Premier League Results - Aug 30th, 2008
All the results, goalscorers and stats from Saturdays results.
Aug 30, 2008
Bolton 0-0 West Brom
With West Brom pointless before their arrival at The Reebok stadium prior to kick-off, Gary Megson would have been confident of all three points for his Wanderers following their demolition of other promoted team Stoke on the opening weekend. However, West Brom held firm throughout a first half short of opportunities. In the second half, Bolton striker Kevin Davies twice found the net before being ruled out each time by the linesman, who rightly flagged him offside. Tony Mowbray's Midland outfit played some decent football, but with The Wanderers firm in defence, the shares were spoiled.
Everton 0-3 Portsmouth
Harry Redknapp's F. A. Cup winners arrived at Goodison Park still looking for their first goal, let alone their first win. But with England striker Jermain Defoe slotting home after only 12 minutes of the first half, The Toffees, who played some neat football with no penetration found themselves behind. Despite grinding their way back into the game, Everton were two goals behind just before half-time when Glen Johnson smashed in an unstoppable shot from over 20 yards out. When England goalkeeper David James saved Yakubu's penalty in the second half, the writing was on the wall for the Toffeemen and Defoe's second, courtesy of a delightful chip which went in off the crossbar sealed a victory for Pompey against the odds.
City 0-5 Wigan Athletic
Hull
The KC stadium, scene of a dramatic fightback against Fulham on the opening day, provided little cheer for Hull supporters on Matchweek #3. Wigan Athletic, coached by Steve Bruce, led early through an own goal, and trebled their lead before half-time with goals from Egyptian striker Amr Zaki and midfielder Luis Valencia. Another from Zaki and an Emile Heskey strike rounded off a satisfying afternoon for the Lancashire club in the second half, with the Premier League new boys having no reply to some clinical finishing.
2-1 Stoke City
Middlesbrough
Gareth Southgate's young side edged newcomers Stoke City at The Riverside stadium thanks to a lat winner from Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli, who raced clear to beat Tomas Sorensen in the Potters' goal. In the first half, Afonso Alves cracked in an unstoppable 25-yard free-kick following Amdy Faye's sending off. The tough-tackling Senegalese midfielder was given his marching orders for an awful two-footed lunge that manager Tony Pulis could not defend after the game. Stoke had levelled midway through the second half when new Boro signing Justin Hoyte bundled an own-goal past his own keeper under pressure from former Reading hitman Dave Kitson. However, Stoke's resistance gave way in the final minutes, and Tuncay was on hand to give the Teesside club all three points and preserve their 100% home record in the league.
West Ham United 4-1 Blackburn Rovers
Under-pressure Hammers manager Alan Curbishley was given some respite from the boo-boys as his East London side hammered Blackburn at the Boleyn Ground. Paul Ince, a cult-hero at Upton Park before his acrimonious departure to Manchester United in the 1990’s, returned as manager of Blackburn Rovers. Seeing his team outplay the Hammers in the early stages, Ince watched his team fall behind against the run of play to a Callum Davenport header from a corner. However, Blackburn rallied immediately, and resurgent forward Jason Roberts struck to level the scores. Soon after, Matt Derbyshire scored was seemed a perfectly good goal, but the effort was ruled offside, although later replasy would prove this decision wrong. In the second half, despite some excellent play, having lost Roque Santa Cruz to an injury after a tackle by Matthew Upson, Blackburn fell behind to a deflected shot by Mark Noble, before late strikes from Bellamy and Cole flattered West Ham to a clear victory.
Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle United
Arsene Wenger's team eased past Newcastle in the late kick-off courtesy of a double from Dutch forward Robin van Persie. Following an Adebayor cross being handled by French full-back Charles N'Zogbia, van Persie slotted home, before doubling the Gunners' lead shortly before half-time. After the break, Arsenal's free-flowing style was given full reign, and Brazilian midfielder Denilson added a deserved third. Newcastle, who this week sold James Milner to Premier League rivals Aston Villa, offered little and with Michael Owen missing the few chances they created, returned to the North-East pointless and goalless.
