Recap of the weekend; Best XI

David Warner at AOL Sportshouse with another entertaining break down of Saturday and Sunday's fixtures.

The best XI from ESPN:

GK: Robert Green (West Ham)

LCB: Joleon Lescott (Everton)
CB: Zat Knight (Aston Villa)
RCB: David Wheater (Boro)

LM: Matt Etherington (West Ham)
CM: Xabi Alonso (Liverpool)
CM: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
RM: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

ST: Craig Bellamy (West Ham)
ST: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
ST: Michael Owen (Newcastle)
Manager: Martin O'Neill (Villa)

Don't have too many problems with that line-up but I would have to offer up Clint Dempsey who was all over the pitch over the weekend, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists allowing Fulham to salvage a point. In any event he was certainly the top Yank from the weekend.

Another worth noting - the FA chief is concerned about the recent influx of foreign players into the Premier League.

Oh yea -- Chelski lost to Villa thanks to Zat Knight, narrowing the lead they enjoyed over ManYoo.

Since the PL seems to be blocking anyone from showing their highlights - I would have love to have show Kamara's equalizer for Fulham - here are some brilliant goals from their competition instead:

Wesley Sneijder's unstoppable free kick
Ditto from Ron
Alberto Aquilani with a nice free kick
Apologies in advance for the foreign languages.

Week 3 Best XI...

From ESPN:

GK: Craig Gordon (Sunderland)
LB: Pascal Chimbonda (Tottenham)
CB: Sol Campbell (Portsmouth)
RB: Micah Richards (Man City)
LM: Mohamed Sissoko (Liverpool)
RM: Nani (Man Utd)
CM: Tom Huddlestone (Tottenham)
CM: Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
ST: Cameron Jerome (Birmingham)
ST: El Hadji Diouf (Bolton)
ST: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)

Eyebrows were raised when Roy Keane splashed nine million pounds on Craig Gordon but they will have been lowered after his performance against Liverpool on Saturday. The Scotland number one was busy all afternoon and kept the score-line respectable for the home side. He is going to have ample opportunity to show his pedigree in what is shaping up to be a long season for the Black Cats.

Pascal Chimbonda gave a great all-round full-back's display at Old Trafford showing off both his defensive capabilities and attacking instincts. He shepherded the United trio of Carlos Tevez, Nani and Ryan Giggs when called upon and won the battle against his opposite number Patrice Evra with his dangerous marauding runs down the right flank.

Sol Campbell, possibly enlivened by his recall to the recent England squad, was a rock in the Portsmouth defence as Pompey gave Chelsea a fright at the Bridge with a confident, assured display. Campbell made a couple of important tackles, racing back and using his strength to deny the home team.

Micah Richards personally capped another great week in a season of great weeks so far with another outstanding performance for Manchester City. He faced Emanuel Adebayor and the lanky Gunner was second best against England's rising star (so much so he was subbed later on). Richards also gave a mature performance in midweek for the national team.

Tom Huddlestone gave an elegant display in the Spurs midfield and his repertoire of passing was on full display as he helped carve out several chances for Martin Jol's side at Old Trafford. He showed up ex-Spurs man Michael Carrick (who was substituted after an hour) and was always involved in the hub of the action for the visitors.

Cesc Fabregas again shouldered the burden of delivering the goods for Arsenal as they grabbed a single goal victory against a resurgent Manchester City at the Emirates. It was from the youthful foot Fabregas that the points were secured. The Spaniard darted in to the penalty area before firing past the otherwise impressive Caspar Schmeichel late on.

Mohammed Sissoko slipped in to the notin-any-way-daunting-at-all boots of Steven Gerrard at the Stadium of Light and was a more than able deputy. He scored a great goal too, a pile-driver from twenty-five yards. Close your eyes, and you could have sworn it was Stevie G who hit it. Except you wouldn't have seen it (but if you had the commentary on the TV you would have known who scored).

Ashley Young was man of the match for Aston Villa against Fulham and was a constant threat with his searing pace. He went close with a couple of efforts, then received a bit of help when his shot deflected in off Zat Knight for the first Villa goal. There was nothing remotely fortunate about Young's role in the winner though as he provided a wonderfully executed slide rule pass for Maloney to slot home.

Steve Bruce got some valuable return on the £3 million he spent on Cameron Jerome when the striker bagged a brace to win the game for the Blues at Derby. Jerome struck the first after just thirty seconds, latching on to a fine Mikael Fossael pass to beat Stephen Bywater. The winner was a volley from fifteen yards after Sebastian Larsson's flick to give Birmingham a valuable three points against one of their fellow promoted sides.

