Premier League
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 [...]
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.
Tags: Alan Curbishley, Fernando Torres, Gareth Southgate, Hull City, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince, Samir Nasri, Valeri Bojinov
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