This week’s Premier League matches saw blowouts for three of the Big 4, which included Liverpool returning to winning ways, & an upset by Aston Villa over Man City. Let’s get right to the wrap-ups:
Saturday’s Matches
Wolves 0 – Liverpool 3
Liverpool got manager Kenny Dalglish his first win since his appointment as the Reds brushed aside a poor Wolves with a brace from Fernando Torres & a great looping, long-range strike from Raul Meireles. The win will be a welcome sight for ‘Pool who were in danger of having a catastrophic season by their standards & is revenge for their shock defeat to Wolves earlier in the season. Dalglish is still rumored to be looking for signings to bolster the squad & build upon the win. The game was also notable for having female linesman, Sian Massey. Massey was, of course, involved in a controversial decision in Liverpool’s opening goal but replays vindicated her decision to rule Meireles onside in the buildup. You go girl!
Arsenal 3 – Wigan Athletic 0
Arsenal was back to winning ways in the league as they hammered an overmatched Wigan side. Robin Van Persie also returned to top form as he bagged a hat-trick despite missing a penalty. As it was, if not for Omani ‘keeper Ali Al-Habsi making several outstanding saves in Wigan’s net, Arsenal could’ve put 6, 7, or even 8 past Wigan who didn’t pack the box like so many “lesser” sides do against the Big 4 & came to play but were easily overrun by the Gunners.
Blackpool 1 – 2 Sunderland
A late penalty by possible transfer departure was all the home side could muster against a stout Sunderland side who got a good away win despite the recent departure of striker Darren Bent to Aston Villa (seriously, Steve Bruce, quit your moaning, you made good money off of Bent!). Former Man U player, Kieran Richardson scored both the goals for the Black Cats & despite seven minutes of stoppage time Blackpool couldn’t find an equalizer.
Everton 2 – West Ham United 2
Despite an early opener by American international Jonathan Spector (who has done pretty well since his move to midfield), A late goal by Marouane Fellaini salvaged a point for the Merseyside Blues. Russian midfielder Diniyar Bilyaletdinov grabbed Everton’s first tying goal thirteen minutes from time before Frédéric Piquionne looked to have grabbed a late winner in the 84th minute but got sent off in the process of celebrating his goal & with the Hammers down to ten men, Everton were able to grab the draw with Fellaini’s goal.
Fulham 2 – Stoke City 0
American international, Clint Dempsey bagged both goals for Fulham in a big win for them over Stoke. ‘Deuce’ as he is known had a goal in each half, with the latter coming from the spot & was easily the Man of the Match for the Cottagers. The win gives Fulham a tiny bit of breathing space above the relegation zone for now.
Manchester United 5 – 0 Birmingham City
A Dimitar Berbatov hat-trick led Man U in an easy win over a frankly, atrocious & pathetic Birmingham City side. Ryan Giggs & Nani chipped in the other goals for the Red Devils who were rampant pretty much all day long & look to be rounding into championship form.
Newcastle United 1 – Tottenham Hotspur 1
A stoppage time goal by winger Aaron Lennon grabbed Spurs a draw away to a physical Newcastle side. Manager Harry Redknapp looked to have committed tactical suicide with his all-skillful midfield selection to face a physical Northern side & Spurs had fallen behind with a goal from Fabricio Coloccini. Spurs had some trouble dealing with the Geordies physical tactics but Lennon arose to be the hero & score late on to grab what is at the end of the day, a decent point.
Aston Villa 1 – Manchester City 0
Well, Villa proved Chad & I both wrong as they won a hard fought match against Man City who nearly scored on several occasions but Villa riding some luck (not that luck is bad, mind you) held out & a goal from new signing, Darren Bent, led the Villans to a big win. Nothing like scoring on your debut to make you an instant hero with the supporters!
Sunday’s Match
Blackburn Rovers 2 – West Bromwich Albion 0
Goals just minutes on the either side of the halftime break led the new more open style Blackburn Rovers to two-nil victory over West Brom. An own goal by Hungarian Gabrial Tamas opened the scoring for Rovers before young striker Junior Hoilett of Canada scored just after the halftime break. West Brom couldn’t mount much of a fightback & Rovers looked fairly comfortable & in control for most of the match. Though Steve Kean was much maligned as replacement manager following Sam Allardyce’s unpopular dismissal, he has done well since his appointment (which was predicted by old Rovers hand, Andy Cole) & the players seem to be relishing the more open style of play. Don’t look now but the win sees Blackburn climb up to 7th in the table as the leapfrog, Bolton, Newcastle, Stoke & Blackpool. Not bad for a day’s work!
So there’s the weekend’s rundown of the action with the Monday matchup of Bolton v Chelsea to come. Man U assumes the summit alone as Man City lost, Arsenal retakes second place, Aston Villa quickly looks like non-relegation candidates with Birmingham taking their place as possible relegation candidates just above the drop zone. Meanwhile it’s currently not good to be a club with a name that starts ‘W’ as all three relegation spots are currently held by Wigan, Wolves & West Ham.
The table as it stands preceding Monday’s match:
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