Liverpool smash seven past Palace, Arsenal lose again

LONDON: Champions Liverpool are five points clear at the top of the Premier League after a 7-0 away hammering of Crystal Palace while Arsenal's troubles continued with a 2-1 defeat at second-placed Everton on Saturday.

Arsenal's worst start to a season in 46 years shows no sign of ending after another poor result for their under-pressure manager Mikel Arteta.

Colombian Yerry Mina grabbed the winner with a header from a corner on the stroke of halftime after a Nicolas Pepe penalty had brought the Gunners level following Everton's opener from a Rob Holding own goal.

"It's not good enough, it's not good enough for the standards of this football club and this is the challenge," said Arteta.

Everton, with three straight wins, look back to their excellent early season form after a shaky spell.

"I think we're doing really well this season. We are in a good position in the table," said manager Carlo Ancelotti.

"We have shown in the past three games a lot of consistency and a lot of spirit, so you have to be pleased with what we are doing now," he said.

Manchester City got back to winning ways with a 1-0 victory at in-form Southampton while Newcastle United were held to a 1-1 draw at home to struggling Fulham.

Raheem Sterling got the decisive goal for Manchester City in the 16th minute, converting a low cross from Kevin De Bruyne while Southampton's injury-prone striker Danny Ings went off before the break with a hamstring problem.

City, who had been held at home by lowly West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday, again struggled in front of goal but continue to look solid at the back.

"Defensively we were excellent. Last season we struggled a lot. Ruben (Dias) has helped us a lot. John (Stones) in the last few games has been exceptional," said manager Pep Guardiola.

A Callum Wilson penalty for Newcastle cancelled out Matt Ritchie's own goal which had put Fulham ahead at St James' Park.

The result lifted Fulham out of the relegation zone as they moved one place up to 17th on 10 points from 14 games with a superior goal difference to 18th-placed Burnley who have two games in hand. Agencies

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