16/08/09
By Mark Carter
It was a cracking opening weekend of Premier League football – with plenty of goals to show for it.
The season kicked off with Chelsea’s Saturday lunchtime clash with Hull City.
Before the game, I could only envisage a stroll in the park for the Blues against a team ill-equipped to deal with the fluidity and strength of the Chelsea attack.
However, it was the frontline pairing of Drogba and Anelka that appeared destined to become their own worst enemies and lose their side two valuable points.
Ivorian Drogba blazed an absolute sitter of a volley high into the stand after just 60 seconds of play and proceeded to struggle – lashing a left-foot strike high and wide from the edge of the area.
Chelsea failed to convert another glorious opportunity in the 25 minute, on this occasion the chance fell to the powerful Essien. Unfortunately for the Stamford Bridge faithful, he failed to utilise his abundant strength – heading tamely wide from five yards out.
Hull took the lead – rather fortunately – only two minutes later. A wicked deflection saw the ball into the path of Tigers debutant Stephen Hunt. The Irishman was free to poke the ball home after a bemused Peter Cech was left sprawling towards the ball’s original projection.
Chelsea grabbed an equalizer shortly before half-time. A dubious free kick was awarded to the home side just outside the penalty box, and Drogba renounced his earlier sins – curling home a fantastic effort into the top corner.
The second-half provided Nicolas Anelka with the platform to complete his ineffective performance with a glaring miss – again from close-range – failing to lift the ball over Hull ‘keeper Myhill after being fed in on goal neatly by Drogba, in what was the best move of the match.
Chelsea kept plugging away throughout the 90 minutes, enjoying the lion’s share of possession and attacking intent.
In the dying minutes of the game, Drogba’s miss-hit cross lobbed over Myhill from an acute angle into the net and gave his side a deserved three points – and merited my prediction of a home win!
Manchester City got off to an explosive start at Ewood Park – scoring just three minutes after kick off.
I predicted the City attack would pose too much for Blackburn, who would offer little threat in return, and was proved right early on.
Adebeyor completed a swift interchange of passes with a piledriver 20 yards from goal to stun a Rovers side set out to frustrate big-spending City.
That was the most action Rovers’ goalmouth would see until late in the second-half, but there were plenty of signs to suggest that the influx of new arrivals have seriously strengthened last term’s line-up.
In the centre of the park, Barry and Ireland appeared to enjoy playing alongside each other and complimented each other well.
Out wide, Robinho and Wright-Phillips posed great threat and looked to link up with the front two partnership of Adebeyor and Bellamy at every opportunity.
Carlos Tevez started from the bench as he is lacking match fitness, and it showed when he came on to replace Robinho with almost 20 minutes to go; but when he and Santa Cruz reach full fitness this City side will undoubtedly score plenty of goals.
They managed two in this game, the second came near the death and was scored by a cool-headed Stephen Ireland.
He was set clear on goal by Wright-Phillips and appeared to round Robinson, before checking back and waiting for what seemed like an eternity before slotting the ball passed the Blackburn ‘keeper and into the net.
It wasn’t all positive from a City perspective. The back four – especially Micah Richards – looked shaky.
It’s to be expected from a new defensive partnership, but they will need to become accustomed to each other soon if they want to avoid leaking goals.
That said, Shay Given looked unbeatable in the City goal and pulled off several great saves at times when the ball looked destined for the net.
Arsenal fired a warning to the rest of the Premier League at Goodison Park – SIX of them!
The Gunners trounced an Everton side that is renowned for their defensive resilience. That was not the case on Saturday as they failed to complete the mere basics of defending.
Two of the six goals Arsenal bagged resulted from each of their centre-halves being allowed a clear run at goal from dead ball situations. First new-boy Vermaelen – who enjoyed a competent debut – headed home, closely followed by Gallas.
Everton gave too much space to the London side’s danger men – Fabregas subsequently scoring a brace.
The rout began with Denilson’s long range curling effort, and was completed by the newly injury-free Eduardo. Everton striker Saha scored a consolation goal in the final minute.
This game serves to prove how difficult the opening fixtures are to predict – nobody expected that!
Roberto Martinez enjoyed a victorious start to life in the Premier League at Villa Park.
Wigan’s Hugo Rodallega opened the scoring with an early contender for Goal of the Season. The Colombian blasted a looping half-volley into the top corner from all of 20 yards.
Their second came from Jason Koumas – who tucked the ball home neatly to complete an incisive Wigan move.
The Latics put in a solid performance and appear to be putting Martinez’s footballing philosophy into practice.
I thought Villa’s home advantage would spur them on – unfortunately the crowd failed to get behind their team after going a goal down, and Martin O’Neil’s side did little to reignite their passion.
I tipped several teams to muster away wins this weekend and they duly obliged.
Man City’s win over Blackburn was joined by Sunderland’s victory at Bolton, Fulham beat Pompey at Fratton Park, and West Ham scored two goals without reply at Molineux.
The match between Stoke City and Burnley saw more goals than I predicted – Stoke winning by a 2-0 scoreline.
Early Sunday afternoon Manchester United took on Premier League newcomers Birmingham City.
I expected a home win, and duly received one. The manner in which United achieved it surprised me.
They failed to make the game safe by scoring a second, following Rooney’s opener and Birmingham gave the champions a scare several times – most notably new-boy Benitez’s effort that was tipped round the post by Foster.
However, it was the result that mattered for United, and they begin their title defence with all three points.
The weekend’s fixtures were wrapped up with Liverpool’s visit to White Hart Lane.
The Reds appeared nervous from the start as they embarked on the challenge of winning a first league title since 1990.
Those nerves were compounded after a collision between centre backs Carragher and Skrtel – leaving both men dazed and worn as the game progressed.
It was always going to prove a tight game and Tottenham created the better of the chances. They were unfortunate not to go in front sooner. Reina pulled off several world-class saves to keep the Lilywhites at bay.
Their breakthrough came shortly before half-time. Assou-Ekouto lashed in a ferocious drive into the top corner following a rebounded free-kick 20 yards from goal.
Liverpool stepped up their performance in the second-half and summer-signing Johnson won the penalty that saw Liverpool draw level. His burst into the box drew a foul from Gomez, and Gerrard drove the resulting spot-kick into the centre of the net.
Sebastien Bassong followed Arsenal centre back Vermaelen’s lead by bagging a debut goal which earned his new side all three points.
The Merseysiders will feel hard done by as both of their last-minute penalty claims fell – unjustly – on referee Dowd’s deaf ears.
For more of Mark Carter’s insightful views check out: http://markcarteramatteroflifeordeath.blogspot.com/