The Passions of the Prem, Week 2

Fans' Frontline Match Reports

	Stephen Warnock (our Player of the Year) was left out because “his mind’s not right”. Who does he think he is – Joleon Lescott?

I'd not have given tuppence for our chances last night. I watched the game with a mate and we were determined to just take the St Michael, have a laugh and not worry about the result (that would have lasted about 2 minutes if we'd started losing!).
After an abject display v Wigan and an average one v Rapid Vienna, there just was no hope at all that our understrength side could go to Anfield and get the first win since 2001 against the RedScouse. But as Jimmy Greaves once said, 'it's a funny old game'.
1-0 up with a nice slice of luck, an own goal - following an Ashley Young free kick) and to be fair, I was even more worried, I thought we might have rattled them and they'd be an onslaught...
2-0 fantastic headed goal via a corner by Curtis Davies... Wow, was this the same team who were played off the park by Wigan?!
Oh but here it comes, Torres gets one back, Villa are bound to capitulate, happened time and time again, misery, woe, misery PENALTY! So nice to see Ickle Stevie get a decision again (last season he had one for him which resulted in a goal via a free kick that never was!) ME ? BITTER? Never! 
3-1 and despite my mate still worrying, we'd done it. The victory was soooo sweet, now we have to repeat it in the home leg v Rapid and then again v Fulham. Ha, Liverpool's season Alan Hansen? I think not! I'd recommend Glensider at Anfield on my site for a more sensible report by the way!
Star man: I'm all for good value so I'll give you three. Brad Friedel: best he's been in a Villa shirt, that was the Friedel of old, as opposed to the old Friedel. See how clever I am?! Nigel Reo-Coker: just shows if you play a player in the right position what he can do. He looked like he had a point to prove and boy oh boy did he prove it. Curtis Davies: was suspect injury-wise (bad shoulder) before the game, he'd been suspect playing-wise v Wigan, but last night he was immense. More of the same please, Curtis.

Best moment: Seeing Torres whinging and whining, seeing the Fat Spanish Waiter moaning about the corner that led to the goal, it was SO clear but he wouldn't have it and then seeing Ickle Stevie giving away a penalty!
Tactics: He went back to our winning formula of 4 5 1 and benched Heskey, what's not to like?!
Worst performer: No way, not slating anyone after that result.
Chant of the game: The Villa fans roared at Anfield, the Scousers left early... happy days!
Oppo fans: Cheerio, cheerio, cheerio!  So nice to see Alan Hansen's face as well... it looked like a wet weekend! lol
Jonathan Fear, www.astonvilla.vitalfootball.co.uk

