Another weekend has passed of superb Premier League action. It was full of exciting games, great goals and no little controversy.
Game of the weekend was without doubt at the City of Manchester Stadium as Arsenal faced Manchester City. In an entertaining game of six goals, unfortunately the main talking points surrounded the misbehaving Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Togo international striker first got involved in a clash with Arsenal star Robin van Persie. He was fouled but then seemed to run his studs across the Dutchman’s face.
The referee failed to spot that incident, but he couldn’t fail to spot Adebayor’s antics after he scored City’s third goal as he sprinted the length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal travelling support. He provoked angry scenes from the away end and was nearly hit by a hot dog hurled in his direction as all hell let loose.
It’s sad that these were the main talking points afterwards as the match was a scintillating affair involving two of the best attacking teams in the division. City triumphed 4-2 to keep up their 100% start to the season but they only sit third with a game in hand.
The only other team to yet to drop points this season is Chelsea who remain top after an injury time winner at Stoke. After going behind to Abdoulaye Faye’s effort, Chelsea rallied and equalised with a cracking goal by Didier Drogba. Florent Malouda sealed the points in stoppage time to the joy of boss Carlo Ancelotti.
There were ominous signs from White Hart Lane as Manchester United visited. Spurs took a first-minute lead through a Jermain Defoe strike, but then United took control and the champions hit back with three of their own in a performance that showed they are getting back to their best form. Amongst the goals was Ryan Giggs as the veteran midfielder made sure he’s scored a goal in every Premier League campaign since it’s inauguration in 1992. United move up to second.
Elsewhere at the top of the table, Liverpool routed Burnley 4-0 at Anfield with Yossi Benayoun bagging a hat-trick. And Aston Villa edged the second city derby with a late 1-0 win over Birmingham with Gabriel Agbonlahor scoring the winning goal.
Wigan achieved their first points at the newly-named DW Stadium by beating West Ham 1-0, while Blackburn got their first win of the campaign by strolling to a 3-1 victory over Wolves.
At the bottom, Portsmouth still remain pointless following home defeat by fellow strugglers Bolton. Wanderers triumphed 3-2 at Fratton Park in a scrappy game in which both sides showed glimpses of improvement on their recent efforts.
Everton are another team struggling as they were defeated 2-1 at Fulham despite taking a first half lead through Aussie Tim Cahill. The side who reached the FA Cup final last season are second bottom with just one win to their name so far.
Just above the Toffees are Hull who are hovering just above the drop zone, but for how long as they were thumped 4-1 at Sunderland with Darren Bent bagging a brace for the Wearsiders.
For the ‘big 4’, it’s off to the bright lights of the Champions League as the group stage kicks off. For Fulham and Everton it’s the not-so-bright lights of the Europa League, whilst all the other clubs will be thankful of a week off before the Premier League action recommences next weekend.
Paul Harper
