On a rare weekend when all the ‘Big Four’ played on Saturday, it was Chelsea who lost to Manchester City while Manchester United went to West Ham and cleaned up.
FOUR TO THE FLOOR FOR UNITED
On the weekend after Chelsea had won impressively at the Emirates to stamp their authority on the title chase, Alex Ferguson will have known that maintaining pressure on their London rivals was imperative. Upton Park has traditionally been an unwelcoming arena for United, and when Gary Neville limped off after just 34 minutes leaving Michael Carrick to step in at centre-back, Ferguson must have had a sinking feeling.
However, United did what they do: they won. In a classy display – a rare occurrence this season for a United side more effective than stylish – four goals sunk a West Ham side that had chances, but will again rue some lacklustre defending.
Two superb long-range efforts from Paul Scholes and Darron Gibson either side of half-time put United in control, and when West Ham opened up in search of parity United plundered two more. Antonio Valencia’s tap in from Anderson’s low cross was mirrored by Wayne Rooney just two minutes later, with this time the Ecuadorian as the provider from the opposite side.
CITY BREAK DRAWING HABIT AT CHELSEA’S EXPENSE
Arsene Wenger’s scepticism at Chelsea being labelled ‘Invincibles’ didn’t take long to be proved well-founded. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were beaten 2-1 by a Manchester City intent on breaking an unwanted streak of seven draws. Mark Hughes will have been delighted by his side’s application – and by the luck which was finally on their side.
Inevitably, the two sides’ talismanic African strikers, Emmanuel Adebayor and Didier Drogba, were pivotal to events and it was the Togolese who had the biggest impact. The former Arsenal man was on the score-sheet for both sides, the first an inadvertent deflection that put Chelsea ahead when Shay Given palmed a shot straight onto his back and the second came when he equalised from close range after a scramble. Both goals had a whiff of controversy about them, but the half-time score-line seemed fair on reflection.
However, the second half lurched in Manchester City’s direction as their performance shifted up a gear. Their winner came courtesy of a Carlos Tevez free-kick which somehow trickled in to the centre of Petr Cech’s goal and it was nothing more than they deserved.
DINDANE DOES IT FOR POMPEY
Avram Grant managed to pocket some of Paul Hart’s unused good fortune as his Portsmouth side missed a penalty but still beat Burnley 2-0.
It was the away side that started brighter, creating a handful of half chances, but it was Portsmouth who had the best chance of the first period from the penalty spot, only for Aruna Dindane to have his penalty saved by Brian Jensen.
The second half followed a similar script with chances for both sides, but it was Portsmouth who took the points with goals from Herman Hreidarsson and, finally, Dindane.
ARSENAL SINK STOKE
Arsenal took an important three points against Stoke at the Emirates with a 2-0 win.
Cesc Fabregas had a penalty saved by Thomas Sorenson before his pass set up Andrei Arshavin for the opening goal. Stoke appeared to revert to the away form of last season as they rarely threatened, and Aaron Ramsey put the game beyond doubt 11 minutes from time.
WOLVES BITE BACK AGAINST BOLTON
Wolves overcame their recent poor run against Bolton with a 2-1 win.
An early – and clearly offside – goal from Jody Craddock settled Molineux’s nerves early on before Nenad Milijas put Wolves two goals up with a careening drive from distance.
However, Johan Elmander’s goal brought the edginess back, only for Wolves to cling on for their first win in nine games.
ZERO JOY FOR BLACKBURN AND LIVERPOOL
In yet another forgettable Ewood Park fixture, both sides will rue missed chances after a 0-0 stalemate.
Blackburn’s Steven N’Zonzi and Nikola Kalinic will both be in for finishing practice this week after their misses, but it was the visitors’ David Ngog who smashed an easy chance against the bar at the death.
VILLA AND BIRMINGHAM WIN
The second city enjoyed a fine day as both Aston Villa and Birmingham took maximum points.
Villa overcame a Hull side who will have been more dismayed by the sight of Jimmy Bullard being stretchered off after 15 minutes. Goals from Richard Dunne, James Milner and a late John Carew penalty gave Martin O’Neill a 3-0 win.
Birmingham went a goal down after a half an hour at the DW Stadium after Charles N’Zogbia’s stunning opener, but three goals in the space of 11 minutes from Sebastian Larsson (2) and Christian Benitez secured the points before Jordi Gomez’ late free-kick meant it finished 3-2.
EVERTON FIGHTBACK AGAINST WASTEFUL SPURS AND FULHAM WIN
Everton’s patched up side showed great spirit to come back from two goals down and grab a point at Goodison. Jermain Defoe and Michael Dawson had put Spurs in the ascendancy before debutant Seamus Coleman set up Louis Saha for the first and Tim Cahill nodded in to equalise. Tim Howard saved a Defoe penalty deep into injury time to keep it at 2-2.
At Craven Cottage, Bobby Zamora’s early strike gave Fulham a 1-0 win over Sunderland. The maligned forward headed home after seven minutes to seal a fourth straight away defeat for Steve Bruce’s men.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Nenad Milijas’ left-foot bullet from miles out was real class. Honourable mentions for Darron Gibson’s powerful hit and James Milner’s quick-thinking lob.
HERO OF THE WEEK
Young Seamus Coleman made his debut and had a hand in both Everton’s goals at Goodison to make himself an instant fans’ favourite.
VICTIM OF THE WEEK
Last week Jimmy Bullard was in playful mood after his Phil Brown impression at Eastlands. His cruel injury setback at Villa Park was yet another stroke of awful luck for one of the most well-liked players in the Premier League.
Tags: Premier League