----------

ARSENAL 4 Portsmouth 1
I love opening day of the season. I'm just gutted we were away from home for it, and that we didn't kick off until 5:30pm. Why can't everyone kick off at the same time on the first day of the season? Anyway, that was last week – onto today and the first home game of the season against Pompey.
With us having a hectic and difficult few weeks coming up (Celtic on Wednesday followed by consecutive visits to Manchester to play United and GreedyBarnDoor's new pay masters in turn), Le Boss elected to rotate, with Gibbs, Eboue, Eduardo and Diaby all coming in for their first starts of the season.
The warm weather was more conducive to a day on the beach than an intense 90 minutes of football but, thankfully, Portsmouth were absolutely terrible and were even less interested than us, so it was no real surprise to anyone when we went ahead after 18 minutes.
Eduardo beat Marc Wilson in hilarious fashion by nicking the ball around him and then collecting it the other side and pulling it back for Abou Diaby, who hammered it into the roof of the net with power and precision.
Diaby doubled the advantage three minutes later when Arsenal took advantage of Portsmouth's ridiculous decision to defend on the halfway line and Arshavin, Fabregas and Eboue combined to give Diaby an open goal to tap into.
Pompey pulled one back shortly before half time when Manuel Almunia furthered his claim to participate in the World Standing-There-Like-A-Motionless-Moron Championships and Younes Kaboul stole in to head past the prostrate Spaniard.
After half-time, we did everything possible to let Portsmouth back into the game, allowing Frédéric Picquionne a free pot-shot at goal, and then Billy Gallas nearly got himself sent off for what looked like a professional foul, although replays showed that the officials got the decision right. Insult was added to injury a few minutes later when the two-goal lead was restored by Gallas, deflecting in Thomas Vermaelen's hit across the six yard box with his face. Despite the scrappiness of the goal, Gallas celebrated a la Marco Tardelli in the 1982 World Cup Final. Bless him.
A Robin van Persie reverse pass 20 minutes from time gave Aaron Ramsey the opportunity to score his first League goal for the club, and 'Rambo' (as I have decided he is to be nicknamed) dinked the ball around a crestfallen David James who was then substituted shortly afterwards with a mixture of a very badly bruised ego and sheer frustration at the players around him. In fact, the only downer really was Cesc Fabregas getting subbed at half-time with hamstring-twang.
All in all, a great start to the season and hopefully the perfect foundation on which to build our season. I can't wait for the ManYoo game next Saturday.
Star man: Diaby got all the plaudits in the Sunday press and, with him scoring two goals, it is understandable. However, for me, our best player across the 90 minutes was the silently effective and slowly improving Denilson, who has had a great start to the year. Props also for Eboue, Vermaelen and Gallas who were all very, very good.
Worst performer: I'm not one for nit-picking when you've just won 4-1, but Andrey Arshavin has had a very quiet start to the year and didn't get all that involved today. All this sunshine must be a novelty for our Russian Genius, so expect more of him once the cloud and rain come in October. Manuel Almunia should have done a LOT better for the goal as well.
Best moment: Aside from our stadium announcer failing to get half of the Portsmouth players' names right (Arnold Mvuemba didn't stand a chance, the poor guy), seeing Aaron 'Rambo' Ramsey run things after coming on as a second half sub was very encouraging.
Tactics: We won 4-1 and didn't get out of second gear. It would be folly of me to pick fault with Mr Wenger today. He got it spot on.
Chant of the game: Our new song for Andrey Arshavin (to the tune of Sloop John B)... “He's only 5'4”!!!.. He's only 5'4”!!!! We've got Arshavin, so fuck Adebayor!”
Oppo fans: I hate fans with bands in their number. Especially POmpey fans. I saw the woman with the trumpet on the way home and wanted to beat her over the head with it. At least that tattooed mess with the bell didn't get in...
David Oudôt,  www.onlinegooner.com & taxloser.blogpot.com
------------------------

BIRMINGHAM 0 v Stoke 0
Dull, dull, dull, dull game. Very little to get excited about. A game of little creativity and goal-scoring opportunities. Well, it was never going to be a classic, was it? Can't think of much else to say about it really. Both sides will be happy with the point.
Star man: Franck Quedrue. Solid at the back and had one of our few shots at goal.
Worst performer: James McFadden. Sometimes looks to be playing on his own.
Best moment: Thomas Sorenson's save from Garry O'Connor's header. In fact, it was the only good moment.
Oppo fans: Vocal, but I expect even they started to nod off towards the end.
Mike, www.joysandsorrows.co.uk
------------------------------
Sunderland 2 – BLACKBURN ROVERS 1

Rovers will play a lot worse this season and win. One goal, two disallowed, hit the woodwork once and at least FIVE excellent chances! For the second week in a row, Rovers outplayed the opposition and lost. HOW CAN THIS BE?? Once again – FINISHING. Kenwyne Jones made it look easy, while Rovers’ frontline, including new £6million man Kalinic, looked like they’d been coached by Stevie Wonder! And Stephen Warnock (our Player of the Year) was left out because “his mind’s not right”! Who does he think he is – Joleon Lescott? We need a little bit of luck (and maybe a top midfielder) and things will change – fingers crossed!

