Weekend Round Up
The second weekend of the Premier League season proved just as enthralling as the first with a number of dramatic results up and down the league.
Luis Suarez and Raul Meireles celebrate at The Emirates
We’ll start at The Emirates Stadium where Arsenal’s tumultuous start to the season slipped to another low ebb with a defeat against Kenny Dalglish’s impressive Liverpool side. A desperately unlucky own goal from Aaron Ramsey and Luis Suarez’s tap in saw The Reds come away with a 2-0 win but the fall out from this game will surely now see Arsene Wenger dip into the transfer market following the injury to Laurent Koscielny, who had started the season well, and the sending off to the tenacious, yet slightly headless, Emmanuel Frimpong, who will now be suspended for next weekend’s trip to Manchester United. This result will be a real boost to a Liverpool side who knew a win would be a real boost to their claims that they can finally mount a lasting and tangible title challenge.
Chelsea kick started their season with a 2-1 win at home to West Brom, despite going a goal behind early on when Alex’s mistake let in Shane Long who calmly slotted past Hilario. Nicolas Anelka’s deflected strike got Chelsea back on level terms and Florent Malouda slotted home from close range to break The Baggies’ hearts. Hilario made good saves to prevent Tchoyi and Odemwingie late on as The Blues held on for Andre Vilas Boas’ first competitive win at Stamford Bridge.
Newcastle beat Sunderland in a fiercely contested Tyne Wear Derby at The Stadium of Light, Ryan Taylor scoring the only goal as his free kick from the left hand side soared into the top corner. The Magpies should have had a penalty before that when Joey Barton’s header was blocked on the line by the arm of Sebastian Larsson, the refereee and his assistant saw nothing though and only a corner was awarded. Phil Bardsley saw red late in the game for an ugly tackle on Fabio Coloccini.
Ross Barkley shone as Everton fell to a 1-0 defeat to QPR
Everton’s problems mounted as they fell to a 1-0 home defeat to newly taken over QPR. Tommy Smith’s well taken finish giving Neil Warnock’s men a valuable and impressive win at Goodison. Everton on the other hand looked in desperate need of investment and it could only be a matter of they cash in on some of their big names in favour of fresh blood.
Aston Villa won 3-1 at home to troubled Blackburn, Gabriel Agbonlahor looks to be returning to form as he curled home a lovely opener, Emile Heskey also got on the scoresheet before Morten Gamst Pedersen headed an equaliser for Rovers. Darren Bent found space in the box later in the game and lifted the ball past Paul Robinson to secure the points for Alex McLeish’s side.
The first Premier League game ever played outside of England finished 0-0 between Swansea and Wigan at a packed Liberty Stadium. Michel Vrom saved Ben Watson’s penalty to keep things level as The Swans registered their first point of the season.
Dzeko celebrates after slamming home City's third goal
On Sunday, Manchester City overcame a thriller at Bolton 3-2. City raced into a 2-0 lead through David Silva and Gareth Barry, but Ivan Klasnic narrowed the gap with a well taken volley at the near post. Soon after the break though the impressive Edin Dzeko restored City’s two goal cushion, but again Bolton scored through Kevin Davies but Mancini’s men eased to victory to maintain their 100% start to the season.
In the other two of Sunday’s games Stoke salvaged a a late point at Norwich when Kenwyne Jones’ headed goal cancelled out Richie De Laet’s first half header and Wolves beat a subdued Fulham 2-0 with goals from Kevin Doyle and Matt Jarvis.
Team of the Week: Ruddy (Norwich); Taylor (Newcastle), Enrique (Liverpool), Vermaelen (Arsenal), Johnson (Wolves); Silva (Man City), Milner (Man City), Barkley (Everton), O’Hara (Wolves); Dzeko (Man City), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa)
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