It was an action packed weekend of domestic Premier league and EFL football action and after a dull start to Saturday’s Premier League action when Cardiff drew 0-0 against ten man Newcastle Utd, who also missed a penalty in injury time, the 3pm kick-offs were more exciting entertaining affairs with plenty of goals. Everton continued their good start to the season and summer signing Richarlson was again influential in their 2-1 win, scoring his third in two games. Ten man Leicester City, who had star man Vardy sent off midway through the second half, picked up their first win of the season beating promoted Wolves 2-0 at the King Power Stadium.
Spurs continued their winning ways on Saturday in their derby match against Fulham at Wembley. Fulham impressed and they held their own for about an hour and came back to equalize early in to the second half. However, Spurs quality eventually won the day, firstly with another wonder free kick from England International Keiron Trippier and four minutes later goal machine Kane got his first of the season, also breaking his not scoring in August in the Premier League jinx in the process. Bournemouth made it two wins from two when they travelled to London to face West Ham at the London stadium on Saturday. They had to do it the hard way as well, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 and striker Wilson continued his good scoring record against the Hammers netting the equalizer.
The Premier League match of the day was not surprisingly the tea-time kick-off between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, which was a five goal thriller and it easily could have been double that number, especially if Arsenal had not missed a host of open goals and sitters from close range. Chelsea just about deserved the three points having been in control leading 2-0 but Arsenal also had plenty of guilt edged chances to score more and win the game. However, they squandered to many chances and it looks like Emery is facing the same issues as Wenger did, which is finding the right balance between defence and attack.
On Sunday the Manchester City juggernaut continued as they thrashed Huddersfield 6-1 at the Etihad and last seasons top-scorer Aguero put the disappointment of this summer’s World Cup firmly behind him with his first hat-trick of the season. Watford’s good start to the season continued with an impressive 3-1 win away at Burnley, who are notoriously difficult to beat at Turf Moor, but the upset of the day came at the Amex Stadium when Brighton produced a scintillating first half performance scoring three goals and this was enough to see off United who could only manage one first half goal from Lukaku and an injury time strike from Pogba.
In the Championship the action is really starting to heat up nicely and after three to four matches Middlesbrough, who were impressive beating Bristol City 2-0 at Ashton gate, are the outright league leaders one point ahead of Leeds in second, who also won 2-0 at Elland Road against Rotherham. Aston Villa missed a great chance to go joint top against ten man Ipswich at Portman road but the Tractor boys held on heroically to pick up a 1-1 draw. Bolton were widely fancied to be fighting relegation this season but so far, the Wanderers are silencing those concerns after, they are still unbeaten and picked up their second win away at Reading 1-0 on Saturday, which lifted them up to fifth in the table.
Millwall continued their unbeaten start to the league season on Saturday and picked up their first win, which was an important 2-1 one against promotion contenders Derby. So far Derby are not looking like a team capable of winning the league, they’re beating inferior opposition and losing against promotion contenders like Leeds and Millwall, and the pressure will be quietly starting to build on new manager Frank Lampard if the level and quality of performances don’t start to improve. The Championship performance of the weekend goes to a resurgent West Brom, who thrashed relegation contenders QPR 7-1 at the Hawthorns and Phillips and Rodriguez impressed netting a brace a piece.
Selections:
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