Star man: Gael Givet – scored a cracker and was his usual calm self
Worst performer: Keith Andrews – not as bad as last week, but he's hardly Lee Cattermole is he?
Best moment: Givet’s goal – that was as good as it got.
Tactics: Worried Sunderland with balls up in the air and set-pieces. Lacking a creative midfielder.
Chant of the game: None, our fans were very quiet. The over-enthusiastic Stewards didn’t help though.
Oppo fans: Not quite the old “Roker Roar”, but created a noise when they attacked – which was about three times.
Pete Anslow, www.4000holes.co.uk
---------------------------------------
Hull City 1 - BOLTON WANDERERS 0
For the second successive game, Bolton created golden opportunities but failed to hit the net. We had the better of the game, but Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies were guilty of missing the best chances and Hull made us pay in a 10-minute spell where they could have scored three.
Fans were calling for the manager's head throughout and, with our next league game being against Liverpool, things don't look like they're going to improve any time soon on the points front.
Star man: Fabrice Muamba had one of his better games. Broke up the play and for once had his passing boots on. Unlucky not to score late on. Needs to add consistency though.
Worst performer: Johan Elmander - not his worst performance, but he missed another gilt-edged chance early on which would have put us 1-0 up and in control.
Best moment: The full-time whistle!
Tactics: We started with a 4-4-2 formation before Kevin Davies was pushed out wide in a 4-5-1. We had lots of the ball, but once again failed to take advantage. Lee Chung-Yong should have come on earlier.
Chant of the game: "Phil Brown is a Wanderer!" (From Bolton fans who remember Browny's long association with the club. Didn't sit too well with the home support.)
Opposition fans: A little quiet. There was a nervous atmosphere before the game following their defeat in midweek, but they livened up towards the end.
Chris Mann, www.burndenaces.co.uk
--------------------
Everton 0 - BURNLEY 1
I thought I’d missed out with midweek games not included. We beat Manchester United you know and that’s worth reporting! But just to make sure we were still positive we’ve gone and done it again against another top team in Everton.
The goal might not have been quite as spectacular as the Robbie Blake’s on Wednesday but they all count. Derby were the worst side ever in the Premier League, they won one game. Some said we’d be worse than them. Well, sorry, but that’s two wins now!
Star man: Take your pick, there were plenty of them. The two central defenders, Clarke Carlisle and Andre Bikey, were absolutely awesome though. If I have to choose, I’ll go for Clarke.
Worst performer: There wasn’t one. It really isn’t possible to find anyone to fault at the moment in this team.
Best moment: The goal, or the Louis Saha penalty that flew wide. Both moments that lifted the home crowd.
Tactics: They said attacking Premier League sides wouldn’t work. It is doing so far. Owen Coyle’s God in Burnley, we can’t question him.
Chant of the game: "Going down, going down, going down!" Well, they are bottom right now. I don’t think anyone inside Turf Moor really did think there is any chance of them going down though.
Oppo fans: My chance to have a go at the Everton fans? If that’s what you think, then you’ll be disappointed. They played their part in making it a fantastic football atmosphere at the Turf. Well done to them.
Tony Scholes, www.claretsmad.co.uk
---------------------
Fulham 0 - CHELSEA 2
Arsenal may be doing it the pretty way, Spurs are inspired by a rejuvenated Jermain Defoe, but we are steamrollering our way past opponents and we are loving it. The team looks united and our squad depth means Carlo can tinker like the days of Claudio Ranieri, only with more wins this time around. Drogba and Anelka linked up with devastating results at Craven Cottage while our midfield dominated the play. Is it to early to think about getting the old ’Chelsea FC - Premiership Champions’ car sticker back out from exile?
Star man: Drogba was at his bullying best, while there are honourable mentions for John Obi Mikel, dropped or ‘rested’ last week but back on form at the Cottage. And Michael Ballack who seems to look more commanding, more powerful, and more, um, German, as the season unfolds.
Worst performer: No weak links today.
Best moment: The link-up play between Anelka and Drogba. Turns out we have had two of the most fearsome strikers in the league for a while now, and a couple of managers didn’t even realise it. Carlo’s got them sussed though and, to go all Alan Partridge on you, the proof was in the goal-pudding.
Tactics: September looms on the horizon and this can only mean one thing. Christmas is coming. Well, according to the shops anyway. Now you may think that this is a little bit early, and that this link is going nowhere, but stay with me: Carlo has momentarily ditched his diamond formation you see and brought out his Christmas tree - see what I did there? The newer new-look structure of the side enhances key components and gets results in the process.
Chant of the game: Danny Murphy was spotted, called out, and duly chastised. That’s what you get for turning out for both Liverpool and Spurs. But the ‘bouncy’ was given its usual away day airing, meaning joy for all involved, apart from those half-hearted ‘shufflers’ who don’t really get into it.
Opposition fans: Did not really have a side to support after Fulham failed to turn up.
Rowan Farnham-Long, www.cfcnet.co.uk

