Premier League weekend review: Mane deserved to see Red

Sportsnet's Soccer Panel break down Alexis Sanchez's current situation at Arsenal and what needs to be done.

Here’s what happened in the Premier League this weekend, in case you missed it…

READ ALL ABOUT IT

• Saturday: Man City blanks Liverpool, Man United drops points and more
• Sunday: De Boer under more pressure at Crystal Palace

WATCH MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Manchester City 5, Liverpool 0 || Everton 0, Tottenham 3 || Leicester City 1, Chelsea 2 || Arsenal 3, Bournemouth 0 || Southampton 0, Watford 2 || Brighton & Hove Albion 3, West Bromwich Albion 1 || Burnley 1, Crystal Palace 0 || Swansea City 0, Newcastle United 1 ||

WHAT STOOD OUT

Liverpool’s Mane deserved to see Red
Before we go any further, let it be said that referees should go the extra mile in trying not to send off players. Too often games are ruined by a ref’s hasty decision to brandish a red card. But there are instances where a red card is fully warranted.

Down 1-0 away to Manchester City on Saturday, Liverpool was still in the game when Sadio Mane was given his marching orders in the 37th minute after catching City goalkeeper Ederson in the face with a high boot.

To be sure, the ball was there to be won, and both players had every right to go for the through ball that was played towards City’s goal. But Mane was reckless, even if his eyes were clearly on the ball. His boot was ridiculously high, and his actions were dangerous. Did he make an honest attempt to win the ball? Yes. But that doesn’t matter.

“It was an easy decision. It’s a red card. Intent is not relevant,” former Premier League referee Graham Poll told broadcaster BT Sport.

Unfortunately for Liverpool, it was after Mane was sent off that the floodgates opened, as City poured on the pressure while a man up and swept four more goals past the Reds. It was a shame that such a marquee match disintegrated so quickly. But Mane’s reckless play warranted a red card.

City win, United drop points: A tale of two Manchester clubs

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BEST MOMENT

It has to be Kevin De Bruyne’s perfectly weighted pass that sent in Segio Aguero clear on goal. A lovely piece of skill from the Belgian that Aguero duly dispatched to give Manchester City the lead.

BEST QUOTE

“If City takes too much confidence from this game today, they make a mistake. If we lose too much confidence because of this game we make also a mistake.” – Jurgen Klopp

BEST GOAL

BEST MATCH

There was plenty of goals between Stoke City and Manchester United, and a fair bit of bad blood between managers Mark Hughes and Jose Mourinho – there was an incident between the coaches during the match and they didn’t shake hands at fulltime.

BEST TWEET

THE GAME WITHIN THE GAME

Newcastle United was able to earn a clean sheet away to Swansea City in large part thanks to Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino who did an outstanding job of protecting the Magpies’ back four.

THE BIG QUESTION

Every week, Sportsnet’s soccer panel will debate The Big Question. Have your say by voting in the poll below:

SIX PACK OF STATS

• Sergio Aguero is now the top scoring non-European player in Premier League history (124 goals), overtaking Dwight Yorke.
• Wayne Rooney is the second player in Premier League history to receive 100 yellow cards, after Gareth Barry (119).
• Danny Welbeck has scored more Premier League goals in four games this season (three) than he did in 16 appearances in 2016-17 (two).
• Mark Hughes is only the second manager to go unbeaten in four consecutive Premier League games against Jose Mourinho, after Ronald Koeman (five games).
• Crystal Palace is the first top-flight team since Preston in 1924-25 to lose their opening four matches without scoring a goal.
• All three of Jamaal Lascelles’ goals for Newcastle United in the Premier League have been headers via a corner, with two coming vs Swansea City.
Stats courtesy of Opta

THREE STARS

1) Danny Welbeck, Arsenal: Scored two goals and set up another in Arsenal’s big win over Bournemouth.
2) Eric Choupo-Moting, Stoke City: The Cameroonian put in a man of the match performance, bagging a brace to allow the Potters to earn a draw against Manchester United.
3) Pascal Gross, Brighton & Hove Albion: Scored two goals, and set up a third in Brighton’s win over West Brom.

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