Aston Villa - Manchester United 3-1
Unai Emery’s reign as Aston Villa manager got off to a flying start as his side defeated Manchester United 3-1 at Villa Park, also ending the Red Devils’ unbeaten run of nine matches.
Aston Villa started the game off in in perfect fashion, taking the lead in just seven minutes when Leon Bailey was played through on goal by Jacob Ramsey before drilling a low effort across David de Gea and into the bottom corner.
Less than five minutes later Villa doubled their lead through Lucas Digne.
The Frenchman netted a free-kick from the edge of the area, to shock a United side that had struggled to get going.
It wasn’t until the half hour mark that United went close to pulling a goal back as Alejandro Garnacho worked some space for himself before drilling a shot across goal but Emiliano Martínez was equal to it.
The Red Devils then managed to grab a goal back just before the break as Luke Shaw’s shot from the edge of the area deflected off Ramsey and beyond Martinez.
The Villans once again came flying out the traps and came close to adding a third goal as Bailey skipped past a man before firing an effort towards goal only to be denied by De Gea.
United did not heed the warning though and Villa restored their two goal lead shortly after, as Ramsey drilled an unstoppable effort into the top corner after receiving the ball from Ollie Watkins.
Despite being two goals down, Erik ten Hag’s side struggled to create anything to pose a possible comeback and instead Villa saw the game out comfortably, to secure a much needed three points that sees them climb to 14th, while United missed the opportunity to move into the top four, and remain in fifth.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa)
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Southampton - Newcastle United 1-4
Miguel Almiron scored in a fourth successive Premier League match, helping Newcastle United comfortably defeat Southampton 4-1 and rise to third in the league, at least temporarily.
The host began proceedings on the front foot, but a Gavin Bazunu miscue almost presented the visitors with a gift, before several dangerous counter-attacks signalled a change in the game’s tide. With the Magpies now in the ascendancy, Almiron’s enthusiastic penalty appeals were ignored, but the Paraguayan didn’t have to wait long for something to celebrate.
Somewhat predictably, another fast transition from Eddie Howe’s side resulted in the opener, as Almiron burst through the Saints’ defence, showing tenacity to keep his footing and sweep beyond Bazunu - his seventh league goal in seven games.
Late in the half, Mohamed Elyounoussi wasted a golden opportunity to convert at the back post, firing wide to preserve Newcastle’s first-half clean sheet - their 12th in 14 PL matches.
Fearing an eighth PL defeat - the joint-worst in the league - Southampton searched for a way back into the game, but Che Adams couldn’t capitalise on a Newcastle defensive mistake, volleying across the face of goal.
By now, the rain was pouring down on the south coast, perfectly matching Ralph Hasenhuttl’s mood as his side were struck with a quick one-two knockout. On for the injured Callum Wilson, substitute Chris Wood curled in Newcastle’s second on the turn just before the hour mark.
Just four minutes later, it was well and truly game over for the shellshocked Saints, when Kieran Trippier’s perfectly-weighted through-ball found Joe Willock, who poked home.
An unfettered Romain Perraud danced into the box and curled in a late consolation for the home side, but the three-goal margin was swiftly restored thanks to Bruno Guimaraes’ accurate low strike.
Newcastle make it six wins from their last seven league contests and continue their unlikely push for a first top-four finish since 2002/03.
As for Southampton, their abysmal home form continues, having failed to win six of their seven PL encounters at St Mary's this season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Miguel Almiron (Newcastle United)
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West Ham United - Crystal Palace 1-2
Crystal Palace came from behind to snatch victory at the London Stadium, as Aaron Cresswell’s 94th-minute own goal condemned West Ham United to a first defeat on home soil in eight matches across all competitions.
Palace were on the front foot from the off, pinning the Hammers deep into their own half for large stretches of the opening twenty minutes.
The game was flipped on its head with a piece of magic from Said Benrahma, who picked up the ball from range and marked his 100th appearance for the club by lashing the ball into the back of the net past the outstretched hands of Vicente Guaita, snatching a lead for the hosts against the run of play.
West Ham looked for all the world to be taking their advantage to the break, but they were undone in they dying minutes of the half when Thilo Kehrer gave the ball away in a dangerous area, leading to a Wilfried Zaha strike from close range to reclaim parity and stun the boisterous home crowd.
Similarly to the first half, the second interval looked to be winding down with the two London clubs locked in a stalemate, but the hosts appeared to be gifted an opportunity to snatch all three points when the referee awarded a penalty kick.
Michail Antonio was taken down in the box by Marc Guehi at the end of a superb solo run by the striker, however after a lengthy VAR check, the referee overturned his original decision, keeping the stalemate alive.
While it looked looked likely for the proceedings to fizzle out with no fireworks, the visitors snatched a winner in dramatic fashion when Michael Olise’s stoppage time effort took a massive deflection off Cresswell before looping into the back of the net to stun the home crowd, and see the Eagles collect a fourth win in their last five Premier League matches.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)