LONDON, Nov 7: Norwich fired Daniel Farke as manager despite finally winning their first game of the season in the league’s 11th round. Mathias Normann’s solo effort and Teemu Pukki’s penalty clinched a 2-1 win at Brentford in a meeting of promoted clubs.
But while Brentford is in 14th place, Norwich is seven points behind in the 20th and last place. Farke leaves after more than four years in charge that have seen him twice lead the eastern English club into the Premier League.
Only a superior goal difference is keeping Newcastle off the bottom of the standings after drawing 1-1 at Brighton. After being rejected by Unai Emery, Newcastle’s Saudi ownership looks finally ready to appoint a manager to replace the fired Steve Bruce.
Eddie Howe, who has been out of management since leaving Bournemouth last year, was at Brighton alongside Newcastle director Amanda Staveley. Leandro Trossard’s penalty for sixth-placed Brighton was canceled out by Isaac Hayden’s volley in the 65th.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea paid the price for sloppiness as Matej Vydra made the most of Burnley’s only scoring chance in the 79th to cancel out Kai Havertz’s first-half header.
“Of course they were lucky, and that’s why everybody loves the game, because it’s possible to win matches like this,” Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said.
“I stick with my feeling from the sideline, I have proved from all data right now that we played a fantastic match with a great attitude and intensity.
“I’m very happy with where we are, and it can happen as it did today that somebody else steals a point and is lucky.”
Liverpool can trim Chelsea’s lead to one point by beating West Ham on Sunday.
Patrick Vieira’s transformation of Crystal Palace is making an impact. Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher scored in a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton on Saturday to follow up on a triumph last weekend at Manchester City.
It’s now six games unbeaten for the south London club.
“We know the team has potential and the potential is starting to be seen,” Vieira said, “but we still need to keep that work ethic and momentum going.” (AP)