Ismaila Sarr scores twice as Watford inflict damaging defeat on Norwich
Liverpool comfortable winners against Crystal Palace at Anfield
A long, dark night of the soul on a sunny September Mancunian afternoon for referee Jonathan Moss, who reversed two major decisions to the benefit of Manchester City after a video review that changed the course of one of the best recent away performances at the home of the champions.
Southampton were so close to a penalty and a one-man advantage on the hour that the recipient of that red card Kyle Walker almost left the pitch, but the Manchester City man seemed confident that once Var intervened that would be a wasted journey. He was proven correct. Moss went to the monitor and changed his verdict on the red card he had given the England full-back, also withdrawing the penalty that had accompanied it – although it was by no means clear why.
With it went the chance for a famous Southampton away victory, and by the end Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side were clinging nobly to a single point having matched City for attacking ambition for most of the second half. It was an excellent performance from Saints although much less so from City and after a few days of terse exchanges with the fanbase, Pep Guardiola’s free-scoring champions managed just a single attempt on goal all game.
Before this afternoon they had scored 16 goals over three home games across the Premier League and Champions League and while Guardiola denied it, there seemed to be a flicker of unrest from the home crowd. Later, the City manager tried to reverse out of the row that he had over the deficit of home supporters in attendance for the RB Leipzig game during the week but it might take a while for that cloud to lift. This was his team’s first draw in 31 Premier League games and the locals are very much accustomed to seeing them win.
Guardiola said that in his pre-match discussions with Hasenhuttl the Saints manager had told him of his seven-day long preparation for the game. “We had 10 minutes yesterday” said Guardiola. The freshness, he said, was lacking in their minds rather than their legs. As for the penalty and red card that were awarded and then struck out, it was the one talking point upon which Guardiola did not offer an opinion.
Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl acknowledges the fans after the match - Reuters
What was unusual about it was that, having given the spot-kick for what was unquestionably an attempt by Walker to play the ball as Adam Armstrong darted into the area, Moss then subjected the full-back to the double jeopardy of penalty and red card. Under the law, surely a penalty alone would have been enough. It was almost a year to the day since Moss changed his mind about another red card on the basis of a Var review - that one awarded against Southampton’s Kyle Walker-Peters, who was at left-back for his game.
“We had the feeling it was not a ‘clear wrong’ [clear and obvious] decision,” Hasenhuttl said later of the Moss decision that went to Var review. That was about as opinionated as it was likely to get from a manager who is otherwise grimly determined not to criticise the officials however great the perceived injustice. The Southampton manager was rightly delighted with his team’s performance. There was a Raheem Sterling goal ruled out by Var for offside in the 90th minute but that was as close as it got.
The visitors were expertly set-up by their manager to press and probe. The Austrian, sockless and without a jacket - but still in shirt, tie, waistcoat and trousers that stopped well shy of his white trainers - looked all afternoon like a man who had forgotten certain key items of his clothing. He had certainly left nothing out of his preparations and later said that he had shown his players the footage of City’s 6-3 victory over Leipzig, a former club of his, to demonstrate certain tactical points.
Some excellent performances from Saints, including their teen full-back Tino Livramento who, on a booking, eventually had to be substituted for his own good. They defended superbly despite losing Jack Stephens to a knee problem in the first half. In the meantime City struggled to find the natural rhythm that defines them, instead relying on some individual brilliance which is never a bad Plan B among such talented players. But too many of them flickered on and off, including Jack Grealish and Sterling who were both included in the starting XI.
Guardiola sent on Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden as second half substitutes to try to force the issue but the door never quite opened. Saints are still yet to win a league game this season. Nevertheless they look to be taking shape as a team and Wolverhampton Wanderers at home next Sunday could be the moment they get going.
Manchester City's Phil Foden, second left, reacts after Raheem Sterling's, not pictured, goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR replay - AP
It was an ambitious set-up from Saints – earnestly pressing and chasing in that 4-2-2-2 shape that Hasenhuttl favours. Full-backs pushed up, James Ward-Prowse and Oriol Romeu deep, a 4-2-4 shape at times in possession. Guardiola would doubtless nod in approval at the ingenuity of it all. Hasenhuttl said Saints had worked on two different shapes all week with Romeu dropping into central defence as a third centre-half when out of possession.
