EPL WK 8 Review: Man Utd, Arsenal Win, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City Remain Unbeaten

PL MATCHDAY 8 REVIEW By Babatunde Ojo BSNSports.com.ng takes a look at the proceedings in week 8 of the EPL. It was a case of contrasting fortunes for teams in the English Premier League as Matchday 8 recorded unprecedented results. The Matchday 8 recorded 3 home wins, 5 away wins & 2 draws with a total of 26 goals scored. Brighton & Hove Albion kicked off proceedings on Friday at the Amex Stadium against West Ham with Chris Hughton's men claiming all 3 points courtesy of Glenn Murray's lone strike. West Ham's loss means they have now lost all 3 of their top-flight visits to Brighton, losing in 1981/82, 1982/83 & 2018/19 seasons. In the second game of the week, Burnley played a 1-1 draw against Huddersfield Town at Turf Moor with Sam Vokes heading the home side in front in the 20th minute but David Wagner's men rallied back & equalized in the 66th minute through Schindler. The visitors have failed to win a single game in 8 games this season. Matt Doherty's 56th minute strike gave Wolverhampton Wanderers all 3 points at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace , a game which Nuno Espirito Santo's men became the first team in premier league history to name the same starting XI for the opening 8 games. In other games, Everton defeated Leicester City 1-2 at the King Power Stadium courtesy of goals by Richardson & Gylfi Sigurdsson in the 7th & 77th minutes. Ricardo Pereira scored the home side's only goal in he 40th minute, a game which the Claude Puel led side played the final stages with 10 men as captain Wes Morgan was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. It was the Jamaican international's 2nd sending off this season. Watford had a game to forget at the Vicarage Road as they were soundly beaten by Bournemouth by 4 goals to nothing courtesy of goals by Brooks in the 14th minute, a double by Josh King in the 33rd minute from the penalty spot & another in the 45th minute. Callum Wilson also got in the act in the 47th minute to give Eddie Howe's side their biggest top-flight away win in premier league history. Watford played more than an hour of the game with 10 men as Christian Kabasele was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 32nd minute. It was Watford's 13th red card since returning to the premier league in 2015/16. They have been shown more red cards than any other side in the premier league. Manchester United got back to winning ways & had Alexis Sanchez to thank as his goal in added time ensured that the Red Devils defeated Newcastle 3-2 at Old Trafford. Newcastle had a fiery start as 2 goals in 10 minutes by Kenedy & Yuto in the 7th & 10th minute gave the Rafa Benitez side a comfortable lead into the break but a Juan Mata goal via a free kick in the 70th minute started Manchester United's come back with Anthony Martial equalising in the 76th minute. The win ended Manchester United's 4 match winless home run in all competitions with manager Jose Mourinho facing lots of criticisms from the clubs supporters & ex players. On Sunday, Arsenal stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 9 with a comprehensive 1-5 away win at Craven Cottage in a London derby. 2 goals each by Alexander Lacazette & Pierre Emerick Aubameyang sandwiched between Aaron Ramsey's contender for goal of the season gave Unai Emery's men all 3 points. Andre Schurrle scored the home side's lone goal. In the second game on Sunday, Chelsea dispatched Southampton 0-3 at St Mary's with goals by Eden Hazard on the half hour mark , a debut goal by Ross Barkley & a 90th minute goal by a rejuvenated Alvaro Morata who as now scored 2 goals in his last 2 matches. Liverpool & Manchester City shared the spoils in a goalless encounter at Anfield , a match that the premier league defending champions could have won but for Riyad Mahrez's 86th minute penalty miss. A look at the table shows that the trio of Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool who remain unbeaten so far his season occupy the 1st, 2nd & 3rd positions respectively while Huddersfield Town, Newcastle United & Cardiff City who have failed to win a single game in 8 games occupy the 18th, 19th & 20 positions.