Premier League

LIFE WAS just a bunch of Cherries for Arne Slot once more as his side climbed to the top of the table.In the space of a week that shock 1–0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest has become nothing but a bad memory for the Dutchman.First there was the 3–1 Champions League victory over AC Milan in the San Siro that lifted shattered spirits – including maybe his own.That was followed by the 11–minute, three goal blitz that turned this clash into a cruise with Darwin Nunez collecting the pick of the bunch.Things had been going near-perfectly before that Forest loss after three opening Prem wins for Jurgen Klopp’s successor.Then came the Forest reality check and there were times against Andoni Iraola’s bright attackers that they looked edgy and uncomfortable.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIndeed had Antoine Semenyo not been a foot offside in the fourth minute with his strike ruled out by VAR there might have been different mood music around Anfield.And wantaway No 2 Caoimhin Kelleher, replacing hamstring victim Alisson, had to look lively at times.But still, they swallowed up their opportunities like a Slot machine with Luis Diaz bagging a double.Liverpool won’t remain at the summit beyond tomorrow’s showdown between Manchester City and Arsenal.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBut Slot will swallow that knowing progress on his redevelopment of the side, while still a work in progress, is very much underway with only one Prem goal conceded now in five games. And from Nunez, the diva front man who drove Klopp and the Kop mad at times in the two seasons following his £64m arrival from Benfica, signs that he might finally make himself worth that huge fee.True enough, by the time he scored in the 37th minute, Liverpool were already two ahead with the Bournemouth balloon deflating fast.Even so his first goal in 15 games stretching back to last season and a series of frustrated strops – he didn’t even applaud Klopp in his last – day farewell – indicated proper belief in his abilities.The Uruguayan played a delightful one-two with Mo Salah before motoring down the right flank.With nobody close to him he stopped, stepped into the right-hand corner of the box and delivered a stunning right footer beyond goalkeeper Kepa.Slot surprised quite a few by naming him in the starting line – up in place of Diogo Jota.Yet the new manager did go into the game insisting that Nunez was learning fast under him, confident that the old misses will more and more become hits.Why the big man, looking a lot happier than he has done in months, even got a huge ovation when he was replaced in the 72nd minute by new £10m winger Federico Chiesa.Iraola had already been booked – meaning a touchline ban for his side’s next clash with Southampton, before Diaz claimed his first in the 26th minute.Ibrahima Konate powered out from the back and found the Colombian 30 yards out.Kepa took a walk on the wild side and got stranded outside his area, leaving Diaz to utilise his flashing feet with a dart that left him for dead and Ronald Araujo had no chance as he tried to cover the blunder.Liverpool went direct again, Trent Alexander–Arnold this time driving forward through acres of opposition space.READ MORE SUN STORIESHis pass to the far edge of the box was high precision as was Diaz’s second finish, cutting to his right before firing low into the corner.At the point it was job done for Slot, although Mo Salah might have collected a brace himself while Chiesa so nearly crowned his Anfield debut in style only for his shot to hit woodwork. More

SAM MORSY denied Southampton a first win of the season after striking late to level. Tyler Dibling opened the scoring for the Saints after five minutes and looked to have won the game. But FIVE minutes into injury time and Morsy equalised to leave both searching for their first win of the season. Tyler Dibling opened the scoring for SouthamptonCredit: RexSam Morsy scored the late levellerCredit: ReutersMORE TO FOLLOW More

ASTON VILLA again came from behind to beat Midland derby rivals Wolves 3-1 in the Premier League.And Wolves again lost a 1-0 advantage in the same week – and are ROCK BOTTOM of the Prem, with Villa in third.Matheus Cunha opened the scoring at Villa ParkOllie Watkins then bagged his third Prem goal of the new campaignKonsa put Villa aheadCredit: GettyOllie Watkins and Ezri Konsa cancelled out Matheus Cunha’s opener to leave Unai Emery dancing on the touchlines.Before Jhon Duran bagged his second goal in as many games in the fourth minute of 13 added minutes after Yerson Mosquera has stretchered off. From the first half showing, Wolves deserved the victory.Matheus Cunha bagged his first Premier League goal of the season as Wolves shocked fans at Villa Park.Read more football newsBut Villa – who were desperately poor in the opening 45 having failed to register a shot on target – fought back in the second half.Watkins equalised with a clever finish in 73rd minute.Before Konsa tapped in from six yards to leave Gary O’Neil lifting his finger to his chin.Two late goals ruined victory last week for Wolves too.Most read in FootballDespite going 1-0 up against Newcastle, their lead was destroyed in the last 25 minutes with the Toon claiming a 2-1 win.THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball. More

