Monday, August 24, 2009

EPL Review: Lescott To Man City, Everton Get Burned, Spurs, and Vidic


The second weekend in the Premiership calendar produced some great team performances and this season's first draw—and probably the worst game we'll see this year—and Spurs' best start to a league campaign since 1960!

The pick of Saturday's games was Arsenal's demolition of Portsmouth, thanks to an offside goal, the ref missing a sending off, and one of the biggest flukes you'll see any year.



Arsenal were always going to win this game, especially as Pompey have no one who can score regularly in the side.

Even still, they needed the linesman to miss Diaby in an offside position for the second goal, and then the ref missed out as William Gallas appeared to take John Utaka down as he was clear on goal, and then to rub salt into the wounds, Gallas kicked the ball off his own face to score, and yes, you read that right...

Funnily enough, Portsmouth must be congratulated for finding the only Arab billionaire with no money after the last buyout failed.

Hull got themselves off the mark this year at the 30th attempt, and the Tigers have now only picked up nine points from the last 90 available.

They did look good up front on Saturday, though.

The Browne one finished the game with the forward line of American international, Jozy Altidore, partnering Algerian hitman Ghilas in attack. If Hull can keep this front line and if Phil can resist the urge to tinker, they might stay up.

Incidentally, the UN have decided to take notice of Phil's negotiation skills between Americans and African Arabians and may send him into Fallujah next year, what they will make of his perma-tan, let alone his talks in the middle of the battlefield will be anyone's guess...

Manchester City kept up their impressive start by beating Wolves 1-0, but they had Shay Given to thank for keeping the clean sheet after he pulled off a wonder-save to deny Matt Jarvis, and then Wolves hit the post too.

That part of the job might become a little easier next week when Joleon Lescott joins from Everton for £22m.

On the transfer, you have to wonder why Everton didn't ask for players in return? Johnson is available, as would Dunne you'd imagine, and probably Jo, Benjani, and some of the other 4,032 strikers that City have on their books...

For Everton, things are going from bad to worse.

Already without their best player, Phil Jagielka, and after being hammered by Arsenal on the opening day, they achieved an even worse result this week as Burnley beat them 1-0.

The Clarets were well worth their win, and Everton even had the bad luck to miss a penalty too. When your luck is out, it's really out.

Manchester United bounced back from defeat to Burnley with a 5-0 demolition of Wigan at the JJB, no the DW, no the JCB, no the DJBW stadium—ah, you get the picture.

All five goals were scored in the second half, as Wayne Rooney scored both his 100th and 101st goals for United. Expect further investigation by the FA after Vidic appeared to punch Rodellega off the ball...

It was a good punch, though, bit of a jab I believe.

Rumour has it that he's taking lessons from a certain Stevie G...

Elsewhere, Sunderland came from behind to beat Blackburn 2-1, Kenwyne Jones grabbing a brace against a very tough Blackburn side.

Hull fans should look out, because if Altidore keeps up the form he showed in his first game, he could end up as part of the new three degrees at Wearside. All credit to Altidore though, he only arrived in Hull on Friday night.

Birmingham and Stoke produced the first draw of the season with a 0-0 stalemate, the less said about this match the better.

In Sunday's other fixtures, Spurs beat West Ham 2-1 at Upton Park to record their third win in the opening three games.

It's the first time that Spurs have won the first three games of the season in 49 years. So take from that what you want.

The last time they did so, they won their first 11 and then went on to do the double. The league is a distant impossibility this year, but Spurs could be a good bet for one of the cups, particularly the Carling Cup. where they've got to the last two finals.

Chelsea continued their steam rolling of the weaker opposition in the EPL by beating Fulham 2-0 in the friendliest derby on earth.

And Liverpool take on Aston Villa tonight, after Rafa hailed the signing of an unknown Greek dude as the one that would bring them the title. They should still beat Villa though, but they're slow at the back, so Ashley Young or Agbonlahor could open them up.



10 statements after GameDay 3.

1) Arsenal's fans are getting carried away.

2) Spurs fans aren't, because they know the run won't last.

3) Everton are in trouble, only one week 'til the transfer window closes and they need a centre half...

4) Manchester City were brilliant against Wolves going forward, the problems are in midfield, not the centre of defence.

5) Pompey are doomed.

6) Howard Webb did brilliantly with Rodallega after Vidic punched him.

7) Did anyone see Manchester City beat Barcelona 1-0 at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night?

8) Chelsea's midfield is frightening.

9) Burnley are still one of the favourites to be relegated despite six points from nine.

10) What EPL team has the best food?



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