London: Manchester United’s disappointing start to the Premier League season continued on Saturday as the champions were held to a 1-1 draw at home to high-flying Southampton.
United’s teenage winger Adnan Januzaj celebrated his new five-year contract by creating the game’s opening goal in the 26th minute with a superb through ball for Wayne Rooney.
The England striker’s shot was blocked by Southampton goalkeeper Artur Boruc, but Robin van Persie was on hand to sweep the rebound home.
The hosts were prevented from recording consecutive victories for the first time in the league this season when a header by Southampton defender Dejan Lovren flicked into the net off team-mate Adam Lallana from an 89th-minute corner.
The draw left United in eighth place, eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Having seen Liverpool temporarily take claim of first place earlier in the day, Arsenal returned to the summit with a 4-1 win at home to Norwich City.
Jack Wilshere scored his second goal in two games to give Arsenal an 18th-minute lead, volleying home from Olivier Giroud’s flick.
Mesut Ozil scored his first league goal for the club with a header from a Giroud cross in the 58th minute and although Norwich midfielder Jonathan Howson replied for the visitors, Aaron Ramsey came off the bench to make sure of victory before Ozil added a fourth.
Arsenal lead the standings by two points from Chelsea, who leapfrogged Liverpool into second place after coming from behind to win 4-1 at home to Cardiff City.
Manchester City stole into the top four, three points behind Arsenal, after winning 3-1 at West Ham United in the late game.
Liverpool twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at 10-man Newcastle.
Visiting captain Steven Gerrard claimed his 100th league goal from the penalty spot shortly before half-time, cancelling out Yohan Cabaye’s long-range opener, after Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa was sent off for a last-man foul on Luis Suarez.
The 10-man hosts restored their lead through 22-year-old substitute Paul Dummett, only for Daniel Sturridge to head home a second Liverpool equaliser from Suarez’s 72nd-minute cross.
Gus Poyet’s tenure as manager of bottom club Sunderland began in lamentable fashion as his side crashed 4-0 at Swansea City.
Steven Pienaar scored within seconds of coming on to earn Everton a 2-1 victory at home to Hull City, while West Brom were held to a 0-0 draw at Stoke City. (AFP