Drogba is the Devil where Arsenal are concerned, and the Chelsea forward struck again to give Arsene Wenger blue nightmares for a few more months. The big shock of the weekend took place at Anfield, while horror tackles were all the rage as Karl Henry saw red and Nigel de Jong escaped serious censure for a challenge that may have broken Hatem Ben Arfa’s leg.
Wigan Athletic 2-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wigan’s win over Wolves was made all the more easier by the fact that Wolves lost Karl Henry early on. After weeks in the spotlight, Henry’s shocking “tackle” on Jordi Gomez earned him a deserved red card and it cost his team dear. Gomez fired in a brilliant free kick to make it 1-0, and Hugo Rodallega got a fortuitous second for the home side with four minutes left on the clock.
Birmingham City 0-2 Everton
Everton’s first win of the season was Birmingham’s first home defeat in over 200 years. Leighton Baines was denied a clear penalty but the team in pink got their luck when Roger Johnson’s prod found its way past Ben Foster and into the Birmingham net. Tim Cahill’s header at the death made it 2-0. Birmingham had a couple of penalty shouts too and probably had a genuine grievance on one occasion.
Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
Jon Walters gave Stoke the lead with his first Premier League goal after good work from Kenwyne Jones and Matthew Etherington. Etherington and Jermaine Pennant looked dangerous for Stoke and the former’s personal duel with Paul Robinson gradually developed and drew a few decent saves from the goalkeeper. Blackburn threw their weight around a bit but ultimately Howard Webb was probably right not to dish out any red cards.
Sunderland 0-0 Manchester United
The delayed game at the Stadium of Light produced no goals and another winless afternoon for Manchester United. Bolo Zenden hit the post in the first half…and that’s about it. Sunderland’s impressive start continues, as does United’s inability to win matches they’re expected to win. The home side arguably created the better chances on Saturday.
Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Aston Villa
Emile Heskey mugged Sebastien Bassong and picked out Marc Albrighton who tapped in to give Villa an early lead before the former England striker had to be substituted. Rafael van der Vaart laughably avoided a booking for a pathetically theatrical dive but it was his brace that gave Spurs the points. He headed his first from a Peter Crouch knock-down and his second was “absolutely beautiful” according to Guy Mowbray, who clearly wouldn’t need asking twice if ‘arry wanted a blowie, judging by his commentary on Match of the Day.
West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Bolton Wanderers
Scott Carson’s save from Martin Petrov early in the second half was the main highlight at the Hawthorns until Johan Elmander beat the former England goalkeeper after a nifty assist from Kevin Davies. Peter Odemwingie should have done better for Albion after being gifted a chance by an error from Zat Knight, but James Morrison did find an equaliser for the Baggies when the Nigerian picked him out with a lovely cross.
West Ham United 1-1 Fulham
Don’t mention Clint Dempsey to Robert Green. The US international’s shot was fumbled in by Green in South Africa, and the two met again on Saturday with Dempsey again proving a worthy nemesis. Dempsey recovered from an early clash that saw him pick up a nasty bump on the eye to give Fulham the lead at Upton Park. West Ham’s bargain buy Frederic Piquionne again rose in the area to head home for the Hammers just after the break.
Manchester City 2-1 Newcastle United
Man City and Newcastle met at Eastlands in a game that was for many overshadowed by a nasty injury sustained by Hatem Ben Arfa as the result of another appalling tackle by Nigel de Jong. Carlos Tevez drilled in City’s first from the penalty spot after himself being fouled, but Jonas Gutierrez rifled in the equaliser after being afforded a second bite of the cherry. Adam Johnson’s cracking finish after cutting in from the right earned City three points.
Liverpool 1-2 Blackpool
A clumsy foul by Glen Johnson gave Charlie Adam the chance to put Blackpool ahead from the spot at Anfield, an opportunity he grabbed with both hands. Luke Varney grabbed the Tangerines’ second and only a consolation goal by Sotorios Kyrgiakos gave Liverpool supporters anything to cheer about. With his side in the bottom three, Roy Hodgson must surely now be engaging crisis mode. He certainly won’t be around much longer if things don’t quickly improve.
Chelsea 2-0 Arsenal
Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea swept aside the Gunners once again, and again it was Arsenal who seemed most comfortable in possession without creating any telling opportunities. Ramires and Ashley Cole combined to set up Didier Drogba in the first half, and the Ivorian’s stupendous finish made it 1-0 to the home side. Late on, a thunderous free kick by Alex sealed the points and took Chelsea to their sixth win from seven available so far this season.
Top Five Players: Rafael van der Vaart (Tottenham Hotspur), Rob Green (West Ham United), Ramires (Chelsea), Charlie Adam (Blackpool), Paul Robinson (Blackburn Rovers)