LONDON: Southampton crushed Sunderland 8-0 in one of the biggest wins in the Premier League’s 22-year history, overshadowing Sergio Aguero’s four-goal haul in Manchester City’s latest thrashing of Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

On an incident-packed day of goals, red cards and drama in England’s top flight, Chelsea maintained their iron grip on top spot by beating Crystal Palace 2-1.

Goals from Oscar and Cesc Fabregas at Selhurst Park made it seven wins from eight games for Chelsea, who overcame the sending-off of Cesar Azpilicueta before half-time to stay five points clear.

Second-placed City are leading the chase, after Aguero lit up the day’s early kickoff, scoring all four goals as City beat Tottenham 4-1 in a match of four penalties and a red card for Spurs defender Fabrizio Fabio.

The Argentine scored twice from the spot and had another penalty saved.

Pride of place, however, went to Southampton stayed a point behind in third after scoring five times in the final 27 minutes against imploding Sunderland.

Southampton were 3-0 up at half-time at St Mary’s, the goal rush starting when Sunderland’s Santiago Vergini put through his own net when he volleyed in an attempted clearance in the 12th minute.

Graziano Pelle made it 2-0 six minutes later and there was more misery for the more than 2,000 travelling Sunderland fans who had made the long journey down from the north-east to the south coast when Jack Cork turned in from close range.

The goals kept coming in the second-half, Liam Bridcutt diverting Pelle’s shot into his own net for a second own-goal of the match before Pelle, Dusan Tadic, Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane piled on the agony for Sunderland.

West Ham United moved into the top four after a 3-1 victory at struggling Burnley.

Diafra Sakho’s sixth goal in as many games gave West Ham the lead in the 49th minute and Enner Valencia made it 2-0 five minutes later.

George Boyd pulled one back on the hour mark before Hammers substitute Carlton Cole put the result beyond doubt.

Arsenal’s mediocre start to the season continued as they were held to their fifth draw in eight matches, Danny Welbeck scoring late to salvage a 2-2 home draw with Hull City — the team they beat in last season’s FA Cup final.

Alexis Sanchez’s powerful shot put Arsenal ahead in the 13th minute at the Emirates Stadium before Mohamed Diame levelled for Hull minutes later.

Hull went ahead early in the second half when Abel Hernandez headed home Tom Huddlestone’s cross and it seemed the Tigers would hold on for victory until England forward Welbeck struck in stoppage-time.

Everton returned to form with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Goodison Park thanks to goals from captain Phil Jagielka, Romelu Lukaku and Seamus Coleman.

Newcastle United’s home game against Leicester City was a delayed kickoff after a pre-match safety issue with a new video screen inside St James’ Park.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2014