---------------------
EVERTON 0 - Burnley 1
It looks like it's going to be one of those seasons for Everton with the opening three results looking like the scores from a tennis match or something...1-6; 4-0; 0-1.
After Thursday night's gubbing of 'crack' Czech outfit Sigma Olomouc, most Evertonians went into this one with some confidence and hoping that last season's cup finalists would show up now that whole Lescott business is out of the way. But the 11 that trotted out at Turf Moor were clearly lacking in confidence.
Unfortunately their claret-clad counterparts, buyoed by a 1-0 win over Man Utd, were anything but and they took the game to Everton, closing down quickly, breaking dangerously and could have been two up in the first five minutes.
When their breakthrough did arrive it came through a combination of hesitant defending from Phil Neville and a bad deflection off the Everton man's boot to put Wade Elliott's curler beyond Tim Howard.
Everton did look brighter in the second half but it simply wasn't enough and things were compounded when Louis Saha missed a penalty late on.
So the Blues sit bottom of the table with no points from two games... it has to be third time lucky, and all three points against Wigan next week!
Star man: Tony Hibbert - his surging runs were Everton's main attacking threat (there's a sentence I never thought I'd write) and his tumble in the box, one he learned from Stevie G, won us the penalty.
Worst performer: As with last week, difficult to say, but Phil Neville looked ropey at centre back.
Best moment: The seconds just prior to Louis Saha dragging his spot kick wide.
Oppo fans: Created a great atmosphere and illustrated why 'traditional' football grounds are much better than new builds... you'd never get an atmosphere like that at Eastlands!
Chant of the game: The sporadic 'Fuck off Lescott' shouts from the lone vioces in the Everton end.
Les Roberts, www.everton-mad.co.uk

--------------------
FULHAM 0 - Chelsea 2
I've been home for some two-and-a-half hours now and I'm still struggling to work out why we just, basically, laid down and died in front of that lot from down the road. We never showed any of our normal attacking flair, we looked jaded, we looked off the pace and we looked second best in every department. If qualifying for this blessed Europa League is going to make us play like this then I, for one, reckon Roy should chuck the game in the Urals this Thursday.
Okay, so Andrew Johnson was out after a bout of Russian Roulette and complications with the deal prevented Jonathan Greening from playing, but the others looked like they’d been swallowing Horlicks all morning.
Thankfully there was one, just one, brief moment when I thought we might score but if you’d been strolling down the Stevenage Road you’d have missed it seeing as the only real chance of ninety minutes of awful Fulham play fell to Dempsey in the first two minutes. Apart that it was time to get excited whenever we got a corner. Gee, we even got two in the space of a minute in the second half, but it was too much to send over a cross that might actually trouble the Jolly Blue Giants.
In the end the final whistle proved to be a blessing in disguise, it meant that things couldn’t get any worse and that we could all crawl home to lick our festering wounds...
Star man: Brede Hangleand, at least he looked as if he was prepared to give something to the cause and not just roll over and submit at the first sign of a little pain.

Worst performer: Everybody else involved – languid, tired and not at the races.

Best moment: The final whistle!

Tactics: Too defensive, prepared to sit back and be carved open at will.We were suppose dot be the home team!

Oppo fans: Must have thought Christmas had come early! Probably couldn’t believe that the side they were facing were so lacklustre. Sunday was hardly an incentive to travel to the Urals was it.
Andrew Joyce, http://www.vitalfulham.co.uk

--------------------
HULL CITY 1-0 Bolton Wanderers
A better team than Bolton would have had the match sewn up long before Jozy Altidore entered the fray, but half the teams in this division aren't much better than Bolton, and we had plenty of these games last season where neither team looked good enough to win it and it was decided by the odd goal.
It all came together with Altidore on the pitch, giving Ghilas and Geovanni someone to work with. After we took the lead we looked threatening on the break and should have got a second - but it's not often we've been in that position so we'll let them off! Let's hope it won't be another eight months until our next home win.
Star man: Our forwards got the attention in the last half hour but goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was brilliant for the whole 90 minutes. He was flying around and getting a hand on everything.
Worst performer: Browny says Caleb Folan softened up the centre backs to the benefit of his replacement, but he did little with the football and wasn't a goal threat. Neither Olofinjana nor Kilbane dominated the midfield - we need an enforcer in this position.
Best moment: Altidore got a great reception when he came on and within 30 seconds he'd hooked the ball over the defence for Ghilas to score. Talk about an immediate impact.
Tactics: We looked bereft of ideas in the first half but the substitution changed the game. The four changes made to Wednesday's starting line-up all had positive effects aswell, so Browny can be pleased with himself - as if he needs the encouragement!
Chant of the game: "U.S.A! U.S.A!"
Opposition fans: Failed to fill their allocation. Their biggest chants were for Jussi, and normally we can appreciate why. On this occasion, however, he was the second best goalkeeper on the pitch.
Andy Beill, www.hullcityonline.com

