LONDON – Manchester United conceded two stoppage-time goals to draw 3-3 at Everton, while Chelsea maintained a perfect start to their title defence by beating West Ham 3-1 in the Premier League.
United led 3-1 in the 90th minute even without Wayne Rooney, who was given a day off against his former team amid newspaper reports about his private life. But Tim Cahill sparked Everton’s comeback with a headed goal and Mikel Arteta had time to score an equalizer.
Chelsea won their fourth straight with little resistance at West Ham, who are still without a point after four matches. Michael Essien netted Chelsea’s first goal after two minutes and headed in their third in the 83rd.
Arsenal are two points behind Chelsea in second after routing Bolton 4-1, while big-spending Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw by Blackburn to collect only one point from their last two matches.
Tottenham were held 1-1 by West Bromwich, as were Sunderland at Wigan, while Blackpool won their second match since being promoted, prevailing 2-0 over fellow newcomers Newcastle.
Fulham’s 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton came at a cost, with Bobby Zamora injuring his leg to be ruled out for four months.
United goalie Tim Howard had made two excellent saves in the first half. After diving one way, the American lifted his trailing leg to knock away a deflected shot by Paul Scholes in the 32nd minute, then five minutes later used a wrist to tip a 12-yard effort by Ryan Giggs over the crossbar.
“The first half we dominated and we should have went in 1-0,” Howard said. “Obviously they got the goal and in the second half they were powerful and went over the top of us. But we had spirit and we had fight and we got the point, which was important.” (AP)
