Diaz fires Liverpool top of Premier League, spurs bounce back
Liverpool moved to the top of the Premier League table with a commanding 3-0 win over Bournemouth at Anfield on Saturday, September 21, 2024. The Reds bounced back in style after their unexpected loss to Nottingham Forest the previous week, showcasing a solid performance in front of their home crowd.
Luis Diaz, who had been rested in Liverpool’s midweek Champions League victory over AC Milan, returned to the starting lineup and made an immediate impact. The Colombian winger scored twice in quick succession, first capitalising on a defensive error by Bournemouth goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga and then firing in a second goal set up by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Diaz’s goals brought his tally to five for the season.
Darwin Nunez, starting his first match of the season, ended his goal drought with a stunning strike into the far corner, wrapping up the three points for Liverpool before half-time. The Uruguayan striker had gone 14 games without scoring for his club but marked his return with a crucial goal.
The win propelled Liverpool to the top of the Premier League standings, overtaking Manchester City and Aston Villa on goal difference. With 12 points from five matches, Liverpool’s strong start to the season under new manager Arne Slot continues to gather momentum.
*Tottenham Bounce Back with 3-1 Win Over Brentford*
At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Spurs secured a much-needed 3-1 victory against Brentford to relieve some of the pressure on manager Ange Postecoglou. The match got off to a dramatic start when Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo fired home a stunning volley just 22 seconds into the game, silencing the home crowd.
However, Tottenham responded quickly, with Dominic Solanke tapping in his first goal for the club after Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken parried a shot from James Maddison. Brennan Johnson, who had faced criticism in recent weeks, put Spurs ahead with a well-placed finish, and Maddison added a third goal in the 85th minute to secure the win.
The victory marked only Tottenham’s second league win of the season, easing some of the tension around Postecoglou’s early tenure.
*Villa Continue Strong Start, Chelsea Cruise*
Aston Villa also continued their impressive start to the campaign with a 3-1 comeback victory over Wolves. After falling behind to a powerful strike from Matheus Cunha, Villa equalised through Ollie Watkins before Ezri Konsa and substitute Jhon Duran completed the turnaround. Villa are now level on points with Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the table.
Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 win over West Ham, with Senegalese striker Nicolas Jackson netting twice. His clinical finishes took his tally to four goals in five league matches this season. Cole Palmer added a third for Chelsea shortly after the break, capping off a comfortable afternoon for Enzo Maresca’s side. West Ham’s struggles under new manager Julen Lopetegui continued as they slumped to their third consecutive home defeat.
*Looking Ahead*
Manchester United will face Crystal Palace later on Saturday, seeking to avenge their heavy defeat at Selhurst Park last season. Meanwhile, the blockbuster clash of the weekend will see champions Manchester City take on Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. With both teams expected to be in the title race again this season, it promises to be a thrilling encounter.
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