Football(soccer) has a way of taking what you think you know and turning it on its ear. Stoke City's victory over Aston Villa was the game of the weekend, and showed that the experts(and the roustabout) may have written off some teams, but they're still playing. Stoke's first goal stirred a bit of controversy as Agbonlahor had been bundled over at the other end of the pitch(though replays showed an obscured veiw for the ref) and Laursen's foul in the box was weak. Stoke converted the pen and was ahead for half an hour, until John Carew used his skill to pull them even. In the 80th minute Ricardo Fuller displayed an incredible touch, and even better shot, to put Stoke ahead. But then the Jolean Lescott(defensive goalscorer) of Birmingham came through, when Laursen found his way onto an Ashley Young corner to tie the game. This rollercoaster ride wasn't over, as a long throw in and a skillful(see lucky) header by Sidibe was the injury time winner. This game showcased Villa's attacking prowess, but also showed that their defenders are a step slow. On to the rest.Liverpool 2 - Middlesbrough 1: Middlesbrough deserved a point, but a terrible deflection and wonder strike by Steven Gerrard saw Liverpool take all three. They are showing a lot of grit and determination, and will need to take that spirit to Belgium if they want to play in Europe.
Newcaste 1 - Bolton 0: In a truly ugly game, it was a touch of class from Michael Owen that proved the difference. Capello would be happy with what he saw, as Owen looked in fine poaching form, and you would think he had an invisibility cloak the way he lost his marker.
Sunderland 2 - Tottenham 1: Tottenham's failure threatens to overshadow Sunderland's class. Roy Keane's men have looked a tough side to break down in their first two games, and if Cisse and Healy can add some goals they will be staying up for sure. Tottenham looked lost, with Jenas, Bentley and Modric all in the center of the pitch. Long balls to Bent won't do anything, and they need a studs up player in midfield to release all their other players forward.
Everton 2 - WBA 1: Everton have an anorexic thin squad, but as long as it includes players like Yakubu and Arteta they will have a chance. West Brom has to be worried that they are already three points behind the other promoted teams.
Blackburn 1 - Hull 1: Santa Cruz was a foot away from giving Blackburn all three points, but this result was probably deserved.
Fulham 1 - Arsenal 0: It's a testament to Stoke that this isn't the game grabbing the headlines. Arsenal looked terrible in midfield, and Eboue needs to be put out to pasture. Denilson is squandering this opportunity, and Walcott still needs to prove why he keeps being called up to the national side. They need the service of Fabregas and another central midfielder to get the balls to their offensive players, currently they look impotent.
Chelsea 1 - Wigan 0: Wigan continue to be that thorn in Chelsea's side, and it was only Deco's free kick and Cech's hands that kept these teams apart. An injury to Joe Cole is worrying, but grabbing the points away from home is all that matters to Scolari.
Manchester City 3 - West Ham 0: This game was close until Noble received his second yellow card. After that the class of City's midfield shown, with Petrove, Ireland, Johnson and Elano all in top form. Richards sustained a scary injury, but with Kompany, Dunne and Ben-Haim all in the squad City will be hard to break down. Curbs has to be disappointed with the yo-yo form of his club, and Hughes won the battle between the two managers facing the sack.
Man U 1 - Portsmouth 0: Neither team looked impressive, but a Darren Fletcher goal(that tells you about United's injuries) was the difference. Portsmouth are looking disjointed, and Papa Bouba Diop is no Muntari. They have played the top two teams, and will look forward to easier opposition.
One Liners
- Shevchenko going back to Milan, Senderos likely to follow in worst loan move ever
- Schuster wants to keep Robinho, Calderon wants to sell him, Madrid display world famous Spanish unity
- Everton sign Danish defender Lars Jacobsen, only six more players needed by the end of the week
- Rivaldo leaves Greece to play in Uzbekistan, most feared attacker on the steppe since Genghis Khan
- Scolari to give final answer to question, is this your Chelsea squad for the year?