Nani made his home debut for Manchester United and crowned the day with a stunning goal to give his side their first win of the season against Spurs. Alex Ferguson envisaged a marginal role for the 20 year old this season. If this is so, then they have themselves one hell of a substitute. Nani, turned and hit an unstoppable shot from thirty yards past England's number one (whatever connotations that title confers on its owner these days).

Mr Popularity El-Hadji Diouf rolled up his sleeves and showed his fight for the battle by masterminding Bolton's first win of the season against Reading. Well, perhaps. Or, Mr Popularity El Hadji Diouf realizes the transfer window looms large and if it slams shut on Friday he will remain plying his trade at the Reebok for at least another half season, so decided to remind would be suitors he is a decent player. Anyroad, whichever it is, he played well. And for that his manager Sammy Lee will be more than grateful. To say Lee has a difficult job following Sam Allardyce in to the Bolton hotseat goes without saying. A diabolical start has made him bookies favorite for the axe but if he can hold on to Messrs Anelka and Diouf and his side continue to put in performances like the one which brought a 3-0 win against in-form Reading, then things may swing in his favour.

Ronaldinho to Chelski?? Weekend wrap-up

A short update due as I am travelling but a couple things that have caught my eye...

- Chelski looks to spend some ridiculous money on the Brazilian phenom.

- Barca denies

- David Warner wrap-ups Saturday & Sundays premier league action

- Berbatov to remain a Spur

- Fergie says injury woes are coming to an end

Premier League week 2: XI conclusions

A great wrap up of the past weekend from Whoateallthepies:

1 Micah Richards is a superhuman backtracking machine who will hunt you down and tackle you (and he'll get himself in all sorts of terrible positions first just to give you a bit of a chance!).

2 If Sven keeps this up he might be able to miss 'the England years' out of his autobiography altogether. Manchester City top of the table. Who would have thought?

3 Rob Styles was having a 'mare. He gave a soft penalty after Florent 'Salmon' Malouda leaped into Steve Finnan, and then started flashing yellow cards around regardless of whether the player had committed an offence, had been booked before or whether he actually intended to book them.

4 Bolton + Sammy Lee = Big Trouble. I smell Steve Wigley Syndrome.

5 Goal-line technology needs to be brought in - just ask David Healy and the gang at Northern Ireland FC, sorry Fulham. A dodgy decision cost them a point against Middlesbrough.

6 Derby losing 4-0, Sunderland losing 3-0. It's about time these newcomers learnt their place! It gives some sense of normality.

7 Harry Redknapp seems to have unearthed another gem in John Utaka. Showed his pace and scored a classy goal against Bolton. I would draft him into my fantasy team if he was registered as a midfielder (where he is currently playing).

8 Manchester United's title challenge will be over before it has started if they drop any more points in the next couple of weeks. We all know they are traditionally strong finishers, but they are giving everyone a worryingly big headstart.

9 Call it stating the obvious but Manchester United desperately need a tap-in merchant, a fox-in-the box. Emergency call to Andrew Cole?

10 In theory, Wigan could have had about five penalties and made their victory over Sunderland really emphatic. As it was referee Mike Riley only gave two (apparently first half penalties have been outlawed).

11 Arsene Wenger is naive if he thinks calling Blackburn 'violent' after their 1-1 draw will stop them doing exactly the same again. He needs to invest in a couple of players with some grit to help the Gunners' flair players cope in this sort of match. At least he can sleep easy knowing Bolton will roll over this season!

Quotes from the past weekend:

From SomePeopleAreOnThePitch:

After reading the match reports for this weekends Premier League matches, some quotes caught my eye.

Some for stating the obvious, some for an interesting spin on things, and some just for the sheer hilarity...

"Do you think my players surround the referee? I have a naive team. We do not have any divers.”

Don’t laugh, but that was said by Jose Mourinho.

"If that's the case then I'm Little Red Riding Hood!”

Liverpool manager Rafe Benitez, in response to the comment above.

"The manager had a lot to say, - I'll leave it at that.”

Nyron Nosworthy on manager Roy Keane after the 3-0 defeat at Wigan.

"People talked us up before the start of the season and that's why it took only four days to bring us down again.”

Under pressure Tottenham manager Martin Jol.

“If you don't keep clean sheets, then you struggle to win football games.”

Sammy Lee, manager of Bottom of the table Bolton.

Week 3 Wrapup

From Thatsonpoint:

Premier League round three in the books...and we don't know anything.

Manchester City beats Manchester United.

Wigan Athletic has won two in a row.

At least Blackburn rallied to draw Arsenal. Jens, Jens, Jens.

