LONDON – Liverpool were sent spinning to a 2-0 defeat at promoted Burnley in the Premier League yesterday while Chelsea came from behind to win 2-1 at Watford thanks to late goals from Michy Batshuayi and Diego Costa.
Elsewhere, Sergio Aguero and Nolito scored twice apiece as Manchester City won 4-1 at Stoke City to give Pep Guardiola’s men their second straight victory while champions Leicester City were held to a 0-0 home draw by Arsenal. Sam Vokes and Andre Gray scored first-half goals to put Burnley in command against Liverpool who were a pale shadow of the team that beat Arsenal 4-3 in their opening game of the season last weekend.
“How can I be happy with this?”, said Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp.
“Everybody needs to be more clinical. Burnley deserved to win with a very passionate performance. We have to say it wasn’t enough today.”
Vokes netted with a rasping shot in the second minute before Gray bagged his first top-flight goal with a crisp low strike from 18 metres.
Etienne Capoue gave Watford a 55th-minute lead against Chelsea after smashing a swerving shot into the top corner of the net.
Substitute Batshuayi equalised in the 80th minute with his first goal for the club before Costa, who scored a late winner against West Ham United on Monday, finished calmly three minutes from time after being found by another sub, Cesc Fabregas.
“I’m pleased to see a reaction from my players,” said Chelsea manager Antonio Conte. “This win’s very important for us as it gives everyone confidence.”
Manchester City were arguably flattered by the 4-1 scoreline at Stoke.
Aguero, who missed two penalties in City’s 5-0 Champions League playoff first-leg victory at Steaua Bucharest in midweek, opened the scoring from the spot after Ryan Shawcross impeded Nicolas Otamendi. The Argentine then doubled his tally after 36 minutes, meeting a sumptuous Kevin De Bruyne free kick to send a fine header into the far corner of the goal.