NICK Pope’s nightmare moment blew Newcastle’s hopes of topping the Prem.England keeper Pope has been a big reason for the Toon’s early season form.Fulham picked up a huge Premier League win over NewcastleCredit: ReutersEddie Howe’s side could have travelled back to the North East on top of the pile for the first time since they led under Bobby Robson in 2001.But Pope’s horror blunder as he allowed Emile Smith Rowe’s soft effort to elude his grasp sent Newcastle spinning to their first defeat of the season.Despite a second half rally after Harvey Barnes netted within 30 seconds of the start of the second period, the harsh reality is that the luck that had carried Howe’s men through an unbeaten four game start was due to run out.And it did, as Newcastle paid the price for a wretched, ragged and woeful first half in which they were lucky to be only two down after Smith Rowe added to Raul Jimenez’ early opener.Read More on FootballHowe, who has tried to downplay expectations on the Gallowgate, prides himself on desire, determination and an all-round work ethic.Newcastle, though, displayed none of that until they had effectively thrown the game away with a disjointed and desperate display that deserved absolutely nothing.And their fate was sealed  when Bruno Guimaraes passed across his own box and straight to substitute Reiss Nelson for a stoppage time clincher – his first Prem strike since leaving Arsenal.It was only right that Fulham finally ended a eight-game winless streak against the Toon, after a madcap opening that set the tone.Most read in FootballJoelinton had the ball in the back on four minutes, sweeping home when his own strike came back to him off Bernd Leno but Joe Willock was correctly flagged in the build-up.And 45 seconds later, Fulham were in front at the other end.Adama Traore was allowed time to pick out a ball from the right.Jimenez collected on his chest, Fabian Schar reacted too slowly and the Mexican swivelled to smash past Pope on the turn.A great finish. But Howe will have been furious at how easy it was.It was so nearly two almost instantly as well.Smith Rowe took a return ball from Alex Iwobi and unleashed from the edge of the box, his effort flicking off the bar with Pope beaten.Newcastle, with Alexander Isak – selected despite both eye and toe issues this week – unable to get into the game, were rocking.Dan Burn escaped courtesy of Pope’s intervention as he allowed a Traore diagonal to float over his head and through to the lively Jimenez.Iwobi’s clever passing into feet and spaces was terrific and it was no surprise that he was involved in the second – although Pope will hope all video evidence of his blooper can be obliterated.Fulham came down the inside left channel through Smith Rowe, who spotted Iwobi on the outside.Once again, Iwobi played a subtle pass into the danger zone but Smith Rowe’s poke with the outside of his right foot was barely more than a back pass.Pope, however, went down in very slow stages, sticking out his left hand far too late and only managing to help the ball on its way into the net.An absolute shocker, by any standards. Jimenez went close to a third with a half-volley over the top as he reacted far quicker than anyone in Newcastle’s 90s throwback away kit to Teddy Lukic’s cross.Barnes tested Leno from 16 yards but Howe’s men were utterly disorganised through a porous midfield.Pope stuck out a leg to foil Traore after he teased Burn and then had to dive the other way to repel Joachim Andersen’s long-ranger.Howe acted by hooking Lloyd Kelly and Willock, with Lewis Hall and Jacob Murphy on.And Murphy made an instant impact.He received from Isak – the Swede was just onside – and drove deep before flicking to the left, where Barnes steered between Kenny Tete’s legs and into the far corner.The travelling Toon Army, dormant throughout the opening 45 minutes, suddenly woke up. Home fears would have been eased if Iwobi, unmarked at the back post, had converted Traore’s teasing cross on the volley from six yards out.But Pope made partial amends for his earlier blunder with a fine reaction stop, before making far heavier weather of a bobbling Jimenez volley.Guimaraes, whose last contribution was in keeping with his entire afternoon, was seeking to influence the game, but fitfully.Only Anthony Gordon, wriggling through from half way and bringing an important save out of Leno, really seemed up for it.Soon afterwards, the German keeper had a remarkable escape, after a terrible short goal kick saw Schar – what was he doing up there? – step in to nick the ball but blaze wide of the gaping target with Isak waiting for what would have been a tap-in.READ MORE SUN STORIESMemories of last week’s costly late collapse against West Ham ensured tension.But Nelson gleefully accepted his late gift to end any of that, ensuring Newcastle’s  journey back will be long and painful. Like much of the match for them..  More