A spicy weekend in the Premier League saw Newcastle triumph emphatically in the Tyne-Wear derby, Villa and Birmingham cancel each other out and Wolves pick up a surprise win against high-flying Manchester City. But the biggest talking point of the weekend was, again, the result of farcical refereeing - not necessarily in strict decision-making terms, but in an official’s complete lack of control over play.
Arsenal 1-0 West Ham United
It’s been a fantastic week or two for the Gunners, and it continued with a win against bottom side West Ham at the Emirates. Samir Nasri hit the crossbar with a superb effort from a free kick almost 40 yards from goal, but Arsenal had to wait until the dying embers to secure the points. Gael Clichy’s clipped cross with time running out was chased towards goal by Alex Song, who’d started the move, and headed home.
Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Chelsea
Another three points in the bank for the champions, but they had to come from behind to beat Blackburn at Ewood Park. Benjani got his first Premier League start against Chelsea and he marked it with the game’s opening goal, a header from El-Hadji Diouf’s cross that gave Rovers a well deserved lead. Didier Drogba’s knock-down gave Nicolas Anelka an easy equaliser after Florent Malouda’s pass, and Branislav Ivanovic headed in Chelsea’s winner in a game they could easily have lost.
Everton 1-0 Stoke City
Everton made a meal of their home win over Stoke, but at least they got it eaten. Tuncay’s goal was disallowed for a push in the penalty area, a decision that seems a little harsh in light of how easily Leighton Baines hit the deck. Yakubu blasted in what proved to be the winner, lashing home from the corner of the six yard box after Tim Cahill had struck the woodwork.
Fulham 2-0 Wigan Athletic
The CONCACAF combination of Carlos Salcido and Clint Dempsey put Fulham in front at Craven Cottage, the American heading in the Mexican’s cross to make it 1-0 after good work by Zoltan Gera. Dempsey’s second was a striker’s goal before half time, this time assisted from the opposite flank by Chris Baird. Wigan did almost nothing of note for the entire game.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Manchester City
Manchester City lost their second consecutive game, this time away from home. They started well, and when Richard Stearman up-ended David Silva it was Emmanuel Adebayor who put his team in front from the penalty spot with his first league goal of the season. Wolves hit the post with a Dave Edwards header but the equaliser did arrive when Nenad Milijas tucked away Wanderers’ first. Edwards got the winner, taking advantage after Kolo Toure’s botched clearance.
Manchester United 2-0 Tottenham Hotspur
It wasn’t quite a routine win for Manchester United, but it wasn’t far off. Park Ji-Sung hit the woodwork early on to set the tone for the late Saturday game. Rafael van der Vaart followed suit, but it was the closest Tottenham came to scoring. Nemanja Vidic’s header from a Nani free kick gave United the lead after half an hour, and their second was a complete shambles.
After Nani went down in the box and handled the ball, Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes inexplicably put the ball down despite no free kick being given (a strange advantage to play, but not an uncommon one) and Nani just strolled up to it and put it in the net. Rio Ferdinand’s interference as Mark Clattenburg discussed the matter with his assistant should have been dealt with harshly.
Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham City
A disappointing derby saw Birmingham take a point from Villa for the first time in what’s now seven matches. The visitors had the better of the play, with Gerard Houllier’s negative line-up sparking angry debate among Villa supporters. However, a point should be seen as a decent result for both teams and this derby will be one that is quickly forgotten.
Newcastle United 5-1 Sunderland
Newcastle gave their neighbours a right old thumping in the other derby of the day. Kevin Nolan hooked in the first to begin a fantastic afternoon for the former Bolton man. His second was far from pretty but that doesn’t matter in derbies. Missed penalties might, but Shola Ameobi stepped up and planted his spot kick in the corner to make it 3-0 before half time. Titus Bramble was sent off for a professional foul on a rampaging Andy Carroll and Sunderland’s afternoon was only going to get worse.
Ameobi got his second, crashing the ball home after Carroll’s header had hit the crossbar, and the fifth was Nolan’s headed hat-trick goal. The futility of Darren Bent’s consolation goal was starkly obvious.
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Liverpool
In the final game of the weekend, Liverpool left it late to beat Bolton at the Reebok. There were chances at both ends before the breakthrough eventually came through the Argentine midfielder Maxi Rodriguez. The build-up from Liverpool was purposeful but Jussi Jaaskelainen will be unhappy that he allowed Rodriguez’s finish to squirm underneath his arm and into the net. Earlier, a Jamie Carragher handball might have resulted in a Wanderers penalty.
Blackpool v West Bromwich Albion
Monday’s evening match is between two of the promoted sides. You can read my thoughts as part of my Midweek TV Preview for Football Fairground
Top Five Players: Nani (Manchester United), Mame Biram Diouf (Blackburn Rovers), Robert Green (West Ham United), Kevin Nolan (Newcastle United), Andy Carroll (Newcastle United)