Ah yes, another exciting weekend in the Prem, but isn't it always(rhetorical). There was a pitched battle in North London, Big Sam made a big return, and there's a new power in West London.Blackburn defeated Stoke 3-0 at Ewood Park. The Rovers dominated from the start, with McCarthy and Roberts partnered due to Roque Santa Cruz's injury. McCarthy buried a pk in the 9th minute, Roberts buried the second in the 18th minutes, and nine minutes later McCarthy got his brace. The pair had a number of chances to increase the margin, and both sides hit a few posts. Big Sam is off to a flying start, and it's a match made in heaven. Bolton defeated Portsmouth 2-1 at the Reebok, as Big Sam's former team moves up the table. Bolton scored both their goals in the opening two and a half minutes, as Portsmouth forgot to show up for the first few minutes. Bolton could have had more, but Peter Crouch's header in the 20th minute was the game's final goal. Portsmouth should have made Bolton for their failure to pull away, but this looks like a team without confidence. The sale of Diarra to Real Madrid and the constant speculation about players, coach and club have made for a team that seems lost. They need a sense of stability, ironically through the sale of the club or some other answer. Fulham defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 at Craven Cottage, to continue their run of results. Bullard latched onto a rebound in the 40th minute, and Danny Murphy buried a penalty in the 53rd. When Clint Dempsey was given time six minutes later, he plac
ed the shot in the bottom left corner and the points were secured for Fulham. The club sit in eighth, and Hodgson has them playing like a unit. They may be doing too well for their own good, and might sell a number of players in January.
Aston Villa defeated West Ham 1-0, as Lucas Neil was in the wrong place at the wrong time. James Milner deflected a shot off his leg that looped over Green and into the goal. The Hammers had more chances, but Brad Friedel saved everything that came his way, as Cole and Bellamy couldn't finish some golden chances. Villa are not playing their best, and it's obvious they miss Carew leading the line. However they have so much talent, that they can quickly counter and score at any moment. Zola will feel hard done by not to get a result, but the win sees Villa move into third place. Sunderland defeated Hull 4-1 in a big road win. Malbranqe scored early for Sunderland, but Barmby
answered for Hull. It then took until the 78th minute for Kieran Richardson to grab the second with the help of a serious deflection. Jones and Cisse scored after that, and it's going to be hard to get Ricky Sbragia out of there. The win moves the Black Cats out of the drop zone, while Hull continue to float in sixth.
Arsenal drew at home to Liverpool 1-1, as the Reds started the game without Rafa and the Gunners finished it without Adebayor. Rafa is recovering from kidney stones, while Adebyor received a couple of yellows and took no part in the last half hour. There were a number of cards, with Arsenal's high line and Liverpool's clogging of the center that made for a chippy contest. Both sides had a number of chances, but it was a bit of class from RVP and Robbie Keane's clinical finish of a long ball that brought the goals. Arsenal were rocked when Fabregas went off with a knee problem, and will await the diagnosis. This is Liverpool's fourth draw in five games, and there is a lot of squandering at the top of the table. West Brom defeated Man City 2-1, as Mark Hughes' side are officially in the drop zone. Luke Moore scored late in the second, and just when it looked like a lucky carom would give City a share of the spoils, a Roman Bednar injury time header gave the Baggies their first win in ages. Robinho was injured, and this team looks lost. This means the bottom of the table gets even tighter. Newcastle defeated Tottenham 2-1, in a rather ugly game. N'Zogbia showed off some skill and determination, when he picked himself up and put the opener past the keeper. A terrible offsides trap saw Modric go into the Newcastle goal undefended, but Duff's winner at the end was another bit of individual class. Redknapp has run into some struggles, and I think both these clubs will have a busy January.
