Nice, who had Mario Balotelli back amongst the goals. Balotelli put Nice ahead from the penalty spot in the 6th-minute, Alassane Plea doubled the lead with a deflected effort, before Balotelli completed his brace on the night. Ignatius Knepe Ganago completed the scoring for the home side, who inflicted a first season’s defeat on Monaco, in their first game post Kylian Mbappe’s departure.