“You need a super tactical performance otherwise you have no chance,” the Southampton manager said. “You know how difficult it is here. I’m very proud of what my team did.” It is part of what makes Hasenhuttl an interesting coach that he would come to the Etihad and attempt to wrestle the bull by the horns. It is also what makes his teams so vulnerable.
That was epitomised by the fearless Livramento at right-back, especially one great first half duel with his opposite number Joao Cancelo. The older man stole the ball away from Livramento who then won it back in the same fashion.
By the end of the first half City were dominant but after the break Saints looked much more confident. The Walker challenge on Armstrong for the penalty and red card that Moss overturned, was their best moment. How City’s home crowd might have reacted to defeat would have been interesting. They were certainly less than impressed with the performance.
Match details
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; Gundogan, Fernandinho (De Bruyne, 61), B Silva (Foden, 72); Sterling, Jesus (Mahrez, 67), Grealish
Ismaila Sarr at the double for Watford who leave Norwich rock bottom
By John Aizlewood
September seems early to anoint a game in the sunshine as a six-pointer, but with Norwich City and Watford meeting having secured just one victory between them, the contest had the air of a must win, or at the very least, a must not lose.
So it proved. The better team throughout, Watford won comprehensively with a brace from Ismaila Sarr following Emmanuel Dennis’s opener. They now have something to build on.
“A complete performance,” said Watford head coach Xisco Munoz. “Now we need to have humility, to work hard and to keep going, keep going, keep going.”
Booed off by a newly restless crowd, Norwich are desperately seeking any kind of salvation. They have now lost their five opening Premier League games and Portsmouth and Crystal Palace’s unwanted shared record of seven opening defeats looks in peril.
“This is the moment to be self-critical,” lamented Daniel Farke, the Norwich head coach. “We made too many mistakes in our defending. We have to improve, we have to concede fewer goals and we have to not give up hope.”
Changes were rung. Norwich gave debuts to three internationals: Turkey’s Ozan Kabak endured a tumultuous loan at Liverpool last season and he would suffer a similar fate on Saturday. Norway’s Mathias Normann, who had not played in English football since a couple of 2018 Football League Trophy games for Brighton & Hove Albion, started well but faded. USA striker Josh Sergent was given his first start.
Watford's Ismaila Sarr celebrates scoring their third goal - Reuters
Watford made four changes, most notably in goal where 38-year-old Ben Foster made only his second league start since January. With Tom Cleverley unusually advanced, Moussa Sissoko a beacon of gambolling authority and Craig Cathcart at centre half rather than full back, Watford were both rejuvenated and composed. They swept ahead in the 17th minute when Norwich were too lackadaisical to close down some neat interplay on their left. Kiko Femenia whipped in a tantalising cross and Dennis nipped in ahead of a soundly slumbering Kabak to head Watford’s first away goal of the season beyond Tim Krul. “He’s not Harry Kane is he?” argued Farke. “But he got in between my two centre backs.”
Being ahead rather suited the newly assured Watford, yet, they had not failed to pick up a point since the opening day by misfortune alone and Norwich levelled with their first attack. Normann played an exquisite through ball down the inside right channel. Teemu Pukki reacted quicker and ran faster than Cathcart, before steering home his first goal of the season from open play.
Norwich funnelled men forwards, yet Watford once again came closest when Tom Cleverley looped a pass forwards for Sarr to outpace Grant Hanley, only to be foiled by the alert Krul.
Norwich had been slow out of the first half traps. In the second, they were significantly more pro-active, but left-side defensive laxity cost them dear once again when Jeremy Ngakia fed the untracked Joshua King, who crossed low for Sarr to tuck neatly past Krul at the near post.
Farke made a double substitution, but his team’s moment had passed and Watford scored a third when a wild Kenny Mclean hack fell to Cleverley, who found the onrushing King. Krul’s save was excellent, but it fell to Sarr who tapped in. After a VAR check for offside, Watford’s work was done.