Instead of all that, we'll start with Liverpool/Chelsea and a 'dodgy' penalty call by Robbie Stiles. That's not to say there wasn't contact between Steve Finnan and Flourent Malouda, but of all the things that aren't called penalties this was suspect.

Then of course, the draw helps Manchester United, who are now only five points behind Chelsea, instead of seven. In either event, United's margin of error is next to nothing for the time being.

And again, credit to City for a shocking debut, nine points from three games. Who'd have thought.

Elsewhere, it seems when anyone from the midtable play, anything can happen.

Week's stars

1. Geovanni, Man City -- If YouTube didn't became fascists, the I could link you to the Brasilian's curling tally. It was pretty damn impressive. (Thanks to a reader, got a link...be warned you don't want Scotland Yard on your ass.

2. Andre Bikey, Reading -- Cameroonian was immense in the back for Reading in their first victory of the season.
3. Lee Cattermole, Middlesbrough -- Academy product fires a late winner to get 'Boro its first points of the year.
4. Steed Malbranque, Tottenham -- Belgian/French dude scores twice in the first half to get Spurs season back on track vs. Derby County (who just added Eddie Lewis, yay!).
5. Kanu, Portsmouth -- Nigerian was all of the place in Pompey's 3-1 win.

Baked

Fulham's American captain Brian McBride had to be stretchered off after twisting his ankle in the 20th minute of his team's 2-1 loss to Middlesbrough. Very disappointing. Sounds like the longtime US international will be gone a while. More information likely during the week. Doesn't sound good.

Play Now Sports

I've used this comparison before, but I'll do it again. Wigan Athletic are George Costanza, the rest of the league is Play Now Sports. Nobody wants Wigan or Costanza, but like a 'weed in Hitler's bunker' they're tough to get rid of.

Lookalikes

Reading's goalscoring hero (and bane of Petr Cech), Irishman Stephen Hunt and late AC/DC frontman, Aussie Bonn Scott. Hopefully Hunt doesn't choke on his own vomit after a night of Guinness.



Sorry for a brief recap, lot of other stuff going on.

Adios.

Tuesday/Wednesday Wrap Up...

From the blog Thatsonpoint:

What we know

1. Manchester United is in trouble. As Steven Gerrard so elegantly in his Scouse accent stated on the Prem preview show, you can't win the league in August, but you can lose it. In two games, Manchester United has dropped four points and already chase Chelsea.

It would easy to say this isn't a big deal and its no reason to panic, but consider United has already lost Wayne Rooney for two months and now loses Cristiano Ronaldo to suspension for retaliating late in the game with a headbutt. Guess he didn't mind messing up his much lauded locks, eh?

Of the two draws from United the opening day 0-0 vs. Reading is probably more concerning. For whatever reason the team has its problems at Fratton Park against Portsmouth.

You just wonder, on paper United looked capable of setting all sorts of goal-scoring records and through two games they've netted one. At least Carlos Tevez made an impact.

Looking ahead the next couple weeks don't get easier for United, beginning with Sunday's trip to the City of Manchester Stadium. After that it's: v. Tottenham; v. Sunderland (Roy Keane alert); at Everton; v. Chelsea (could be a must-win); at Birmingham. Then it gets much easier in October: v. Wigan; at Villa; v. Middlesbrough.

Does SAF have one more ace up his sleeve in the transfer market?

2. City probably won't get relegated, as I guessed. Sven's men have already grabbed six points from two games. What that means, assuming 40 points assures safety that the boys in sky blue are 15 percent of the way home. If they nick anything from United this weekend, I may even eat my hat. Though, let's not start doing back-flips over a 1-0 win over promoted Derby County.

3. Sunderland 2007/08 is not Sunderland 2005/06. Two years ago the Black Cats tallied 15 points on the whole season, after two game this year they've got four.

4. Lower league buys paying dividends. Two games in and buys from the Championship David Healy (Fulham from Leeds) and Michael Chopra (Sunderland from Cardiff City) have netted twice. Also scoring in each game are everyone's favorite bald Frenchman Antoine Sibierski, Zimbabwe zensation Benjani and Everton's Leon Osman.

5. Parity? Through two games we have three teams to win both -- Everton, Chelsea and Man City and three winless clubs -- Middlesbrough, Bolton and Tottenham(mered). Likely by the end of October we'll have some separation, but perhaps the league is more balanced that I give it credit for.

