Arsenal 0 - 2 Liverpool- The first big match between 2 of the so called "big 4" clubs played each other at the Emirates Stadium. Liverpool started this match the better with the wingers of Downing and Kuyt really using the width of over that Arsenal were giving. Henderson had a early shot well saved. Nasri who seemed to be close to moving to Manchester City gave Arsenal that energy that they lacked last game. He was making runs through the middle and causing the problems for the Liverpool defenders. He had a couple of shots which went just wide. Reina also had to save a well drilled shot from Van Persie.In the second half Liverpool controlled the ball better and were creating chances. Frimpong seemed to be having a good match but seemed to just causing the odd foul and he was already on a yellow card from the first half. This came to bite Frimpong the youth overtook sense and went in lunging into a tackle he should not have and he was sent off. Liverpool responded by putting on Suarez and Meireles and this did the trick as Liverpool finally broke Arsenal down when a shot from Suarez hit Miquel and bounced off Ramsey for a own goal. Liverpool now in control got the second in injury time where Meireles set up Suarez to give Liverpool there first win against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Again a sending off the key moment in Arsenal down-full and for Liverpool very solid in all areas and strength in all areas bring Suarez and Meireles off the bench is quality they have not had for a long time.
Sunderland 0 - 1 Newcastle- The first big derby as Sunderland looked to take revenge for there 6-1 dubbing last time round. There were early penalty when Barton header seemed to be going to the top corner but Larsson seem handle it to save the ball. Ameobi had another chance to put Newcastle ahead but missed. After that Sunderland did get into the match with Gyan and Larsson but no break through in the first half. The second half started like the first fast and furious. Many challenges flying in everywhere. Cabaye lucky to get away with a stud showing tackle with only a yellow. Sessegnon made Krul save his shot Gyan hit the top of the bar in his attempted chip but in the 62nd minute Gutierrez was brought down and Ryan Taylor did his trademark free-kick which curled in. The competitive edge in the match never went and it did boil over certain times with Cattermole and Barton getting booked. A late chance for Gyan. If he crossed to Wickham who came on he had a open goal to aim at. Not surprisingly a late red card was shown to Phil Bardsley getting a second bookable offence doing a bad tackle on Coloccini. Newcastle held on to win the big derby.
Chelsea 2 - 1 West Brom- A real scare for Chelsea as they struggled past West Brom. It was West Brom who started the stronger and quicker as Shane Long pounced on a defensive mistake from Alex as he scored a good goal. West Brom had more chances to increase the lead Brunt shot had a shot saved and Scharner also. But eventually Chelsea did get into the match in the final 10 minutes of the half when he made a tactical change putting Malouda on for Kalou. Molouda had a shot saved and so did Ashley Cole. The second half Chelsea came out strong. Foster had to be at his very best. He saved from Alex fierce free-kick and another shot from Molouda. The pressure did toll on West Brom as a break by Chelsea lead to Anelka having a shot which went in via a deflection off Olsson. After that it was all Chelsea Anelka having another shot well saved and Bosingwa long range shot had Foster at full stretch. But Bosingwa was involved in the goal as he went gave a fast run down the right beating 2 players and gave a inch perfect cross for Malouda to pass it into the net. Late on Odemwingie had a volley to level it but it went straight into Hilario's hand.
Man Utd 3 - 0 Tottenham- Manchester United sent a strong signal out to the rest of the premier league that they mean business this year as they easily passed Tottenham. Tottenham missing Modric really were unable to create anything magic. On the other hand Manchester United's young new fresh team seemed fast really good flowing and settled. Spurs had a couple of chances in the first half first Van Der Vart making De Gea make a good save from a curling shot. Lennon also had a shot but was wide when he really should have done better. A couple of good crosses by Bale but thats about it from Spurs. Man U on the other hand there young team were cutting Spurs apart. First chance went to Cleverley making Friedel have a good save. Then Ashley Young had a shot well saved. Welbeck also created a save. Even though they survived till half time it was more a matter of when than if. The goal came in the 61st minute where Cleverley crossed in for Welbeck to make it 1-0. It was then Welbeck turn to become provider as he flicked a ball for Anderson to slot in the second. More chances came and went for Manchester United but they had to wait till the 87th minute when the old guy Ryan Giggs crossed in for Rooney to make it 3-0. A host of first team players were ruled out but the youngsters of united showed they are more than capable to step up if needed and play in any match. They will be a tough team to beat this season.
Bolton 2 - 3 Man City- Man City really turned on the screw as they won a impressive away victory at Bolton. Man City looked like a team chasing the title this season in how fluid the team looked. They were playing the ball around Bolton like a training ground moves. The first 25 minutes Bolton were unable to get into the match as players like Aguero and Silva and Ya Ya were running rings around Bolton as they tried to provide Dzeko. Dzeko had a couple of early chances to put Man City in front but one was well saved and the other wide of the target. But it was Silva who broke the deadlock as his shot from the edge of the area gave Man City the lead. 12 minutes later that was doubled the lead as Barry smashed the ball from the corner into the top left hand corner as Man City went 0-2 up. Bolton did respond straight away as Klasnic hit in a Petrov cross to give Bolton hope in the second half. But any hopes of coming back were dashed when Dzeko smashed in a goal from long range as he gave Man City that 2 goal lead again. Despite Bolton hitting back in the 67th minute with Davies heading in a cross Man City dominated in the rest of the match able to bring on players of the calibre Tevez and Adam Johnson. Both having chances to increase the lead. Mark Davies did come on and inject a bit of energy from midfield hitting a couple of shots wide but Man City won quite comfortably in the end. Title push definitely on this season.
