The Premiership fixtures where split over the weekend and both days provided a healthy dose of goals and entertainment. In between it all we witnessed Britain’s David Haye crowned the new WBA boxing champion in a brave display where it was more a case of pick-pocketing Goliath rather then slaying the giant Nikolay Valuev.
CHELSEA WIN BRUSHED WITH LUCK
In the weekend’s other heavyweight clash, United produced an encouraging display to stifle Chelsea for much of the game before going behind to a controversial John Terry goal that proved enough to give Chelsea all three points.
The typical late flurry from United failed to materialise as Chelsea strengthened their credentials as potential champions by proving they are capable of playing poorly and winning.
Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney almost put themselves in trouble for comments made about the ref but the real star of the show had to be the fella in the stands sporting a toothbrush! A fashion trend sure to catch on…
Read the match analysis here.
HULL TAKE RESPITE WITH CRUCIAL WIN
Jimmy Bullard made his long awaited return to the Hull starting eleven and inspired the Tigers to a hard fought 2-1 victory against ten-man Stoke.
Former Stoke man Seyi Olofinjana had cancelled out Matthew Etherington’s strike before the Potter’s had giant defender Abdoulaye Faye sent off for two bookings collected in incidents against the diminutive Nick Barmby – the first spat a David and Goliath battle of comic proportions.
It was well into injury time by the time Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink fired in the rebound after Thomas Sorensen could only spill Jimmy Bullard’s dipping long-range effort.
EVERTON WITHSTAND HAMMERS LATE ONSLAUGHT
The Toffee’s sat on a two goal lead courtesy of Louis Saha’s seventh goal of the season and Dan Gosling’s first before West Ham launched a late rally.
Tony Hibbert was credited with the own goal after smashing Junior Stanislas’s goal bound effort into the roof of the net, signalling the start of a West Ham onslaught as they tried to make another dramatic comeback.
The catalyst for the Hammer’s good work was substitute Alessandro Diamanti who, along with Scott Parker, crafted chance after chance that Stanislas, Guillermo Franco and Zavon Hines squandered.
FINE GOALKEEPING ENSURES FULHAM SHARE SPOILS
A scrappy game saw both teams fashion plenty of chances only for the two ‘keepers to steal the show with a string of fine saves.
Mark Schwarzer just edged it over Chris Kirkland, however, as Fulham held out for a valuable point despite Wigan threatening more.
VILLA CRUSH SORRY BOLTON
Gary Megson looked lost for words after conceding that this was the worst Bolton performance he has overseen.
Villa overwhelmed the away defence and ploughed five goals past a poor Bolton for whom Johan Elmander registered what turned out to be no more than a consolation.
BLACKBURN HALT POMPEY PROGRESS
Sam Allardyce gave avid Championship Manager gamers a sense of reality with a double substitution at half-time that turned the game around for Rovers having found themselves behind from Jamie O’Hara’s early strike.
Jason Roberts scored a brace and proved a handful alongside fellow sub Benni McCarthy as Portsmouth succumbed to a 3-1 defeat with Big Sam lapping up the plaudits at the end of the game.
BURNELY CASH IN ON SLACK MAN CITY
Manchester City registered their fifth draw of the season in a thrilling 3-3 match that they would have expected to see through – especially if they hold aspirations of breaking the top 4 – after coming back from two nil down to lead 3-2.
This takes nothing away from Burnley, who played with great verve and fully deserved a point, despite some poor defending that let City back into the game.
BENT SUFFERS ON SPURS RETURN
Darren Bent missed a penalty on his return to White Hart Lane as Tottenham saw off a valiant Sunderland performance to win 2-0.
Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Bent sought to impress the England boss Fabio Capello who was in the stands ahead of naming the squad for the friendly against Brazil this weekend. It was the Sunderland striker who stood out, despite the penalty miss and is rewarded with a place in the squad along with Spurs’ Tom Huddlestone who grabbed a spectacular winner.
ARSENAL DEMOLISH HUNGRY WOLVES
Wolves looked up for it before self-imploding, handing Arsenal victory with two quick own-goals, before the Gunners put them to the sword with another fine attacking display in a 4-1 win.
After scoring two last weekend, Jody Craddock knocked one in at either end this time round. The Gunners move up to second and look capable of mounting a serious challenge this season, which should ensure a much-needed three-horse race.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Hull’s Olofinjana and Spurs’ Huddlestone lead the contenders this week but none will be more spectacular than this effort from the Asian Champions League semi final.