The Malta Independent 28 April 2024, Sunday
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Chelsea go top as Liverpool's unbeaten start ends; Everton's remains

Malta Independent Saturday, 21 September 2013, 20:30 Last update: about 11 years ago

Liverpool's unbeaten start to the season was ended by Southampton on Saturday as rival Everton won at West Ham to remain the only unbeaten Premier League side.

Liverpool provisionally remains top of the standings despite Dejan Lovren's header giving Southampton a 1-0 victory at Anfield.

Everton staged a second-half comeback to beat 10-man West Ham 3-2, with two goals from Leighton Baines before Romelu Lukaku headed in the winner.

The meeting of the league's two winless sides ended with West Bromwich Albion beating Sunderland 3-0.

Hull came from behind to win 3-2 at Newcastle, and Aston Villa ended a three-game losing streak by overcoming Norwich 1-0.

Liverpool has been the surprise package this season as it searches not only for a first English title since 1990, but just a return to the top four Champions League places.

But against Southampton, Liverpool couldn't find a way past goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who made a key save from captain Steven Gerrard's free kick in the first half and also denied Victor Moses.

Southampton's winner came in the 54th, with Lovren rising to meet Adam Lallana's corner and head home on the turn.

Liverpool was upstaged on Saturday by Merseyside neighbor Everton.

West Ham led at half time through Ravel Morrison and, although Baines equalized in the 62nd, the hosts' lead was restored from the penalty spot by Mark Noble.

The game swung back in Everton's favor after Kevin Nolan was sent off in the 81st for a foul on Ross Barkley just outside the box.

And Baines leveled again for Everton from a free kick two minutes later before substitute Lukaku headed in from Kevin Mirallas' cross.

Lukaku is on loan at Goodison Park after Jose Mourinho found no need for him at Chelsea this season.

Last season he thrived on loan at West Brom.

Without the striker, the Midlands club had taken more than a month into the season to win a league game.

There was a debut goal against Sunderland for Stephane Sessegnon, who was sold by visiting manager Paolo di Canio in an acrimonious deadline day move earlier this month.

After Liam Ridgewell scored the second in the second half, Morgan Amalfitano rounded off the victory in stoppage time.

At Carrow Road, Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved a penalty from Robert Snodgrass in the 6th after Ciaran Clark handled.

It proved costly as Libor Kozak netted for Villa on the half-hour.

The Czech Republic striker, who came on for the injured Christian Benteke, scored with a close-range shot set up by Gabriel Agbonlahor.

At Newcastle, Loic Remy put the hosts in front twice in the first half but the first goal was canceled out by Robbie Brady and the second by Ahmed Elmohamady.

But before Sone Aluko volleyed in a winner in the 76th for Hull to pick up its first points on the road since returning to the Premier League.

John Obi Mikel scored his first ever Premier League goal as Chelsea's four-game winless run ended on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League.

After Oscar powered in the opener early in the second half, Mikel sliced the ball into the net in the 84th minute of the west London derby.

The Nigeria midfielder had only previously scored twice for Chelsea, in the FA Cup in January 2007 during Jose Mourinho's first reign as manager.

Mourinho's return has not gone to plan, presiding over the club's worst start to a season since Roman Abramovich's investment started a decade ago.

This victory, however unconvincing, enabled Chelsea to dislodge Liverpool from the top of the standings ahead of Sunday's games.

   
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