We can learn a lot from the opening weekend: Throw enough money at a Man City-shaped problem and things might well turn out OK; Hull have guts but will that be enough to retain 17th spot; this chap Martinez might be a bit special and this chap O’Neill might not; Stoke will win a lot of games at home; it’ going to be a long, long season for the new boys; Wenger’s new generation may yet come good this year while Everton did show something new: total defensive uselessness. Last season they kept 17 clean sheets, one more than Arsenal and worse only than the top three.. Bugger it, I’m off to watch the Bundesliga.
Blackburn 0 – 2 Manchester City
The Middle East revolution (I promise never to use that phrase again) got in full swing at Ewood Park as Emmanuel ’show me the money’ Adebayor opened his City account after just three minutes as the forward started and finished an attack to tear through Rovers. The oil baron’s playthings closed out their curtain-raiser with a second at the death from stalwart midfielder Stephen Ireland. A good win against an Allardyce lineup, just don’t expect any respect from me.
Chelsea 2 – 1 Hull
After Drogba and Terry had missed presentable chances early doors, Hull City stunned the Shed End when new boy Stephen Hunt tappeds home from close range. Lion-hearted Drogba made up for his earlier miss by equalising with a fine free-kick. Chelsea continued to create chances after the break, Lion-hearted Anelka missing almost straight after the restart and Essien going close with a long-range effort with fifteen minutes remaining. Fully two minutes into injury-time, that man Drogba claimed the lucky winner with a lob over Myhill to fully begin the story of Hull’s soon to be torrid season.
Aston Villa 0 – 2 Wigan
Wigan’s Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega scored an absolute pearler to put the pie eaters ahead at Villa Park, striking a 25-yard dipping shot that left Brad Friedel helpless. A tidy finish from Jason Koumas ten minutes into the second half put the Martinez boys 2-0 up in his first managerial fixture in the Premier League. 6th place already looks a long way off for Villa.
Wolves 0 – 2 West Ham
Gonna be a long season? Me thinks so. West Ham made the breakthrough on 22 minutes, Carlton Cole playing the ball across the face of the area to Mark Noble who was given time and space to clip a fine shot over Wayne Hennessey. The Hammers again made the home side pay on 69 minutes when the unmarked Matthew Upson headed home Noble’s corner. WHU aiming for Europe?
Everton 1-6 Arsenal
Campaign over at birth for one Merseyside team. Arsenal produced a stunning performance to destroy a dismal Everton at Goodison. The Gunners took the lead after 25 minutes at Goodison, Bendtner controlling out wide on the right and playing the ball to young Fabregas, who quickly played it to Denilson, the youngster firing a 25-yard curler into the top corner. Ten minutes later the Gooners went 2-0 up as new kid Thomas Vermaelen headed home at the back post. Arsenal then claimed an all too simple third as William Gallas met a Fabregas free-kick after coming round the back of the Everton backline.
It was game, set and match Arsenal after another free-flowing attack was finished by Cesc Fabregas at the start of the second half. For the fifth, Fabregas ran 50 yards with the ball then, without having to do anything particularly clever, about 20 yards from goal, passed the ball into the bottom left corner. Number 6 arived when Eduardo passed to Arshavin in the area and kept going as the Russian jinked a bit and shot against the post, and was all alone to tap in the rebound. During injury time, Gosling playeds in Pienaar and his shot ricocheteds off the chest of Almunia and left Saha with a tap-in to make it, er, 1-6.
Bolton Wanderers 0-1 Sunderland
Record buy Darren Bent out-leaped Paul Robinson to head Steed Malbranque’s deep cross for the winner after 5 minutes. For the remainder of the game Sunderland completely outplayed a poor Bolton Wanderers, despite the scoreline which suggests a far closer encounter, and big Steve Bruce’s tenure began with victory against a Bolton side who will already feel as though this season is going to be bleakly adequate at best.
Stoke City 2-0 Burnley
After 33 years in exile, Burnley’s return to the top flight ended in a frustrating and, given theirnext month of top-four-opposition fixtures, ominous defeat. Stoke, who will beat many finer teams than Burnley at home, won courtesy of a Ryan Shawcross header, a Stephen Jordan own goal and ineffective Burnley finishing.
Man Utd 1-0 Birmingham
Wayne Rooney’s first-half goal was just enough for fairly poor looking United against a resolute Birmingham.
Tottenham 2 – 1 Liverpool
Spurs had the better chances in the first half, with big Robbie Keane twice missing, but minutes before the break the pressure paid off as Benoit Assou-Ekotto cracked home a terrific left-footed effort from a wayward Huddlestone free-kick. Glen Johnson ‘won’ a penalty after a weaving run into the box and, with the crowd bellowing ‘you’re supposed to be in jail’, Steven Gerrard smacked home the equaliser. A mere three minutes later Spurs went back in front with debutant Sebastien Bassong heading home a Modric dead-ball. Think about this… after 8 games last year Tottenham had 2 points.