------------------------
LIVERPOOL 1 Aston Villa 3
An awful start to the Premier League campaign was summed up in a frustrating 90 minutes of football at Anfield on Monday night. The difference between the two sides was that Villa stuck their chances away, whereas Liverpool squandered what few attempts on goal they had. Villa's Brad Friedel was called into action a number of times, but nothing ever too troubling. Last season we only lost twice, this season it's two defeats in the first three games. But I can't see where Benitez is going wrong - he's playing the best tactics with the best players he has. It's just not happening yet.
Star man: Brad Friedel
Worst performer: Ryan Babel - even as an impact player he does nothing thesedays.
Best moment: Full-time, ending the nightmare.
Max Munton, www.thisisanfield.com

------------------------

MAN CITY 1 - Wolves 0  
After the wins at Ewood Park and the Nou Camp(!), expectations were high for City’s first home game of the season. Wolves were cast as the sacrificial lambs, but it didn’t quite pan out that way. City could, on another day, have scored five, but we had to settle for a solitary strike from Adebayor after Carlos Tevez neatly found him in space in the box. To Wolves’ credit they didn’t let their heads go down and kept on battling, creating one or two decent opportunities themselves. City deserved the victory, but made hard work of it. It’ll take a few games for our new signings to gel, but once that happens we have great potential.
Star man: Gareth Barry. Calm and composed on the ball, with great passing ability. Could yet prove to be the most influential of City’s summer buys
Worst performer: No one played particularly badly, but Craig Bellamy missed a couple of decent opportunities when he came on
Best moment: Robinho had a goal (rightly) ruled out for offside, which was fairly obvious to most people in the ground. All except the lad sat in front of me who proceeded to taunt the Wolves fans that it was 2-0 for the next five minutes, oblivious to the fact that it had been disallowed. I guess you had to be there.
Tactics: We attacked Wolves with wave after wave in the first half, but failed to capitalise on our chances. As a result it was a typically nervous last 20 minutes or so, as Wolves hit the bar and pressed late on.
Chant of the game: “We were here when we were shit!” in response to Wolves fans accusing us of being glory hunters (ha!)
Oppo fans: To their credit Wolves fans came up to Manchester in great numbers. To their eternal shame they spent half the game chanting “United”, in a lame attempt to antagonise us. How can you sing about another team?!
Ric Turner, www.bluemoon-mcfc.co.uk
------------------------
Wigan Athletic 0 - MAN UTD 5
In the end this was a thumping win for United and a welcome return to form after some indifferent performances against Birmingham and Burnley. But a storming five-goal second half performance from a much changed side was as good as United's first half was bad. Once again United looked toothless and lacking in creativity in the opening 45. Wayne Rooney's first - a free header from former Wigan player Antonio Valenicia's excellent right-wing cross - opened the floodgates. Further goals followed from Dimitar Berbatov, Michael Owen, Rooney again and Nani's last-minute curling free-kick. Fergie must be delighted that his troops have finally hit form - with his three principal strikers all bagging goals against Wigan.
Star man: Darren Fletcher. The Scottish player is no longer the love that dare not speak its name with United fans. We like him because of his whole-hearted performances. But he was even better than that against Wigan - a class above and dominated the midfield.
Worst performer: Paul Scholes is a shadow of his former glorious self. The wee man is still better than most, but he doesn't get ahead of the ball any more and his passing wasn't great. He was also lucky not to get himself sent off after a couple of crude challenges.
Best moment: Berbatov’s juggling ball skills and finish for the second goal. How can anybody doubt his desire to win for the club?
Tactics: Who can doubt Ferguson? It took nearly four hours of football this season for United's new 4-4-2 formation to come good. But come good it has.
Chant of the game: Michael Owen might be a former Liverpool hero but United fans will take to him if he keeps scoring. The United support gave his goal the reception it deserved.
Oppo fans: Wigan fans’ petty booing of Antonio Valencia was as predictable as it is small-minded. The winger had two outstanding seasons at the DW stadium. Why can't they just be pleased that the lad is bettering himself?
Ed Barker, www.unitedrant.co.uk
---------------------------
Arsenal 4 - PORTSMOUTH 1
They say that bad things come in threes and Pompey will be hoping their run of misfortune has now come to end. Fulham's goal last week was a dodgy deflection, Brum's penalty a dodgy decision and yet again Pompey failed to get the rub of the reffing green this week. John Utaka was clean through when he tangled with William Gallas at 2-1. Despite the perfunctory one-angle conclusion on the telly that 'he fell over', Utaka didn't. He was nudged and possibly had his heels clipped. Enough to unbalance anyone travelling at pace. The fact Gallas scored the decisive third goal three minutes later rubbed salt in the wound. Onwards and upwards. One new owner, four new players and three points against City next Sunday and all will be right with the world again. You heard it here first...
Star man: Fredieric Piquionne looked a constant threat
Worst performer: Marc Wilson didn't have a good game, although he was left exposed at times.
Best moment: Younes Kaboul's towering header was as impressive as it was unexpected.
Tactics: Paul Hart has been criticised for being defensive. he was more offensive here. And we let in four goals rather than just the one...
Chant of the game: Some old school singing - not printable here - harked back to our crisis days of the 1970s.
Oppo fans: The scarves. What were they about?
Colin Farmery, www.truebluearmy.com

