Easy for Chelsea as Rooney sees red and City struggle past Hull
Wayne Rooney was sent off in the second half as Manchester United were forced to cling on for a priceless Barclays Premier League win over West Ham at Old Trafford.
Rooney opened the scoring in the fifth minute for a United side smarting from last week’s 5-3 loss at Leicester but his 59th minute dismissal for a needless foul on Stewart Downing almost cost them dear.
Robin Van Persie had extended United’s lead in the 22nd minute but Diafra Sakho headed the Hammers back into the game in the 37th minute before Rooney’s moment of madness.
The visitors pushed forward in the dying minutes and Kevin Nolan had the ball in the net only for his effort to be ruled out for offside by referee Lee Mason.
Leaders Chelsea cruised to a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge to strengthen their position at the top of the table.
Jose Mourinho’s men needed just seven minutes to open the scoring when Oscar knocked home the rebound after Villa keeper Brad Guzan had deflected a Willian effort onto the bar.
Diego Costa fired his eighth goal of the season in the 59th minute then Willian got on the scoresheet 11 minutes from time to seal a comfortable victory.
Frank Lampard stepped up again to seal Manchester City’s 4-2 win at Hull despite a first half scare for the champions.
Early goals from Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko put City 2-0 up inside the first 11 minutes but the Tigers roared back, helped by a half to forget from City new boy Eliaquim Mangala.
First Mangala headed an own goal past City keeper Willy Caballero – in for the dropped Joe Hart – then 10 minutes later fouled Abel Hernandez who stepped up to equalise from the penalty spot.
But City recovered with Dzeko sliding them back into the lead with his second goal on 68 minutes, and Lampard wrapped things up three minutes from time.
Southampton stay second after continuing their fine start to the new season with a 2-1 win over QPR at St Mary’s.
On-loan Ryan Bertrand put Saints in front after 54 minutes and although Charlie Austin equalised for the visitors 12 minutes later, the hosts went back in front almost immediately when Graziano Pelle looped home his fifth goal of the season.
Nigel Pearson’s Leicester were brought back down to earth after last week’s heroics against Manchester United as they went down 2-0 at Crystal Palace.
Fraizer Campbell knocked home the opener from close range in the 51st minute and three minutes later Mile Jedinak sealed the win when he headed home from a Jason Puncheon cross.
Sunderland are still searching for their first league win after being frustrated by 10-man Swansea at the Stadium of Light.
The visitors had Angel Rangel sent off for a second bookable offence in the 81st minute and despite dominating Gus Poyet’s men could not make a breakthrough with Connor Wickham heading the best chance over the bar in the second half.
Phil Jagielka hit a stunning injury time equaliser as Everton salvaged a point in the Merseyside derby at Anfield at lunchtime.
The home side looked set for a deserved victory through Steven Gerrard’s 65th minute free kick before Jagielka rammed an unstoppable effort past Reds keeper Simon Mignolet with time running out.
