The weekend’s Premier League action saw Chelsea and Arsenal march on while Manchester United were pegged back in wonderfully entertaining fashion by Everton, and Champions League hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City dropped two points each. There was also a surprising result when two promoted sides clashed in the top flight after bright starts.
Everton 3-3 Manchester United
When Tim Howard made a couple of cracking saves against his former club, the game looked every bit a 0-0 draw or 1-0 United win - but there was chaos afoot. Steven Pienaar gave Everton the lead after an error by Patrice Evra and neat touches from Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic put the game back in the Red Devils’ favour. Dimitar Berbatov’s brilliant finish looked to have won the game for the visitors, but a blistering last minute sortie from Everton earned them a point.
Tim Cahill’s header gave the Toffees a glimmer of hope, grasped with both hands by Mikel Arteta, who sent Goodison funny by driving in a deflected equaliser. There was yet later drama: Martin Atkinson appeared to blow the final whistle with Everton embarking on a promising attack.
Arsenal 4-1 Bolton Wanderers
Another game at the Emirates and another goal-heavy performance from Arsenal, this time against a team that’s caused them a few problems historically. Laurent Koscielny poked in the first for the Gunners but Johan Elmander grabbed an equaliser against the run of play. Marouane Chamakh headed in Arsenal’s second and Gary Cahill was sent off for a very clumsy two-footed tackle (although Bolton should have had a free kick seconds before) before Alex Song dinked in the crucial third. Carlos Vela capped the win with a goal after a run of piss-taking passes.
Fulham 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Two unbeaten sides met at Craven Cottage, where the home team was the one that continued its good start. Jelle Van Damme stole in at the far post to give Wolves an early lead but matters got worse for Fulham when Bobby Zamora was stretchered off with a broken leg. John Pantsil should have been dismissed for a professional foul but escaped with a yellow card to play a part in Fulham’s fightback in which Mouassa Dembele found the two vital finishes. In between, Christophe Berra earned himself a couple of yellow cards.
Manchester City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Joe Hart and Kolo Toure conspired to turn Morten Gamst Pedersen’s hoof into an assist, Nikola Kalinic benefiting with an easy finish. Patrick Vieira fired in the equaliser but this draw represented two points lost for Manchester City. Either side could have won all three points later in the match.
Newcastle United 0-2 Blackpool
The battle of two promoted sides ended emphatically in Blackpool’s favour as Ian Holloway’s men bagged three huge points from a somewhat surprising 2-0 victory in the north east. Lee Mason ruled Alan Smith’s trip on Luke Varney to be a penalty and Charlie Adam gave Blackpool a half time lead. Adam then set up DJ Campbell for a late second and Holloway was visibly moved in his post-match press appearances. Top afternoon for Blackpool.
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Rafael van der Vaart and William Gallas had to settle for a point on their Tottenham Hotspur debuts as Spurs failed to overcome promoted West Bromwich Albion. Luka Modric drove in the opener for the visitors but Albion equalised when Chris Brunt rose highest to head in after Peter Odemwingie kept the ball alive in the Spurs box.
West Ham United 1-3 Chelsea
John Terry’s fitness miraculously enabled him to play in Chelsea’s win at Upton Park after missing two internationals. Michael Essien’s header was deflected in inside two minutes and from there three points for the champions were inevitable. Salomon Kalou scored a fortunate goal when Rob Green’s latest spillage fell to Matthew Upson, whose clearance rebounded off the Ivorian and past the former England goalkeeper. Essien’s second header made it 3-0 and secured the points for Chelsea, who will be disappointed to have conceded Scott Parker’s excellent consolation.
Wigan Athletic 1-1 Sunderland
Lee Cattermole stole the early headlines against his former club, felling Mohamed Diame clumsily and then hacking Hugo Rodallega to earn his second red card of the season in truly stupid fashion. Jordan Henderson’s stunning cross from deep found new signing Asamoah Gyan who finished superbly to earn Sunderland the lead. Mauro Boselli missed a golden opportunity to equalise for Wigan but Antolin Alcaraz poked in a late equaliser for the hosts.
Birmingham City 0-0 Liverpool
Sunday’s extravaganza de futbol saw two great saves from Pepe Reina from Cameron Jerome and Craig Gardner earn Liverpool a largely undeserved point at St Andrews. Blues created by far the best chances but will probably be pleased with the draw despite their inability to find the net. I’m pretty sure I saw a free kick given against Jamie Carragher at one point - I must be mistaken.
Stoke City v Aston Villa
In tonight’s live television match, Aston Villa return to an unhappy ground to face Stoke City. Stoke’s new signings will be hoping to arrest the Potters’ terrible start to the season, while Villa’s new manager Gerard Houllier is yet to take charge and Kevin MacDonald remaining as caretaker until he does. Stephen Ireland may return for the visitors.
Top five players: Matt Gilks (Blackpool), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Chris Samba (Blackburn Rovers), Carlo Cudicini (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland)