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Premier League roundup: Moody Mou stung by the Hornets

Eddie Keogh / Reuters

With another round of Premier League action in the books, we take a look back at what happened in the English top flight this weekend.

United vanquished at Vicarage Road

"The luck is against us, something we cannot control."

Trust Jose Mourinho to shun responsibility for Manchester United's 3-1 loss at Watford on Sunday. It's not because Paul Pogba's been asked to babysit Marouane Fellaini in midfield, nor is it because Wayne Rooney is his side's laggard nucleus; no, it's the fault of that cruel mistress Lady Luck.

Related: 3 problems Mourinho needs to fix to get United back on track

Sadly for moody Mou, misfortune prevented his ranks from marking Etienne Capoue and Juan Camilo Zuniga for their goals, and made United appear an overall disorganised throng throughout. Improvement is needed.

Watford, meanwhile, continues its surprising form under Walter Mazzarri. His players are a portly, barrel-chested lot, and seem well-drilled in their roles under the wily tactician. Expect the Hornets to humble a few teams this term.

Shaymeful Stoke

In his 10 appearances for Stoke City, Shay Given has given up 26 goals between the sticks, and the statistics rain in reflecting on some torrid defending from the Potters.

For the sixth occasion in 11 Premier League matches that Stoke has given up four goals, Crystal Palace repeatedly sauntered through in the 4-1 win. Andros Townsend starred, and Wilfried Zaha could be finding some consistency.

The odds for Mark Hughes to be the first manager to leave his post have been slashed, and it's difficult to see where the abrasive Welshman will find inspiration to turn the tide in Staffordshire.

Wilfried Bony's clumsy slip when handed a gilt-edged chance in the second stanza epitomised Stoke's failings. The Ivorian is bereft of confidence following his ineffective loitering for Manchester City, and moves like a forlorn grandmother caught in a rainstorm after picking up Friday's chippy tea in her slippers.

Henderson hit exposes Chelsea

When the midfield's defensive linchpin N'Golo Kante is popping hopeful shots from distance you know Chelsea is out of sorts.

But what a corking strike from Jordan Henderson under the Friday night lights. From around 30 yards, the much-derided Liverpool captain arrowed a stunning swerver into the top corner of Thibaut Courtois, emitting a brief confused silence before the away support erupted.

Yes, his captaining credentials are questionable, but when tempered with a simple, restricted passing game he's proven a handy part of Jurgen Klopp's lineup. It's when he's afforded freedom that his inadequacies come to the fore.

It would be foolish to write off Chelsea's title credentials on the scant evidence of this 2-1 loss, though. David Luiz will ease his way back into English football and, aside from the odd bout of dodgy defending, will instigate quick attacks with his fine vision when in possession. Marcos Alonso can also became a valuable asset for Antonio Conte due to his versatility and wise use of the ball.

Around the grounds

While the smallest matters can spark a Twitter meltdown from Arsenal fans, their annoyance at Granit Xhaka not being started at Hull City on Saturday was just - and later justified. The Swiss stepped forward in the closing stages of the 4-1 win, and sprung a beautiful swerver into the top corner from 30 yards.

Pep Guardiola's start at Manchester City has now reached eight wins, and the Spaniard has implemented a cohesion and intensity that's gone unrivalled so far this season. Kevin De Bruyne pulled the strings as City topped Bournemouth 4-0 on Saturday - a match which involved a goal on Ilkay Gundogan's league debut and Kelechi Iheanacho continuing to show a natural knack up front with yet another strike.

Elsewhere:

Everton 3-1 Middlesbrough

Leicester City 3-0 Burnley

Southampton 1-0 Swansea City

Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Sunderland

West Bromwich Albion 4-2 West Ham United

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