Man United join City on top of league
AFP
AFP, LONDON: Romelu Lukakus signing from Everton continues to pay off as he scored and created a goal in Manchester Uniteds 4-0 drubbing of his former club on Sunday with United joining Manchester City on top of the league.
United -- whose record goalscorer Wayne Rooney endured a miserable return with his Everton team-mates -- are only second in the table by virtue of C coming before U as both the Manchester clubs share exactly the same statistics after five matches.
Champions Chelsea are on 10 points, three adrift of the leading duo, after being held 0-0 at home to Arsenal -- the first scoreless draw at Stamford Bridge under Antonio Contes tenure.
United were slightly flattered by the final scoreline -- three goals coming in the final 10 minutes after Everton had largely dominated the second-half -- but manager Jose Mourinho was more than satisfied.
For Everton and manager Ronald Koeman -- who spent 152million ($207million, 173million euros) in the close season -- it is fast becoming a crisis as this was their fourth successive defeat and in which they have failed to score to boot.
The Dutchman grasped at whatever straw he could to see a positive side.
From what I saw today from the team it made me happy, he told Sky Sports.
More happy than Thursday (they lost to modest Serie A side Atalanta in the Europa League).
We grew in the game and in confidence and not many teams will get two big chances like we got today. We didnt score the goal and after a personal mistake (Everton central defender Ashley Williams) it was 2-0.
Meanwhile, Chelsea defender David Luiz was sent off for an ugly foul on Sead Kolasinac as Arsenal finally emerged unscathed from a trip to Chelsea with a 0-0 draw against the champions on Sunday.
The Brazilian saw red in the closing minutes at Stamford Bridge and he could have no complaints about his dismissal after lunging into a crude two-footed challenge on Arsenal defender Kolasinac.
It was the third sending-off for a Chelsea player in their last three meetings with Arsenal. Victor Moses got his marching orders in last seasons FA Cup final, while Pedro was dismissed in the Community Shield.
The Luiz flashpoint -- Chelseas fourth red card this season -- was the most memorable moment of a hard-fought London derby that was high on perspiration but low on inspiration.
We have great respect for officials, but it is strange to finish a third game in a row against Arsenal with 10 men, Chelsea boss Antonio Conte said.
After losing on their last five visits to Chelsea, Arsene Wengers side had the better of the few clear-cut chances.
It was another frustrating encounter with Arsenal for Contes men, who were beaten in both the FA Cup final and the Community Shield.
Arsenal weathered an early storm before Welbeck wasted a golden opportunity when Hector Bellerins cross picked out the unmarked forward, who couldnt adjust quickly enough to keep his header on target.
Wengers men threatened again when Ramseys pass left Marcos Alonso isolated and put Bellerin in behind the Chelsea defence.
Bellerin crossed low for Lacazette, but the France strikers shot was too close to Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Arsenal were sweeping forward with real purpose and Kolasinac tested Courtois with a stinging drive that the Belgian parried away.
The Gunners rearguard remained as creaky as ever and Cesc Fabregas sprung their offside trap with a precise pass to Pedro, whose tame shot at Petr Cech let the visitors off the hook.
Encouragingly for Wenger, Arsenal were still picking holes in Chelseas usually rock-solid defence.
They should have taken the lead just before half-time when Ramsey had only Courtois to beat after weaving his way past Cesar Azpilicueta and David Luiz.
However, Ramsey stabbed his shot against the far post before Lacazette somehow contrived to scuff the rebound over from close range.
