Premier League
The first game of the weekend was arguably the biggest, Arsenal vs Manchester City at The Emirates. Arsenal had drawn their last two and had been unconvincing so far this season, they needed a good performance at least. City had gone into the break after defeat to Stoke and were ready to put it to bed and prove it was a blip. Arsenal got at City and were aggressive from the off, led by Mathieu Flamini, Jack Wilshere and the ever working Alexis Sanchez. Arsenal were caught on the break though mid-way through the half. Flamini's tackle merely sent Jesus Navas away and he crossed for Sergio Aguero to slot the ball away at the near post under Woijiech Szczesny. Arsenal push their full backs up high during the game and City were keen to punish this as Navas broke away again, but this time David Silva couldn't beat Szczesny. Arsenal needed a fresh response in the second half as they couldn't really afford a defeat, cue Jack Wilshere. Wilshere had been at it from the off and was pressing City and forcing his team forward, it was Alexis who broke through this time. The ball came to Aaron Ramsey who found Wilshere, he glided past Gael Clichy and with still a lot to do, delicately lofted the ball over Joe Hart and in. A priceless goal for him and Arsenal. But that delight would turn into ecstasy. Wilshere headed the ball back towards City's goal after Vincent Kompany cleared away a cross. The ball came to Alexis who superbly volleyed past Joe Hart and put Arsenal in front. It was a frantic game and one which you couldn't call, City latched onto Arsenal's nerves and equalised with a Martin Demichellis header. City went on to rattle the post twice and have the ball in the net only for Samir Nasri to flagged offside, a possible nightmare moment for Arsenal fans there. So a scrappy, end-to-end game ended all square, both sides will be disappointed not to win but equally feel fortunate not to lose.
Elsewhere, Chelsea continued their rampant start with a brilliant comeback win over Swansea winning 4-2. New man Diego Costa was in the goals again, bagging his first Chelsea hat-trick whilst Cesc Fabregas collected another two assists. Swansea had played well but couldn't take chances when they were on top and were caught by a set piece. Costa has clearly settled quickly and showing signs of a striker who can fire Jose Mourinho to his first title in his second spell in charge. However, Liverpool slipped up at home to solid starters Aston Villa. A Gabby Agbonlahor goal took all three points back to the Midlands for Villa who were unbeaten and had kept three clean sheets so far this season. Liverpool had dropped Raheem Sterling and seemed to lack cutting edge and that final pass against a well organised Villa. Newcastle were again beaten heavily at Southampton. A 4-0 whitewash for Alan Pardew's men who were yet to win and had conceded 9 goals in their first four games. Newcastle were a shambles! Awful work ethic, defending and finishing. New signings have made little impact and the fans seem to want the manager out, as well as the owner. Newcastle need to beat Hull next weekend, lose and Pardew will face a certain possibility of the axe. Finally, Manchester United got off the mark on Sunday with the help of an Angel sent from a distant land. Angel Di Maria tore QPR to shreds as he scored and set up one in a 4-0 romp. Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and off the bench, Radamel Falcao all made their United bows with Blind particularly impressive. Louis Van Gaal said their season starts against QPR, so can it continue with a win away at Leicester?
The Rest
Crystal Palace 0-0 Burnley
Hull City 2-2 West Ham United
Stoke City 0-1 Leicester City
Sunderland 2-2 Spurs
West Brom 0-2 Everton
Champions League
The English sides returned to action this week, with mixed results. Liverpool overcame a frustrating tussle with Ludogorets thanks to a late Stevie Gerrard penalty, a couple of minutes after the Hungarians had equalised in stoppage time. Mario Balotelli scored his goal for the club and will hopefully kick on from there as they are without Daniel Sturridge. Arsenal were far from convincing. An awful team display in Dortmund meant they were 2-0 losers in Signal Iduna Park. A performance where defending was at a disarray and chances were few, even when they did get glimpses, Danny Welbeck missed convincingly. Manchester City were harshly denied a point from the Allianz as a late Jerome Boateng drive flew past Joe Hart, albeit off the back of Mario Gotze. Chelsea were surprisingly held by Schalke 04 after Klass Jaan Huntelaar equalised in the second half after a brilliant break from Julian Draxler, who was a constant threat. Cesc Fabregas grabbed his first Chelsea goal but was then at fault for the equaliser, Didier Drogba and Fabregas went on to miss guilt-edged chances to kill the game. So 4 points from four games is the worst start for English sides in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League since four teams were allowed in. I am still confident that all four will qualify through their groups, it may be close though!
Signing off- sjt
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