---------------------------
Birmingham 0 - STOKE 0
How we didn't score is beyond me. Spent 80% of the game attacking and had so many throw-ins, corners, free kicks, and crosses that caused problems, it's amazing one didn't go in. One of the most attacking away
performances from a Stoke side for a long, long time. I was in a win-win situation late-on as my 50/1 accumulator came in with the draw, and we were the only team going to score.
Star man: Thomas Sorenson. Didn't have much to do, but that save was outstanding and that alone deserves the Star Man award
Worst performer: Glenn Whelan was a bit of a passenger. Did well in defence but, for an attacking midfielder, struggled in the final third where we spent an awful lot of the game, for once.
Best moment: Wilkos tackle second half. The one player I feared in the Birmingham side was Christian 'Chucho' Benitez and I thought we'd blew it when he raced through but a fantastic recovery tackle from Wilko allowed me to swallow my heart after it leapt into my mouth
Tactics: Couldn't fault TP. Picked the best side, had to make an early change with BT's injury but we stil, dominated for long periods and always looked like scoring
Chant of the game: Tommy Sorenson didn't get the stick I expected for an ex-Villa player and the home crowd were quite subdued and not what I expected from a promoted side
Oppo fans: Very quiet, bit too miserable for a side back in the 'big league'
Dan Buxton, www.stokecity-mad.co.uk

---------------------------

SUNDERLAND 2 - Blackburn 1
Sunderland’s win against Blackburn was not the prettiest of matches but a win’s a win. In the first half we looked poor, and it showed as Blackburn got their goal. Sunderland keeper Marton Fulop was nowhere near as good as he was against Bolton, probably down to an injured heel that he received painkilling injections before the game. Which begs the question: why the hell play him?
We rode our luck, with Lee Cattermole clearing off his own goal-line. And it was Kenwyne Jones who got Sunderland back into the game, showing his pace against two Blackburn defenders and Paul Robinson to equalise after about 30 minutes of play. But Sunderland finished the first half under pressure.
Steve Bruce must have given the lads the hairdryer treatment in the break - it wasn’t the best football being played but Sunderland at least more determined to get a result in the second half. Big Kenwyne out-jumped everyone in the box to knock in a cracking header from Lee Cattermole’s cross and to put Sunderland in front. Blackburn had an offside goal disallowed, which was headed passed Fulop, then hit the cross bar from a free kick. I don’t think any Sunderland fans had finger nails left by that point!
The game finished 2-1 to the relief of the home fans - you could sense a collective sigh at the final whistle. On the plus side, it's great to have two strikers that have found their goal-scoring boots: Bent and Jones both on two goals each in three matches.
Star man: Has to be big Kenwyne Jones for getting both goals, but giving Lee Cattermole and Lorik Cana mention too for outstanding performances again.  No nonsense tackling something Sunderland have been missing for a long long time.
Worst performer: Left-back George McCartney was the weakest link in the team, and threw a strop down the tunnel when he was subbed off.
Best moment: Jones second goal cracking header, and a great cross from Cattermole
Tactics: Just one question why play an unfit keeper, when you have £9million pound Craig Gordon, fit, and on the bench?
Chant of the game: The booing every time Diouf touched the ball.
Oppo fans: Sorry Blackburn fans, but where did you park your mini bus?
Daryl Baker, www.Sunderland-Mad.co.uk
------------------------------------------------
WEST HAM UNITED 1 Tottenham 2
It turned out to be a typical derby. Close and tight in patches, it showed passion and commitment, half chances and opportunities at both ends. Highlights from Modric, Huddlestone & King (bar) and Cole (open goal), Collison (twice) and Jimenez. Very, very disappointing to go ahead with a wonder goal from Cole, only for Carlton to gift a back pass to let Defoe equalise. The peach of an arrow shot from Lennon across Green was coming, and you just knew that was the final nail in the coffin. What do we need to do to beat these b*stards!
So, on balance, we were beaten by the better side who wanted it more that we did. We need to regroup and work on how we must counter the way that teams bring pace on the flanks, and get back that winning confidence to put a weak Blackburn side in their place next Saturday.
Star man: Ignoring Lennon and Modric who looked very tasty, it has to be said, I gave it to Jimenez for the trickery and energy that he suddenly brought to the team. Someone who has found his feet and looks as if he has settled down very well. And as a surprise no. 2 for the Hammers, I thought that Faubert looked very comfortable by and large, and could make that No. 2 spot his for the campaign