Everton 0 - 1 QPR- A super day for QPR as they were able to win there first win in the premier league but did ride there luck. Everton did start off the better with Baines hitting the bar from a free-kick and Cahill missed a guilt-edge chance from 3 yards out. But QPR did grow into the match with Taarabt having a shot well saved by Howard. But the real celebrations happened when Tommy Smith curled a shot into the bottom left hand corner to give QPR the lead. Agyemang had a chance to make it 0-2 when his shot was saved. The second half Everton came out fighting Osman and Beckford. But were unable to get through. 17 year old Ross Barkley making his debut didnt look out of shape in the position he was playing and was very impressive. Needing something to happen they brought on Arteta and Fellaini. Fellaini seemed to be making a difference having 2 of his shots really well saved and he set up Cahill for another save. QPR were able to hung to the delight of Neil Warnock and take a lot of believe going forward. For Everton with the finance's as they are and the felling in the club down he needs to lift the club soon.
Aston Villa 3 - 1 Blackburn- All eyes were on the manager Alex McLeish and seeing what the reaction would be as he was manager of bitter rivals Birmingham last year. The reaction was mostly good. Any bad felling soon went away as Villa started off the quicker of the 2 teams as Agbonlahor had a shot well saved. He wasnt disappointed for long as the next chance he scored in a wonderful style as he curled the ball in. It got even better for Villa as 13 minutes later Heskey by hitting a low 20 yard shot. They could have made it more during the half but Villa didnt have there scoring boots on as chances for N'Zogbia, Bent and Heskey went begging. The wingers of N'Zogbia and Agbonlahor were untouchable as Blackburn gave very little in attacking threats. Blackburn did have shots from Pedersen which forced a good save and Roberts but in the first half that was about it. In the second Blackburn played a bit better. They were moving the ball better they were creating more set pieces and Pedersen was just giving that little bit of quality that Blackburn needed. A Hoilett cross which let Pedersen leap the highest to offer a way back into the game but as hopes of maybe a comeback Bent put the game to bed by running the ball into the penalty area and hitting a left footed drive past Robinson. Villa had more chances to increase the lead but were unable to but would take a satisfying 3-1 win against Blackburn and a good start for Alex being his first match at home. For Blackburn its a worrying sign as they were tipped to go down and the way they played the first 2 matches they seem to be proven right.
Wolves 2 - 0 Fulham- Another impressive victory for Wolves as they make it 2 from 2 matches in victories. It was a very tight first half as Fulham had contained Wolves. O'Hara had a shot well saved and so did Andy Johnson but the half turned at the end of the half when Doyle's fine goal set Wolves going. He had to turn very sharply and finish well. A really strikers mind he had on then. 3 minutes later Hunt had a cross which Roger Johnson headed on the post and Jarvis was there to tap in the second. A double killer for Fulham just before half time. In the second half Jamie O'Hara was really controlling things from the middle of the park. He looked lively and seemed to start off attacks with him being at the centre of things. Fulham did create a few chances in the second half with Duff having the best wasting it by hitting straight at the goalkeeper. Riise had a volley well saved and Andy Johnson had a shot which fizzed by. Wolves though were able hold on to win. This is the best start to the season for Wolves in 13 years as Wolves deserved there second victory of the season.
Norwich 1 - 1 Stoke- Norwich was bouncing as its a first match at home. Stoke started the better as chances for Etherington and Jones which forced Ruddy into good smart save. The Canaries started slowly but they did get into the match and Elliott Bennett was causing a lot of problems for Stoke. Grant Holt then forced another goo save from Begovic. The deadlock was finally broken when Norwich won a free-kick where Bradley Johnson crossed in in and De Laet headed in to give them the lead. The second half Stoke came back strongly with Jones and Walters looking more involved and creating chances. Ruddy was putting in a inspirational performance but as it was looking rosy a harsh red card was given to Barnett as he fouled Jon Walters for a professional foul and given as a penalty. Walters missed the resulting penalty. Stoke kept the pressure on as Norwich become more and more defensive as Ayala was brought on. The ploy was working right up to the final minute of injury time when Whelan crossed in the ball in the centre of the pitch and Jones leaped ahead of Ayala and headed in to break Norwich's fans hearts. A really exciting match though and a lot of positives for both as they both look to survive in the premier league.
Swansea 0 - 0 Wigan- Bouncing Swansea as its the first match outside England. A lot of promise in the first match after Man City came over Swansea and Swansea really took the positives from the first match and really were all over Wigan. Dyer and Sinclair really caused Wigan problems down the wings as they gave Graham great service. Al Habsi was really earning his money as he had shot after shot he had to save. Wigan were unable to get into the match at all with Antolin Alcatraz having the only chance with his header easily saved. Second half Wigan started out much better as Watson and Moses forced good save from Vorm. Moses had another chance which he rattled the bar But the turning point of the match was in the 71st minute when Swansea's captain Williams did a terrible challenge in the penalty area. Watson fresh from scoring a penalty last week hit another penalty but this time Vorm saved it brilliantly. No one could score in the end. This was one of the best 0-0 draws there would have been.
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