LONDON: Chelsea went top of the Premier League, temporarily at least, after beating 10-men Southampton 3-1 at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues went ahead thanks to defender Trevoh Chalobah. Ruben Loftus-Cheek flicked on a corner for Chalobah to head past Alex McCarthy.

Timo Werner had a goal ruled out by VAR shortly before half-time and Southampton capitalised through James Ward-Prowse’s penalty on the hour mark.

But then Ward-Prowse was sent off with 15 minutes remaining for a late challenge on Jorginho and the visitors could not hold on. Werner tapped in his side’s second goal and Ben Chilwell made the points safe with a minute remaining

If Saints had won it would have been the first time Chelsea had lost three successive matches since 2002.

United held

Andros Townsend’s second-half equaliser earned Everton a deserved point against Manchester United at Old Trafford. Rafael Benitez’s men were unlucky to fall behind just before the break as Anthony Martial scored for the first time since February.

But Demarai Gray escaped the attentions of Fred and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as Everton countered from a United corner, setting up the attack which ended with Townsend driving a low shot into the corner from Abdoulaye Doucoure’s lay-off.

Townsend celebrated in Cristiano Ronaldo-esque fashion. It was more than the man himself managed. Left on the bench after his injury-time winner against Villarreal on Wednesday, Ronaldo came on in the 57th minute but had minimal impact either before or after the equaliser.

Everton thought they had a winner four minutes from time but VAR intervened to rule Yerry Mina’s tap-in out for offside.

The result completes a decidedly unimpressive run of home results for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team, who lost against Aston Villa seven days ago after being dumped out of the EFL Cup by West Ham.

Leeds win at last

Diego Llorente’s first-half strike secured dominant Leeds a 1-0 win against Watford and their first Premier League victory of the season.

The Spain defender marked his return to action after a three-game injury lay-off with his second goal for Leeds following a corner in the 18th minute.

Leeds, as usual, created and wasted a hatful of chances, and the full-time whistle at Elland Road was celebrated wildly by home fans in a crowd of 36,261.

This was Leeds’ first league win in seven top-flight matches this season, yet it should have been by a much bigger margin.

Newcastle lose again

Hwang Hee-chan’s brace inspired Wolves and sunk winless Newcastle to pile the pressure on Newcastle boss Steve Bruce.

The striker scored Wolves’ first home goals in the Premier League this season as Bruno Lage’s improving side bagged a 2-1 win.

Jeff Hendrick’s first-half leveller briefly threatened to upset the hosts’ momentum but they have now won three of their last four top flight games which threaten to ignite their season.

It was not a classic performance but it was good enough to beat the Magpies, who are still searching for their first win of the season and slipped to second bottom.

Bruce would have left frustrated after a tight game yet there was little suggestion Newcastle will avoid a relegation battle this term.

First point

Burnley and Norwich saw their winless starts to the Premier League continue as they fought out a goalless draw which at least provided a first point of the season for the Canaries.

The first 0-0 draw between these clubs – after 44 meetings in all competitions – neatly summed up how their seasons are going to date.

Sean Dyche celebrated 400 games in charge of the Clarets and there was a first Burnley clean sheet of the campaign but those were among the few positive statistics on an afternoon when they extended a club-record winless home run to 14 matches.

Norwich at least ended their miserable run of 16 straight defeats in the top flight but there was little on show at Turf Moor to hint a radical change of fortunes is imminent.

The form of both sides coming into the fixture suggests this could be a Championship fixture next season and it played out like one for much of the afternoon with a lack of quality on show.

Brighton silence Gunners

High-flying Brighton missed the chance to go level on points with Premier League leaders Chelsea following a drab goalless draw which ended resurgent Arsenal’s winning run.

Albion edged a rain-soaked encounter at the Amex Stadium but managed just two attempts on target as Leandro Trossard, Dan Burn and Neal Maupay each failed to capitalise on decent openings.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang headed against the outside of a post for the uninspiring Gunners, who were denied a fourth victory on the bounce having begun the campaign with three successive defeats.

The Seagulls sit fifth with 14 points from seven games, with Mikel Arteta’s visitors four places and as many points further back.

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