Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, the league’s top teams for years, made a strong point about thrashing oppositions, as they scored a combined total of 15 goals and conceded absolutely none.
King Kenny’s men registered their first win under the new manager, wrapping up three points away at Molinieux. Arsenal, at home, could have easily scored 10, but managed to score the same number of goals as points, all coming from Robin Van Persie’s legs. Manchester United made mince-meat of a below-par Birmingham side, putting 5 past them, with Dimitar Berbatov matching RVP’s feat in goal-scoring. Chelsea, playing on a Monday night, returned to business with four goals at The Reebok; yet, they are still 7 points behind the league leaders in the Premiership Table.
Stars of the Week:
Robin Van Persie
The Dutchman skied a penalty, held his head in shame and knelt down on the Emirates green; such was his disappointment in missing only his second spot-kick of his Arsenal career. However, he did manage to pull off his first hattrick of his 6-years stay with the Gunners, the woodwork denying him once in between all the goals.
Dimitar Berbatov
Berbatov, who had already scored two hat-tricks in this season, went a step ahead by scoring a hat-trick of hat-tricks against a depleted Birmingham side. The league’s leading goal-scorer is incidentally only behind Messi and Ronaldo in Europe’s leading goal-scorers.
Other Headlines of the Week: Gray and Keys get messy with Massey!
Sky Sports presenters and top men Andy Gray and Richard Keys made the headlines with ‘sexist remarks’ on female assistant referee, Sian Massey. Though the female referee correctly ruled out an offside decision in the Liverpool match, the famous men behind the Sky Desk made remarks about how the lady didn’t have any idea about the offside rule.
“Somebody better get down there and explain offside to her,” said Keys.
“Can you believe that? A female linesman. Women don’t know the offside rule,” said Gray.
As per latest reports, these men are going to get a one-match ban. This might sound ridiculous to the fans, if they can remember Rodney Marsh getting the axe for racist remarks a few years back. Aren’t women a race? Aren’t sexist remarks a bit racist?
Top Goals of the Week:
– Didier Drogba sent home a 30-yard scorcher as early as the 10th minute of the game against Bolton, with the highly experienced keeper Jaaskelainen having ‘no answer’ to the fascinating kick. Watch the goal here.
– Cesc Fabregas sent a ‘killer’ long ball with epic precision onto the path of Robin Van Persie, and the Dutchman netted home a neat volley at home against Wigan. Watch the goal here.
– Raul Meireles volleyed home a 25-yard stunner in Liverpool’s match against Wolves, away from home. The Portuguese had a fantastic outing for The Reds. Watch the goal here.
– David Hoilett scored one of the best goals of the weekend, with his scorcher towards the West Brom keeper giving Blackburn an easy victory at home. Watch the goal here.
Trivia of the Week:
Did you know? West Ham are the only side in the league to have not conceded a goal from outside the penalty area in this season, never mind their position in the league table.
Controversy of the Week:
Freddie Piquionne thought he had sealed the deal for the traveling West Ham team, as he scored the second goal for the Hammers and ‘happily’ went about celebrating the goal with his fans. Something that clearly went out of his head was that he was on a booking already. As he strolled back onto the field, the referee, as per the laws of the game, pulled out a second yellow followed by the dreaded red. West Ham, having to play 10 minutes with 10 men, failed to hold on to the lead and conceded in the dying minutes. The result might not have been the same, had Freddie celebrated only with his team-mates and not with the fans. Hammers boss Avram Grant was furious with the ref’s decision, clearly expressing his discontent with the following comments:
“I tell you something, for me it is a joke, this red card,” “What happens is that we score a goal he went to celebrate with the supporters. Who deserved it more than the supporters? The player wants to celebrate with them.”
The Race for the Golden Boot:
- Berbatov – 17
- Tevez – 14
- Carroll – 11
- Nolan – 10
- Drogba – 10
Top Assists – Nani (11), Chris Brunt (10), Arshavin, Drogba, Rooney(all 9).
Team of the Week:
Weekend Results from the Barclay’s Premier League:
Blackburn 2 – 0 West Brom
Wolverhampton 0 – 3 Liverpool
Fulham 2 – 0 Stoke
Arsenal 3 – 0 Wigan
Man Utd 5 – 0 Birmingham
Newcastle 1 – 1 Tottenham
Everton 2 – 2 West Ham
Blackpool 1 – 2 Sunderland
Aston Villa 1 – 0 Man City
Bolton 0 – 4 Chelsea