Wigan 0 – 5 Manchester United
After a goalless first half at the DW Stadium, and just as it was beginning to look as though Manchester United might be a really bad bet to retain their title, the partnership between Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov finally sprang to life. Rooney headed his 100th Man United goal on 56 minutes from a Valencia cross. Dimitar Berbatov then juggled his way through the Latics defence to add number two before Rooney saw a shot deflect into the near post to end a devastating nine minute spell. Michael Owen came off the bench to open his United account with a sweet finish, while Luis Nani curled home an injury time free-kick to wrap up the comfortable second half performance.
Arsenal 4 – 1 Portsmouth
Exactly as expected, Arsenal did break down the Pompey defence in the first-half, the goalscorer may not have been so easily predicted though. Abou Diaby smashed home the first after great work from Eduardo and then Diaby added the second following a fine flowing move. Pompey did manage to pull one back before the break, Younes Kaboul scoring their first goal of the season. Five minutes after the break Arsenal’s two-goal cushion was restored through William Gallas who claimed his third in three games of the new season. On 68 minutes Aaron Ramsey claimed the fourth following a great through ball from RVP.
Manchester City 1 – 0 Wolves
Big Emmanuel Adebayor continued his excellent start to the season with his first at Eastlands after being touched in by Tevez.
Sunderland 2 – 1 Blackburn
Gael Givet fired Blackburn into the lead at the Stadium of Light just after the twenty minute mark. After a poor defensive effort at the back for Rovers to cut out a long ball failed, Kenwyne Jones ran through to bring Sunderland level at the break. Kenwyne Jones then proved the match winner in the second half heading home an inch-perfect cross from Lee Cattermole.
Hull 1 – 0 Bolton
The Tigers brand new forward line combined to chalk up Hull’s first win of the season, Jozy Altidore hooked a pass through to Algerian forward Kamel Ghilas to slot home the winner.
Birmingham 0 – 0 Stoke
Stoke goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen produced a superb second-half save from Garry O’Connor’s effort to deny Birmingham their second home win of the season.
West Ham 1 – 2 Tottenham
After a goalless first half, Carlton Cole sent the crowd wild with a 25-yard stunner that beat Cudicini at his near post. However, just seconds later Cole sunk from hero to zero, playing a bizarre through-ball / defence splitting pass to Jermaine Defoe, who made no mistake. 12 minutes from time Spurs claimed the winner, young Spector failing to cut out Corluka’s ball to Aaron Lennon, the flying winger striking a left-footer into the Hammers’ far post.
Fulham 0 – 2 Chelsea
Chelsea had the better of the play early doors in the West London derby, Michael Ballack wasting a free-kick while John Terry tried his luck from 25-yards. The Blues’ effort paid off when lion heart Nicolas Anelka slipped a pass to Didier Drogba who neatly finished past Mark Schwartzer on 39 minutes. 15 minutes from time and Chelsea’s front two combined again, this time it was Drogba teeing up Anelka for number two.
Burnley 1 – 0 Everton
Burnley broke the deadlock in the first half thanks to a wonderful little curler from Wade Elliott into Howard’s far post. The Toffees, who were well below par, should have levelled after the break but Louis Saha dragged a penalty wide of Brian “the Beast” Jensen’s post. Six points for the Clarets, none for Everton.
