Premier League: Kevin De Bruyne and Man City are confident of catching Liverpool

De Bruyne not concerned

Manchester City may be five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool but midfielder Kevin De Bruyne says the defending champions are still confident of winning a third successive title.

City were shocked by Norwich on Saturday, losing 3-2 at Carrow Road, and are second in the table with ten points from five matches. Liverpool are top with a 100% winning record after beating Newcastle 3-1 at Anfield.

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Despite the five-point deficit and loss to Norwich, De Bruyne said: “Last season we were seven points behind - it happens. Of course we want to win every game but it is difficult.

“You have to respect the other team and when they do well. They do well and that is it. It will be tough, the next seven months, like last year. It never stops. It is our job and sometimes it is hard but you have to take it on the chin.

“We lost four games out of 38 last season and that is a good record. We can still win this season with the same points at the end of this season.”

Mane: no rift with Salah

Sadio Mane insists that he and Mohamed Salah are “good friends” again.

In Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Burnley last month Mane reacted furiously when Salah failed to pass to him and chose to shoot instead.

Mane, who scored twice in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Newcastle, says all is forgotten with Salah, who was also on the scoresheet at the weekend.

Senegal striker Mane said: “With Salah? It’s forgotten. Sometimes you have to say things face to face. These are things that happen in football, sometimes it happens that I am not given the pass.

“But we have reconciled and become the good friends we were before.”

Tammy: this can be my season

Tammy Abraham is confident that this season can be the one where he breaks through as Chelsea’s first-choice striker.

The 21-year-old scored a hat-trick in Chelsea’s 5-2 win at Wolves on Saturday and is joint-top scorer in the Premier League with seven goals.

“I’ve been working hard and hopefully this can be my season,” said Abraham. “It’s up to me to keep showing the gaffer [Frank Lampard] in every game and training session that I’m hungry and I want success.”

Xhaka: we were scared

Arsenal let slip a two-goal lead as Watford stormed back to claim a point in yesterday’s 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted twice to put Arsenal two up at half-time but goals from Tom Cleverley and Roberto Pereyra (penalty) brought Watford level.

The Hornets had 31 shots on goal and Arsenal skipper Granit Xhaka admits that the visitors were “too scared” as they struggled against the hosts.

Swiss midfielder Xhaka said: “No-one wanted the ball. In the end we are happy to take a point. We didn’t show our game in the second half, we were too scared.”

Premier League table

Premier League results

• Liverpool 3 Newcastle United 1
• Brighton & Hove Albion 1 Burnley 1
• Manchester United 1 Leicester City 0
• Sheffield United 0 Southampton 1
• Tottenham Hotspur 4 Crystal Palace 0
• Wolverhampton Wanderers 2 Chelsea 5
• Norwich City 3 Manchester City 2
• AFC Bournemouth 3 Everton 1
• Watford 2 Arsenal 2

Premier League fixtures

Monday 16 September

• Aston Villa vs. West Ham United (8pm, live on Sky Sports)

Friday 20 September

• Southampton vs. AFC Bournemouth (8pm, live on Sky Sports)

Saturday 21 September (3pm unless stated)

• Leicester City vs. Tottenham Hotspur (12.30, live on BT Sport)
• Burnley vs. Norwich City
• Everton vs. Sheffield United
• Manchester City vs. Watford
• Newcastle United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (5.30pm, live on Sky Sports)

Sunday 22 September

• Crystal Palace vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers (2pm)
• West Ham United vs. Manchester United (2pm, live on Sky Sports)
• Arsenal vs. Aston Villa (4.30pm,
• Chelsea vs. Liverpool (4.30pm, live on Sky Sports)