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New Delhi: Captain Marc Guehi put transfer talk aside to inspire Crystal Palace to a commanding win at Aston Villa, capping the visitors’ first victory of the Premier League season with a superb strike from distance.
With Liverpool chasing him, the England defender curled a brilliant effort into the top corner midway through the second half to tell everyone his worth. He was the star of the show as this might mark his farewell moment in a Palace shirt.
Jean-Philippe Mateta had given the visitors the lead in the first half, calmly slotting home from the penalty spot after Daichi Kamada was brought down by goalkeeper Marco Bizot. Villa, who were without Emiliano Martinez amid strong interest from Manchester United, struggled to impose themselves in a flat opening 45 minutes.
Ismaila Sarr sealed the points in the closing stages, rising highest to nod in a flicked-on long throw for Palace’s third. The win lifts Oliver Glasner’s side to five points from their opening three games, while Unai Emery’s men remain winless and rooted near the bottom of the table without a goal to their name.
Palace could have stretched their advantage earlier, with Sarr heading over from close range and Villa keeper Dean Henderson producing a fine stop to deny Ollie Watkins. After the international break when Premier League returns on 13 September the Eagles will be in action against newly promoted Sunderland who will visit Selhurst Park for the first time in eight years.
Over in La Liga, Barcelona endured a chaotic evening as Rayo Vallecano held them to a 1-1 draw. The 18-year-old Lamine Yamal gave the visitors the lead from the penalty spot late in the first half but Fran Perez levelled with a volley in the second to ensure the hosts took a deserved point.
The match was a rollercoaster, full of transitions and missed chances at both ends. Rayo pressed high and regularly broke through Barca’s back line, forcing Joan Garcia to make several excellent saves. Andreas Christensen also produced crucial interventions to keep his side in it.
For all their defensive issues, Barca still had opportunities to kill the game off. Dani Olmo wasted two big chances while Raphinha’s decision-making in key moments let him down. With VAR unavailable due to technical problems, Yamal’s penalty stood despite appearing soft, further fueling the home crowd’s frustration.
When Perez smashed in Rayo’s equaliser, it was no more than they deserved. The hosts even had two goals ruled out for offside in a frantic finish and Xavi’s team could consider themselves fortunate to escape with a point.
Barcelona head into the international break already trailing Real Madrid by two points. Three matches in and they remain unbeaten but their performances suggest plenty of work lies ahead if they are to mount a serious title defense.
