Derby disaster for Moyes’ men
David Moyes’ first derby as Manchester United manager turned into a nightmare on Sunday as Manchester City inflicted a humiliating 4-1 defeat at a triumphant Etihad Stadium.
With Robin van Persie absent due to a groin strain, a limp and lacklustre United were dominated from kick-off on a sunny afternoon in northwest England.
They saw City take control through first-half goals from Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure, and quick-fire strikes from Aguero and Samir Nasri in the second period meant the game was over after only 50 minutes.
Wayne Rooney scored a fine late free-kick to become the outright leading scorer in the fixture, but it could not stop City’s fans revelling in a victory almost as seismic as their 6-1 win at Old Trafford in October 2011.
That victory paved the way for City’s subsequent title triumph, and after a dream first derby as manager, Manuel Pellegrini saw his side climb to third place in the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Arsenal.
Defending champions United, meanwhile, find themselves five points off the pace after two defeats in their first five games.
Moyes can console himself that his storied predecessor Alex Ferguson once lost 5-1 at City, but from three games against title rivals City, Chelsea and Liverpool, his side have picked up just a single point.
In London, Mesut Ozil had a hand in all three Arsenal goals as Arsene Wenger’s side moved to the head of the table with a 3-1 victory over Stoke at the Emirates Stadium.
Ozil was making his first appearance at north London club Arsenal’s home ground following his £42.4 million move from Real Madrid.
He made an immediate impression by setting up first-half goals for Aaron Ramsey and Per Mertesacker before delivering the free-kick that led to Bacary Sagna’s match-clinching third goal.
Chelsea labour to victory
John Mikel Obi’s first Premier League goal helped end Chelsea’s run of four winless games as they beat west London rivals Fulham 2-0 on Saturday. Mikel struck six minutes from full-time against Fulham with a close-range half-volley after Oscar had opened the scoring early in the second half at Stamford Bridge.
Oscar’s scrappy opener arrived seven minutes after the break. Stockdale parried from Andre Schurrle and then Eto’o, before Oscar turned the ball in from close range for his second goal of the week.
Mikel’s rare strike also came from a corner, with John Terry heading the ball down for the Nigeria international to hook home his first Premier League goal in his 185th appearance.
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