As it happened
04:25 PM
Martin Odegaard on winning at Burnley
"The game was kind of a war in the end. We know their strength. We played their game a little more than our own game. In the second half they played their game and they’re good at it. We need to be a little bit smarter when we win the ball."
04:24 PM
Mikel Arteta happy with Tomiyasu
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Takehiro Tomiyasu celebrate after the match - Reuters
04:17 PM
Adam Armstrong has been speaking to BBC about Southampton's performance
"We pressed high and showed them we weren't afraid. The gaffer wanted us to create chances that way. With my chance, I felt lucky to get the shot off and on and on another day it goes through the goalkeeper's legs. I feel good; I scored on the opening day so hopefully I can get a few more."
04:13 PM
A familiar sight back at Anfield
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates after scoring their 2nd goal during the Premier League match - Getty images
04:04 PM
Some interesting results at both ends of the table
Man City drop two points in the title race but it could have been worse were it not for Var's intervention to spare Kyle Walker the punishment of a red and a penalty.
Arsenal were also grateful for the technology at Burnley when replays showed Aaron Ramsdale got a toe to the ball when challenging Matej Vydra. The goalkeeper delivered a commanding performance as they kept Burnley's strikers at bay for another important win for Mikel Arteta.
Norwich are staring at a long season - that is their most worrying result so far.
Palace had their chances at Liverpool, but Jurgen Klopp's team are cooking nicely.
03:56 PM
Full time results!
Burnley 0 Arsenal 1
Liverpool 3 Crystal Palace 0
Manchester City 0 Southampton 0
Norwich 1 Watford 3
03:49 PM
GOAL! Liverpool have their third
Naby Keita has got himself on the scoresheet. Good for him after some tough spells on the treatment table.
03:49 PM
Man City thought they had a winner!
But Phil Foden's goal was disallowed in the 90th minute for offside. Something of a theme this afternoon.
03:45 PM
Still goalless at the Etihad
But both sides are throwing bodies forward. Southampton have given a heck of an account of themselves.
03:42 PM
Set piece efficiency for Liverpool
15 - Including both of their goals today against Crystal Palace, Liverpool have now scored 15 @premierleague goals from corner situations since the start of last season, more than any other side in this time. Angles.
Sarr was flagged offside initially but another decision has been amended by Var and they now have a comfortable lead at Carrow Road.
03:37 PM
GOAL! Liverpool now two up
That save proved crucial because Mohamed Salah has scored yet another goal to surely put the game beyond plucky Palace.
03:36 PM
Quite the stat
75 minutes played and Man City are yet to have a shot on target against Southampton.
03:35 PM
Alisson to the rescue
Edouard was bearing down on goal for Palace but the Liverpool goalkeeper came out to smother.
03:33 PM
GOAL! Sarr scores for Watford
They are on their way to a big result at Norwich if they can maintain their lead.
Watford's Ismaila Sarr celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates - Reuters
03:29 PM
Manchester City about to make another attacking change
Phil Foden getting stripped and readied.
03:29 PM
Penalty overturned at Burnley!
Ben White with a poor back pass which sold Ramsdale short and he looked to have caught Vydra, but the replays show the goalkeeper actually got a touch on the ball first.
03:27 PM
Manchester City's match winners are on the pitch now
Mahrez and De Bruyne have been introduced from the bench.
Manchester City's Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match - AFP
03:22 PM
Cornet has made an impact for Burnley
He forced Ramsdale in the Arsenal goal into a smart save and his driving runs are causing problems. Arsenal and Nicolas Pepe messed up a promising counter when Aubameyang was in space.
03:21 PM
Overturned! Man City breathe more easily
Var has saved the day, and Walker is back out there.
03:19 PM
Red card Kyle Walker and Southampton penalty!
Man City are in a deep, deep hole now.
03:17 PM
Burnley making a double sub
Gudmundsson and Barnes depart, for Vydra and Maxwell Cornet who is on for his Burnley debut. Turf Moor sounds quite excited about it.
