Rolling Stone India Pitch: Man United Woes Continue, Liverpool Go 8 Points Clear at the Top

Matchday eight of the Premier League saw Liverpool maintain their 100 percent win rate this season, Manchester City were humbled by Wolverhampton Wanderers, Manchester United showed us that they are at their lowest this term and more.

After being thrashed by Bayern Munich 7-2 in the UEFA Champions League midweek, Tottenham Hotspur hoped to have a positive response when they visited Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. Unfortunately for the North London club, Brighton had other ideas. After conceding an early goal, Spurs captain and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris went off injured. Later in the game, a brace by Aaron Connolly gave Brighton a 3-0 win which meant that Spurs had conceded 10 goals in their last two games.

Tottenham’s Harry Kane. Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said after the game, “It was difficult to assess the team. In the first few moments, we conceded and then lost our goalkeeper. “It was very negative for the team, the emotion was massive. We did not play well. We are disappointed about that.” He added, “We cannot say that they did not deserve the three points. We never recovered from those opening few minutes. We could not change the dynamic of the game.”

Over at Anfield, league leaders Liverpool and Top 4 contenders Leicester City contested a tough match. The Reds’ Senegalese winger Sadio Mane found his scoring boots once again when he netted five minutes before the first half. Leicester found an equalizer 10 minutes prior to fulltime with a neat finish by James Maddison. The fiery final minutes led to a penalty for Liverpool which was tucked away by the ice-cool James Milner which made it eight wins out of eight for Liverpool.

Liverpool’s James Milner celebrating after scoring the winning goal from the penalty spot during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Leicester City. Photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Images

On Sunday Manchester City welcomed Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium. The champions who were looking to keep up the pace with Liverpool found themselves humbled by Wolves losing 2-0 to Nuno Espírito Santo’s side. City manager Pep Guardiola said, “We were not at our best. We had chances to score but it was a bad day and we lost the game. We did not make good process; we had problems in that sense. We are a team that plays a specific way but it is a bad day, that happens sometimes.” City’s loss meant they now trail first-placed Liverpool by eight points.

Adama Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Photo: Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images

The likes of Arsenal and Chelsea picked up 1-0 and 4-1 wins for themselves against Bournemouth and Southampton respectively. Arsenal defender David Luiz scored his first goal for the club while Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham scored his eighth goal of the season which sees him join Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero as joint top goalscorer this season.

The final game of the weekend was held at St. James’ Park where Newcastle United hosted Manchester United. Newcastle’s midfield was controlled by brothers Matthew Longstaff and Sean Longstaff with Matthew scoring the winner for the Tyne Side club to see his team beat Manchester United 1-0 at home. It was also Newcastle manager Steve Bruce’s 400th game in charge in the Premier League, the result ended Bruce’s long wait for a win over Manchester United, with whom he won three top-flight titles as a player.

Matthew Longstaff (right) of Newcastle United celebrates with teammate Andy Carroll after scoring his team’s goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United. Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

Manchester United currently sit in 12th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone, goalkeeper David De Gea said after the game, “The game isn’t acceptable, the whole season isn’t acceptable for us.” He added, “We didn’t create any proper chances. We have a lot to improve. I don’t know what to say. We need to step up.”

With club football coming to a halt this weekend due to the international break, the next round of fixtures will be held in a fortnight and will feature clashes between Manchester United and Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Watford, Chelsea and Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Manchester United, Sheffield United and Arsenal and more.