Liverpool sweep Spurs aside as Chelsea go top

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Liverpool beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 at Wembley on Saturday to post a fifth consecutive win at the start of the season for the first time since 1990-91 and banish the memory of last year's London mauling by Mauricio Pochettino's side.

Chelsea, though, has also recorded a perfect start after Eden Hazard scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Cardiff City, allowing them to edge past Liverpool on goal difference at the top of the Premier League.

It is the first time in 110 years that two top-tier English teams have won their opening five games - and it would have been three had Watford beaten Manchester United, but the Hornets surrendered their 100 percent record after losing 2-1 in Saturday's late kick-off.

Liverpool's goals came from Georginio Wijnaldum - his first away from home in the Premier League - and Roberto Firmino, who went off with an eye injury but later confirmed it was not serious.

Such was the visitors' dominance, they could have scored half a dozen times, with Mo Salah twice going close and Tottenham's defense was always looking vulnerable until Erik Lamela's late strike gave them hope of an unlikely point.

Liverpool held their nerve and looked nothing like the team who Spurs ripped apart 4-1 last season.

Eden Hazard during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Cardiff City at Stamford Bridge on September 15. /VCG Photo

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea ran out comfortable winners despite conceding a 16th-minute Sol Bamba opener.

That was the cue for Hazard to take charge, scoring on 37, 44 and 80 minutes, the last goal coming from the penalty spot. Willian added their fourth late on to ensure Chelsea's goal difference is marginally better than Liverpool's at the top.

Champions Manchester City remains two points off the pace after a routine 3-0 win over Fulham, who fell behind on two minutes to Leroy Sane and never looked capable of forcing their way back into the game. David Silva and Raheem Sterling also netted. The only worry for City was an ankle injury to Sergio Aguero.

United hit Watford with a one-two halfway through the first half with goals from Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling, whose left-foot volley would have done any forward proud.

Nemanja Maticwalks off the pitch after receiving a red card during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester United on September 15. /VCG Photo

Although Watford set up a tense finish with a goal from Andre Gray, United, who had Nemanja Matic sent off late on, held on to allow manager Jose Mourinho another chance to salute the fans at the final whistle.

Bournemouth sprang the surprise of the day, beating Leicester City 4-2. It was a performance to back up manager Eddie Howe's pre-match assertion that his side, who have won three of their first five games, has closed the gap on the division's top teams.

Arsenal provided further signs that they have put their jittery start behind them by winning 2-1 at Newcastle United, who now have just one point from five games. Granit Xhaka's excellent free-kick opened the scoring with Mesut Ozil ensuring Arsenal won consecutive away league games for the first time since May 2017.

In the day's other game, Roy Hodgson celebrated the first anniversary of his appointment as Crystal Palace manager with a 1-0 win at Huddersfield Town. The scorer, predictably enough, was Wilfried Zaha, who marked his return from injury with a stunning solo effort.

Source(s): Reuters