Manchester City Win and Top League
Today's Premier League Results as Chelsea,Liverpool and Arsenal Draw
Unexpected early Premier League leaders as Manchester City defeat United while Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal draw. Tottenham's win eases pressure on manager, Martin Jol.
Manchester City are top of the Premier League, two points ahead of Chelsea, after the first week of the season.
The only team to be undefeated after three games, they defeated their near neighbours and champions, United, by a single first half goal scored by Geovanni. United dominated the game and goalkeeper Kasper Schmichel made important saves as City held out. The young goalkeeper, son of Peter, hasn’t conceded a goal in his three Premier League appearances for City whose outstanding players were central defenders Richard Dunne and Micah Richards who stood firm against United’s attack.
Sven Goran Eriksson has made an impressive start to his career as manager at City while Sir Alex Ferguson is left pondering the club’s worse Premier League start.
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1
Liverpool and Chelsea finished level at Anfield where Fernando Torres scored on his home debut. In a robust game Chelsea scored from a contentious penalty awarded when Florent Malouda appeared to be fouled. Frank Lampard scored and Chelsea are second behind City. John Terry returned for Chelsea while Steven Gerrard played for Liverpool with a broken toe.
Blackburn Rovers 1 Arsenal 1
Two goalkeeping mistakes accounted for the goals at Ewood Park. The visitors had taken an early lead through Robin van Persie after Brad Friedel’s blunder. Another bad mistake by Arsenal goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, his second in two league games, cost his side a point when he allowed David Dunn’s shot to slip through his hands in the second half. Rovers finished with ten men as Ryan Nelson was sent off.
Reading 1 Everton 0
Everton lost their top of the table spot when losing by a single goal at Reading. The goal came at the end of the first half and was scored by Steve Hunt. Everton’s Andy Johnson missed opportunities to add to his impressive scoring record against the home side.
Wigan Athletic 3 Sunderland 0
Unexpectedly, Wigan Athletic topped the league table overnight following a three goal demolition of newly promoted Sunderland. Much to Roy Keane’s annoyance Sunderland lacked commitment as Emile Heskey scored in the first half and then two second half penalties secured victory. Denny Landzaat scored the first and Antonio Sibierski added the second to encourage new manager, Chris Hutchings.
Tottenham Hotspur 4 Derby County 0
Derby County suffered a four goal defeat at Tottenham as Spurs recovered from their poor start to the season. Steed Malbranque scored twice in the first six minutes and Jermaine Jenas added a third eight minutes later. Darren Bent scored his first goal for the club in the second half. This win should lift some of the pressure on manager, Martin Jol.
Birmingham City 0 West Ham United 1
Birmingham City lost by a single second half goal to West Ham. Mark Noble’s penalty gave the visitors their first points of the season.
Fulham 1 Middlesbrough 2
Middlesbrough also took their first points of the season when winning at Fulham in controversial circumstances. Fulham had taken an early lead through Brian McBride who had to be stretchered off with an injury. Boro equalised when Mido scored on his debut and then went ahead through Lee Cattermole with only two minutes remaining. However, a late equaliser from David Healy was ruled out by the referee and his assistant as the ball had not crossed the line. However, everyone present knew that it had and television evidence supports Fulham whose manager, Lawrie Sanchez was infuriated at the injustice.
Portsmouth 3 Bolton Wanderers 1
Bolton Wanderers are now the only club without any points. They lost their third game at Portsmouth. They went ahead through Nicolas Anelka but Portsmouth responded with goals from Kanu and John Utaka in the first half and a late penalty from Matt Taylor.
Aston Villa 0 Newcastle United 0
A scoreless at Villa Park where Newcastle United goalkeeper, Steve Harper, earned his side the points.
