TheCable

Manchester United fell to an embarrassing 1-3 loss to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in their first league game of the new season as Arsenal continued their perfect start with a 2-1 win over West Ham United at the Emirates.

After finishing fourth last season, the Red Devils started their season in a lethargic fashion and were punished by Wilfred Zaha, their former player, who scored two second half goals to consign Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team to defeat.

The home team made a horrible start to the match by conceding a seventh minute goal, thanks to Andros Townsend, who found the far corner from Jeffrey Schlupp’s cross.

Man United’s players looked heavy throughout the encounter while their defenders were bullied off the ball too often.

At the Emirates, Arsenal needed a late Eddie Nketiah’s goal to cancel the challenge from West Ham United in a 2-1 win that maintained their 100% start to the season.

Mikel Arteta’s men have now won both of their games played this season and have Alexandre Lacazette and Nketiah to thank for victory in this Saturday’s cagey encounter.

Lacazette’s header from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s cross on 25 minutes gave the Gunners the lead and 21-year-old Nketiah’s match-winning goal on 85 minutes restored the lead after West Ham had equalized on the stroke of halftime through Michael Antonio.

RESULTS

• Everton 5-2 West Bromwich Albion
• Leeds United 4-3 Fulham
• Man United 1-3 Crystal Palace
• Arsenal 2-1 West Ham United