The Stagcom 17th October Round Up
As weekends go, that was up there! No matter what sport you follow, it's fair to say there was something for everyone!
All emotions were experienced over the weekend, ranging from joy to despair, so allow us to run through everything and cover anything you may have missed.
Premier League Drama
In keeping with the season so far, this weekend's Premier League action was full of goals and drama. Beginning with Saturday's early kick-off where Chelsea hammered last season's champions Leicester 3-0. Diego Costa opened the scoring inside ten minutes after he was left unmarked at a corner. Eden Hazard made it two just after the half-hour mark after rounding Kasper Schmeichel and Victor Moses sealed the victory late on. Claudio Ranieri's side are now the first reigning champions to lose their first four away games in 20 years.
There was huge drama as Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Everton; with Pep Guardiola's team missing two penalties! Kevin De Bruyne saw his first-half spot kick saved by Maarten Stekelenburg as City struggled to find the opener their dominance deserved. Romelu Lukaku put the Toffees ahead, before Sergio Aguero missed City's second penalty of the match. Substitute Nolito saved City's blushes with a late header to rescue a point and leave them top of the table on goal difference.
Arsenal are now level on points with City after a 3-2 win over Swansea. Theo Walcott continued his fine start to the season with two early goals as Arsenal looked to be cruising. Gylfi Sigurdsson brought Swansea back into the game just before half-time, but Mesut Ozil restored the Gunners' two-goal lead after half-time with a thumping finish. Substitute Borja Baston then reduced Bob Bradley's side's arrears again and Granit Xhaka was sent off shortly after. Despite being down to ten men, Arsenal managed to hold out.
However, the biggest game of the evening is tonight! Liverpool host Manchester United at Anfield in what should be a cracker of a game!
Opening European Weekend
The opening weekend of the European Rugby Championship Cup was sadly marred by the news of Munster's head coach, Anthony Foley, suddenly passing away at the team's hotel in Paris as they prepared to take on Racing 92. The game was promptly postponed as family, friends and teammates of the former Ireland international struggle to come to terms with his death.
With regards to the Aviva Premiership teams in action, it was a mixed bag of results. Leicester Tigers were torn apart in a 42-13 defeat to Glasgow on Friday night and it could have been a lot worse!
Wasps had no such trouble on their way to an 82-14 win over Zebre on Saturday, as the English sides fared much better. Saracens and Northampton secured narrow victories over Toullonaise and Montpellier respectively. Exeter failed to start their European campaign so successfully as they suffered a 8-35 defeat at the hands of Clermont Auvergne.
British Masters Finishes
The British Masters came to a conclusion yesterday and was won by Sweden's Alex Noren. The victory for Noren was his third European Tour Victory in his last eight events!
Noren hit a final round of 69 (two-under-par) to finish on 18 under overall, two clear of Austria's Bern Wiesberger. Lee Westwood was third on 15 under and will be glad to have found some form again after disappointing Ryder Cup.
Murray Claims Another Title
Great Britain's Andy Murray defeated Roberto Bautista Agut in straight sets to claim the Shanghai Masters. The win also takes Murray a step closer to replacing Novak Djokovic in the world rankings.
Murray stuttered through the first set to win it on a tie break, but made light work of his Spanish opponent in the second set to take it 6-1.
Image credits: Champions League, Sky Sports Rugby, The European Tour, Team Scotland