Premier League Round-Up

An eventful weekend in the Barclays Premier League saw plenty of red cards as well as goals, in addition to this Manchester City moved back on level terms with Manchester United after Alex Ferguson's men dropped their first points of the season.

The first game of the weekend came at the Etihad stadium, as unbeaten City hosted Everton – who had won all of their last four away fixtures against the club. Roberto Mancini's expensive squad had to show a degree of patience against a well organised Everton side, but eventually managed to claim the win that their overall play merited, with goals coming from Mario Balotelli and James Milner. The win proved to be very important, as the late afternoon kick off at the Britannia Stadium saw Manchester United held 1-1 against a Stoke side who performed fantastically well, and were deserving of their point. Explosive Portugese winger Nani fired the Red Devils in front with a typically brilliant goal, before towering striker Peter Crouch headed the Potters level during the second half.

Earlier in the day Fernando Torres once again found the net, this time against Swansea City, before undoing his good work with a sending off for an ill advised two footed challenge. Chelsea still managed to win the match 4-1, with Brazilian midfielder Ramires scoring a rare double, before Ashley Williams pulled a goal back for the Welsh side. Experienced striker Didier Drogba came off the bench to finish the scoring deep into stoppage time. Across the capital at the Emirates Stadium and Arsenal bounced back from last week's disappointing (970623JM) defeat to Blackburn with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Bolton. Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie was the hero, as he scored twice, taking his overall tally for the Gunners to an impressive 100 goals. Alex Song added the icing to the cake with a well taken late third goal for Arsene Wenger's under pressure side.

Another team who bounced back from disappointment in their last league outing was Liverpool, who were thumped 4-0 by Spurs last week in North London. Wolves were the visitors to Anfield this weekend, and although a second half goal from Steven Fletcher ensured a nervous finish for the Reds, two goals in the first period through a Roger Johnson own goal and an emphatic left foot finish from Luis Suarez were enough to earn them a 2-1 win.

Newcastle United continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League season as they defeated struggling Blackburn Rovers 3-1, with new signing Demba Ba grabbing an impressive hattrick. Rovers' reply came from the highly rated Junior Hoilett.

West Bromich Albion played out an uninspiring 0-0 draw at home to Martin Jol's Fulham, and Spurs continued their recent resurgence with a hard fought 2-1 away victory against Wigan.  Goals from Rafael van der Vaart and Gareth Bale appeared to have Tottenham on easy street at half time, but a Diame goal early in (757719QX) the second half made it more of a contest, as he reduced the two goal deficit to just one. A red card for Wigan's Gohouri may have dampened their hopes, but they still created chances to level the scores, but could not capitalise on them and the match ended 2-1 to Harry Redknapp's men.

The final game of the weekend took place on Sunday as newly promoted Queens Park Rangers drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at Loftus Road. A second half penalty from Scottish international Barry Bannan looked set to give Villa a vital away win, but an unfortunate injury time own goal from Richard Dunne handed the home side a share of the spoils.


By Laurie Dunsire




Premier League Table

1	Man Utd	6	17	16
2	Man City	6	14	16
3	Chelsea	6	5	13
4	Newcastle	6	4	12
5	Liverpool	6	0	10
6	Tottenham	5	0	9
7	Stoke	6	-2	9
8	Aston Villa	6	2	8
9	QPR	6	-2	8
10	Everton	5	0	7
11	Wolves	6	-3	7
12	Arsenal	6	-5	7
13	Sunderland	5	2	5
14	Norwich	5	-2	5
15	Wigan	6	-4	5
16	Swansea	6	-5	5
17	Fulham	6	-3	4
18	Blackburn	6	-5	4
19	West Brom	6	-5	4
20	Bolton	6	-8	3