"We need a win to get back to the top 10. We're 17th or 18th, we have to get out of there."
The focus shifted from Merseyside to North London with Arsenal and neighbours Tottenham Hotspur leading the English Premier League table after week 5.
Arsenal beat Stoke City 3-1 to move top of the Premier League table with twelve points from five games. They were joined by Tottenham at the top, following a 1-0 away win against Cardiff City.
Manchester United were thrashed by their ‘noisy neighbours’ Manchester City and Shahid Khan’s Fulham lost 2-0 to Chelsea.
Everton is the only team to remain unbeaten in the league with an away win at West Ham United, while Liverpool lost their first game of the season as Southampton defeated them 1-0 at Anfield.
Newcastle United also lost 2-3 at home to Hull City as West Bromwich Albion brushed aside Sunderland 3-0 at home in what ended up being Manager Paolo Di Canio’s last game for the Mackems.
Swansea continued their European form by beating Crystal Palace 2-0 at Selhurst Park.
Manchester City 4 Manchester United 1 – 4pm KO, Sunday
In the marquee clash of the Premier League, the Manchester derby was a result that both David Moyes and the Manchester United fans would want to forget in a hurry. A brace by Sergio Agüero helped Manchester City thrash Manchester United 4-1 at home.
United’s Manager Moyes had an early setback with the news that Robin van Persie would not play because of a groin strain.
It took just sixteen minutes for Argentinian international Agüero to give Manchester City the lead versus Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
And just at the stroke of half time, an unmarked Yaya Touré doubled the lead for the Citizens, with a good move from a set piece corner, scoring with his knee. Manchester City went into half time with a 2-0 lead.
Two minutes into the second half, things went from bad to worse for the defending champions, as Agüero found the back of the net yet again to make it 3-0 for Manchester City.
The memory of the 6-1 drubbing at the hands of City in 2011 must have been at the back of every United fans mind as a brilliant strike [volley] from Samir Nasri in the 50th minute made it 4-0.
Wayne Rooney did pull one back for the visitors in the 87th minute, but it was too little too late, as City convincingly beat United 4-1.
A disappointed Rooney expressed his feelings after the match and said.
“It’s nice to score but it means nothing. It’s a bad day for us. We’ll forget about this now and try to move on.”
Some hopeful thoughts from the Manchester United Mumbai Twitter account, tweeted: “Frustrating, but its only 5 games into the season. Roll on Liverpool on Wednesday.”
The loss sees United slip to 8th position in the points table with two wins in five matches.
Chelsea 2 Fulham 0 – 5.30pm KO, Saturday
Fulham owner Shahid Khan’s first West London derby ended in a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea, who have had their worst start to the league in ten years registered their third win from five matches this season.
After a somewhat uneventful first half, the blues found their form and scored through Brazilian Oscar shortly into the second half [52nd minute].
But the highlight of the day was Jon Obi Mikel’s‘ goal, six minutes from time. The goal came from a corner, as captain, John Terry set Mikel to score from close range.
This was the first ever goal by the Nigerian for Chelsea in the Premier League after playing 184 matches. The defeat left Fulham struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table.
Fulham Manager, Martin Jol said after the game: “We need a win to get back to the top 10. We’re 17th or 18th, we have to get out of there.”
Arsenal 3 Stoke City 1 – 1.30pm KO, Sunday
New signing Mesut Özil was the key man in this encounter, being involved in all three goals, as Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League with a 3-1 victory over Stoke City.
In-form Aaron Ramsey gave Gunners the lead in the 5th minute. The Welshman notched his 7th goal in eight games after Özil’s free kick was parried by Stoke keeper, Asmir Begovic.
Stoke City did equalise through American Geff Cameron – his first goal in 40 appearances for the club.
However, ten minutes later, Arsenal’s lead was restored when Germany’s Per Mertesacker headed home from a corner delivered by fellow countryman, Özil.
Özil was at it again when his free kick found the head of Bacary Sagna to wrap up the points for Arsenal. This sealed a 7th consecutive win in all competitions for the club managed by Arsene Wenger.
So influential was Özil that an Arsenal fan in India jokingly tweeted: “If you’re facing a problem in life, contact Özil. He’ll ‘assist’ you.”
Liverpool 0 Southampton 1 – 3pm KO, Saturday
Liverpool’s twelve match unbeaten run in the Premier League ended with a shock 1-0 defeat to Southampton at home.
Southampton’s tactic of keeping Daniel Sturridge at bay by cutting off the service to him worked a treat for them.
The home supporters were surprised in the 54th minute when Croatian international Dejan Lovren [centre half], beat Daniel Agger in the air to complete a well deserved win for the Saints.
Southampton, who were the last team to beat Liverpool in the league, inflicted defeat on the Merseysiders once again.
Cardiff 0 Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 4pm KO, Sunday
An injury time winner by Paulinho sent Tottenham Hotspur to joint top on points with Arsenal.
After early heroics from Cardiff Goalkeeper David Marshall to keep Tottenham quiet, a back-heeled winner by Brazilian International Paulinho sent the away fans wild at the final whistle.
Lady Luck wasn’t smiling on the Welsh side it seemed, especially when Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was not cautioned for handling the ball outside his box.
Cardiff’s misery continue when a goal was ruled out after a foul on Lloris.
All in all, Spurs fine display ensured another key win, which keeps them on par with Arsenal.
Aston Villa’s Manager Paul Lambert, formerly of Norwich went to Carrow Road and enjoyed a 1-0 win. Villa’s Czech Striker, Libor Kozák scored in the 30th minute to give them the three points. Villa’s Goalkeeper Brad Guzan played his part by keeping out a Robert Snodgrass penalty.
Sunderland’s 3-0 drubbing at the hands of West Bromwich Albion proved to be crucial for Manager Paolo Di Canio. Following Saturday’s defeat, Di Canio was sacked on Sunday after just six months in charge.
Elsewhere there were good wins for Everton, Newcastle United and Swansea City during week 5 of the Premier League.
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