20/08/09
By Mark Carter
The Barclays Premier League followed up last weekend’s barn-storming opening fixtures in spectacular fashion.
Sunderland hoped to continue their impressive start under Steve Bruce against Chelsea in front of their home fans on Tuesday night.
As the half time whistle blew, they looked likely to complete their objective – leading 1-0 compliments of Darren Bent’s second goal in as many games.
However, following Ancelotti’s decision to drop his beloved – and so far fruitless – diamond formation, Chelsea raised their game.
German captain, Ballack, scored Chelsea’s first and swept in an Ivanovic flick-on from Lampard’s corner. Soon after, Drogba drove into the box and was subsequently awarded a penalty after McCartney brought him down.
Lampard smashed home the spot-kick into the bottom-left corner – drawing level with Chelsea’s Jimmy Greaves 132-goal haul in the process.
Deco put in a performance of old and orchestrated the Blues throughout, before wrapping up the win with a low drive that flew in off the far post.
I expected a score draw and it was only after Ancelotti altered his tactics, that Chelsea blew the Wearsiders away.
Wigan failed to follow up their impressive opening-day victory at Villa Park against Wolves at the JJB.
Wolves more than held their own against Martinez’s side, and scored after only six minutes. Serbian threat Milijas played the ball into the box that saw Andy Keogh place his header out of the reach of Kirkland and into the bottom corner.
Wigan fought back and Charles N’Zogbia caused Wolves a few problems on Wigan’s left flank, but could not find the breakthrough required to draw the game level.
The manner of Wigan’s victory against Aston Villa had me see this go Wigan’s way. This match shows just how competitive this league is.
Well, well. Turf Moor is starting to prove a scalp-taking fortress already this season, the first victims being the reigning champions!
In truth, Manchester United looked ordinary – and seemingly lacked some Portuguese spark.
Burnley took the lead through Robbie Blake’s thunderous first-half volley. The ball whizzed past nervy United ‘keeper Foster before he could even set himself.
United should have responded from the penalty spot, after the goal-scorer tripped Evra in the box. Surprisingly, Michael Carrick was entrusted with the penalty and saw his shot saved by Burnley hero Brian Jenson.
The Burnley ‘keeper furthered his reputation in one-on-one situations and made several vital blocks from close-range throughout the game.
Another unexpected result in what may prove to be the closest title-race of all time.
Tottenham leapfrogged Chelsea to the top of the table after tearing Hull City apart in an impressive 5-1 victory.
I predicted Spurs striker Jermain Defoe to bag a goal or two, but the England man went one further scoring a sensational hat-trick. He was joined on the score sheet by Wilson Palacios and Robbie Keane.
Defoe powered the ball into the net from 15 yards after cleverly stepping inside Michael Turner to open the scoring.
Shortly after Honduran Palacios had his box-to-box run rewarded as he bagged Spurs’ second – driving home Keane’s pass at the near post.
Hull came back into the game following the introduction of Giovanni early in the first-half and got themselves back into the game through Stephen Hunt’s ball into the box which managed to elude everyone and into the back of the net.
The Tigers demonstrated again why I tip them for the drop with further suicidal defending as Defoe was gifted space – as I predicted him to be – to run into and slot home his second of the game.
Keane glanced in a header from Aaron Lennon’s cross for Spurs’ fourth, before Defoe smashed home his third from the edge of the area, following Keane’s lay-off.
What a difference a day makes – Liverpool can pass!
The Merseyside club was slated for failing to keep possession at White Hart Lane on Sunday – with Xabi Alonso’s departure cited as the sole reason in the media – but last night served to suggest that the more likely cause was the incessant closing down of a tactically-strong Spurs side.
Against the deep 10-man wall of Stoke City, Liverpool moved the ball around the pitch with guile and confidence.
Both Mascherano and Lucas’ distribution was varied and accurate – proving that there is life after Alonso.
Liverpool got off to the perfect start with Gerrard once again combining well with Torres – cutting the ball back from the by-line for the Spaniard to open his goal-scoring account, as predicted in my preview.
Their second was scored in acrobatic fashion by marauding home-debutant Glen Johnson.
Dirk Kuyt poached Liverpool’s third after an outrageous display of skill by the imperious Steven Gerrard which allowed him time and space to drill in a low cross for Kuyt to slide in and score.
Johnson’s perfect day was complete after assisting David Ngog to score the fourth from close-range at the death.
Liverpool are now two points and four goals better off than last season’s corresponding fixtures.
And finally, the humdinger that was Birmingham City v Portsmouth.
I predicted a goalless draw, and was only stripped of it in the last minute of a dire game.
David James was adjudged to have fouled Larsson as he rushed out to claim a high ball and was punished with the award of a penalty to the home side.
McFadden sent James the wrong way and claimed all three points for his newly-promoted side.
For more of Mark Carter’s insightful views check out: http://markcarteramatteroflifeordeath.blogspot.com/.