6. Chelsea are going to miss Michael Essien at the African Cup of Nations (duh). Without the Ghanaian bulldog, the Blues were pretty pedestrian in the first half vs. Reading. Credit Jose Mourinho for seeing this early and tinkering with his lineup, bringing on Claudio Pizarro and Jon Obi Mikel at halftime for Paulo 'Portuguese for pitiful' Ferreira and Steve Sidwell, thus ending his homecoming. I guess credit goes the Chelsea's main two goal scorers, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba for rescueing the team from its snooze at the Madejski. Typical, ruthless, efficient Chelsea. (And I'll say it again, who the hell chose the Chelsea away shirts? Did they sign a contract with Boby Glove or something? Dreadful!)

7. Reading is going to be a team no one wants to play. Two red cards in two games against arguably the league's top two contenders. Credit Steve Coppell's men for being organized and intelligent. They get tri-leaders Everton Saturday.

8. One nice thing about Bolton.
The new black Reebok away shirts look pretty good. (Yank alert, Carlos Bocanegra booked again in the 90th minute of Fulham's 2-1 win at Craven Cottage.)
What we don't know

1. Is Daniel Alves going to Chelsea? Protracted deals are nothing new, but this one might not happen. The Brasilian right back, even if he is reckless getting forward, should slot in perfectly in West London.

2. Can I keep my guessing rate up? Not to pat myself on the back (who am I kidding?) of the three games I guessed correctly, I got the score right in each game, bringing my season total to 8-8.

3. Can Man City keep this up and conversely can Tottenham continue to stink up the joint? We'll see.

4. Can Sammy Lee survive until Christmas? With, let's call it, an eclectic group of talent the ship might sink rather quickly in Trotters territory.

Champions League-ing

Nothing to crazy in the final leg of Champions League qualifying aside from Ajax dropping 0-1 at home to Slavia Prague. Meanwhile, at the Czech capital Alexsandr Hleb and Cesc Fabregas ensued Sparta Prague is in a heap of trouble. Liverpool took care of business against Tolouse, winning 1-0 on a goal from Andriy Voronin. The boys in Green, Celtic got a first half goal from Paul Hartley and drew Spartak Moscow 1-1.

Return legs are Aug. 29.

Ronaldo's three game ban definitely is the story of the week thus far. As is Bolton's struggles with Sammy Lee, who certainly appears to be headed out the door before the season really got underway.

Week 1 wrap up...

Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur. Michael Chopra's goal in the 94th minute gives Roy Keane's side a surprising result against the Hotspurs in an otherwise slow match

Derby County 2-2 Portsmouth. Derby turns the early pundits on their heads and picks up a point through a solid effort in their first match back in the big leagues. Pompey looked to put the match away with a goal in the final ten minutes but Derby was quick to equalize, scoring a goal two minutes later.

Bolton 1-3 Newcastle. Martins was simply brilliant yesterday with a class bicycle kick and odd goal from 35+ yards out. Not the best defensive effort from Bolton in what looks to be a long year for Sammy Lee's side.

Aston Villa 1-2 Liverpool. Liverpool looked to be in control of the entire match but had to score twice to overcome an own goal by Laursen. Steven Gerrard's amazing free kick in the 87th minute gave Liverpool 3 points.

West Ham 0-2 Manchester City. Nearly every pundit had been predicting an doom and gloom for Man City but the new acquistions to Man City led Sven-Goran's side to simply outclass West Ham in all phases of the game. West Ham still had multiple opportunities to get points but couldn't find a way to finish.

Everton 2-1 Wigan. Didn't catch this game but apparently Wigan was dominated the entire match and scored a late goal to make it appear closer that the score indicate. Wigan's headed to the bottom of the table if this continues.

Middlesbrough 1-2 Blackburn. Despite the strange collapse of Benni McCarty in the 2nd half, Blackburn subs came through after a long delay and acquired the 3 points. Boro manager Gareth Southgate blamed the long delay for losing the momentum that they had been building.

Manchester United 0-0 Reading. The Reading backline simply couldn't be cracked as any cross or shot that wasn't blocked by the Reading defenders were stifled by a top-notch effort from Marcus Hanhemann, who looked to be unstoppable even with a broken hand.

Wayne Rooney left the game at halftime with a fractured foot; with Saha and Soljskaer still not fit, Carlos Tevez will don a Man U kit Wednesday night versus Pompey.

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham. Arsenal could have scored 5 goals against the weaker Fulham side but couldn't find the back of the net. Gunner keeper Lehmann nearly gave the match away with a pathetic effort clearing the ball in the first minute but a late charge and poor defense from Fulham in the last ten minutes put Arsenal ahead, thanks to solid efforts from Hleb, Toure and Van Persie. If Arsenal can find a way to limit errors and consistently finish, they will be tough to beat.

Chelsea 3-2 Birmingham City. Michael Essien's brilliant strike in the first ten minutes of the 2nd half put Jose's side ahead for good and avoided another surprising result in the 1st week of the season.