English Premier League Review: Chelsea and Manchester United Win Big, Manchester City and Liverpool Edge to Victory while Arsenal fall short

Robin van Persie of manchester United celebrates scoring to make it 2-1 with Paul Scholes (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The English Premier League was back with a bang this weekend, with its return showing us exactly what we’d been missing during the international break. Though an average of three goals per game marked a slight drop on previous weekends, there was excitement aplenty in a weekend filled with red cards, own goals, late winners and derby games. On top of that, there was of course the customary shock-result, demonstrating exactly why the English Premier League is one of the most competitive and enthralling tournaments in world football.

The action kicked off with a goal-fest at White Hart Lane, with a London derby pitting Tottenham Hotspur against league leaders Chelsea. The Blues took the lead through a blistering Gary Cahill strike, before William Gallas and Jermain Defoe netted for the hosts to turn the game on its head. Chelsea responded with two-quick fire goals from the outstanding Juan Mata, before the Spaniard showed great determination and calmness to tee up Daniel Sturridge to wrap up a 4-2 victory for Roberto Di Matteo’s men. The result sees Chelsea emphatically retain their place atop the Premier League table, while Tottenham remain fifth despite seeing their four-game winning run come to an end.
The six-goal thriller was a sign of things to come, as Manchester United emulated the scoreline from White Hart Lane as they hosted Stoke City at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney’s own goal saw the Potters take an unlikely lead, but the England striker soon atoned for his error by netting the equalizer before Robin van Persie put United ahead. Danny Welbeck then strengthened the lead immediately after half-time, only for Michael Kightly to pull one back for Stoke. Rooney finally put the game beyond doubt though, notching his 200^th club goal to cap off a fantastic fortnight for United’s no. 10. The win keeps them hot on the heels of Chelsea, while Stoke drop a place to 13^th.
West Ham were also dominant, defeating Southampton 4-1 as the south-coast club’s defensive woes continue. A brace from Mark Noble and further goals from Kevin Nolan and Modibo Maigo rendered Adam Lallana’s effort in vein, with all five goals coming in a frantic second half period. West Ham now climb to 7^th, while the Saints slip into the bottom three. Swansea’s 2-1 win over Wigan Athletic also saw all three goals arrive in the second half, Spanish duo Pablo Hernandez and Miguel Michu on target for the Swans before Emmerson Boyce’ consolation effort for the Latics.

Edin Dzeko of Manchester City celebrates (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)

Perhaps the pick of the action came from the Hawthorns, as Manchester City spectacularly came from behind to beat high-flying West Bromwich Albion 2-1. Shane Long had given West Brom the lead, before substitute Edin Dzeko came on to rescue his side with two late goals in the 80^th and 90^th minutes. It marked an enthralling end to the game in which either side could have easily escaped with three points.
Elsewhere Fulham downed Aston Villa thanks to Chris Baird’s 84^th minute winner, while Liverpool enjoyed their first home win of the season thanks to 17-year-old Raheem Sterling’s strike, which sees the youngster becomes the Reds’ second-youngest ever Premier League goalscorer.
It wasn’t until the later kick-off that we saw our first shock of the weekend, as Norwich picked up their first win of the season by defeating Arsenal 1-0 at Carrow Road. Grant Holt’s 19^th minute goal proved to be the difference between the sides, as Arsenal’s early-season promise looks to be dwindling somewhat. The win sees Norwich leap out of the relegation zone and into 15^th, while Arsenal fall to an uncharacteristically low 9^th place.
Sundays action saw another feisty derby, this time in the north-east of England as Sunderland hosted Newcastle United in the Tyne-Wear derby. Cheick Tiote controversially saw red in the first half, after Yohann Cabaye had given the Magpies a 3^rd minute lead. Tiote’s red card made him the fifth player to see red in the last five Tyne-Wear derbies, whilst there have now also been 32 yellow cards issued in those five games. The numerical advantage soon paid off, and a Demba Ba own goal saw Sunderland equalize to deny Newcastle a derby-victory to savor at the Stadium of Light.
The final game of the weekend pitted bottom-placed Queens Park Rangers against Everton at Loftus Road. QPR went a goal ahead in the second minute via Junior Hoilett, before yet another own goal, this time from goalkeeper Julio Cesar, brought Everton back into the game. The Toffees then had influential midfielder Steven Pienaar sent off for a second bookable offense, but the R’s could not capitalize and had to settle for a draw that sees them remain rooted to the bottom of the league. Everton meanwhile, hold onto their place in the top four.
It was certainly a welcome line-up of Premier League matches, and they once again delivered in a truly entertaining weekend of action. And it doesn’t stop there. Next Sunday sees yet another derby-game, this time in Liverpool between the Reds and their bitter rivals Everton. There is also the small matter of Chelsea vs. Manchester United to accommodate too, in arguably the biggest game of the campaign so far. Expect another top-draw showing from the English Premier League, as we approach a quarter of the way through the 2012-13 campaign.
Stat of the Day: Of the 19 goals scored in Saturday’s 3pm (British Time) kick-offs, eight came in a frantic 12 second-half minutes as the Premier League exploded into life. The six afternoon kick-offs yielded just four first-half goals before the second-half frenzy was initiated by Stoke’s Michael Kightly.


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