Burnley making a double sub - Getty Images
03:12 PM
Norwich wanted a penalty
But the referee ignores their appeals after Rashica goes down in the box.
03:10 PM
Decent moment from Burnley
Doing what they do best, keeping the ball alive on the second phase at a set piece. Had a shout for handball and then Westwood tried something spectacular at the back post but didn't catch it and Ramsdale saved.
03:03 PM
Second halves starting to kick off now
You'd expect the goals to start flowing as the games open up. Just the four across the four games so far.
02:58 PM
Manchester City improved as that half progressed
But they failed to have a shot on target, which is about as rare as rocking horse manure in home Premier League games under Pep Guardiola. Southampton's pressing caused problems early on.
02:55 PM
Sam Dean's verdict from Turf Moor
Arsenal haven't been popping it about as quickly as they'd like but that's a moment of real quality from Odegaard. Gorgeous free-kick
Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane scores the opening goal past Crystal Palace's Spanish goalkeeper Vicente Guaita - AFP
02:52 PM
Half time scores
Burnley 0 Arsenal 1
Liverpool 1 Crystal Palace 0
Manchester City 0 Southampton 0
Norwich 1 Watford 1
02:47 PM
Not been a stack of chances at Turf Moor
But Emile Smith Rowe had one from near the penalty spot, but his shot was always rising. Good work from Pepe to set him up. Half time approaching now.
02:44 PM
GOAL! Mane gives Liverpool the lead against Palace
After some early Palace opportunities Liverpool have found their grove and were knocking at the door, and now the breakthrough has arrived. Mane's old pal Salah with the assist and that is Mane's 100th Liverpool goal.
02:40 PM
Martin Odegaard's free-kick
Arsenal's Norwegian midfielder Martin Odegaard (3rd R) scores the opening goal with this freekick during the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Arsenal - AFP
02:39 PM
Pukki has lift off
Teemu Pukki of Norwich City celebrates after scoring their team's first goal - Getty Images
02:36 PM
GOAL! Pukki equalises for Norwich
Boy, they needed that goal. Back on level terms against Watford who are likely to be their immediate rivals all season.
GOAL! Martin Odegaard with a beauty of a free-kick for Arsenal
He started the move with an incisive pass through the Burnley lines to Bukayo Saka who won a foul, and Odegaard stepped up and whipped it into the corner from around 26 yards out.
02:28 PM
Good defending by Konate at Anfield
He does well to get a block in against Benteke. Palace have not been without threat at Liverpool so far.
Crystal Palace's Jordan Ayew in action with Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas - Reuters
02:24 PM
Chance gone for Man City
Gundogan threatened to pop up in the box and score another header but this one went over the bar. Southampton will be pleased with their work so far.
02:20 PM
GOAL! Watford lead at Norwich
Dennis has nodded them into the lead with a back post header at Carrow Road.
02:19 PM
Liverpool's best moment
Mane's cross finds Henderson at the back post but Guaita makes the save to keep the game 0-0.
02:15 PM
Strong start from Southampton at Man City
They have enjoyed a succession of corners and plenty of territory in the early stages. Mahrez and De Bruyne on the bench for City remember.
Still goalless at Turf Moor but a few dodgy moments for Arsenal at the back. Ben White missed a long Pope goal kick and Aarron Ramsdale was almost caught dawdling on the ball. Then Barnes got free of White and had time but he heads wide from close to the penalty spot.
02:12 PM
Sartorial watch
Remarkable decision from Hasenhüttl today: tie, white shirt (sleeves rolled up), waistcoat, tapered slacks, no socks, white trainers. Look: midlife crisis career-change to 'mixologist' (your drink will take approx. 27 mins)
Palace got Wilfried Zaha in behind in the second minute but the Liverpool goalkeeper tipped his shot around the post. Bright start from the visitors.
02:08 PM
First chance of the game at Turf Moor
Arsenal had enjoyed plenty of sterile possession in the first few minutes, but they went through the gears there as Odegaard released Tierney into the area and Pope was forced into a smart save with Nicolas Pepe lurking for a tap in.
