The Premier League title race took another dramatic twist on Sunday when leaders Manchester United blew a two-goal lead to draw 4-4 with Everton and Manchester City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 to narrow the gap to three points.
Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of moving into the top four stalled in a 2-2 draw at bottom club Norwich City, while several VAR interventions overshadowed the action. Images from EPL matches played on Saturday.
An own goal by Stoke City keeper Jack Butland gifted Leicester City an equaliser in a 1-1 Premier League draw at the King Power Stadium on Saturday and denied Paul Lambert's side a rare win on the road.
Images from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday
Leicester beat Southampton to open seven-point gap at the top.
Here are five talking points from the weekend's action:
Manchester City have signed England centre back John Stones from Everton as new manager Pep Guardiola continues to reshape his side for the start of the English Premier League season.
The relegation zone merry-go-round continued when Wigan Athletic beat Everton 1-0 to climb out of the bottom three on Monday. Henri Camara shot in from close range after being set up by Antonio Valencia in the 51st minute before Tim Cahill wasted a glorious late chance to earn Everton a point.
Following is a match by match look at the English Premier League's season-opening weekend fixtures:
Manchester City begin a crucial week in the Premier League title race when they host Arsenal at the Etihad on Sunday.
Liverpool are champions and Norwich City, the side whom they beat on Aug. 9 to launch their title charge, are down and Manchester City are distant runners-up. After that everything is up for grabs.
Swansea City came from behind to beat Arsenal 2-1 and Tottenham Hotspur's misery continued with a 2-1 home defeat by Stoke City, making it a nightmare Sunday for north London.
Responding to an initiative already run by fans of both clubs, City and United will donate 50,000 pounds each to the Trussell Trust, a support network of more than 1,200 food banks.
Tottenham Hotspur beat local rivals Arsenal with second-half goals from prolific pair Dele Alli and Harry Kane on Sunday to maintain their Premier league title challenge.
Three months after the last ball was kicked, the Premier League emerges from the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic this week for what will be a 92-match slog to the finish.
Arsenal will not sell striker Olivier Giroud, midfielder Jack Wilshere and winger Theo Walcott in the January transfer window despite their lack of playing time at the Premier League club, manager Arsene Wenger has said.
With Liverpool still to visit Chelsea, who trail them by nine points with two games in hand, Juergen Klopp's side may have to beat Brighton & Hove Albion on May 13 and rely on their superior goal difference to qualify for the Champions League, assuming they do not secure it by winning this year's trophy.
Tottenham Hotspur's tenacious chase of leaders Chelsea continued as they claimed a 12th consecutive Premier League home win with a 4-0 rout of Bournemouth on Saturday to cut the gap to four points.
Manchester City's impressive 2-0 victory at Everton on Sunday equalled a club record of nine successive Premier League wins.
Two big derbies and an eventful weekend of football awaits us all...
Leicester will remain second overnight with Everton, level on points with them, not playing later on Monday after their home match against Manchester City was postponed following more positive COVID-19 cases at City.
Jose Mourinho understands why Manchester United supporters gave Marouane Fellaini a negative reception during Sunday's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur but the manager will do all he can to protect the midfielder.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is facing a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines after he was carried off on a stretcher with a suspected knee ligament injury in Wednesday's League Cup semi-final win over Everton.
Here are talking points from the weekend's Premier League action:
Robert Huth's double and a Riyad Mahrez goal sent Premier League leaders Leicester City six points clear after a stunning 3-1 victory at shell-shocked title rivals Manchester City on Saturday.
Tottenham Hotspur routed Bournemouth 5-0 as they leapfrogged City into second place in the league, six points behind leaders Liverpool who thrashed Newcastle United 4-0.
Everton missed the chance to secure a place in next season's UEFA Cup when they were beaten 1-0 by Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
Jota's header earned the three points but it was a struggle in the rain for Juergen Klopp's side who looked uneasy at the back without the injured Virgil van Dijk.
Former Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has expressed his interest in the vacant managerial positions at Premier League sides Leicester City and Everton.
The visitors' display was enough to earn them applause from their fans at the end.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Chelsea to host Burnley in Premier League season ope
Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini contemplated leaving the club after a disappointing debut season but the towering Belgian believes he is now reaping the rewards of fighting for his place at Old Trafford.
Leicester City's Premier League title defence got off to a terrible start as they were beaten 2-1 at promoted Hull City, who shrugged off an injury crisis to shock the champions on the opening day of the new season on Saturday
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field.
Images from the English Premier League matches played on Saturday
Livewire striker Javier Hernandez struck six minutes from time to give Manchester United a 1-0 home win over Everton that extended their Premier League lead to nine points on Saturday.
Following is a match by match look at the English Premier League's weekend fixtures:
Wenger's future at Arsenal will be decided after FA Cup final
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances