The English Premier League’s gameweek 4 is in the books and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City laid down a marker in their march to the title.
The Citizens took the first Manchester derby of the season with a comprehensive 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Blues’ Kevin De Bruyne was the star of the show, scoring once and hitting the woodwork twice during the match. The Belgian now has one goal and two assists this term and is one of the best signings a fantasy football manager could make at the minute.
His teammate Kelechi Iheanacho deputised for the suspended Sergio Aguero and made a case for being City’s star striker of the future. The Nigerian assisted De Bruyne’s goal and scored the second. He could be a cheap attacking option for anyone’s Fantasy Premier League team next weekend.
United did get a goal back through the league’s leading scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but otherwise, City controlled the affair. Guardiola’s men kept 60.1% of the game’s possession, and Great Manchester police are still looking for Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has been missing his kick-off Saturday. Selecting him for gameweek 5 could be a mistake.
Antonio Conte’s Chelsea missed an opportunity to stay level with Manchester City, drawing 2-2 with Swansea. Chelsea took the lead through Diego Costa’s 18th minute goal, however, the Swans came back. Gylfi Sigurdsson struck from the penalty spot in the 59th minute after Thibaut Courtois took down the midfielder moments before.
The Swans added a second after a Gary Cahill mental lapse in defence. Leroy Fer took the ball off of the England defender before strolling in and putting Swansea ahead. Chelsea did come back, however. With the Blue dominating possession, Costa added a second nine minutes from time, giving the teams a share of the spoils. Chelsea may also be without John Terry after he picked up an ankle injury.
Liverpool unveiled their new main stand and did so in pulsating fashion. The Reds played vintage Jurgen Klopp football, beating Leicester City 4-1. Roberto Firmino opened the scoring for Liverpool before Sadio Mane continued his fine run of form doubling the Reds’ lead.
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy pulled one back just before halftime, but Liverpool continued their swashbuckling counter-attack football. Adam Lallana added a third with a thunderous shot past Kasper Schmeichel. The Reds put the match out of reach as a quick counter caught Schmeichel in no man’s land. Mane’s pass was then converted by Firmino for his second of the day. Fantasy Premier League managers should buy Firmino and sell Schmeichel after the weekend’s action.
Stoke City’s woes continue as the Potters look like an early candidate for relegation after a 4-0 home loss to Tottenham. Spurs kept 60% of the possession as South Korean Son Heung-Min picked up man of the match honours. Deployed on the left side of the attack, Son scored Tottenham’s first two goals of the match. Dele Alli added a third before Son set up Harry Kane for a fourth. Stoke’s attack was poor on the day, recording a 72% pass success rate and a mere two shots on target.
Southampton’s three match win streak against Arsenal came to an end after a 2-1 loss at the Emirates. The Saints got off to an early lead thanks to Petr Cech’s 18th minute own goal from a Southampton set piece. The Gunners struck back minutes later when Laurent Koscielny scored with a low shot from an Arsenal corner.
Minutes into second half stoppage-time, Southampton’s Jose Fonte was judge to have fouled Olivier Giroud inside the penalty area. Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla stepped up and scored the penalty kick, giving the Gunners their second straight win and condemning Southampton to their second loss.
English Premier League Gameweek 4
Manchester United 1-2 Manchester City
Middlesbrough 1-2 Crystal Palace
Stoke City 0-4 Tottenham
Arsenal 2-1 Southampton
Bournemouth 1-0 West Brom
Burnley 1-1 Hull City
West Ham 2-4 Watford
Liverpool 4-1 Leicester City
Swansea 2-2 Chelsea
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