Rolling Stone India Pitch: Leicester City’s High Fives, Liverpool’s Nervy Win and More

Matchday seven of the Premier League saw Leicester City thump five past 10-men Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur secured a win for themselves despite being a man down and we also witnessed the not so thrilling fixture between Manchester United and Arsenal.

We began at Bramall Lane, the home of Sheffield United, where they welcomed league leaders Liverpool. The Reds weren’t at their vintage best for this fixture and needed a Georginio Wijnaldum strike and a fumble from Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson to secure a 1-0 win and maintain their 100 percent record in the Premier League this season.

Georginio Wijnaldum of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Liverpool FC at Bramall Lane. Photo: Visionhaus/Getty Images

Even though the Liverpool front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohammed Salah endured a frustrating match, manager Jurgen Klopp said after the game, “It’s normal you have to work hard for the points. You have to stay concentrated and do the right things. We did today. It was never a clicking day, it was an average day.”

Both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur won their home games against Brighton and Southampton respectively. The Blues outplayed their opponents and in the end secured a routine 2-0 win for themselves whereas Spurs had to fight for their 2-1 victory. Spurs’ Serge Aurier was sent off on 30 minutes which let Southampton level things at 1-1 a few moments later.  However, just before halftime Tottenham talisman Harry Kane scored to give his team the lead, which they managed to hold onto in the second half.

Current champions Manchester City continued their chase with Liverpool and won comfortably 3-1 away to Everton. With goals from Gabriel Jesus, Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling, manager Pep Guardiola said, “Everton have fast players, they caused a lot of problems at the back, so I’m delighted because we want to go for this league and try to win it again.”

Over at the King Power Stadium, Leicester City ran riot and treated their home fans to a 5-0 victory over Newcastle United. Although the Tyne Side club had Isaac Hayden sent off on the stroke of halftime, take nothing away from Brendan Rodgers’ men. Striker Jamie Vardy netted a brace that took him to five goals for the season. The 2016 champions currently sit third in the table with 14 points and Rodgers played down their chances for a top-four spot saying, “It’s very early in the season. We know it’s a big ask because of all the other clubs that have been regulars there. We are only really focusing on how we play, looking at our performance levels.”

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (left) and Arsenal manager Unai Emery. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Images/Getty Images

Last night Manchester United hosted Arsenal at Old Trafford for what was once the clash in English football but has lately become a tail of two sleeping giants. The entirety of the first half was a snooze fest barring Scott Mctominay’s wonder strike on 45 minutes. Arsenal manager Unai Emery’s negative tactics of sitting back did nothing to help their cause. Arsenal was lucky to be gifted a chance early in the second half which was taken calmly by striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after a dodgy offside call was overturned by VAR. United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after the draw, “We didn’t get out of the blocks quick enough at the start of the second half. It felt like Arsenal were more proactive until they scored their goal.”

Matchday eight will see Brighton host Tottenham, Liverpool take on Leicester City at Anfield, Chelsea travel to Southampton, Manchester City play at home to Wolves, Arsenal go up against Bournemouth, Newcastle United welcome Manchester United and more.