02:06 PM
It's Kyle Walker vs Kyle Walker-Peters at the Etihad
No goals around at the moment with around five minutes gone.
02:00 PM
KICK-OFF!
The action is under way around the grounds.
01:56 PM
Ibrahima Konate makes his Liverpool debut today
Having Virgil Van Dijk alongside is not a bad insurance policy. They will face an aerial battle against Christian Benteke but they are well equipped for it.
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp talks to Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk - Reuters
01:54 PM
Manchester City on a roll at home
They have won consecutive home league games 5-0 - against Norwich and Arsenal - and put six past RB Leipzig this week. They are probably the third-best team in Germany so that's a fearsome record. Gabriel Jesus has been so dynamic from the right and Jack Grealish has had no problems adapting to Pep Guardiola so far.
01:48 PM
That's an outstanding record
100 - James Ward-Prowse is making his 100th consecutive appearance in the Premier League today, only the ninth outfield player to register such a run (Frank Lampard top with 164). Stalwart. pic.twitter.com/wZllmmNlPy
Burnley boss Sean Dyche named an unchanged starting line-up against Arsenal.
Dyche has stuck with the same XI for the third-straight league game following the home draw against Leeds and last week's defeat at Everton, with summer signing Maxwell Cornet, yet to make his debut, on the bench.
01:37 PM
The home fans are celebrating Sean Dyche's new contract
Surely Todd Cantwell has the most recognisable Barnet in the Premier League?
Norwich City's Todd Cantwell before the match - Reuters
01:17 PM
Some interesting selections
Kevin De Bruyne starting on the bench for Man City where Ralph Hasenhuttl has picked an attacking Southampton team featuring Che Adams, Nathan Redmond, Adam Armstrong and Mohamed Elyounoussi.
The same can be said of Mikel Arteta who looks to be trying to replicate a Man City style 4-3-3 with Partey, Smith Rowe and Odegaard as a progressive central trio. Burnley as expected with Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes up top.
Sadio Mane, Virgil Van Dijk and Thiago are back for Liverpool after their mid week rest. Palace are unchanged from the Tottenham win.
Billy Gilmour, Milot Rashica and Josh Sargent come in for Norwich against Watford.
Watford manager Xisco Munoz ahead of the Premier League match at Carrow Road - PA
A mixed start to the season for Watford but they do have two potent counter-attacking threats in Dennis and Ismaila Sarr. Not much to separate them and Norwich on paper today.
12:53 PM
Looks a good crowd welcoming Manchester City's players...
A general view outside the stadium as the Manchester City team - Getty Images
12:45 PM
Liverpool vs Palace facts
Liverpool have won their last eight Premier League games against Crystal Palace, scoring 24 goals and conceding just five.
After winning three consecutive Premier League away games against Liverpool between 2014-15 and 2016-17, Crystal Palace have lost each of their last four visits to Anfield in the competition.
Liverpool are on the longest current league unbeaten run in the top four tiers of English football, going 14 league games without defeat since a 1-0 home loss against Fulham in March.
Liverpool have had more shots than any other Premier League side this season.
12:41 PM
The lunchtime game
Brentford are on their way to springing a surprise - does it count as one? - at Wolves where they are 2-0 up at the start of the second half. The home team will throw the kitchen sink and Adama Traore at them now and you can keep an eye on that game here with Harri Thomas. Some teething problems for Wolves as they adjust to playing a back four.
After a run of 10 consecutive league defeats against Arsenal, Burnley are now unbeaten in their last three against the Gunners.
Arsenal are unbeaten in their last nine away league games against Burnley, last tasting defeat at Turf Moor in December 1973.
Burnley are winless in their last 12 home league games, their longest run without a victory at Turf Moor in their league history.
Burnley haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven Premier League games, losing six of these and scoring just three goals in the process.
Arsenal had 30 shots in their 1-0 victory against Norwich last time out, more than they’d managed in their first three Premier League games this season combined.
