There’s life in the Manchester United midfield who actually looked a serious team again. Liverpool, meanwhile, seem to have unearthed some kind of viable plan B Down at the other end, it seems that some very poor teams will avoid relegation this season: Hull’s defending in their 4-1 defeat was right up there with the worst in Premier League – and indeed back when we had real, competitive football – history. Too good to go down? The new saying will become you’re never too bad to stay up. Most importantly, if fans give it, they should be able to take it. Sorry Arsenal fans but you had it coming to you.
Tottenham 1 – 3 Manchester United
10-man United came from a goal down to end Spurs’ 100% start to the season, but not before Tottenham had raced out of the starting gates. Vidic could only send a header into the path of that man Jermain Defoe after just 40 seconds and the Spurs forward scored a terrific bicycle-kick. It took the Red Devils some time to get into their stride but then in the 25th minute Ryan Giggs rolled back the years to curl home a stunning free-kick past Cudicini. Four minutes before the break Fergie saw his team take the lead, Anderson crashing home number two after Ledley King failed to clear the lines from a corner. Paul Scholes – not for the first time in his career – collected a pair of reckless yellow cards to get sent off after the break, but Spurs failed to press home their numerical advantage and it was Wayne Rooney who expertly scored a killer third for United.
Manchester City 4 – 2 Arsenal
Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor faces a possible suspension for his ‘emotional’ celebration against his former club Arsenal, one of two incidents involving the player which is being investigated by the Football Association, with the strong possibility that he will face disciplinary charges and a suspension. Adebayor will alzo probably be banned for three matches for the stamp on Robin van Persie that left the Arsenal striker with a gashed cheekbone. The match wasn’t bad, either. After William Gallas had headed over for Arsenal, City took the lead, Micah Richards heading towards the far corner from a Barry free-kick, England hopeful Manuel Almunia reacting too late, pushing the ball on to the post and seeing the ball rebound back off him for the opener.
The Gunners looked the better team at the start of the second half and Robin van Persie claimed the equaliser with a good finish from his weaker right foot. The game was now end-to-end but it was City who took the lead again, Richards fed Craig Bellamy who fired home. The third came from Emmanuel Adebayor, who controversially ran over to the Arsenal fans to celebrate. On the break, Shaun Wright-Phillips claimed the fourth with a fine chipped finish before Thomas Rosicky marked his comeback with a consolation for Arsenal.
Liverpool 4 – 0 Burnley
Yossi Benayoun had been vilified in his native press for a furious reaction to being withdrawn in the 1-0 loss to Latvia and a rare start in his favoured position was an opportunity to show what Israel could be missing, and the player transformed since the turn of the year obliged with a merited hat-trick. Liverpool’s opener came down the right, Johnson fed Benayoun who nutmegged Alexander and rolled the ball past Jensen. The Israeli playmaker was the provider of the second, Jensen couldn’t hold his shot and Dirk Kuyt followed up. Steven Gerrard was the creator of the third which was tapped in by that man Benayoun, who then completed his hat-trick following a well-worked move.
Stoke 1 – 2 Chelsea
Two words for Chelsea: jammy bastards. The Stoke crowd went wild when Aboudalaye Faye headed over Cech from a Whealen cross. On the stroke of half-time, Didier Drogba equalised for Ancelotti’s side with a blistering left-footer. Chelsea stole the points with practically the last kick of the game, Florent Malouda crashing home a 94th minute winner for the blues, the stuff championships are made of.
Sunderland 4 – 1 Hull
The kind of match that both of these teams must be looking to take points from and only one looks up for it. Darren Bent put Sunderland in front from the penalty spot, before Kamil Zayatte equalised for Hull. The Black Cats took the lead again when Andy Reid drilled a low shot into the far corner and never looked back. The fat lady did indeed sing after 66 minutes, Bent running on to Anton Ferdinand’s long ball and scoring. An own goal from Zayatte wrapped up the Sunderland win.
Portsmouth 2 – 3 Bolton
The bottom two of the Premier League at kick-off played out an action packed first-half. Tamir Cohen scored his second in two games to put the Trotters ahead, Younes Kaboul scored his second of the season to equalise only for Matt Taylor to put Bolton ahead again from the penalty spot. Kevin Prince Boateng brought Pompey back level after the break before Gary Cahill met a Samuel throw-in to hend the Trotters a valuable three away points. Pompey remain rock-bottom on zero points.
Blackburn 3 – 1 Wolves
El-Hadji Diouf had celebrated his return to the starting line-up by giving his side a 19th-minute head-start when he raced clear and slotted the opener through Hennessey’s legs. Jason Roberts’ slight touch on Gael Givet’s header was enough to steer Rovers’ second past Wayne Hennessey, and Roberts did all the hard work to tee up his side’s third for David Dunn. Wolves did bag a consolation two minutes from time when debutant Stefan Maierhofer controlled a corner and poked home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Wigan 1 – 0 West Ham
Hugo Rodallega’s 55th minute goal was enough to give Wigan success over West Ham at the DW Stadium.
Fulham 2 – 1 Everton
Damien Duff scored a late winner as Fulham came from behind to beat Everton at Craven Cottage. In the opening period Leighton Baines whipped in an excellent free-kick from the left and Tim Cahill thumped the ball past Stockdale into the far corner. The Cottagers levelled ten minutes into the second half as Paul Konchesky crashed home a loose corner with the aid of a deflection en route to goal. Fulham took the lead with 10 minutes left opn the clock, Johnson flicking the ball on to debut boy Damien Duff who skipped past Baines and belted a lovely shot into the far corner from 20 yards out.
Birmingham 0 – 1 Aston Villa
The game appeared set to end goalless as Keith Fahey and Lee Carsley went close with curling efforts, while Steve Sidwell headed tamely at Joe Hart and James Milner wasted chances for Villa. But substitute John Carew headed a free-kick into Gabby Agbonlahor’s path and he obliged by nodding past the hapless Hart.
