Liverpool stun Man City as Leicester go top

AFP, LONDON: Manchester City suffered a surprise 4-1 defeat by Liverpool while Jamie Vardy equalled a Premier League goalscoring record to leave Leicester as the shock leaders of English football’s top-flight on Saturday.
City started the late kick-off match at their Eastlands ground knowing victory would see them go top on a day when the Premier League paid tribute to the victims of the Paris terror attacks.
But instead Manuel Pellegrini’s men found themselves 3-0 down inside 32 minutes after an Eliaquim Mangala own-goal preceded two sweeping Liverpool moves finished by the Brazilian pair of Phillippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino respectively.
City pulled a goal back before the interval through Sergio Aguero’s 20-yard effort, but Jurgen Klopp’s visitors had the last word when Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel struck nine minutes from time.
By contrast, delighted Liverpool boss Klopp told the BBC: “It feels perfect!
The game was not perfect but it was very good.
England striker Vardy equalled Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League games for his club by netting Leicester’s opener in a 3-0 win away to Newcastle during first-half stoppage-time at St James’ Park.
Leonardo Ulloa’s header made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute before Japanese substitute Shinji Okazaki assured Italian manager Claudio Ranieri’s side of victory seven minutes from time.
For the 28-year-old Vardy, it was the perfect afternoon’s work.
Arsenal, who could have gone top themselves, suffered an unexpected 2-1 loss away to West Bromwich Albion.
Champions Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Jose Mourinho with just their fourth win in 13 league matches this season as they beat Norwich 1-0 thanks to Diego Costa’s 64th-minute goal at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United made it eight games unbeaten in all competitions with a 2-1 win away to Watford in Saturday’s early kick-off — the first Premier League match since the Paris terror attacks of November 13 which killed 130 people.
‘La Marseillaise’, France’s national anthem, was played before kick-off at Vicarage Road in a gesture that was repeated ahead of all of Saturday’s Premier League matches.
Everton ensured Aston Villa stayed bottom of the table with a 4-0 win at Goodison Park, with Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku scoring two goals apiece.
Stoke striker Bojan Krkic gave his side a 1-0 win away to Southampton while Swansea came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Bournemouth, a heartening result for under-fire manager Garry Monk.
Tottenham play London rivals West Ham on Sunday, with Monday’s top flight match between Crystal Palace and Sunderland.

Liverpool stun Man City as Leicester go top

AFP, LONDON: Manchester City suffered a surprise 4-1 defeat by Liverpool while Jamie Vardy equalled a Premier League goalscoring record to leave Leicester as the shock leaders of English footballs top-flight on Saturday. City started the late kick-off match at their Eastlands ground knowing victory would see them go top on a day when the Premier League paid tribute to the victims of the Paris terror attacks. But instead Manuel Pellegrinis men found themselves 3-0 down inside 32 minutes after an Eliaquim Mangala own-goal preceded two sweeping Liverpool moves finished by the Brazilian pair of Phillippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino respectively. City pulled a goal back before the interval through Sergio Agueros 20-yard effort, but Jurgen Klopps visitors had the last word when Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel struck nine minutes from time. By contrast, delighted Liverpool boss Klopp told the BBC: It feels perfect! The game was not perfect but it was very good. England striker Vardy equalled Ruud van Nistelrooys record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League games for his club by netting Leicesters opener in a 3-0 win away to Newcastle during first-half stoppage-time at St James Park. Leonardo Ulloas header made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute before Japanese substitute Shinji Okazaki assured Italian manager Claudio Ranieris side of victory seven minutes from time. For the 28-year-old Vardy, it was the perfect afternoons work. Arsenal, who could have gone top themselves, suffered an unexpected 2-1 loss away to West Bromwich Albion. Champions Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Jose Mourinho with just their fourth win in 13 league matches this season as they beat Norwich 1-0 thanks to Diego Costas 64th-minute goal at Stamford Bridge. Manchester United made it eight games unbeaten in all competitions with a 2-1 win away to Watford in Saturdays early kick-off the first Premier League match since the Paris terror attacks of November 13 which killed 130 people. La Marseillaise, Frances national anthem, was played before kick-off at Vicarage Road in a gesture that was repeated ahead of all of Saturdays Premier League matches. Everton ensured Aston Villa stayed bottom of the table with a 4-0 win at Goodison Park, with Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku scoring two goals apiece. Stoke striker Bojan Krkic gave his side a 1-0 win away to Southampton while Swansea came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Bournemouth, a heartening result for under-fire manager Garry Monk. Tottenham play London rivals West Ham on Sunday, with Mondays top flight match between Crystal Palace and Sunderland.