Sunday’s Premier League action in gameweek eight could prove to be pivotal in the title race and for the future of one boss. Here is what happened in those potentially crucial games:
Wolves late show stuns City
Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Wolves, which leaves Pep Guardiola’s side eight points behind league leaders Liverpool. For the first time this season, the Merseysider’s are now favourites to win the title after the Reds last-gasp 2-1 win over Leicester last time out.
City struggled to create much of an attacking threat, although Spanish maestro David Silva did hit the woodwork prior to the visitors taking the lead. However, it was an unusually poor attacking display from Pep Guardiola’s side, who are usually so potent in front of goal.
Both of the visitor’s goals came on the counter-attack, with the first arriving with just ten minutes remaining. Mexican striker Raul Jimenez beat Nicolas Otamendi before finding Adama Traore, who kept his cool to fire home just his second goal in 73 top-flight appearances. At the other end of the pitch, Sergio Aguero fired an effort wide of goal after beating Willy Boly.
Four minutes into stoppage-time Traore raced past a number of City defenders before firing home his second of the game. The goal secured the visitors first away win of the season and saw them move up to 11th place in the top-flight table.
For City, it was the first time in 45 home games in the Premier League that they have failed to score. The loss was also the Citizens first defeat since December of last year, when they lost against Crystal Palace.
Red Devils suffer more misery on Tyneside
Manchester United season went from bad to worse in the late kick-off, as the Red Devils suffered a 1-0 defeat at Newcastle. The victory added even more pressure on under-fire boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The home side had the first attempt on goal through debutant Matty Longstaff. The youngsters thunderous effort on goal smashed back off the United bar with goalkeeper David de Gea beaten. The Magpies continued to have the better of the openings, with Fabian Schar headed on to the roof of the net. Harry Maguire also needed to block a Miguel Almiron effort on goal.
The Red Devils had their first effort on goal on 39 minutes through Andreas Pereira. England international Harry Maguire headed over from close-range in first-half stoppage-time. The visitors dominated the early proceedings of the second period, but lack the attacking ideas to fashion a breakthrough. At the other end of the pitch, substitute Andy Carroll sent a powerful header over the bar.
It was the home side who found the breakthrough on 72 minutes. Full-back Jetro Willems rolled the ball back to debutant Longstaff, who struck a powerful drive beyond the despairing dive of De Gea. The effort was that really meaningful attempt of the game.
The victory moved Newcastle out of the relegation zone and into 16th place. It was the first-ever win as a boss for Steve Bruce against his former club in 23 attempts. It was another bad day at the office for Manchester United, who are enduring their worse start to a league campaign since season 1989/90. The Red Devils are now just a point above Newcastle in the standings.
Sunday’s other Premier League results
Arsenal 1-0 Bournemouth
Southampton 1-4 Chelsea
Has Manchester City now blown their chance of winning the title in three straight seasons?
