A Goal-Full Fifth Week

The fifth week held a lot in store for the title challengers, as United took on Spurs and City was against Arsenal. Even this time, there were no draws and it seems the EPL is burgeoning with goals. iSport's Pulasta Dhar does a review of this 'goal-full' week.

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FULHAM vs EVERTON

Both clubs are, touted to finish in the top half are languishing in the bottom end of the Premiership. Everton were without Joleon Lescott but boasted arrivals of John Heitinga, Sylvain Distin and Bilyaletdinov. Everton fired in the first half through a Tim Cahill header. I still do not know how the not-so-tall player manages to hang in the air like that and score so many headers! Distin was having a great debut until he deflected Konchesky’s shot into his own net. Fulham, not exactly known for comebacks, managed a rare one with new boy Damien Duff’s left foot doing the magic again. It will be a welcome 3 points for Roy Hodgson’s side, who till this match had managed only 7 shots in their last 3 games! Moyes just has to go back and ponder on how to get this Everton side sorted out.

BIRMINGHAM vs ASTON VILLA

It was derby day in Birmingham as these bitter rivals went on a face-off! Birmingham were looking very solid and my prediction would be that they might stay on in the Premier League. Richard Dunne was making his first appearance as a Villain. Their solidity maintained till around 80 minutes, because it was then that an Ashley Young freekick found John Carew, who headed it towards Agbonlahor, who in turn headed it into the net. Not exactly passing the parcel, but you can call it that. Job done! 3 points to Villa.

STOKE CITY vs CHELSEA

Carlo Ancelotti underestimated the resilence of a Stoke side. He sent out a team which might concede against the physical Stoke and that is what happened. Most of Stoke’s goals come from their defenders and Abdoulaye Faye proved that true. He looped a header into a straded Pter Cech’s goal. Lampard was running the show from the middle and he soon found Drogba to bang one in. Chelsea have left it late in recent times and Florent Malouda was the man who did it for them this time, firing the resultant goal in stoppage time. Chelsea have to stop leaving it so late, and Stoke really need a good striker up front.

BLACKBURN vs WOLVES

Blackburn were still looking for their first points of the season and Wolves could not have visited at a better time. El Hadji Diouf made it 1-0 for Blackburn with a goal from inside the penalty box. Gael Givet’s performances are getting better and better, and he supplied the pass for Jason Roberts to make it 2-0. Roberts then teed up Dunn for 3-0 and Wolves were sinking without a trace, until Maierhofer netted a consolation in the 88th minute. Wolves clearly have a marking problem because they conceded all their goals from inside the box. These mistakes might mean a lot come the end of the season.

LIVERPOOL vs BURNLEY

Steven Gerrard was in top form for England in the qualifier against Croatia and Benitez was hoping some form would rub off on the rest of his club team. The game was dominated by Pepe Reina’s comments about Liverpool having no chance of winning the league this year and the loss of Alonso. Benayoun was starting after impressing as a sub in the previous games, and he repaid his manager more tha expected. He started of a rout by scoring form the edge of the area from a Glen Johnson ball. Benayoun was involved again when he laid it off for Kuyt to score and make it 2-0. The party had just begun for Benayoun as he got on the scoresheet again after a Gerrard assist and the hat-trick was completed in the 81st minute. Good intent from Liverpool and they need more performances like these to challenge for honours.

MANCHESTER CITY vs ARSENAL

Well, well, well! Manchester City have 2 games where their players meet their ex-clubs. It is Tevez’s turn next week in the Manchester derby and it was Adebayor’s this week against Arsenal. Surely City have to win against the big 4 to be among them at the end of 38 games. And they did it in style! Gareth Barry started the proceedings by delivering a cross for Richards to head it onto the post. The ball then ricocheted onto Almunia and finally into the back of the net. Bad luck for Almunia, 1-0 to City. Tomas Rosicky was making his comeback and was straight into the squad, following Arshavin’s unavailability due to injury. He assisted V.Persie to level the score. The second half started at hectic pace and the 74th minute saw Bellamy score from inside the box after good work from Richards, who is surely going to give Glen Johnson some competition for the right backs role in the national squad. The moment all City fans were waiting for finally came when Adebayor rose to score from a Wright-Phillips cross. Phillips later made it 4-1 after executing a brilliant dink over Almunia in a one-on-one situation. Rosicky marked a good comeback by scoring a goal, but Arsenal were surely out of it. The game was marred by the celebrations of Adebayor in front of the Arsenal fans and his alleged stamping on van Persie’s face.

PORTSMOUTH vs BOLTON

Portsmouth added a lot of players during the closing stages of the transfer market. Surely the new owner paid all that money. It was now upto Paul Hart to convert it into results, which are desperately needed at Pompey. Steinsson ran to the byline and crossed for Cohen to draw first blood in this evenly matched encounter. The lead did not last long as Younes Kaboul rose in to head for the second time in as many games. Debutant O’Hara provided the corner. Kevin Davies was then brought down in the box and Matt Taylor’s dependable left foot did the trick from the spot. Boateng got on the scoresheet for Portsmouth to make it 2-2 and now it was a matter of who would score the winning goal. Portsmouth’s season has not had a great start and it looks likely to continue that way as Gary Cahill headed in the winner in the 89th minute. Kick on the chin there for Pompey! 3-2 to Bolton.

TOTTENHAM vs MANCHESTER UNITED

The title chase was on with this fixture. It was second vs third to be precise. United got a shock in the early stages as Defoe scored from an overhead kick. He surely seems to have booked his place in Sout Africa after a great start to the season. United are famous for their comebacks against Spurs. How can we forget the famous 5-2 here? Coming back to the present, Anderson was starting after ending a spell on the sidelines, allegedly after a row with Fergie. Giggs then converted a freekick won by Berbatov, who was deperately trying to get on the scoresheet. United were level and Berba could have given them the lead, but for blocked shots and super saves. Anderson then found a bobbing ball on the edge of the area and did what he has failed to do from open play in his last 2 seasons....Score!! The youngster repaid the faith shown in him by the United staff. Scholes was then sent off for two yellow card offences, but Rooney finished off the match with a beautiful finish. Fletcher was my man of the match after some superb midfield display.

SUNDERLAND vs HULL CITY

Sunderland had the quality to finish the match comfortably and they did that. Andy Reid’s corner was literally saved by Craig Fagan, who my friends, is not the keeper but Hull’s striker! Clear penalty and easily converted by the in-form Bent. New boy Ghilas laid it off for Zayatte to head in for the equalizer, but Hull have lost most of last season’s battle in them. Andy Reid got on the scoresheet to give the Black Cats the lead and Bent got his second shortly. Reid was clearly man of the match as he crossed in for Zayatte to head in again, but this time in his own net! Hull clearly need to stop making hazardous mistakes to start winning.

WIGAN vs WEST HAM

West Ham were expected to take the game to Wigan following a fair run in the league till now. But Hugo Rodallega put that to rest after a fine goal. Wigan then held on for the rest of the match to collect a valuable 3 points.

FULHAM 2-1 EVERTON

BIRMINGHAM 0-1 ASTON VILLA

STOKE CITY 1-2 CHELSEA

BLACKBURN 3-1 WOLVES

LIVERPOOL 4-0 BURNLEY

MANCHESTER CITY 4-2 ARSENAL

PORTSMOUTH 2-3 BOLTON

TOTTENHAM 1-3 MANCHESTER UNITED

SUNDERLAND 4-1 HULL CITY

WIGAN 1-0 WEST HAM