Premier League football games with talking points from the outset.
If there were ever betting odds on which official would be at the height of the controversy, Mike Dean would always be a sports betting favourite.
He certainly isn’t a Spurs favourite after a key decision in the North London derby went against the Lily Whites. And he wasn’t helped by one of his assistants shortly afterwards either.
Perhaps Arsenal deserved a bit of luck?
Arsenal 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
It was the first Premier League win for Arsenal over arch-rivals Tottenham in seven games, spanning more than three years.
There wasn’t much in it except the two goals inside seven minutes towards the end of the first half, courtesy of Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez.
A harsh decision to award a free-kick which led to the opener will mean Dean is at the centre of attention once again. It can also be argued that the hosts’ second was offside.
This win moved the Gunners to within a point of their North London foes.
Bournemouth 4-0 Huddersfield Town
Even a sending-off in first half stoppage time failed to check the Cherries’ newfound momentum.
This romp secured a third win in four games and inflicted Huddersfield’s heaviest defeat of the season.
Step forward Callum Wilson whose hat-trick was a players’ dream on his continued return from almost 10 months out with injury.
Burnley 2-0 Swansea City
That the Clarets are within a point of the Premier League top four speaks volumes for the work Sean Dyche is conducting at this proud Lancashire club.
Two first-half goals from Jack Cork and Ashley Barnes set the seal on an opening 45 minutes in which the Swans were completely outplayed.
The goal-shy Welsh have to quickly get on their shooting boots or they will remain in deep trouble.
Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton
After a breathtaking start, both clubs may be relieved to have emerged with a point.
Two goals inside the opening six minutes set the tone for an exciting contest, even if it was littered with defensive mistakes.
Palace seem more coherent under Roy Hodgson. Everton realistically know they could do with such an experienced manager to lift them out of their malaise.
Leicester City 0-2 Manchester City
The margins can be thin in football.
That Man City should have been played most of this match with 10 men – Vincent Kompany escaped with just a yellow card for a 2nd minute professional foul – and scored their match-clinching second, moments after Leicester had hit the post, could leave the spirited hosts feeling aggrieved.
Despite all that, the runaway league leaders were mesmerising and deserved their win, capped by Kevin de Brunye’s wonder strike.
Liverpool 3-0 Southampton
After failing to beat Southampton and failing to even score a goal against the Saints in four matches last season, this was a welcome win for Liverpool.
Third success in a row for Jurgen Klopp’s men and a Mohamed Salah-inspired win as his double helped the Merseysiders go up to fifth on the table.
Mauricio Pellegrino’s side were rarely at the races.
West Bromwich Albion 0-4 Chelsea
On the ground they clinched the title last season, champions Chelsea romped to victory to increase the pressure on the hosts’ boss Tony Pulis.
Without taking anything from Chelsea, the Baggies were very poor. They need some inspiration quick but there are few better managers than Pulis available should the club decide it’s time for a change at the helm.
Manchester United 4-1 Newcastle United
It looked tricky for a while but the United of Manchester had too much for the newly-promoted Magpies.
Some splendid team goals capped off a fine performance after Dwight Gayle had briefly threatened a major surprise. That was the first goal United had conceded in open play at home in the Premier League since New Year’s Eve last year!
Watford 2-0 West Ham United
Going a goal behind 11 minutes into your first game in charge was hardly the start David Moyes wanted for his West Ham tenure.
A Joe Hart error followed and then losing Marko Arnautovic to a painful looking injury midway through the second half seemed to sum up the luckless day Moyes had.
No denying though that Watford are deserved winners!
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