Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/560195
52 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 23 AUGUST 2015 FOOTBALL (+356) 800 737 70 Freephone: cabs t minivans t vip transport t luxury coaches t vintage buses 2138 9575 / 9921 5286 info@cabs.com.mt w w w . c a b s . c o m . m t United held by Newcastle A review of yesterday's action in the Barclays Premier League MANCHESTER United's need for attacking reinforcements was laid bare at Old Trafford as they stut- tered to a goalless draw against Newcastle. United dominated the opening 20 minutes, but failed to score on a frustrating afternoon for Louis van Gaal's team. After a week in which they failed to land former target Pedro, Unit- ed lacked a cutting edge up front. Wayne Rooney's goal drought now stretches to 10 games. The captain thought he had put United ahead early on but his effort was ruled out for a marginal offside call. The England captain had a shot blocked inside the area after the break, but otherwise failed to show he is the answer to United's scoring troubles. It was not just Rooney who strug- gled in front of goal, however. Juan Mata and Memphis Depay also missed chances while Tim Krul performed some late heroics to deny substitute Javier Hernandez. The result ended United's perfect start to the season and provided yet more evidence that Van Gaal needs to add more attacking play- ers to his squad before the transfer window shuts in 10 days' time. Callum Wilson grabbed a hat- trick as Bournemouth bagged their first Barclays Premier League points with a thrilling 4-3 victory at West Ham. Wilson scored Bournemouth's opener with an 11th-minute volley as the Cherries became the 65th team to score in the top flight. The former Coventry striker then pounced on Aaron Cress- well's awful back pass for a 2-0 interval lead, but a Mark Noble penalty and Cheikhou Kouyate's powerful shot levelled it up within eight minutes of the restart. Marc Pugh restored Bourne- mouth's lead after 66 minutes and Wilson completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot 13 minutes later after Hammers defender Carl Jenkinson had been sent off. Modibo Maiga gave the Ham- mers hope nine minutes from time but Bournemouth held on for a famous victory. Leicester lost their 100 per cent record but reclaimed top spot in a 1-1 home draw with Tottenham. Dele Alli's first Spurs goal gave Tottenham an 81st-minute lead but Riyad Mahrez, who had strong claims for a first-half penalty waved away after being fouled by Jan Vertonghen and hit the post after the break, equalised within 60 seconds. Sunderland lifted some of the gloom surrounding them after opening defeats to Leicester and Norwich by drawing 1-1 at home to Swansea. Bafetimbi Gomis' third goal of the season - and his eighth in nine games - gave Swansea the lead on the stroke of half-time but veteran striker Jermain Defoe took some of the pressure off Dick Advocaat's Black Cats with a 62nd-minute equaliser after Andre Ayew had hit the post for the visitors. Bakary Sako marked his Crystal Palace debut with an 87th-minute winner as the Eagles beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Selhurst Park to move into the top four. Palace thought they had taken the lead just after the hour-mark when substitute Dwight Gayle's shot struck James McArthur in the stomach and flew into the net. The goal was initially awarded before referee Keith Stroud disal- lowed it after consulting his assist- ant, but Scott Dann did give Palace the lead 10 minutes later. Villa levelled when Palace full- back Pape Souare put through his own net after 77 minutes but Sako came up with the decider with a left-footed drive into the bottom corner. Xherdan Shaqiri marked his Stoke debut with an 11th-minute assist in a 1-1 draw at Norwich, the former Bayern Munich winger's free-kick touched home by Mame Biram Diouf. Canaries captain Russell Mar- tin scored for the second succes- sive game after 28 minutes when he fired past Jack Butland in the Stoke goal. Adnan Januzaj is tracked by Jack Colback