English Premier League Weekend Review

Bolton Wanderers 0 - 2 Liverpool

Liverpool started the weekend's matches with a comfortable win at the Reebok Stadium. Goals from Dirk Kuyt (28th) and Steven Gerrard (73th) ensured Benitez's side have bounced back from their second loss to Tottenham in as many weeks, during Wednesday's Carling Cup tie. Torres who was fingered out by his boss as one of the poorer performers that night, redeemed himself somewhat with a sumptuous cross for his Captain to head in the second goal. Bolton could have gotten themselves a goal, but were denied by controversial referee Rob Styles for a soft foul on Liverpool's keeper Reina by


Manchester United 5 - 0 Stoke city

Man United needed a morale boosting win after their disappointing loss at the Emirates stadium against bitter rival Arsenal last week. And they did just that with a sound thrashing of Stoke City at Old Trafford. The goal count already started with just 3 mins into the game. A free kick was given to United and Ronaldo duly obliged to score with a screeching shot past the hopelessly stretched arms of Sorensen.
Given the early timing of the goal, most including Ferguson expected Man Utd to bulldoze their opponents over from then on. But the goals only continued in the second half, as within a minute of the restart, Michael Carrick finished off a fine run from midfield with an unstoppable shot pass Sorensen, who once again had no chance at all.

Soon after, Berbatov smashed home a volley from a tight angle after managing to retain the ball through some fortuitous back heel control. With the match seemingly sealed, Ferguson as usual decided to use all three of his substitutions to field youngsters in need of first team experience.

One of them, Danny Welbeck, did more than that, sending a rocket shot onto the top corner of the net, which even Ronaldo would have been proud of. Ronaldo rounded off the scoring in the last few minutes just as he did in the first few minutes with a curler freekick past the hapless Sorensen.


Arsenal 0 - 2 Aston Villa

Arsenal should have gain much confidence after their scintillating win over Man Utd last week. Instead that hard work was undone in front of the same crowd at the Emirates as they stumbled embarrassingly to a team now just behind them on goal difference.

Villa may even had scored more if not for Almunia's penalty save in the 20th minute from Young after he was felled by Theo Walcott. Villa were not to be denied however as Gael Clichy scored an own goal pass his own keeper in the 70th minute.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, who is fast establishing himself in the Premiership with his pace and finishing, sealed the win after showing some strength to shrug off Arsenal captain Willian Gallas and placing the ball pass Almunia calmly. This loss meant Arsenal are fast disappearing from the title race even this early in the season.



Other results

Fulham 2 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United 2 - 2 Wigan Athletic
Blackburn Rovers 1 - 2 Sunderland
West Ham United 0 - 0 Portsmouth
West Bromwich Albion 0 - 3 Chelsea
Everton 1 - 1 Middlesbrough
Hull City 2 - 2 Manchester City