The Barclays Premiership’s latest round of action served up another stroll for the champions, another failed test by the North London perennial underachievers and a surprising hat-trick from a misfiring striker who once did cost £30million!
Sunday 19th September: Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool
A sensational hat-trick from Bulgarian misfit Dimitar Berbatov earnt Manchester United a priceless and deserved victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford. United dominated the game for large periods, yet were grateful for Berbatov’s contribution, after they had once again, thrown away a two-goal advantage. Berbatov’s first goal came four minutes from the interval, marching infront of a sleeping Fernando Torres to power the Red Devils infront. His second goal was pure genius. Under pressure from Martin Skrtel and with his back to goal, the Bulgarian produced a dynamic scissor kick, which left Pepe Reina stranded, via the underside of his crossbar. Liverpool’s captain Steven Gerrard dragged his side back into the contest, with two goals in six minutes. First, via the penalty spot, after the lacklustre Torres was tripped by Jonny Evans. His second was a brilliant placed free-kick, taking full advantage of Darren Fletcher leaving a wide gap in the United goal. A totally undeserving point for Liverpool was snatched away when Berbatov beat Jamie Carragher to John O’Shea cross and headed a dramatic winner past the despairing Reina. The right result for sure, but Sir Alex Ferguson will still be annoyed that his side keep throwing away big leads so far this season.
Saturday 18th September: Sunderland 1-1 Arsenal
Some dodgy refereeing cost Arsenal two valuable points at the Stadium of Light, though once again, Arsene Wenger’s side lost a great opportunity to put further pressure on Chelsea. A fluke opener from Cesc Fabregas had the Gunners infront, when he charged down a dithering clearance from the sloppy Anton Ferdinand. Alex Song was harshly dismissed early in the second half for two debatable yellow cards, but Arsenal had chance after chance to put the home side away. Fabregas limped off with a hamstring injury, and then Tomas Rosicky whacked a penalty on the hour mark onto the crossbar and over. With almost the last kick, substitute Asamoah Gyan caused chaos in the Arsenal defence and as they failed to deal with a dangerous ball into the box, Darren Bent pounced to earn an excellent point for Steve Bruce’s side. Sarcastic comments towards fourth official Martin Atkinson earnt Wenger a one-match touchline ban and £8,000 fine. All in all, this was a very costly evening on Wearside for the North Londoners.
Sunday 19th September: Chelsea 4-0 Blackpool
Blackpool’s tremendous start to Premiership life took a hit, as they were no match for Carlo Ancelotti’s champions, who enjoyed another Sunday afternoon stroll at Stamford Bridge. Once Salomon Kalou had Chelsea infront after only 90 seconds, the result was never in doubt. In fact, all the goals came in the first half, with Didier Drogba and two more goals from the impressive Florent Malouda wrapping up proceedings. The second half was simply a training exercise.
Saturday 18th September: Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Wolves
Despite bossing proceedings at White Hart Lane, Spurs left it very late to beat a brave and well-organised Wolves outfit. When Steven Fletcher tapped in from close range on the stroke of half-time, it looked like Tottenham’s inconsistent start to the domestic campaign looked set to continue. However, inspired by new signing Rafael van der Vaart, they scored three goals in the last fifteen minutes. Van der Vaart’s drew the home side level from the penalty spot, before subs Roman Pavyluchenko and right-back Alan Hutton, via a freaky clearance put the seal on the match in the last five minutes. The result moves Harry Redknapp’s team into the Premiership top five.
Saturday 18th September: West Brom 3-1 Birmingham City
An impressive second half display from the Baggies saw West Brom inflict a surprising first defeat on Birmingham City this season in this local grudge match. The visitors were in complete control in the first half, and led through Cameron Jerome’s close range finish. However, some inspired words from Roberto di Matteo in the changing room, coupled with elementary errors in the Birmingham backline drove on the fightback for the Albion. The comeback began through an own goal by defender Scott Dann, who deflected in Jerome Thomas’s driven cross. Nigerian Peter Odemwingie then pounced on a rare error from Ben Foster to give West Brom the lead and as they continued to pour forward, Jonas Olsson completed the scoring, heading in Chris Brunt’s corner.
Saturday 18th September: Everton 0-1 Newcastle United
Everton are still looking for their first win of the season, after they played poorly and lost to a well-organised Newcastle outfit. A brilliant strike from the temperamental Hatem Ben Afra in the first half was the difference between the teams on Merseyside.
Sunday 19th September: Wigan Athletic 0-2 Manchester City
At a rain-soaked DW Stadium, Wigan produced another top-class defensive performance which would be better suited to a primary school pitch. Unsurprisingly then, Manchester City left with all three points, with a comfortable, if not spectacular performance. Carlos Tevez and Yaya Toure were the scorers who accepted the charity offered to him. This was an important result for Roberto Mancini, as he looks to turn his superstars into a well-drilled outfit.
Saturday 18th September: Aston Villa 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
Kevin McDonald’s final game in caretaker charge of Aston Villa saw his side pick up a point at home to an ever-improving Bolton. With new manager Gerard Houillier and assistant Gary McAllister watching on in the stand, McDonald wanted to sign off on a high and it looked like that would happen, when Ashley Young curled in a brilliant free-kick. Young’s celebration, which saw all of his team-mates run straight to the temporary gaffer, shows how much unity they still have, despite a testing start. Kevin Davies scored his 100th career goal just before half-time to earn a share of the spoils.
Saturday 18th September: Stoke City 1-1 West Ham United
Despite missing the presence of Avram Grant, who was observing the Jewish holy day Yom Kippur, West Ham earnt their first point of a trying season, with a battling draw at Stoke City. Scott Parker capitalised on some iffy defending from the home side to put the Hammers infront. Stoke levelled in the second half, when Robert Green’s World Cup hangover continued, missing a Matthew Etherington cross, that allowed Kenwyne Jones to head home into an unguarded net. Despite Robert Huth and Ricardo Fuller hitting the woodwork, the Hammers deserved their draw.
Saturday 18th September: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Fulham
A return to Ewood Park for Mark Hughes saw the honours shared between Blackburn and Fulham. Christopher Samba headed Blackburn into the lead, but only after El-Hadji Diouf deliberately fouled Mark Schwarzer in the build-up, leaving Hughes incensed. The Cottagers edged the second half and deserved their point, coming through a Clint Dempsey header.
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