English Premier League Review – Gameweek 3

Blackburn  Rovers 1- 2 Arsenal

Scorers: Walcott (ARS) 19’ M Diouf (BLK) 26’ Arshavin (ARS) 51’

Summary: Blackburn played their part in an entertaining game at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon. Theo Walcott’s net-bursting opener was cancelled out by a Machester United player currently on loan at Blackburn. Mame Diouf was in the right place at the right time to see Rovers go in level at the break. However, Arsenal turned it up a gear in the second half and scored the winning goal on 51 minutes after Andrei Arshavin converted his rasping effort. One concern for the Gunner’s fans will be the injury to Robert Van Persie, who had to be substituted on 34 minutes.

Man of the Match: Theo Walcott (ARS) – The young Arsenal winger continued his excellent form.

Blackpool 2 -2 Fulham

Scorers: Zamora (FUL) 35’ Panstil o.g (BLK) 71’ Varney (BLK) 75’ Etuhu (FUL) 86’

Summary: Blackpool were good value for their draw. In a game that the Seasider’s could have won in the end, they finished their first Premier League home game with a well-earned point. Only for a Dickson Etuhu equalizer with five minutes remaining, Ian Holloway would have seen his side grab their second win in three games. No doubt Mark Hughes will be happy that his Fulham side escaped with a share of the spoils.

Man of the Match: Moussa Dembele (FUL) – Fulham’s new signing had an excellent game and provided the assists for both of his team’s goals.

Chelsea 2-0 Stoke City

Scorers: Malouda (CHL) 31’ Drogba (CHL) 76 pen’

Summary: Having scored six goals in their previous two games, this result will probably be a bit disappointing to Chelsea fans, but to be fair, they could easily have won it by that amount. Chelsea played some very good football without ever getting out of first-gear. Flourent Malouda and Didier Drogba once again provided the goals. Frank Lampard missed a penalty early on and will possibly be going under the knife after reports of a hernia problem.

Man of the Match: Didier Drogba (CHL) – You could just toss a coin between him and Malouda at the moment, but the Ivorian striker just shades it here.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-1 Wigan Athletic

Scorers: Rodallega (WIG) 80’

Summary: Spurs suffered from a severe European hangover on Saturday as they were defeated by the Premier League’s slowest starters. Wigan had conceded ten goals before their game on Saturday but managed to keep a clean-sheet at White Hart Lane. Hugo Rodallega’s 80^th minute goal was enough to give the Lactics all three points and showed Spurs that they have work to do when it comes to balancing Domestic and European fixtures.

Man of the Match: Ali al Habsi (WIG) – The on-loan Wigan goalkeeper played out of his skin and did very well to keep a clean sheet against Spurs talented frontline.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Newcastle United

Scorers: Ebanks-Blake (WLV) 43’ Carroll (NEW) 62’

Summary: In a game that was expected to be close, we were dealt no surprises when it finished in a stalemate. Wolves continued their unbeaten start to the season, while Newcastle will be happy to have got their first point on the road. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored his second goal in as many games to give the home side the lead, however a fourth goal in two games for Andy Carroll insured Newcastle would be the happier side at the final whistle.

Man of the Match: Andy Carroll – Keeps his exceptional run going and could be in place for an International call-up.

Manchester United 3-0 West Ham United

Scorers: Rooney (MNU) 33 pen’ Nani (MNU) 49’ Berbatov (MNU) 68’

Summary: Wayne Rooney finally got back on the scoresheet following his longest ever spell without a goal. The England forward scored from the penalty spot to give the Red Devils the lead. Two excellent second-half strikes from Nani and Dimitar Berbatov made the game safe for United without the Hammers every really threatening.

Man of the Match: Nani – Showed his character by producing a good performance after a week of criticism in the press.

Bolton Wanderers 2-2 Birmingham City

Scorers: Johnson (BIR) 4’ Gardner (BIR) 50’ Davies (BOL) 70’ Blake (BOL) 80’

Summary: Bolton provided the comeback of the weekend after they battled back from 2-0 down with only ten men. Jussi Jaaskelainen was sent of for the Trotter’s in the first half and by the hour they were losing by two goals. However, some determined play by the home side was rewarded by a penalty conversion from Kevin Davies with twenty minutes left and Robbie Blake then scored a deserved equalizer with ten minutes remaining.

Man of the Match: Cameron Jerome – Played some great football and provided two assists for the visitors.

Liverpool 1-0 West Bromwich Albion

Scorers: Torres (LIV) 65’

Summary: Not too much that can be said about this one. Liverpool were the better side but struggled to break down a determined West Brom side. A 65^th minute Fernando Torres strike was enough to give the Merseysider’s a 1-0 win. James Morrison was sent off for the away side with four minutes remaining.

Man of the Match: Fernando Torres – Scored his first goal of the season and if he stays fit, could be Liverpool’s most influential player this season.

Sunderland 1-0 Manchester City

Scorers: Bent (SUN) 90+3 pen’

Summary: Roberto Mancini’s team were a shadow of the side that destroyed Liverpool last week. The Championship winning ruthlessness is not in them yet. Sunderland were the better side at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. It looked like City had escaped with a point until Micah Richard’s obstructed Darren Bent in injury time as the referee awarded a penalty. Bent converted the spot-kick to give the Black Cats all three points.

Man of the Match: Darren Bent – A player who is trying to prove that last season’s excellent form was not a fluke. Kept a cool head to score the winning goal.

Aston Villa 1-0 Everton

Scorers: L.Young (AV) 9’

Summary: Everton suffered their second defeat in three games and find themselves with only one point from a possible nine. David Moyes has to get his talented bunch of players performing soon before they fall too far behind the other European chasers. As for Villa, their crisis seems to be over for the moment. They have won their first two home games and are looking good again following their 6-0 defeat at Newcastle last week. Kevin McDonald’s future needs to be resolved soon so the team can move forward.

Man of the Match: Nigel Reo-Coker – Took Mikel Arteta out of the game, which gave Villa a chance to work the ball through the centre. His performance was crucial to his team’s victory.