Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, left, scores the opening goal of the game past Manchester United’s goalkeeper David de Gea who lies on the ground during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates stadium in London
Manchester United conceded three goals in the first 20 minutes for the first time in the 23-year history of the Premier League, Liverpool fired its manager and Zlatan Ibrahimovic became Paris Saint-Germain’s all-time leading scorer in the French league on Sunday.
In Germany, Bayern Munich reasserted its current dominance by routing Borussia Dortmund while Real Madrid failed to take top spot in the Spanish league.
ENGLAND
Brendan Rodgers was fired as Liverpool manager after a 1-1 draw at Everton and Alexis Sanchez’s first-half double inspired Arsenal to a 3-0 win over Manchester United, ending a chaotic weekend in the English Premier League.
Staying unbeaten in Merseyside derbies failed to prevent Rodgers paying the price for Liverpool’s slump since almost winning the league title in 2014.
Liverpool’s announcement overshadowed a dominant performance by Arsenal, as the London club knocked United off the top of the standings.
Arsenal scored all three of its goals in the first 20 minutes, with Sanchez taking his personal haul to six goals in three games with a deft backheel flick and a pile-driver from the edge of the area.
It meant Manchester City regained first place thanks to its 6-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday.
Arsenal moved into second place, above United on goal difference, and to within two points of City.
Also Sunday, Tottenham drew 2-2 at Swansea.
GERMANY
Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern Munich routed previously unbeaten Borussia Dortmund 5-1 to open up a seven-point lead after eight Bundesliga matches.
Thomas Mueller also scored twice after Dortmund had started brightly. Bayern’s attacking midfielder opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Jerome Boateng sent him through with a long ball over the top, and he claimed his second from the penalty spot in the 35th, after Henrikh Mkhitaryan brought down Thiago Alcantara.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pulled one back a minute later but Lewandowski scored seconds after the break to end any hopes his former side had of a comeback.
Mario Goetze, another former Dortmund player, set up Lewandowski’s second in the 58th — the striker’s 12th in four games across all competitions — and then completed the scoring in the 58th.
It was Bayern’s eighth consecutive win to start the season, equaling the club’s own record of 24 points with a plus 24 goal difference from the 2012-13 season.
SPAIN
Atletico Madrid substitute Luciano Vietto scored a late goal to snatch a 1-1 draw against crosstown rival Real Madrid, denying Rafa Benitez’s side the chance to reclaim the Spanish league lead.
Karim Benzema gave Madrid a great start with his league-leading sixth goal to quiet the Vicente Calderon crowd just nine minutes into the match, and goalkeeper Keylor Navas protected that advantage by saving Antoine Griezmann’s penalty in the 22nd minute.
But as Madrid settled on defending instead of seeking a second goal to seal the win, Atletico titled the action toward Navas’ net and Vietto poked in a cross from fellow substitute Jackson Martinez that the goalie couldn’t handle in the 83rd.
Still unbeaten, Madrid squandered the opportunity to overtake Villarreal at the top of the standings after the leader lost 1-0 at Levante earlier.
FRANCE
A day after celebrating his 34th birthday, Zlatan Ibrahimovic became Paris Saint-Germain’s all-time leading scorer as he netted twice in a 2-1 win over bitter rival Marseille in the French league Sunday.
With 110 goals for PSG in all competitions, Ibrahimovic surpassed Pedro Pauleta’s record of 109 goals that the former Portugal forward amassed in 211 games from 2003-2008. Ibrahimovic, who joined PSG in 2012, scored both his goals from the penalty spot to reach the milestone in just 137 games. He received a standing ovation when he was substituted in the 70th minute.
The win lifted unbeaten PSG five points clear of second-place Angers, with struggling Marseille already lagging 15 points behind after just nine games.
ITALY
Fiorentina eased to a 3-0 win over 10-man Atalanta to move into sole possession of top spot in Serie A after Inter Milan drew 1-1 at Sampdoria.
Atalanta was down to 10 men in the fifth minute when Gabriel Paletta was sent off and Josip Ilicic fired Fiorentina in front from the penalty spot. Borja Valero and Joan Verdu secured the points.
Fiorentina was two points ahead of Inter and three ahead of Lazio, which beat Frosinone 2-0. Roma was a point further back after winning 4-2 at Palermo.
Four-time defending champion Juventus recorded only its second league win of the season as it came from behind to beat bottom side Bologna 3-1, but there was more misery for AC Milan which was thrashed 4-0 at home by Napoli. AP
Chelsea’s manager Jose Mourinho, right, and Newcastle United’s manager Steve McClaren
Chelsea gives public backing to Mourinho
Chelsea has taken the unusual step of publicly endorsing its belief in manager Jose Mourinho following the team’s disappointing start to the season.
Chelsea released a statement yesterday, saying that Mourinho “continues to have our full support” and he is “the right manager to turn this season around and that he has the squad with which to do it.”
In a dreadful start to the defense of its title, Chelsea is 16th in the 20-team Premier League after winning two of its first eight games. The Blues lost 3-1 at home to Southampton on Saturday.
Chelsea has also lost one of its first two group games in the Champions League.
On Sunday, Liverpool fired manager Brendan Rodgers and Dick Advocaat resigned as Sunderland manager. AP
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