EPL Saturday round-up: Arsenal earn 2-0 win, Manchester City maintain 100% record

Both of Arsenal’s strikers Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud found the back of the net against Stoke City at the Emirates to earn them, what turned out to be a comfortable victory in the end. Manchester City’s 100% record in the Premier League went on as Iheanacho handed them the winning goal in the 89th minute while breaking The Eagles’ hearts.

The Gunners started the game on a high tempo, creating a few opportunities that they should have taken to put daylight between them and Mark Hughes’ side but they were in a manner typical to them this season wasteful at the beginning. Walcott, who would later run on to an Ozil ball over the top to score past Jack Butland, missed a great opportunity early on from close range as he did earlier this season as well.

The opening minutes set the tone for the rest of the game as Arsene Wenger’s side would relentlessly create opportunities only to be denied by Jack Butland on multiple occasions. The 2-0 scoreline barely tells the story of the flurry of chances that Arsenal created. Stoke too had their chances in spells where they threatened Petr Cech’s goal but Olivier Giroud would come on late to put the game past the Londoners as he turned in a Santi Cazorla free kick.

Manchester City 1-0 Crystal Palace

The blue half of Manchester must be absolutely buzzing with the absolutely blistering start they have had with 5 wins out of 5 for them and to top their achievements, no team has breached their defence so far. Their 100% record was little more than a minute from being taken down by Alan Pardew’s Crystal Palace but it was not to be as the 18-year-old Nigerian strikers Kelechi Iheanacho pounced on McCarthy’s save to put the ball in the net for the Citizens.

There were a couple of penalties that seemed to have been denied during the course of the game at both ends. In the first half, Yohan Cabaye was brought down in the box and in a similar manner Samir Nasri was taken down in the opposition box in the second half but neither side were awarded the spot-kick.

Watford 1-0 Swansea City

The Swans succumbed to their first defeat of the season playing at Vicarage Road against the newly promoted Watford side. A lone goal from striker Odion Ighalo won the game for the men in yellow despite Valon Behrami’s sending off only minutes after Watford’s goal.

Neither side looked too threatening but it was a matter of fine margins and the home side were able to nick the game despite going down to 10 men late on.

West Brom 0-0 Southampton

The highlight of the goalless draw at the Hawthorns was the re-introduction of Saido Berahino to the Baggies’ first team as he came on to replace Rickie Lambert but could not make a telling impact on the game. The English striker through social media seemed to make a declaration that he would never play for West Brom again but quickly went back on his words this weekend.

Dusan Tadic was the Saints’ brightest spot but neither side were able to find a goal to swing the tie in their favour.

Norwich 3-1 Bournemouth

The Canaries went 3 goals up thanks to the exploits of Wes Hoolahan and debut hero Matt Jarvis who made the move from Aston Villa. Cameron Jerome opened the scoring for Norwich followed by Hoolahan and Jarvis getting on the scoresheet to make it more convincing reading before Steve Cook pulled one back late on for Bournemouth.

This meant that Norwich registered their first win of the season in the Premier League at home while Eddie Howe’s side are left to regroup from the thrashing they received at the hands of another promoted side.