Premier League round-up: Sergio Aguero shines in Manchester City rout as Chelsea are beaten by Southampton
Sergio Aguero notched five times in quick succession as Manchester City came from behind to blitz struggling Newcastle 6-1 on 3 October. A header from Aleksandar Mitrovic had given Steve McClaren's side an unexpected lead at the Etihad Stadium, but a new Premier League record of six goals in just 20 minutes either side of the break extended their winless run to eight top-flight matches.
Kevin de Bruyne was also on target for the title favourites, who now sit 10 points clear of last season's champions Chelsea after Jose Mourinho's problems deepened with a fourth defeat of 2015/16 to Southampton. The Blues took the lead through Willian's fourth free-kick goal in as many matches, but were pegged back before the break courtesy of a driven half-volley from Steven Davis. A confident second-half performance from the visitors yielded further efforts from Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle, with Mourinho choosing to replace substitute Nemanja Matic just 28 minutes after he had come on in a clear sign of the uncomfortable malaise currently engulfing Stamford Bridge.
In the day's early kick-off at Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace collected a deserved win at home to a very defensive-minded West Brom side managed by former boss Tony Pulis. Despite dominating the first-half exchanges, Palace failed to find a breakthrough until Yannick Bolasie, who signed a new three-and-a-half year contract last weekend, scored his first home goal for three years as he headed in Yohan Cabaye's inviting delivery.
With the Baggies offering very little in terms of any attacking threat and substituting striker Saido Berahino at half-time, Wilfried Zaha won his second penalty in as many matches after being felled by a poor challenge from Chris Brunt. Just as he did against Watford at Vicarage Road last weekend, summer signing Cabaye stepped up and dispatched the ball from 12 yards to secure a third consecutive victory in all competitions.
Elsewhere, Sunderland raced into a two-goal lead against away-day specialists West Ham through Steven Fletcher and a delightful long-range chip from Jeremain Lens. The latter was later sent off for two bookable offences, though, and efforts from Carl Jenkinson and Dimitri Payet secured the Hammers a hard-fought point. Only time will tell if that improved performance will be enough to stop Dick Advocaat from leaving his post, as has been widely reported in the last few days.
Marko Arnautovic controversially saw a first-half goal ruled out in Stoke's clash at Villa Park, but the Austrian slotted home Glen Johnson's pass after the break to seal a second successive three points. A dreadful pass from Artur Boruc allowed Watford to escape Dean Court with a 1-1 draw, Odion Ighalo netting for the 21st time in 2015 after Glenn Murray had headed home Matt Ritchie's cross for Bournemouth. The former Crystal Palace striker, who will now take on an important role in Eddie Howe's attack with Callum Wilson set to miss up to six months with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, also missed a penalty to cap a mixed full debut.
At Carrow Road, Jamie Vardy was more successful from the spot as he made it seven goals in just eight appearances this season after being tripped by Norwich defender Sebastian Bassong. N'Golo Kante then set up Jeff Schlupp for Leicester's second goal, with Dieumerci Mbokani's late flick from a Jonny Howson ball in proving nothing other than a consolation.
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