ENGLAND: PREMIER LEAGUE REVIEW – WEEK 3

In a weekend of action which didn’t live up to expectations, Liverpool went top of the table with a win over Manchester United, Manchester City got back to winning ways with a victory over Hull and Crystal Palace claimed their first win back in the top flight.

MANCHESTER CITY 2-0 HULL CITY TIGERS

Manchester City responded from last week’s defeat at Cardiff with a home win over another promoted side; Hull City Tigers. Hull had matched City for most of the game but couldn’t convert their chances; something City did in the 65th and 90th minute. Substitute Alvaro Negredo put the blues in-front with a header and Yaya Toure wrapped up the points with a delicious free-kick late on. A far from convincing display, but a valuable three points.

WEST HAM 0-1 STOKE CITY

Stoke City rarely register a win away from home nowadays, but with Mark Hughes now in charge at the Brittania, it appears that could now be a different story, and this win over West Ham is evidence of that. Stoke had been in full control and the better side, and all their good work was rewarded in the 82nd minute as Jermaine Pennant scored a delicious free-kick for the potters. 1-0 to the visitors it finished.

CARDIFF CITY 0-0 EVERTON

After last week’s heroics against City, Cardiff failed to follow that up with a win over Everton, with the game ending in a stalemate. It was a fairly even contest, but no team could find their way through. Everton should have had a penalty close to half-time when Leighton Baines was blatantly tripped in the area by Gary Medel, but nothing was given. Everton stay unbeaten while Cardiff now have 4 points to their name.

NORWICH CITY 1-0 SOUTHAMPTON

Two sides who had spent a fair amount of money in the summer met at Carrow Road, as Norwich entertained Southampton. It was a closely fought game with few clear-cut chances being created, the best chance falling to Adam Lallana who volleyed against the post. Both sides had shouts for a penalty, with Calum Chambers and Bradley Johnson both appearing to handle the ball, but Howard Webb gave neither. The winner came in the 68th minute when Norwich’s new acquisition Nathan Redmond cut in from the left and unleashed a low shot into the near post which Artur Boruc failed to keep out. 1-0 it finished.

NEWCASTLE UNITED 1-0 FULHAM

It’s been a frustrating start to the season for Newcastle but they registered their first league win against Fulham, with a moment of brilliance from Hatem Ben Arfa separating the two sides. The Toon had 9 shots on target in the match but it didn’t look like they were going to claim the win, that was until 4 minutes from time when Hatem Ben Arfa drifted in from the right and hit a stunning shot into the top corner, handing Alan Pardew his first Premier League win of the campaign.

CRYSTAL PALACE 3-1 SUNDERLAND

Two sides who hadn’t won a game up until this game met at Selhurst Park, so both were eager to claim their first victory. Palace opened the scoring in the 9th minute through defender Danny Gabbidon but were pegged back in the 64th minute when Steven Fletcher equalised. Then came a moment of controversy in the 79th minute, Dwight Gayle latched onto a loose ball and was brought down by John O’Shea, resulting in a straight red and a penalty, which Gayle dispatched. The home side sealed the win with a sublime goal from Stuart O’Keefe in added time, curling the ball off the bar and into the top corner.

WEST BROM 0-2 SWANSEA CITY

Swansea City earned their first win of the season away at The Hawthorns. After a game in the Europa League in mid-week, Swansea played some lovely football and dominated large parts of the game. They went ahead in the 22nd minute through Ben Davies’ magnificent volley and had numerous chances to extend their lead. With 7 minutes left and Swansea still not over the line, Pablo Hernandez put the points in the bag, tapping home Michu’s cut-back.

LIVERPOOL 1-0 MANCHESTER UNITED

There was a lot of expectation for this game, but in truth it never really delivered. Daniel Sturridge flicked on Daniel Agger’s header in to the net in the 4th minute to put Liverpool ahead, and from them on it was a fairly even contest. But as the game wore on, Liverpool were becoming penned back in their own half and were relieved to see the final whistle go, recording their 3rd consecutive 1-0 victory and heading top of the table. Manchester United looked vulnerable in midfield at teams and that was a large factor in their decision to bring in Marouane Fellaini on deadline day.

ARSENAL 1-0 TOTTENHAM

Another game which was decided by a solitary goal was the North London derby; the final fixture of the weekend. Again it never really lived up to expectations, with Arsenal overcoming their arch-rivals courtesy of a neat finish from Olivier Giroud in the 23rd minute. Spurs never really got going in the game, but had a great chance to level things up late in the game when Szczesny kept out a deflected volley from Jermain Defoe, with the follow up from Soldado appearing to strike Giroud’s arm. Arsenal held on for another home win over Spurs.