City fightback denies Newcastle, as Chelsea rocked
Manchester City staged a thrilling fightback as the Premier League champions rescued a 3-3 draw against Newcastle, while Edouard Mendy's embarrassing blunder condemned Chelsea to a 3-0 defeat at Leeds on Sunday. Pep Guardiola's side were in danger of a first league defeat since February after falling 3-1 behind in the second half at St James' Park. But Erling Haaland sparked City's revival with his third goal for the club before Bernardo Silva's equaliser completed the escape act. Second-placed City remain unbeaten with seven points from their first three games, leaving them two points behind leaders Arsenal. While Guardiola will be concerned with the way City were carved open by Newcastle, the spirited comeback underlined why they have won the title four times in the last five seasons. "That was a proper game. Newcastle are becoming one of the toughest opponents for sure," Guardiola said. "To see the team fight to the end is enough. The Premier League is so difficult for everyone. It shows how amazing we've done for five years and how difficult it will be." City needed just five minutes to take the lead as Silva cleverly worked space to cross towards the unmarked Ilkay Gundogan, who fired home from eight yards. Newcastle equalised in the 28th minute when Allan Saint-Maximin's pin-point cross was bundled in by Miguel Almiron, with the goal awarded by VAR after an initial offside flag. City's defence was then breached again in the 39th minute and Saint-Maximin was once more the tormentor with a brilliant run and pass to Callum Wilson, who timed his run perfectly to slot past Ederson. Kieran Trippier grabbed Newcastle's third goal with a stunning free-kick that whistled into the top corner after 54 minutes. But Haaland reduced the deficit with a close-range strike from Rodri's flick on the hour. City had a lifeline and Silva seized it four minutes later with a deft finish from Kevin De Bruyne's pass. At Elland Road, Mendy's costly 33rd-minute mistake was the catalyst for Chelsea's shocking implosion as Brenden Aaronson netted after catching the goalkeeper taking too long in possession. Rodrigo's fourth goal in three games this season doubled Leeds' advantage in the 37th minute, and Jack Harrison's 69th-minute goal completed Leeds' first win over Chelsea since 2002 and their biggest against their old rivals since 1995. Chelsea find themselves in the unusual position of sitting below their less glamorous west London neighbours Fulham and Brentford in the table. At the London Stadium, Brighton added to West Ham's woes with an impressive 2-0 victory. (AFP)