Premier League round-up: Chelsea's woes continue and pressure mounts on Tim Sherwood at Aston Villa
Chelsea's miserable start to the season continued as they lost their fifth game in ten matches when they were reduced to ten men and beaten 2-1 at West Ham.
The Hammers took a 17th-minute lead through Mauro Zarate, when Diego Costa’s failed clearance set up nicely for the Argentinean to cleanly strike a low, powerful half-volley past Asmir Begovic.
Chelsea tried to grow into the game and they nearly had a leveller when Kurt Zouma’s header was cleared off the line by a combination of Adrian and Manuel Lanzini. It was a close call and Blues players were appealing for a goal, but technology ruled the ball had not crossed the line and replays showed there were fractions in it.
Lanzini nearly doubled West Ham’s tally as he was through on goal, on the left-hand side of the box, and his dinked shot beat Begovic, sailing over the bar by a small margin.
Cesc Fabregas had a goal ruled out as he was shown to be a yard offside, as Ramires led a Chelsea counter.
Chelsea’s tough task became a whole lot tougher before the break, as Nemanja Matic was shown a second yellow card, for a rugby-like challenge on Diafra Sakho. Chelsea protested and Diego Costa and Fabregas were booked for dissent, while a member of the Blues’ coaching staff was sent to the stands, soon followed by Mourinho after he was dismissed in the interval.
The Blues had a good start to the second period as Gary Cahil fired Mourinho’s men level, reacting quickest to a knock-down after the corner, powering a shot past Adrian.
With 11 minutes remaining, substitute Andy Carroll scored a trademark goal, rising highest to head the Hammers a second.
Elsewhere, the pressure piled on Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood when they slumped to another defeat, losing 2-1 against Swansea at Villa Park.
It was a much needed win for Swansea boss Garry Monk, while it was a tale of two brothers as Jordan and Andre Ayew both got on the score sheet.
Summer signing Jordan [Ayew] opened the scoring shortly after the hour mark as he headed home at the far post, before Gylfi Sigurdsson put the visitors level with a delightful free-kick just six minutes later.
Swansea won it late on, Andre [Ayew] stabbing the ball home after Kyle Naughton’s dangerous low cross.
Jamie Vardy's goal-scoring form continued as Leicester ran out 1-0 winners at home to Crystal Palace.
After a goalless first half at the King Power Stadium, Vardy netted his tenth goal in as many games for the Foxes this season. What a well-taken goal it was too, the 28-year-old England international latching onto Riyad Mahrez’s through-ball. He was set through on goal and, with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey closing him down, he dinked the ball over the Eagles stopper before calmly slotting home after 59 minutes.
Elsewhere, Watford won their third match of the season, shocking Stoke City with a 2-0 win at the Britannia.
After twice hitting the bar, the Hornets eventually found the breakthrough minutes before the interval when Odion Ighalo’s sublime flick on the edge of the box found Troy Deeney, who turned his marker before firing home his first Premier League goal.
Almen Abdi then doubled the visitors' lead after 69 minutes, finishing brilliantly to beat England’s Jack Butland.
And finally it was a tight affair at Carrow Road, with West Brom leaving Norfolk three points better off thanks to record signing Salomon Rondon, who scored his second goal for the Baggies by netting after 46 minutes in the 1-0 win.
Arsenal moved top of the Barclays Premier League by beating 10-man Everton at The Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
A header apiece by Olivier Giroud and Laurent Koscielny within two minutes of each other secured the win, though Ross Barkley's consolation goal piled the pressure on Arsenal as the visitors chased a late equaliser.
Arsenal could be knocked off the top of the table on Sunday if Manchester City avoid defeat in their trip to Old Trafford to face rivals Manchester United.
Full-time scores
West Ham United 2-1 Chelsea
Stoke City 0-2 Watford
Aston Villa 1-2 Swansea City
Leicester City 1-0 Crystal Palace
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