It’s been another cracking round of Premier League fixtures this week. There’s been quite a few goals, some crackers too, the first goalless draw of the campaign and another couple of shock results.
Arsenal appear to have started the season like a house on fire. After a 6-1 victory at Everton last weekend, they bagged another four goals in marching to a 4-1 win over Portsmouth at the Emirates. Abou Diaby marked his first start of the season with a brace, while William Gallas continued his amazing scoring run and substitute Aaron Ramsey got his name on the scoresheet for the Gunners. Former Spurs defender Younus Kaboul got a consolation for the hapless Pompey side.
Money-mad Manchester City seem set to add to their squad this week with Sylvinho and Joleon Lescott coming to Eastlands. They made it two wins out of two with victory over Wolves. The final score was only 1-0 but that doesn’t tell the whole story as City spurned chance after chance, but they were thankful that Emmanuel Adebayor’s first half strike hit the back of the net to give them the three points.
Their city rivals, United, put in a five-star performance to beat Wigan 5-0. It was a goalless first half, but after the break they showed their doubters that they do have the firepower to succeed this season. Wayne Rooney scored twice, while strike partners Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen opened their accounts for the season. Nani hit home the fifth with an exquisite free kick but the scoreline was a tad harsh on the Latics who performed well.
Sunderland defeated Blackburn 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. After Gael Givet had given Rovers an early lead, two goals from Kenwyne Jones meant all three points went to the home side despite Sam Allardyce’s team having two goals disallowed.
Hull City’s new strikeforce hit it off from the start as they managed a 1-0 victory over Bolton. Jozy Altidore came off the bench for his debut, and his first touch in English football was to set up fellow debutant Kamel Ghilas to fire home the only goal of the game. The Trotters are still to register their first point of the campaign.
Birmingham and Stoke played out the Premier League’s first goalless draw of the season. Both sides created few chances but will be happy to take a point which takes them both onto four points from their first three fixtures.
On Sunday, title favourites Chelsea continued their 100% record with victory at Fulham. Nicolas Anelka played in Didier Drogba to fire home the first, while the Ivory Coast striker returned the favour to play the pass to Anelka that saw the Frenchman round Mark Schwarzer and make it 2-0. Chelsea are looking strong and seem to be the team to beat.
But it is not Chelsea who currently lead the pack. That honour goes to Tottenham who beat West Ham 2-1. They trailed to a great strike from outside the area by Carlton Cole for the Hammers. Spurs replied with goals from an in-form Jermain Defoe and a superb curling effort by Aaron Lennon. Spurs are ahead of Chelsea on goal difference with both sides having enjoyed spotless starts.
Burnley followed up their great victory over Manchester United in midweek by shocking Everton 1-0 at Turf Moor. Wade Elliott was the marksman for the Clarets with a deflected effort which went past Tim Howard. Like in the win over United, Burnley conceded a penalty. This time Brian Jensen didn’t need to make a save because Louis Saha placed the ball wide of the post to the delight of the home fans behind the goal.
In the final game of the weekend, Liverpool lost their long standing undefeated home record as they were beaten by Aston Villa. A Lucas own goal and a Curtis Davies header gave Villa a 2-0 lead at half time. Fernando Torres fired home to make it 2-1 but Villa went straight down the other end from the restart and Steven Gerrard conceded a penalty after fouling Nigel Reo-Coker. Ashley Young slotted the penalty into the corner of the net to ensure the away side took the three points. Liverpool have now lost as many games as they did last season in the first three games and their title hopes have been severely damaged.
Paul Harper
