Southampton stun Chelsea; Fulham continue to impress

Sports Desk, Aug 30 (EFE).- Chelsea are off to their worst start to the Premier League season since 2015 after falling Tuesday to Southampton, while promoted Fulham prevailed over Brighton & Hove Albion to improve to 8 points from five matches.

Everton remain without a win, but can take some encouragement from earning a point against Leeds United at Elland Road. Crystal Palace and Brentford shared the points from a London derby at Selhurst Park.

The visiting Blues had 68 percent possession at St. Mary’s, yet managed only four shots on target to seven for the hosts.

Raheem Sterling put Chelsea ahead in the 23rd minute. The lead only lasted five minutes, however, as Southampton pulled level in the 28th on Romeo Lavia’s first goal since joining the Saints.

The home side grabbed the lead in first-half stoppage with a goal by Adam Armstrong, who benefited from a deflection off Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly.

Chelsea created only two solid chances in the second half: a Kai Havertz strike that went over the cross-bar on a good chance and an effort by Armando Broja that forced a good stop from Saints goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu.

Mohammed Salisu would have made it 3-1 for Southampton but for Thiago Silva’s back-heel clearance off the line in the 73rd minute.

Brighton, who started the day level on points with Manchester City and Tottenham, suffered their first defeat of the campaign against scrappy Fulham.

After a scoreless first half, Aleksandar Mitrovic put the hosts on the board in the 48th minute, the fifth goal of the season for the Serbian striker.

The 2-0 materialized seven minutes later on an own goal by Lewis Dunk. The Seagulls halved the deficit in the 60th minute, when Alexis Mac Allister converted from the spot, but Fulham secured all 3 points.

In Leeds, United had 70 percent possession and outshot Everton 14-7, yet had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

The Toffees led at the break on Anthony Gordon’s goal in the 17th minute. Leeds poured on the pressure early in the second half and equalized in the 55th minute with Luis Sinisterra’s first-ever goal in the Premier League.

Palace’s Wilfried Zaha broke a 0-0 deadlock against Brentford with a tremendous goal just before the hour mark and the Eagles looked likely to take all the points until Yoane Wissa connected for the Bees with two minutes left in regulation.

Brentford nearly won it in stoppage time with a Ben Mee header that bounced off the post.

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