The second weekend of the new Premiership season bought a number of penalty misses, amazing scorelines and highlighted the gulf between the best and the weakest in England’s top flight, here is my review from last weekend’s engrossing action.
Sunday 22nd August: Fulham 2-2 Manchester United
Manchester United dropped their first points of the season, after being held to a deserving draw by hard-working Fulham at Craven Cottage. Paul Scholes stunning start to the new campaign continued, when he drilled in a 10th minute opener, scoring his 150th career goal for the Red Devils in the process. However, Mark Hughes’s side had the better of the second half, and equalised through Simon Davies on the hour mark. It looked like United had stolen all the points eight minutes from time, when Brede Hangeland put through his own goal in another goalmouth scramble. Then, a Damien Duff handball gave substitute Nani the chance to wrap it up. His penalty was saved by the inspired David Stockdale. With 90 minutes almost up, Hangeland made amends for his earlier misfortune by meeting his towering leap to Paul Konchesky’s corner and earning a share of the spoils.
Saturday 21st August: Arsenal 6-0 Blackpool
Following their impressive demolition of Wigan on the opening weekend, new boys Blackpool ended up on the receiving end of an Arsenal demolition derby at the Emirates. The under-fire Theo Walcott scored the first hat-trick of his club career, and once Ian Evatt was dismissed for fouling Marouane Chamakh when the Moroccan was in on goal, it was curtains for Ian Holloway’s side. Andrei Arshavin dispatched the resulting penalty and there were further second half strikes from Abou Diaby and Chamakh, who scored his first goal in Arsenal colours. Considering Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie were left on the bench, this was an impressive signal of intent from Arsene Wenger’s Gunners.
Sunday 22nd August: Newcastle United 6-0 Aston Villa
Top-flight football returned to St. James Park in impressive and sensational fashion, as Newcastle United ripped Aston Villa to pieces. It was the Villains who started the stronger, and had a great chance to open the scoring, when Steve Harper fouled Ashley Young in the box. However, John Carew’s penalty was simply atrocious, smashing the ball towards Newcastle Airport. The Norwegian kicked the turf in sheer frustration and from then on, Villa rolled over and died. Joey Barton smashed in an opener four minutes later, meaning that that moustache he had been growing could be removed, as Newcastle won their first Premiership match of the season. Kevin Nolan chalked up two strikes, but home-grown hero Andy Carroll went one better, with the new Newcastle No.9 scoring his first senior hat-trick and a very impressive one it was too. Kevin McDonald could only look on in horror at Villa’s lack of fight, determination and belief – as this result might have cost him the top job too at Villa Park.
Monday 23rd August: Manchester City 3-0 Liverpool
In front of their rich owners, Manchester City signalled their intentions, with an emphatic 3-0 win over former established top four side Liverpool. With Joe Cole suspended and Javier Mascherano refusing to play, as speculation over a move to Barcelona intensifies, Roy Hodgson’s side had an off-night and City took full advantage of the situation. Gareth Barry opened the scoring, after a neat link-up between Adam Johnson and new acquisition from Aston Villa, James Milner. Eight minutes into the second half, Micah Richards powerful header was shinned in by Carlos Tevez with the smallest of touches possible. The Eastlands skipper put the seal on a dominant performance, by slotting home a penalty on 67 minutes, after the impressive Johnson was tripped in the penalty area by Martin Skrtel. Even with Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in the side, Liverpool looked bereft of ideas and quality. It could be another long season for the red half of Merseyside.
Saturday 21st August: Wigan Athletic 0-6 Chelsea
Chelsea continued their scoring spree as Wigan took their third consecutive Premiership battering. Less than four months after their 8-0 reverse at Stamford Bridge on the last day of the season, more schoolboy defending from Roberto Martinez’s men allowed Chelsea’s attackers another field day. After an even-fought first 30 minutes, Florent Malouda broke the deadlock, tapping in after Chris Kirkland could only parry a close-range Frank Lampard shot. The visitors ran away after the break, with Nicholas Anelka and Salomon Kalou both helping themselves to two goals each. Summer signing Yossi Benayoun put the seal on the final result, as Chelsea showed their superior class once again.
Gareth Bale’s inspired performance was the difference between these two sides in a hard-fought clash at the Britannia Stadium. Bale’s opener for Spurs came after 11 minutes, when Ryan Shawcross attempted clearance struck Bale on the knee and crept over the line. Stoke’s leveller came when Ricardo Fuller smashed in, following a misjudged attempt to clear from Tottenham keeper Gomes. If Bale’s opener was lucky, his second was simply breathtaking. The Welshman volleyed in Aaron Lennon’s cross, leaving Thomas Sorensen staring into thin air. Stoke lost Malmady Sidibe to a season-ending injury and also felt that Peter Crouch cleared a Jonathan Walters attempt off the line, when the ball crossed the line in stoppage time. Television cameras have since proven that Tony Pulis men have a right to be aggrieved at the final outcome, but Spurs have already shown that last year’s 4th place finish was no fluke.
Saturday 21st August: West Ham United 1-3 Bolton Wanderers
The forgotten man of the Premiership, Johan Elmander scored a surprising double, as West Ham crashed to their 7th successive defeat against hard-working Bolton Wanderers at Upton Park. When Gretar Steinsson conceded a first-half penalty, the Hammers could have been infront, only for Carlton Cole’s kick to be so bad, that it could have been saved by Juusi Jaaskelainen with his eyes closed! An embarrassing own goal from Matthew Upson gifted Owen Coyle’s side the lead and two headers from Elmander, either side of a successful Mark Noble spot kick kept up Bolton’s impressive start to the season. For Avram Grant, this job already looks like a poisoned chalice.
Saturday 21st August: Birmingham City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
A second half double from Craig Gardner, his first two goals for the club helped an unimpressive Birmingham to a fortunate win over Blackburn Rovers. Ben Foster made a superb penalty save from Morten Gamst Pedersen, but Blackburn, on top for large periods, grabbed a deserved through a Steven N’Zonzi header. Gardner’s two goals cancelled out N’Zonzi’s header, with the second going straight through the hands of Paul Robinson. Sam Allardyce will be disappointed to have left St. Andrew’s with nothing.
Saturday 21st August: West Brom 1-0 Sunderland
In a game where the goalkeepers excelled in an attempt to prevent this game from without a goal, Nigerian debutant Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal at the Hawthorns, with nine minutes to go. West Brom claimed their first win back in the big time, while Steve Bruce will be disappointed that his side failed to create enough opportunities.
Saturday 21st August: Everton 1-1 Wolves
After a shambolic first half performance, Wolves did well to battle back and earn themselves a share of the spoils at Goodison Park. Everton dominated the opening exchanges and Tim Cahill gave them a deserved lead on the stroke of half-time. After the break, Everton sat back and their lack of adventure cost them, as Sylvain Ebanks-Blake netted a deserved equaliser for Mick McCarthy’s side.
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