PremWatch 1st September 2008

So I took my sweet time about it, but here's the lowdown on the weekend's Premier League football, sans European Super Cup losers Manchester United.

On Saturday, Bolton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion battled out a goalless draw at the Reebok. Not exactly impressive, but Albion will be pleased to pick up a clean sheet against a physical side.

Everton continue to suffer. They fell foul of Jermain Defoe, who scored two as Portsmouth ran riot at Goodison, picking up a 0-3 win. Glen Johnson scored Pompey's very tidy second and Everton looked decicedly out of sorts.

Wigan went to Hull City and set a blistering pace in the Rugby League derby. The newboys went behind early to an own goal from Sam Ricketts, and then crumbled as Amr Zaki (2), Emile Heskey and Antonio Valencia - with a wonderful solo effort - slaughtered their defence.

The honeymoon's over for Stoke City too. Middlesbrough full back Justin Hoyte scored the Potters' goal for them in a 2-1 Boro win, sealed by Afonso Alves and Tuncay. Stoke midfielder Amdy Faye was dismissed for a horror tackle, and four colleagues were booked. Mark Halsey, take note.

Blackburn Rovers were hard done by at West Ham. They went down 4-1, but the scoreline didn't really tell the story. Callum Davenport and a Chris Samba own goal put the Hammers two up, and Jason Roberts replied. With Rovers chasing the game, Craig Bellamy and Can't Control netted goals in stoppage time.

In the late game, Arsenal swept aside Newcastle United with goals from Robin van Persie (2) and Denilson.

Tottenham Hotspur went to Stamford Bridge on Sunday and pinched a lucky draw. They weren't very impressive, despite being handed an equaliser as Darren Bent pounced on a Frank Lampard error. Juliano Belletti had put Chelsea ahead after Spurs failed to defend a corner.

Aston Villa were unlucky to draw against Liverpool, who flooded the midfield and sat back for 90 minutes. Title challenge from Liverpool? Almost as hilarious a proposition as their team without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Sunderland gave us all a chuckle too, losing at home to a resurgent Manchester City. Returnee Shaun Wright-Phillips scored a brace after Stephen Ireland's first half goal as City ran out 0-3 winners.

In the meaningless table, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal make up the Champions League contingent, while Sunderland, Spurs and West Brom are the bottom three.