Worst performer: Sorry, Specs, but Lennon tied you up like a kipper. Let's hope Illunga is on the speedy road to recovery.
Best moment: The long ball from Green, route 1, and a chance out of the blue from Carlton. What a turn and left foot volley to give us that vital 1st goal!
Tactics: A nice tight pick by GZ and SC, given our injuries, but we fell to pieces in the latter part of the 2nd half. Parker solid and dependable. Noble off the pace. Jiminez great touches. Cole lively, but we didn't extend the Totts on the flanks. To busy in the middle, we played too much into Huddlestone's, Modric's and Palacios's hands, giving them too much space to run at us. But, on a high note, nice to see that we kept at them, going 4-4-2, with Kovac, Hinds and Noble giving us some lively legs in the last 15 minutes.
Chant of the game: Great applause for Davenport from both sets of fans before kick-off. Then as expected, it was good to hear the predictable abuse. The references to Lasagne-gate, plus "Where's your barber gone?" to Assou-Ekotto all went down well.

Oppo fans: No comment…
Ray Keiff, Knees Up Mother Brown, www.kumb.com
------------------------------------
Man City 1- WOLVES 0
A single Adebayor goal separated the Sheikh's playthings from a gritty young Wolves team. To be honest the scoreline should have read 6-2 to Sh*ty but, after the first goal, their expensively assembled frontline couldn't hit a barn door from two paces. They even had to bring on the most hated man in football, Craig Bellamy, and thankfully he made the usual twat of himself (Bellamy and Wolves fans go back a long way). The Wolves came close to shutting up the swaggering locals with a Jarvis shot saved by Given (great keeper) and workhorse Keogh who hit the bar. On this performance, Wolves will be staying up
Star man: Matt Jarvis - vastly improved and injury-free. At times he ran Micah Richards ragged. His superb 25-yarder on half-time would have beaten many keepers but Sh*ty had Shay Given in goal who is the best keeper in the Premier League. Jarvis could have equalised late on but his 'placed' shot was closer to the corner flag. He should have just bladdered it.
Worst performer: Craig Bellamy hates Wolves as much as we hate him. Mancienne and Elokobi has the dinky striker in their back pocket.
Best moment: Matt Jarvis' 25 yard curler just before half time. If it had gone in it would have been an early contender for goal of the season. It didn't, but Shay Given has already made one of the saves of the season.
Tactics: Again Merlin McCarthy played a 4-5-1 with Andy Keogh up front again.  >
Chant of the game: Back on Bellamy again, the Wolves fans gave him stick and reminded him how Kevin Muscat put a hole in his knee all those years ago when he played for Norwich.
Oppo fans: Have been to Maine Road many times in the past so already knew what an intimidating bunch the Man City fans were. But the pure venom aimed at the Wolves fans, especially from the right hand side of the Wolves end was laughable to watch. Hard men from a distance.
wolf306, www.wolves-mad.co.uk

---------------------