José Mourinho claimed that his Chelsea beat “the best team in England” after the 2-1 defeat of Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. It is highly debatable that the Blue Moons are in fact the best team in England, but they are without doubt one of the richest in Europe, just like their West London counterparts. However, even a team blessed with two world-class players for one position are still not immune to farcical mistakes, as the profound and hilarious misunderstanding between Matija Nastasić and goalkeeper Joe Hart gifted a late winner to Chelsea. Fernando Torres grabbed the golden opportunity to lift the Blues into second spot above Liverpool on goal difference.
Torres’ late winning goal helped the Blues climb to second
Arsenal remains on top after seeing off Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Mikel Arteta’s red card in the second half gave the home team some hope, but Olivier Giroud’s late header locked up all three points for the competition leaders. Both Merseyside clubs registered victories last weekend as Everton beat Aston Villa 2-0, while Liverpool routed West Brom 4-1 at Anfield. Luis Suarez, who owner John Henry nicknamed “the magician” on Twitter, scored his first ever hat-trick on the Reds’ home ground. The Uruguayan has scored six goals in four league outings since returning from a 10-match ban, edging close to the league’s top scorer – teammate Daniel Sturridge – who produced his side’s fourth goal with a brilliant lob.
Luis Suarez scored his first hat trick at Anfield
Manchester United snatched three points at home, even though Stoke City looked likely to leave with the points when they twice took the lead. Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernández’s late goals came to the rescue in another classic comeback. But does United’s old habit mean there is light at the end of the tunnel? Opinions may vary, as Stoke City is a mediocre team at best.
In other games, both Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton took all three points, while Swansea and Norwich City produced two uninspiring 0-0 draws at home. With only eight points setting apart Arsenal and the eighth-placed Manchester United, anything can happen in the grueling league marathon.
