Let's start at The Etihad. Manchester City had not won their last three in all competitions and were desperate to end Chelsea's blistering start to the league season, with four wins from four. Chelsea had Diego Costa back in the starting eleven, their new signing already starting with a bang, scoring 7 in his first four games for the club. It was always going to be a cagey, tactical game between the two title favourites, with both desperate not to lose. It was a quiet first half as Vincent Kompany and Eliquem Mangala, making his City debut, had hold of Costa and kept him in sight. City were doing more of the pressing with James Milner a constant threat down the right. The second half was a bit more livelier, City started to create more chances with Thibaurt Courtois denying David Silva after a neat turn and shot in the penalty box. But the game changed with around 20 minutes to go, City's Pablo Zabaleta had been booked in the first half for a trip on Eden Hazard and after going in hard on Costa once, the second time he wouldn't be as successful. A kick from Zabaleta angered Costa which may have helped the referee in his decision, a second yellow and he was off. I think the first yellow was unlucky but the second foul is definitely a second booking, a rash challenge from a man of such experience. Chelsea made it pay dividends as a slick counter attack led to a perfect pick out from Hazard for Andre Schurrle to slide home what looked to be the winner for Mourinho's men. However, on came Frank. Lampard was applauded by both sets of fans as he entered the frame, I had never seen anything like this in a match of this magnitude. City didn't lie down and kept attacking to save the game. Sure enough, they found a way through. Silva played a lovely one-two with Milner who teed up, yes you guessed it, Frank Lampard who expertly cushioned the volley past Courtois. The poor guy looked the most depressed footballer to ever score, he was almost in tears. The Chelsea fans were in a state of shock. City fans were jubilant. For a moment, it looked like Lampard was about to win it, but John Terry got in the way. 1-1 it finished, Lampard going over to the Chelsea fans at full time in apologetic mood, with both sets of fans again giving him a rousing send off. A very emotional day for Lampard.
There was much more shocks across the league. At the King Power Stadium, Manchester United were looking for their first away win of the season after hammering QPR at Old Trafford. Leicester had held Arsenal and Everton at home so they shouldn't be underestimated. Yet, United raced into a 3-1 lead come the hour mark with goals from Robin Van Persie, Ander Herrera and a sublime chip from Angel Di Maria. Although, United have clear defensive weaknesses and are more than likely to concede goals or make mistakes, they did both. A debatable penalty awarding swung the game back to Leicester as a shove-off between Jamie Vardy an Rafael ended with the latter fouling Vardy to concede a spot kick, duly converted by David Nugent. Leicester had their tails up and equalised after another mess by United's defence. Dean Hammond's shot was blocked and fumbled to Esteban Cambiasso. The one time Champions League winner with Inter Milan now in the East Midlands rammed his first goal in English football to cap off an assured debut. Then, not for the last time this season, United were found wanting at the back as Marcos Rojo bombed forward expecting Mata to return the ball only to see Jamie Vardy running clean through the space Rojo was in. The former non-league bad boy stroked it past David De Gea and ran off to celebrate putting Leicester 4-3 ahead!!! This incredible comeback was finished off with the dismissal of Tyler Blackett, I will never understand how he is starting for United. Leonardo Ulloa capped it off his 5th league goal already for Leicester, 5-3 to the Tigers, Van Gaal and United embarrassed again as Falcao and Di Maria watched on.
Finally, Arsenal bounced back with a three minute blitz of Aston Villa. Mesut Ozil dazzling in the number 10 role, where he should play every week. Scoring and setting up Danny Welbeck for his first goal for Arsenal, then capped off with a Aly Cissokho own goal. Arsenal didn't even use Alexis Sanchez who should be fresh for the North London Derby next week! Southampton continued their remarkable run with a 1-0 win at Swansea. I underestimated Southampton and predicted a struggling season for them, yet with Ronald Koeman settled and his players delivering week after week, it could be another good year for the Saints, amazing after their mass exodus this summer. The team responsible for a lion share in that are Liverpool, who ironically are below Southampton. They stumbled to back-to-back losses after a 3-1 humbling at West Ham. Liverpool have major problems at the back and with utilising Steven Gerrard. West Ham cut out Gerrard and stopped Liverpool from getting going. Spurs were left shocked by basement dwellers West Brom. A James Morrison header won it as Spurs looked average, plain and devoid of confidence heading into a North London Derby.
The Rest
Burnley 0-0 Sunderland
Everton 2-3 Crystal Palace
Newcastle United 2-2 Hull City
QPR 2-2 Stoke City
Goal of the Week
A new feature I am adding will show the best goal from this week's football. This week it's Nikica Jelavic's extraordinary overhead kick at St James' Park.
Signing off- sjt
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