Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1034189
34 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 SPORTS FOOTBALL MANCHESTER United have re- corded their worst league start in 29 years as they were beaten by West Ham at London Stadium. They have 10 points from seven games – the same as in 2013-14 un- der David Moyes – but inferior goal difference means this is their worst top-flight start since they picked up seven points in 1989-90. The Hammers, with only one win in the preceding 19 top-flight meetings, were ahead after just five minutes through club-record signing Felipe Anderson's clever back-heeled finish from Pablo Zabaleta's cross – despite both players appearing to be offside. And the hosts doubled their ad- vantage on the brink of half-time in fortunate fashion, as Andriy Yarmo- lenko's shot cannoned in off Victor Lindelof and beyond the wrong-foot- ed David de Gea. Marcus Rashford responded for the largely pedestrian visitors on 71 minutes, but Marko Arnautovic re- stored the Hammers' two-goal lead less than three minutes later as Mark Noble's pass sliced through United's unconvincing back-line. Things go from bad to worse for Jose Mourinho A week to forget for Jose Mourinho as Manchester United recorded their worst league start in 29 years MANCHESTER City yesterday maintained the unbeaten start to their Premier League title de- fence as Raheem Sterling and Ser- gio Aguero sealed a 2-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion. Pep Guardiola's men had to be patient before Sterling claimed his fourth goal of the season shortly before the half hour. Brighton's defensive work became increas- ingly last-ditch from that point and Aguero found the goal his endeav- ours merited in the 65th minute. Leroy Sane was the most consist- ent threat during a largely listless opening from the champions and it was no surprise to see him to the fore when they broke through. Aguero drove City forward on the counter-attack and released the jet-heeled Germany winger, whose cross was slid home by Sterling. Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan denied Sterling and Fernandinho before the break as City moved through the gears. Kyle Walker sent a shot skidding wide from a similar distance to the one he scored from against New- castle United last month and Sane misjudged a header from Bernardo Silva's excellent floated cross. Captain Lewis Dunk produced a sprawling block to deny Aguero in the 58th minute, with Ryan stand- ing firm to repel David Silva's shot in the ensuing scramble.But there was no stopping City when Aguero barrelled through the midfield and skipped past Dunk's tired chal- lenge. The Argentina striker slid in Sterling, who selflessly supplied a return pass for a tap in. Fernandinho misjudged a header from a Brighton corner five min- utes from time, with the ball strik- ing his arm, but penalty appeals were waved away by referee Lee Mason. Manchester City remain unbeaten in Premier League