Date: Saturday 15 August 2015
Kickoffs: 3pm
The second week of the 2015/16 Premier League season commenced on Friday night and it further proved why it's the best league in the world. From Norwich's obliteration of Sunderland, to Leicester maintaining their 100% record, it delivered.
Here is a recap from all the action across the country on the 3pm kickoffs of Saturday 15 August 2015.
Sunderland 1 - 3 Norwich
Goalscorers Martin (26'), Whittaker (37'), Redmond (57'), Watmore (88')
Dick Advocaat's Sunderland failed to avoid another blasphemous disappointment as The Black Cats have now conceded seven goals in their past two games.
Both sides lost their first games respectively but it was euphoria for Norwich City who secure their very first victory since returning to England's top tier last May.
The Canaries commanded play, beginning the first half in high-octane nature and finally got their reward. Robbie Brady's left-footed shot was finely parried by the Sunderland goalkeeper but his efforts meant very little in the end as the ball tipped off Martin at close range and went in.
In truth, it was farcical defending from The Black Cats. Runner allowed a free shot from a quick, short corner, keeper palmed, tap-in.
And it got even worse for the home side. Steven Whittaker and Wes Hoolahan combined down the right hand side of the field, Whittaker skipped away from Sunderland full-back Van Aanholt and fired a right-footed shot from the right side of the box that scampered past Costel Pantilimon.
It got even worse for the Sunderland supporters, well, for the very few that actually stayed. The third goal? As easy as you like. Norwich starlet Nathan Redmond effortlessly ran in behind the catastrophic Sunderland back-line and his shot rolled right into the bottom corner to establish further daylight for The Canaries.
Youngster Duncan Watmore scored a consolation late on, but it remains another dreadful day for The Black Cats faithful.
Swansea City 2 - 2 Newcastle United
Goalscorers Gomis (9'), A. Ayew (52), Jaanmat (sent off 41')
Swansea City built on their defiant performance away at Chelsea last week as they blitzed Newcastle United, under the tutelage of Steve McClaren.
Bafe Gomis netted in that game against the Champions last weekend and made the Swansea supporters sing the praises of the Frenchman once again. Jonjo Shelvey's defence-splitting pass found Gomis who took a sublime first touch before rounding Krul and slotting into the net.
Jefferson Montero tore full-back Branislav Ivanovic a proverbial last week at Stamford Bridge and McClaren's Newcastle could not control the Ecuadorian. He cracked the post, after forcing Daryl Jaanmat in tugging his shirt back after skipping past the Dutchman; the no.22 was rightly sent off by the referee who was very unsympathetic in his decision.
The Swans shortly made it 2-0 after the interval, courtesy of a glancing Andre Ayew header.
Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 2 Stoke City
Goalscorers Dier (19), Chadli (45+2), Arnautovic (79' pen), Diouf (83')
Tottenham Hotspur secured their first victory of the 2015/16 Premier League season as they defeated Stoke City 2-0 at White Hart Lane.
Defender Eric Dier pounced on some dismal marking in the box to pummel his header past goalkeeper Jack Butland in the 19th minute, while Nacer Chadli doubled Spurs' lead just before the interval.
It was Christian Eriksen over the ball again, but this time his corner found the head of the perfectly-positioned Eric Dier, who climbed the ladder and headed past Butland into the back of the net.
Spurs persistently kept the ball methodically, while Stoke City couldn't sustain anything in attack. The most recent sequence was rudderless and indecisive, not even coming close to generating any chance at all.
Tottenham doubled their lead just before the break. Kane picked the ball up from a deep-lying role with a long pass into the area to full-back Ben Davies, whose cross was volleyed into the net by the onrushing Nacer Chadli. 2-0.
Harry Kane almost opened his account for the season, but his effort was thwarted by an acrobatic save! A wonderfully-timed ball from the goalscorer Chadli found an onrushing Kane, whose ambitious volley demanded a world-class effort from the Stoke shot-stopper.
Pochettino must have been worried when starlet Harry Kane was forced to depart courtesy of an injury after an hour. He appeared to be on the bench icing his calf, which may have been giving his problems initially.
Mark Hughes' side finally began playing some prepossessing football and eventually got their reward. Joselu was rashly brought down in the box by Toby Alderweireld who conceded his side a penalty; Arnautovic calmly took three steps and pounded the ball left of Lloris. Could they find an equalizer before time ran out?
