England

A sensational first-half hat-trick from Ollie Watkins helped Aston Villa to a stunning 7-2 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday to end the champions' 100% start to the season in extraordinary fashion.

Liverpool started badly at Villa Park as a poor pass from Adrian — deputizing for Alisson in goal for the visitors after the Brazilian picked up a shoulder injury — gifted Watkins the opener in the fourth minute.

Oh NO, Adrián!

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said his team's 6-1 hammering at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday was his worst day at the club.

It was United's joint worst loss in the Premier League era — equalling their 6-1 defeat by Manchester City in 2011.

"It's a horrible feeling, the worst day I've had as a Manchester United manager and player," said the Norwegian after his side, reduced to 10 men for the last hour, were ripped apart by Jose Mourinho's Spurs.

Tottenham gave Manchester United a historic beatdown on Sunday, winning 6-1 at Old Trafford after scoring four goals in an opening 37-minute barrage that also saw Anthony Martial sent off.

And things started so brightly for the Red Devils after Davinson Sánchez hacked down Martial in the area, leading to a Bruno Fernandes penalty with only two minutes on the clock.

Enter Harry Maguire.

Arsenal scored two goals in four minutes to grab a 2-1 Premier League home win over struggling Sheffield United, with Bukayo Saka and Nicolas Pepe getting on the scoresheet in the second half as the Gunners' misfiring attack finally found its rhythm.

The visitors frustrated Arsenal for the first hour, but Saka broke the deadlock by heading home following a snappy passing move in the 61st minute, and substitute Nicolas Pepe added a second three minutes later.

England call up:
Opening goal:

LEEDS, England — Leeds United's Rodrigo Moreno struck his first goal for the club to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday as visiting Pep Guardiola was denied victory against one of the men who inspired him to be a coach.

City's Spanish boss has often spoken highly of Leeds' Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa, who Guardiola took advice from before going into management at Barcelona, with the two tacticians meeting for the first time in England.

LIVERPOOL, England — James Rodriguez netted twice and Dominic Calvert-Lewin became the first Everton player to score in the opening four matches of a Premier League season as they beat Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2 on Saturday to stay top of the table with a maximum 12 points.

The hosts produced another classy performance with Rodriguez's fellow Colombian Yerry Mina also on the scoresheet for Carlo Ancelotti's high-flying side who next face champions Liverpool in the Merseyside derby after the international break.

In many respects, Wayne Rooney has been written off by football fans and media alike. The former England star left Manchester United three years ago and even spent a couple seasons in MLS, so it might seem like he’s a faded has-been.

But don’t forget, at 34 Rooney is younger than Cristiano Ronaldo, who many still hold as the best pure striker in the world right now (sorry Lewa). He’s a month younger than Luka Modric, who won the Ballon d’Or two years ago. And Rooney can still provide moments of magic like few in the world can even dream of.

LONDON — Chelsea settled their stuttering start to the season with a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday as Ben Chilwell marked his league debut for the Blues by scoring the opening goal and creating another for Kurt Zouma.

Jorginho sealed the win with two late penalties in a second-half demolition of Palace who had stifled Chelsea in a goalless first half.

Chelsea vs Crystal Palace Highlights (Oct. 3, 2020)