The Premier League Returns!

The Premier League is finally back... and with a bang!

Newcastle (that's my team, through religion rather than through choice..) actually won, with Big Sam (pictured) off to a flyer against his former club Bolton; Charlie N'Zogbia claiming one with a cross-come-shot and Obi-wan grabbing two! All within the first 25 minutes, too! Bolton claimed little more than a consolation in the second half with former Arsenal striker Anelka putting one past Harper.

Final score, Newcastle 3 - 1 Bolton



For a full report on the game go here or here

Other scores as follows:

Sunderland 1 - 0 Tottenham
Sunderland (admittedly, probably deservingly) beat Tottenham with a late Chopra (ex-Newcastle, ooof!) goal! Other than that, neither goal keeper had much to do, with both teams looking rather cagey.
Game analysis here

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Liverpool
An OG (own goal) from Villa center back Martin Laursen gifted Liverpool with the lead before underrated Gareth Barry gave Villa a life line in the 85 minute after slotting home a penalty after Carragher's handball. However, it would be Liverpool who laughed last (and loudest) as Mr Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, scored from a freekick directly after Barry had pulled Villa back on level terms.
Game analysis here

West Ham 0 - 2 Man City
Sven Goren Erikson's first game in charge was no less than a huge success, with Bianchi and Geovanni netting for the Swede's new look Man City side.
Game analysis here

Derby 2 - 2 Portsmouth
Derby's Matt Oakley opened the scoring with a 10th minute volley, only for City's Mwaruwari to grab an equalizer 15 minutes later. Pompey must have thought they had won it when Utaka popped in an 83rd minute header. But it wasn't to be as veteran Andy Todd equalized things once more seconds later.
Game analysis here

Everton 2 - 1 Wigan
Everton opened the scoring after just 26minutes with a Leon Osman header, and then all but wrapped up the points in the 75 minute when Anichebe scored from close range. Ex-Newcastle striker Antoine Sibierkski scored a late consolation goal for The Latics.
Game analysis here

Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Blackburn
England international Stewart Downing gave Boro' the lead with a left-punted free-kick, however, Blackburn turned the game around first with a Santa Cruz header before Derbyshire curled in the winner.
Game analysis here

Other Fixtures Over the Week

Sunday, 12 August 2007

Arsenal v Fulham, 12:00
Chelsea v Birmingham, 13:30
Man Utd v Reading, 16:00

Tuesday, 14 August 2007

Tottenham v Everton, 20:00

Wednesday, 15 August 2007

Birmingham v Sunderland, 19:45
Fulham v Bolton, 19:45
Man City v Derby, 19:45
Portsmouth v Man Utd, 19:45
Reading v Chelsea, 20:00
Wigan v Middlesbrough, 20:00