They could! Stephen Ireland's beautiful entry pass from the left flank managed to find the head of the onrushing Diouf, who'd been cruelly denied twice previously by Lloris. Third time lucky for the Senegalese striker and his first goal of the season inspired his side who looked ready to counter if given the chance.
Neither side found a winner, but it was an entertaining fixture nonetheless.
Watford 0 - 0 West Bromwich Albion
Goalscorers
Newboys Watford and West Bromwich Albion played out a stalemate as the away side fail to impress once again.
Far from a thrilling game, the away side had the best chance of the game--Saido Berahino's header from close range went a whisker wide of the framework, which summed up Tony Pulis' side's dismal performance.
West Ham United 1 - 2 Leicester City
Goalscorers Okazaki (27'), Mahrez (38'), Payet (55'), Adrian (90+2 sent off)
Leicester City maintained their perfect start under Claudio Ranieri as they beat West Ham United 2-1 at Upton Park, fresh off their victory over London rivals Arsenal. The home side walloped Sunderland last week.
Shinji Okazaki bagged the first Premier League goal of his career in the 27th minute; the Japanese international headed home the loose ball after goalkeeper Adrian superbly blocked his volley.
Riyad Mahrez established further daylight before half-time, pummeling the ball past Adrian for his third goal of the season.
Slaven Bilic's side gradually improved after the break, they began to keep the ball methodically but could not split the Leicester back-line. It was nice seeing signs of improvement.
And they got their reward! Dimitri Payet starred in the hard-fought and complex victory over Arsenal last weekend and pulled a goal back for The Hammers, but their best chance of an equalizer was gobbled up by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel shortly after.
Judging by their vocal response, the Upton Park faithful believed their side could find an immediate equalizer. Under Sam Allardyce, this would not have happened. There's been a new belief established within the club since Bilic took over.
The Hammers chased an ordnance and perhaps got too carried away as stoppage time dwindled down -- goalkeeper Adrian charged up for a corner but was sent off for a requisite challenge on Jamie Vardy. And that was that.
More: Southampton - Everton match report
Kickoffs: 3pm
The second week of the 2015/16 Premier League season commenced on Friday night and it further proved why it's the best league in the world. From Norwich's obliteration of Sunderland, to Leicester maintaining their 100% record, it delivered.
Here is a recap from all the action across the country on the 3pm kickoffs of Saturday 15 August 2015.
Sunderland 1 - 3 Norwich
Goalscorers Martin (26'), Whittaker (37'), Redmond (57'), Watmore (88')
Dick Advocaat's Sunderland failed to avoid another blasphemous disappointment as The Black Cats have now conceded seven goals in their past two games.
Both sides lost their first games respectively but it was euphoria for Norwich City who secure their very first victory since returning to England's top tier last May.
The Canaries commanded play, beginning the first half in high-octane nature and finally got their reward. Robbie Brady's left-footed shot was finely parried by the Sunderland goalkeeper but his efforts meant very little in the end as the ball tipped off Martin at close range and went in.
In truth, it was farcical defending from The Black Cats. Runner allowed a free shot from a quick, short corner, keeper palmed, tap-in.
And it got even worse for the home side. Steven Whittaker and Wes Hoolahan combined down the right hand side of the field, Whittaker skipped away from Sunderland full-back Van Aanholt and fired a right-footed shot from the right side of the box that scampered past Costel Pantilimon.
It got even worse for the Sunderland supporters, well, for the very few that actually stayed. The third goal? As easy as you like. Norwich starlet Nathan Redmond effortlessly ran in behind the catastrophic Sunderland back-line and his shot rolled right into the bottom corner to establish further daylight for The Canaries.
Youngster Duncan Watmore scored a consolation late on, but it remains another dreadful day for The Black Cats faithful.
Swansea City 2 - 2 Newcastle United
Goalscorers Gomis (9'), A. Ayew (52), Jaanmat (sent off 41')
Swansea City built on their defiant performance away at Chelsea last week as they blitzed Newcastle United, under the tutelage of Steve McClaren.
Bafe Gomis netted in that game against the Champions last weekend and made the Swansea supporters sing the praises of the Frenchman once again. Jonjo Shelvey's defence-splitting pass found Gomis who took a sublime first touch before rounding Krul and slotting into the net.
