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Rediff.com  » Sports » EPL PHOTOS: City hit Watford for a six, Liverpool struggle

EPL PHOTOS: City hit Watford for a six, Liverpool struggle

Last updated on: September 17, 2017 00:04 IST
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WATFORD 0 MANCHESTER CITY 6

LIVERPOOl 1 BURNLEY 1

CRYSTAL PALACE 0 SOUTHAMPTON 1

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 0 SWANSEA CITY 0

Aguero gets hat-trick as City go top

Sergio Aguero

IMAGE: Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates after completing his hat-trick. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

Sergio Aguero scored a hat-trick as free-scoring Manchester City climbed to the top of the English Premier League with an irresistible 6-0 victory against Watford on Saturday.

Aguero opened the scoring in the 27th minute, heading home Kevin de Bruyne's superb free kick, and doubled the lead within four minutes when he converted David Silva's teasing cross from close range.

City were in exuberant mood and added a third before the break when the excellent Gabriel Jesus latched on to Aguero's cute pass to stroke home in the 38th minute.

After Nicolas Otamendi headed in a fourth in the 63rd minute, Aguero completed his treble with a neat finish at the end of a sensational run. Raheem Sterling added a sixth from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Christian Kabasele late on.

City have 13 points from five games -- three more than rivals Manchester United who play Everton on Sunday. Watford, in 10th, have eight points after their first defeat of the season.

Liverpool frustrated by battling Burnley

IMAGE: Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope makes a save after a shot from Liverpool striker Dominic Solanke. Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Liverpool's 125th anniversary celebrations fell flat at Anfield where they completed a disappointing week by drawing 1-1 with Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

Liverpool gave Philippe Coutinho his first start amid seven changes from their Champions League team, but familiar defensive failings surfaced after 26 minutes when they failed to clear the ball and Scott Arfield produced a superb half-volley for his first goal in 11 months.

The one consolation for manager Juergen Klopp was the quick response with Liverpool taking just three minutes to equalise thanks to a fine individual effort from Mohamed Salah who collected Emre Can's through ball on his thigh, beat his man and finished emphatically.

Liverpool pushed for the winner but, for all Coutinho's brilliance, they lacked the cutting edge in the absence of the suspended Sadio Mane and Burnley, who could even have poached a late winner through Ben Mee, held on for an unexpected point to add to the four they secured at Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.

Palace lose at home to Saints

IMAGE: Crystal Palace's Jeffrey Schlupp, right, tries to get the ball past Southampton's James Ward-Prowse. Photograph: David Klein/Reuters

Crystal Palace failed to benefit from the Roy Hodgson effect as Steven Davis's early goal and two saves by Fraser Forster helped Southampton beat the Premier League's bottom club 1-0 at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Palace were playing for the first time under new manager Hodgson but were reeling in the sixth minute when Davis steered the ball into the bottom corner after home goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey beat out a low right cross from Dusan Tadic.

Palace are without a goal in their opening five league games, a Premier League record, but not for want of trying with Ruben Loftus-Cheek twice going close after half an hour and Forster also saving from Christian Benteke.

Former England manager Hodgson took charge at Palace this week after Dutchman Frank de Boer was sacked following four defeats and no goals in his debut Premier League season.

Palace’s long wait for their first league goal of the season could have ended 10 minutes after Saints had taken the lead when Benteke met Loftus-Cheek’s low cross from the right at the near post but Forster got his body in the way to make the save.

Palace’s impressive midfielder Loftus-Cheek came close when he skimmed the outside of the post with a shot from the edge of the box then had an effort deflected for a corner.

Two more chances went begging in a downpour early in the second half when another Loftus-Cheek centre flew across the face of goal before Forster saved from Jason Puncheon.

There were boos from the Palace crowd when Hodgson brought off Loftus-Cheek, his best player, for Bakary Sako with 15 minutes to go and the change did not work for his goal-shy team.

Saints, who had last scored when they beat West Ham United 3-2 at home on Aug. 19, notched their second win to move up to provisional fifth spot on eight points before the afternoon kickoffs, while Palace are rooted to the bottom of the table.

Spurs Wembley woes continue

IMAGE: Tottenham's Eric Dier and Harry Kane remonstrate with referee Mike Dean. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

Tottenham Hotspur's Wembley woes continued as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday.

Spurs were again dominant at the national stadium but were unable to convert any of their chances with forward Harry Kane going closest when he rattled the crossbar in the second half.

Moussa Sissoko, Dele Alli and Son Heung-min were wasteful for Mauricio Pochettino's side who enjoyed 75 percent of possession and had 26 attempts but were unable to break down the resolute visitors.

Spurs defender Serge Aurier was booked for diving, despite

appearing to be clipped as he raced into the box while Kieran Trippier blazed a fierce shot narrowly wide late on.

Victory would have lifted last season's runners-up to third but they sit fifth with eight points after five games. Swansea, in 14th, have five points after another encouraging performance.

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