11:54 AM
All eyes on Pep Guardiola and Arsenal's new look defence
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of all four Premier League three o'clock kicks-offs with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in action.
Man City's three games at the Etihad this season have produced 19 goals so there is the potential for them to keep us very busy against Southampton who have drawn three games since an opening weekend defeat at Everton. Pep Guardiola has found himself under the spotlight in the build-up, asking Man City's fans to turn up and support the team after there were empty seats for the 6-3 Champions League win over RB Leipzig. He even suggested he would consider resigning if he felt the relationship between himself and the supporters had broken down. Surely not?
City have nine points from their first four games but fellow title contenders Liverpool are one point ahead on 10 and host Crystal Palace this afternoon. Four points from London derbies against West Ham and Spurs suggest Patrick Vieira's new look team are starting to gel, with summer signings Joachim Andersen and Marc Guehi impressing at the back and debutant Odsonne Edouard scoring twice. Liverpool's attack looked mightily productive at Leeds and against AC Milan though, so a tough examination is in store.
Given Arsenal's struggles against direct football at Brentford a trip to Burnley looks fraught with danger, although Sean Dyche has never tasted victory over them at Turf Moor (the last two meetings there have been draws). Arsenal eased the pressure on Mikel Arteta slightly against Norwich - with a promising back four of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel and Kieran Tierney keeping a clean sheet - but they are not out of the woods yet. Trips to Burnley and Brighton and home games against Spurs, Palace and Aston Villa will tell us plenty in the next few weeks.
Norwich's penal fixture list eases up today with a home game against Watford. Daniel Farke's team stayed in games against Leicester and Arsenal but are yet to register a point, and even at this early stage of the season it feels vital they get a result at Carrow Road.
For the Love of Dogs viewers were left infuriated as they pointed out a 'bad habit' of presenter Alison Hammond's during the latest episode of the ITV show, which has seen ratings plummet.
Amanda Holden, 53, looked sensational as she showed off her latest outfit to host Heart FM despite "not being able to find a top" as she opted for just a bra and jacket
The arrival of the US M1A1 Abrams tanks in Ukraine was hailed as a turning point in the war. Coming in at roughly $10 million a unit, the Nato stalwart was supposed to provide the armoured fist that would punch through the Russian lines. But tactics evolve quickly in warfare, and Russia’s use of surveillance and hunter-killer drones has led to heavy casualties for Ukraine’s tank fleets. This is alarming for NATO. If Russia has found critical vulnerabilities in our armour, our borders are beginni
The moment was filmed by a Pollok resident who was left disgusted after spotting the vermin from her kitchen window in the Templeland Road area of Glasgow.
Prince William made a surprise visit to a school in the West Midlands today, where he issued a 14-word update on his wife, Kate Middleton, amid her cancer treatment
Vida was treated by vets for lacerations which saw its coat soaked in blood but Quaker was in an equine hospital with its future "not looking good", sources said
Callum Laing, 40, was diagnosed with a stage 4 Glioblastoma brain tumour, after he had been suffering from intense headaches - but surgeons in Edinburgh have made a surprising discovery.
During nearly three hours of historic Supreme Court arguments, John Roberts said little. But the cagey chief justice made some points abundantly clear.
A man gave his dying dog a chocolate bar – a treat dogs love but that is toxic to them – as a final gesture of love before she was put to sleep on April 23.Footage recorded by Miller Hurtado Toro shows his dog Sharon enjoying the tasty sweet before she was injected with euthanizing drugsToro told Storyful that Sharon was 12 years old and had been fighting the tick-borne canine disease ehrlichiosis for two years.“We tried to take her to find more treatments, but they saw that she had lung cancer, with metastases in her lungs and liver that were making her weak from just lying down,” Toro said.“The day before yesterday, she could not get up again, and that is when I made the decision,” he explained.Toro said he had often denied Sharon a taste of chocolate as the candy is notably bad for dogs’ health, but that he thought she should try it as her final treat.“No dog should leave without first trying chocolate,” Toro said. Credit: Miller Hurtado Toro via Storyful
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