Jefferson Montero tore full-back Branislav Ivanovic a proverbial last week at Stamford Bridge and McClaren's Newcastle could not control the Ecuadorian. He cracked the post, after forcing Daryl Jaanmat in tugging his shirt back after skipping past the Dutchman; the no.22 was rightly sent off by the referee who was very unsympathetic in his decision.
The Swans shortly made it 2-0 after the interval, courtesy of a glancing Andre Ayew header.
Tottenham Hotspur 2 - 2 Stoke City
Goalscorers Dier (19), Chadli (45+2), Arnautovic (79' pen), Diouf (83')
Tottenham Hotspur secured their first victory of the 2015/16 Premier League season as they defeated Stoke City 2-0 at White Hart Lane.
Defender Eric Dier pounced on some dismal marking in the box to pummel his header past goalkeeper Jack Butland in the 19th minute, while Nacer Chadli doubled Spurs' lead just before the interval.
It was Christian Eriksen over the ball again, but this time his corner found the head of the perfectly-positioned Eric Dier, who climbed the ladder and headed past Butland into the back of the net.
Spurs persistently kept the ball methodically, while Stoke City couldn't sustain anything in attack. The most recent sequence was rudderless and indecisive, not even coming close to generating any chance at all.
Tottenham doubled their lead just before the break. Kane picked the ball up from a deep-lying role with a long pass into the area to full-back Ben Davies, whose cross was volleyed into the net by the onrushing Nacer Chadli. 2-0.
Harry Kane almost opened his account for the season, but his effort was thwarted by an acrobatic save! A wonderfully-timed ball from the goalscorer Chadli found an onrushing Kane, whose ambitious volley demanded a world-class effort from the Stoke shot-stopper.
Pochettino must have been worried when starlet Harry Kane was forced to depart courtesy of an injury after an hour. He appeared to be on the bench icing his calf, which may have been giving his problems initially.
Mark Hughes' side finally began playing some prepossessing football and eventually got their reward. Joselu was rashly brought down in the box by Toby Alderweireld who conceded his side a penalty; Arnautovic calmly took three steps and pounded the ball left of Lloris. Could they find an equalizer before time ran out?
They could! Stephen Ireland's beautiful entry pass from the left flank managed to find the head of the onrushing Diouf, who'd been cruelly denied twice previously by Lloris. Third time lucky for the Senegalese striker and his first goal of the season inspired his side who looked ready to counter if given the chance.
Neither side found a winner, but it was an entertaining fixture nonetheless.
Watford 0 - 0 West Bromwich Albion
Goalscorers
Newboys Watford and West Bromwich Albion played out a stalemate as the away side fail to impress once again.
Far from a thrilling game, the away side had the best chance of the game--Saido Berahino's header from close range went a whisker wide of the framework, which summed up Tony Pulis' side's dismal performance.
West Ham United 1 - 2 Leicester City
Goalscorers Okazaki (27'), Mahrez (38'), Payet (55'), Adrian (90+2 sent off)
Leicester City maintained their perfect start under Claudio Ranieri as they beat West Ham United 2-1 at Upton Park, fresh off their victory over London rivals Arsenal. The home side walloped Sunderland last week.
Shinji Okazaki bagged the first Premier League goal of his career in the 27th minute; the Japanese international headed home the loose ball after goalkeeper Adrian superbly blocked his volley.
Riyad Mahrez established further daylight before half-time, pummeling the ball past Adrian for his third goal of the season.
Slaven Bilic's side gradually improved after the break, they began to keep the ball methodically but could not split the Leicester back-line. It was nice seeing signs of improvement.
And they got their reward! Dimitri Payet starred in the hard-fought and complex victory over Arsenal last weekend and pulled a goal back for The Hammers, but their best chance of an equalizer was gobbled up by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel shortly after.
Judging by their vocal response, the Upton Park faithful believed their side could find an immediate equalizer. Under Sam Allardyce, this would not have happened. There's been a new belief established within the club since Bilic took over.
The Hammers chased an ordnance and perhaps got too carried away as stoppage time dwindled down -- goalkeeper Adrian charged up for a corner but was sent off for a requisite challenge on Jamie Vardy. And that was that.
More: Southampton - Everton match report
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