Premier League Weekend Review

It all started with a shabby 1-0 victory for Arsenal, and the 2008/09 Premier League season was up and running. Samir Nasri scored the first goal, a typical quick passing Arsenal move that ended in a placed finish by the young Frenchman. More drama was to follow later in the day.

Hull City grabbed the headlines with a win in their first game ever in their history in the top division. It didn’t look likely after Seol grabbed a goal to put Fulham 1-0 up within the first 10 minutes. A classy finish from Geovanni against the run of play gave the home side the momentum, and a late error from Paul Konchesky gifted Hull three valuable points which could prove the difference between relegation and staying up come May.

Paul Ince and Blackburn started with a dogged win at Everton. The latter had the chance to close out the game but poor defending cost them dear in a defeat that showed them they need to strengthen if they are to challenge for Europe again this season.

Middlesbrough stunned a Tottenham Hotspur side which was without Dimitar Berbatov, further fulling speculation about his departure to Manchester United. Liverpool fortunately beat Sunderland with £26 million man Fernando Torres being the difference. Bolton comfortably dispatched of Stoke 3-1 and Dean Ashton bagged a brace as West Ham defeated Wigan 2-1.

Sunday saw a shock as a resilient Newcastle side grabbed a draw at Old Trafford against a Manchester United team that wasn’t at full strength due to injuries. Chelsea easily beat off Portsmouth 4-0 with new signing Deco on form, and an Agbonlahor hat-trick ensured Aston Villa would kick off the 2008/09 campaign with a win.

Good Weekend

Anyone related to Hull City – a hard-fought win, which will prove invaluable confidence wise for the next few games.

Paul Ince – a great debut win at Goodison Park, where Everton only lost to the ‘big four’ last season.

Phil Scholari – a lot of pressure relieved with the thrashing of European hopefuls Portsmouth.

Samir Nasri – match-winning goal on debut.

Gabriel Agbonlahor – a hat-trick to leave him top of the scorers list at the end of the first weekend.

Gareth Southgate and Alan Curbishley – both tipped for the sack; both got wins on the opening day.

Bad Weekend

Tottenham – all that money spent and they still couldn’t draw at ‘Boro.

Fulham – even with all the new signings, couldn’t manage to scrape a draw from Hull.

Mark Hughes – City let in 4 against Villa, and with City’s financial future in the balance it’s not a great time for the Manchester club.

Valeri Bojinov – six months out just after being out for a year. Just plain unlucky.

Goal of the Weekend

Fernando Torres – what £26 million buys you. A class strike from distance left Gordon no chance.

Team of the Weekend

Shay Given- only conceding one at Old Trafford, compared to the six last season was quite an achievement.

Bacary Sagna- confident performance from the Arsenal man, picking up from where he left off last season.

Christopher Samba – kept Yakubu quiet all game, rarely could the Nigerian hold up the ball.

David Wheater – solid at the back for ‘Boro all game, nearly helping to keep a clean sheet

Ashley Cole -kept a clean sheet with the Chelsea team in an impressive display.

Geovanni – sumptuous goal against Fulham and created the other, a great playmaker

Deco – a great debut performance capped by a brilliant goal.

Samir Nasri – debut goal and with the solid performance, he looks a good signing.

Mikel Arteta -scored a beauty and created another, looked like his former self.

Dean Ashton – a brace at the start of a season that could make or break his career.

Gabriel Agbonlahor – a hat-trick, can’t really ask for more.