Premier League October 2nd/3rd
October 4th 2010 13:02
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
Given how tight the Premier League table was going into this weekend, its surprising to say that this weekend saw it get even closer. At the top and bottom, unpredictable results, and all twenty teams picking up points, means that teams can jump up to ten places with just one win. Chelsea have again opened up a bit of a gap, four points clear at the top, but second placed Manchester City are only nine points ahead of West Ham, who are bottom!
Saturday wasn't the most entertaining day of football for the neutral. The lunch time kick off between Wigan and Wolves, was sprung into life by a horror challenge by Wolves skipper Karl Henry, earning him a red card after just ten minutes. It was then a case of whether or not the home side could score. Second half goals from Gomez and Rodellaga provided the Latics with the three points moving them above Wolves, and up into 14th place.
West Brom and Bolton, and West Ham and Fulham, battled out two 1-1 draws. Clint Dempsey gave Hammers keeper Rob Green a reminder of his world cup nightmare, by scoring past him again, though this time Green could barely do anything about it. But the in form Piquionne rescued a point for the home team. This continued Fulham's unbeaten start to the season, winning one and now drawing six. Elmander netted his fourth goal of the season to put Bolton ahead at the Hawthorns, but Premier League player of the month, Odemwingie, supplied a fantastic cross for Morrison to head home an equaliser for the baggies. West Brom's fantastic recent form, which also saw Roberto Di Matteo receive the manager of the month award, has seen them rise to 7th place.
The most intriguing, and entertaining game of the afternoon, was between Tottenham and Aston Villa, at the stadium named in many newspaper headlines, as 'White Vaart Lane'. After Mark Albrighton had put the away team in front, Spurs' new Dutch star, Rafael Van der Vaart, scored two well taken goals, to win the game 2-1 for Tottenham. Having scored, and been sent off, in midweek, the new signing from Real Madrid on deadline day, is proving a star already. The result ended new Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier's, 100% start at his new club.
In a delayed kick off at the Stadium of Light, after a burst pipe in the visitor's dressing room, Manchester United made it three draws in three away league games, after a 0-0 at Sunderland. With Rooney missing, United really don't look themselves. Stoke City battled to a 1-0 win against Blackburn Rovers, with Walters netting the only goal. The final game on Saturday, saw Everton climb off bottom place, recording their first win of the campaign 2-0 at Birmingham. The result also ended the Brummies 18 match unbeaten home run. Tim Cahill scored in injury time, after a Roger Johnson own goal.
The first game on Sunday, saw Manchester City scrape a 2-1 win, at home against a spirited Newcastle United. Hatem Ben Arfa's horrific injury after just six minutes, put a cloud over the game. But after Tevez and Jonas scored one each in the first half, it was former Magpies fan, Adam Johnson, who scored a fantastic winner, just two minutes after coming off the bench. Newcastle played really well, and deserved atleast a draw, but this is the type of game City have to win, when not at their best, if they are to mount a serious title challenge. The three points sees them move up to third place.
With just one league win this season, and a shocking League Cup exit at home against League Two side Northampton Town, Liverpool fans expected their side to dispose of Blackpool at Anfield yesterday, and kick start their season. However, in an incredible result, the Seasiders picked up a 2-1 victory. First half goals from Charlie Adam and Varney had Blackpool 2-0 up at the break, and Ian Holloway must have been pinching himself at half time. Despite a Kyriakos goal early in the second half, Liverpool couldn't find an equaliser. This result puts huge pressure on Roy Hodgson, and there are obvious, and serious problems at Liverpool, who now lie 18th, in the relegation zone.
The final game of the weekend, was the one everyone looked forward too. Arsenal gave a fantastic account of themselves at Stamford Bridge, dominating the champions for huge portions of the game. Unfortunately, yet again for the Gunners, they were wasteful. If only Arsenal had put away their chances, they could have won and closed in at the top of the table. However, Didier Drogba, who now has 13 goals in 13 games against Chelsea's London rivals, put the leaders ahead against the run of play. A stunning second half free kick from Alex, wrapped up the 2-0 win for Chelsea. It was a frustrating day for Wenger, as Arsenal easily played well enough to win themselves. In a bonus for me, I put a bet on a Chelsea 2-0 win, Drogba first goal, so the weekend ended on a high.
But Chelsea now lead by four points, and Manchester City have jumped their city rivals into second. But the big story of the weekend was Blackpool's win at Anfield, but their success, has been over shadowed by Liverpool's disappointment. In the drop zone after seven games is not where the team should be, and it will be interesting to watch developments, in the coming weeks...
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