Premier League Weekend That Was - Aug 23-24-25

After two rounds of the new Premier League season only title-contenders Liverpool and Chelsea can look back with a degree of satisfaction having maintained their 100% starts. Neither side had it easy this past weekend though thanks to the Herculean efforts of Middlesbrough and Wigan respectively.

Gareth Southgate's Boro bossed Liverpool all over the Anfield pitch for much of their Saturday afternoon encounter and took a deserved lead through the revitalised Mido (his second goal in as many games). The subsequent fight back from the home side represents a clear sign that Benitez's side may well have overcome their inconsistent home form which has blighted their title challenges in recent years. True, Carragher's leveller took a wicked deflection but Gerrard's winner was an effort of sheer class in front of an exultant Kop. You make our own luck in the Premier League and Benitez can take heart from the fact while Liverpool have failed to impress in their opening two matches they still have maximum points on the board. Should Middlesbrough continue to build on their excellent opening fortnight - utilising a more attack minded philosophy - then a top 10 finish or better is not beyond them this term.

When Wigan conceded an early goal to a beautifully flighted Deco free kick in the Sunday lunchtime kick off you would have expected the floodgates to open. Not so, Athletic didn't allow their heads to drop and put in a terrific performance which warranted at least a point. Palacios, Heskey and Bramble were the pick of Wigan's best players yet the Londoners held out for a hard earned 3 points. Chelsea have demonstrated two sides to the title credentials in the opening weekends of the new season. The 4-0 demolition of Portsmouth displayed their vast array of attacking talent in both midfield and attack while Sunday's 1-0 win at Wigan - whilst nowhere near as impressive as the weekend before - suggests they will give up few goals on their travels this campaign with a rock solid defence in front of the impressive Cech.

Arsenal came a cropper at Craven Cottage losing 1-0 to Roy Hodgson's new look side. Worryingly for the Gunners, even before falling behind, they looked a shadow of the side who easily won 3-0 at the same venue at the start of the year. Denilson and Eboue in midfield simply didn't work demonstrating Arsenal's over-reliance on the influence of the absent Fabregas. A new midfielder is simply a must-buy for Wenger before the transfer window is slammed shut with Xabi Alonso muted as a possible target. Even ex-Gunner Lee Dixon felt compelled to launch a scathing attack on Captain William Gallas and the current Arsenal side on Match of the Day2 on Sunday night. The former right back wasn't alone in his criticisms with Kenny Sansom also having a go on Setanta Sports News. Both are stunned at the perceived lack of leadership out on the pitch when Arsenal fall behind and they each see the North London giants falling further behind their title rivals unless a new change of attitude appears in the coming weeks.

The other North London Premier League club, Spurs, are in a sorry state following their second defeat in as many games on Saturday. Sunderland were good value for their 2-1 win at the Lane thanks to a late Cisse debut goal. Juande Ramos left want away striker Dimitar Berbatov out of the starting squad altogether citing the fact the Bulgarian wasn’t psychologically ready for the game. This statement generated thousands of column inches in the British tabloids over the weekend and the sooner the striker leaves for Manchester United the better. Thankfully there was at least one voice of reason amongst the utter drivel spouted form most of the key personnel at White Hart Lane following the defeat. England international and Spurs centre back Jonathan Woodgate told it like it is when he responded with a curt ‘bullsh*t’ to the question that the reason Spurs lost at the weekend due to the whole on-going Berbatov saga affecting the players. Such remarks need to be backed up by increased levels of performance as Spurs next assignment is a daunting away trip to Stamford Bridge.


Man United returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth in the Monday night game. A deflected Darren Fletcher effort earned the Red Devils their first win on the South Coast in three years. Sir Alex Ferguson's relief at seeing his side collect their first win of the season was palpable: “We played some excellent football tonight. This is a difficult place to come, so it is a bonus to come here and win”. With difficult away trips to Anfield and Stamford Bridge in the coming weeks 3 points was necessary and thanks to the magnificent Paul Scholes United edged the win. Elsewhere Hull City made it 4 points of out 6 thanks to a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park. A patchwork Everton were still too much for a hugely disappointing West Brom and Man City got their season back on track with Stephen Ireland impressing in a 3-0 rout of West ham following their 4-2 defeat away to Villa on the opening day. Stoke grabbed all the headlines following a thrilling 3-2 victory at home to an out of sorts Aston Villa. Tony Pulis' side will prove to be no pushover for any visiting side in the intimidating Britannia Stadium this season. Striker Ricardo Fuller looks a good signing culminating in his second goal in as many games on Saturday.