Premier League action round-up - Week 4 - August 29/30, 2009
On Saturday Chelsea maintained their 100% start by seeing off a spirited Burnley side in the weekend’s early kick-off. It was always going to be difficult for the Lancastrians at Stamford Bridge but Owen Coyle’s team managed to keep the Blues at bay until first half injury-time when Nicolas Anelka was brilliantly set up by Didier Drogba for the Blues’ first goal. Michael Ballack and Ashley Cole added further goals as Carlo Ancelotti’s side cruised to a 3-0 victory.
The first Big Four clash took place at Old Trafford on Saturday evening as Manchester United rode their luck to beat an excellent - and unlucky - Arsenal 2-1. A controversial ending to a glorious match as Arsene Wenger was sent to the stands for comments made in the aftermath of a disallowed Robin van Persie goal. Andrei Arshavin scored a brilliant opener after 40 minutes but Manuel Almunia’s error handed United a lifeline. Wayne Rooney was brought down by the goalkeeper in the box and the England striker stepped up to score the equaliser. If the equaliser was a mistake, the winner was a disaster for the Gunners. A routine Ryan Giggs free-kick was headed into his own net by Abou Diaby even though the Frenchman was under no pressure. United’s win destroys Arsenal’s perfect start to the season.
Stoke City continued their imperious home form as the Potters edged past Sunderland 1-0 courtesy of Dave Kitson’s first league goal for Tony Pulis’ side. What a turnaround for Tottenham, joint league leaders alongside Chelsea with the west Londoners just leading on goal difference. On Saturday it looked as if Harry Redknapp’s side would drop points for the very first time this season, but when the luck is on your side you can do nothing wrong. Aaron Lennon scored an injury-time winner to seal all three points against a fighting Birmingham City side at White Hart Lane. Spurs took the lead on 71 minutes courtesy of Peter Crouch’s first goal for the club only for Lee Bowyer to silence the home fans three minutes later.
Wasteful Wolverhampton Wanderers had to settle for a home draw at Molineux as Richard Stearman equalised Geovanni’s opener for Hull City. A potential relegation six-pointer ending with one apiece. Blackburn Rovers earned their first point of the season at Ewood Park, holding Gianfranco Zola’s visiting West Ham United to a goalless draw. Given the unconvincing start to the season, Sam Allardyce might be concerned that his team is going to have a long season.
Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal might have been the tie of the round yet Liverpool’s comeback win against Bolton Wanderers suggests this was the match of the round in terms of excitement. Gary Megson’s side remain pointless yet they produced a performance worthy of at least one. The home side was harshly dealt with when leading 2-1 against the Reds - Sean Davis sent off for an innocuous challenge on Lucas Leiva. Immediately after that Fernando Torres equalized and Steven Gerrard scored a trademark winner to kick-start Rafael Benitez’s season. Before the drama, Wanderers captain Kevin Davies opened the scoring for the Trotters only for Glen Johnson to equalise. Tamir Cohen restored Bolton’s lead right after the interval.
On Sunday, Manchester City continued their perfect start to the season as Emmanuel Adebayor scored his third goal in three games to give Mark Hughes’ side an unconvincing victory over a struggling Pompey at Fratton Park.
Full Results
Saturday August 29, 2009
Blackburn 0-0 West Ham
Bolton 2-3 Liverpool
Chelsea 3-0 Burnley
Man United 2-1 Arsenal
Stoke 1-0 Sunderland
Tottenham 2-1 Birmingham
Wolves 1-1 Hull
Sunday August 30, 2009
Aston Villa 2-0 Fulham
Everton 2-1 Wigan
Premier League action round-ups
Week 1 - August 15/16, 2009
Week 2 - August 18/19, 2009
Week 3 - August 22/23/24, 2009
Week 4 - August 29/30, 2009
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
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