Ghana star Andre Ayew and his Swansea City side suffered an embarrassing defeat in the hands of in-form Leicester City at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
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Stoke tore the visitors apart in the first 15 minutes, Swiss Shaqiri, known as “The Alpine Messi”, twice setting up Marko Arnautovic to score from close range.
Mahrez was denied a hat-trick inside 25 minutes by another solid Fabianski stop, having found his way past a suffering Neil Taylor, while Leonardo Ulloa curled inches wide having been played in by Vardy.
“In this game we are playing with the same players in the last three games”, Pellegrini said, bemoaning injuries to Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure and Sergio Aguero.
Van Gaal’s confessions dominate the Sunday World back page this weekend, following another disappointing result for his side as they could only draw 0-0 with West Ham at Old Trafford.
Chelsea’s defeat put Manchester United’s frustrations into perspective. It was another goal from a rapid break. We need to realise it’s a serious situation and, whatever happens, those players in the changing room are the only ones who can change it.
Arsenal were not at their free-flowing best against Sunderland, but still produced a match-winning performance that moved them up to second.
Olivier Giroud scored at both ends while Aaron Ramsey was also on target as Arsenal picked up a 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium yesterday.
“That’s more important than being top”.
Vardy had scored in the previous 11 games, setting a Premier League record.
Swansea were accounted for 3-0 by surprise league leaders Leicester City on Saturday, increasing the pressure on embattled bass Monk.
Dele Alli enhanced his growing reputation when he volleyed in after 15 minutes in front of watching England manager Roy Hodgson.
In the 23rd minute, Mahrez, offside according to TV replays, buried his second into the far corner.
Bottom club Aston Villa drew 1-1 at Southampton and fellow-strugglers Norwich City lost 2-0 at Watford.
There were some boos at fulltime after a fourth 0-0 draw in their last six home games.
Leicester were rampant and the hosts were lucky to still be in with an outside chance at half-time. Television replays suggested it was the wrong decision.
Champions Chelsea, wallowing down in 14th place, host Bournemouth in the late game.
Then Murray, who had been on for just 90 seconds, headed Bournemouth’s victor with eight minutes left.
“It was like giving him a penalty kick, it is a good link between them”.
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“He is happy because he knows over anything else this is a team, it comes above them”.
