English Premier League Week 1 Review

The opening weekend of the English Premier League provided us soccer fans with the kind of excitement , drama, surprises, and last minute heroics that have made the EPL arguably the best professional league in thw world. Hre is a quick round-up of the weekends action.

Sunderland 1 0 Tottenham
The opening game of the season provided the first shock of the season, to some. It was my feeling that Sunderland could be the surprise team of the year and Tottenhams last few seasons have been inconsistent at best, so maybe not that big a surprise here. Sunderland brought the home fans to their feet with a last gasp winner by Chopra. A great start for the new boys.

Bolton 1 3 Newcastle
Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce returned to his old employers for his first competitive game in charge and came away with a very nice victory. Newcastle were three goals up in the opening half hours thanks to goals from N'Zogbia and Martins (2). Nicholas Anelka scored a consolation goal fro the home side in the second half.

Derby 2 2 Portsmouth
Yet another of the new clubs in the top flight, Derby, got off to a fine start with a spirited tie against a very good Portsmouth side. The Rams opened the scoring in the 5th minute through Oakley but Pompey fought back with goals from Mwaruwari and Utaka. Their second came with only 7 minutes to play and looked like being the winner but all credit to Derby who hit right back a minute later with a goal from perennial goalscorer Todd.

Everton 2 1 Wigan
Everton started off the season with a nice victory over Wigan, a side who look to be fighting for survival this season. Goals from Osman and Anichebe gave the Goodison Park side a 2 goal lead but a strike from Wigan's Sibierski with 10 minutes to play made it an uncomfortable finish for Everton. They were able to hold on though and pick up all 3 points.

Middlesbrough 1 2 Blackburn
Blackburn boss Mark Hughes will be delighted with picking up 3 points at a ground that is notoriously difficult to take anything away from. Things looked good for Boro with Downing opening the scoring on the hal hour mark but second half goals from Santa Cruz and Derbyshire secured the points for Blackburn.

West Ham 0 2 Manchester City
Sven Goran Erickson's reign as new boss at City got off to a successful start with a comfortable victory at Upton Park. The Hammers looked lost without influential Carlos Tevez who is now at Manchester United and their problems mount as some of the players (notablt Paul Konchesky) spoke out against boss Alan Curbishley for his handling of the Tevez saga. City, who struggles to score all last season, got goals from two of their new signings Bianci and Geovanni.

Aston Villa 1 2 Liverpool
Villa must be kicking themselves after letting a point slip away in this one. Liverpool opened the scoring through a Laursen own goal in the first half but Villa tied it up with a Gareth Barry penalty kick with only 5 minutes to play. But leave it to captain, and inspirational leader Stephen Gerrard to step up in the final minutes and snatch a late winner. A great start for the Reds who will be looking for much more consistency this season.

Arsenal 2 1 Fulham
The Gunners staged a very late comeback to snatch a victory in this one. Fulham opened the scoring in the opening minute through Healy and help that lead until the final 5 minutes before falling to goals from Van Persie and Hleb who got the winner with the last kick of the ball. A spirited performance from a rebuilt young Arsenal side.

Chelsea 3 2 Birmingham
Newcomers Birmingham gave the home side everything they could in a great end to end battle. The new boys stunned the home side by opening the scoring through Forsell. Pizarro quickly replied for Chelsea and then they took the lead through Malouda. Birmingham battled bravely and tied it up with a kapo goal only to fall behind again to a second half Essien goal. The Chelsea defence looked vulnerable without captain John Terry and Birmingham warned everyone that they could be a side to be reckoned with this season.

Manchester United 0 0 Reading
A case of daylight robbery by Reading as they manages to snatch a point from United who completely dominated from start to finish. Stout defending aided by some great goalkeeping got the blues a point despite playing the final 15 minutes a man short after Dave Kitson was sent off just moments after coming into the game as a sub. To further compound United misery, star striker Wayne Ronney hobbled off at half-time with a foot injury. Only time will tell how serious it turns out to be.

That's all the action from week 1. Check back next week for all the upcoming action in week 2.