Manchester United’s stuttering start to the defence of the Premier League title became a full-blown slump on Sunday when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City. The win, courtesy of Geovanni’s 31st minute shot, left Sven-Goran Eriksson’s City top of the league with a maximum nine points and looking down on their rivals who languish just outside the bottom three with two points. United’s main title rivals all dropped points, however. Liverpool and Chelsea drew 1-1 at Anfield, Frank Lampard’s penalty cancelling out Fernando Torres’ opener, while Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers.
