What a surprising week and its every reason I love the Premiership and more. Chelsea's first home defeat in more than 4 years, Hull going top and Tottenham employing Redknapp! Where to start... West Brom vs. Hull City (0-3). Hull's first team show amazing defensive comittment, the back 7 players work so hard and show incredible passion to press the ball at every opportunity. Their 'keeper Myhill had a good game and ensured West Brom didn't get the all important first goal. The 2nd half was a different story to the first as Hull countered the tiring Brom side with pace and strength up front supported by the genius of Geo who again got on the scoresheet. King showed very good composure for the 3rd goal. I think Hull will do well in what will be a tough game on Wednesday at home to a Chelsea side looking to restore some pride. West Brom still look like a Championship side to me and I suspect a back-to-form Newcastle side will turn them over at St James' Park. Everton vs. United (1-1) and Fletcher is having a really good start to the season, I thought he finished really well to put United one up against the Toffees and he looks to be turning into a decent all-round midfielder. It was a typically well built United move but the only one they could convert on what turned out to be a bad day at the office for a few of the Reds players. I thought Everton's Fellaini had a bad game as well and his lack of tracking back led to his team conceeding but the Blues did persist and Ferdinand will be massively dissapointed with his performance, without which I'm sure would have led to an away win. I was suddenly reminded of how blissful the last 8 weeks had been without seeing Ronaldo writhing around on the floor, none-the-less he probably did get hurt with Neville's powerful challenge. I don't believe Fergie's comments regarding player protection were warranted mind as the game seemed a lot better than some I've seen. Away to Bolton is a tough game but Everton will be spurred on enough to put in a decent performace there. United entertain the Hammers mid-week and will want to put in a good perfomance as well, I'd hope Rooney would like to prove that he can continue his recent form and forget Saturday. Sunderland vs. Newcastle (2-1) in the North East derby and with honours heavily in the Magpies favour, Roy Keane's well constructed side were looking for nothing but a win in front of Mackems fans at the Stadium of Light. Sunderlands 1st team look good on paper and especially Cisse; he looks like a great capture. With early goals from both sides the rest of the game was nervy, cautious yet exciting. Newcastle looked the livlier but Richardson deserved his goal through a simply excellent free-kick, he's turning into a bit of a specialist and the Sunderland fans will certainly think highliy of him after this. Sunderland will almost certainly do well against Stoke as will a realing Toon side against West Brom at St James'. Rovers vs. Boro (1-1) and after last week both sides were keen not to give too much away. Blackburn seemed to play the long ball a lot and it paid off in the lead up to their goal but Ince won't have been pleased to see them so flat footed in defence. I don't feel as though Aliadiere is a decent enough striker and although he works hard I don't think Boro should rely on him for goals this season. Benni played well for Rovers and it seems Ince is getting a hadle on this side now, I think they might be a long shot for an upset against Villa. Boro will have to be careful against a rampant City side.
The biggest shock I think was a Liverpool side lacking Torres getting a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge. I must admit I didn't see the game but from highlights it was deserved as Chelsea seemed to have a bad day. They will be absolutely gutted but there is still no doubt in my mind they are the best team in the League. All credit to Liverpool though as they continue to show a remarkable spirit and desire this season that they have been lacking for some time. Carra is back to absolute best and winning without Torres will send shockwaves but I still don't think its a Championship winning side. Chelsea will return in strength against Hull and I suspect the 'Pool will triumph at home to a demoralised Pompey. I heard some comparisons made between Gerrard and Lampard and Stevie certainly seemed to come off better but don't write off Frank just yet, he is an incerdible player and I still think they can both play together for England. Gerrard is so direct and likes to move the ball quickly, Lamps builds up slower and more carefully but makes some excellent decisions in the final 3rd... both can strike the ball and should make a perfect centre midfield pairing should they be given the foil of a defensive midfielder behind them. Totenham vs. Bolton (2-0) was an anticipated fixture with the news that ol' 'Arry quit the South coast for North London in what he called his best chance of a big job before retirement. I can't blame Harry at all for his decision as Spurs remains a top job in football. Portsmouth fans have a right to be upset but not bitter, he did a marvellous job down there and it is set up now for someone to come in and continue that work. I would love to see Tony Adams get the nod but I'm not sure he's quite ready yet. Off the pitch Tottenham were turning corners as Comolli was sacked as well, on the pitch they finally did the same with a good performance and a win. I was glad Huddlestone started and was involved in a lot of Spurs' decent moves. Bentley put in a Beckham-esque cross right on to Pavlyuchenko's head and the Russian finished really well. Gomes still looks nervous but from his form when he first joined I'm going to give him the benefit of the doubt and as long as the lad copes with the pressure I think he may have a good season. I'm genuinely worried for Arsenal chances tomorrow, this Tottenham team will definitely go on to do well this season in my opinion. Bolton don't look like relegation candidates to me but Megson needs to change things if this club are going to go anywhere higher than bottom 5, I suspect they'll struggle against a confident Everton side on Wednesday. Pompey vs. Fulham (1-1) and I thought Portsmouth deserved to win this one. Belhadj looks lively and I feel he'll continue to be employed further up the pitch, it will be interesting to see how the whole team reacts to the change in management from here, starting with a tough game against a confident Liverpool team. Fulham might find it tough against Wigan. Wigan vs. Villa (0-4). This was a surprise as I thought Wigan would do well on the back of a good display at Anfield and Villa didn't seem to be firing. It was a great decision by referee Michael Jones on the penalty and he deserves a lot of credit. Villa put in a really good team performance and all goals seemed to come from strong, quick, counter-attacking football. Agbonlahor, who was apparently injured, played really well and deserves an England call up for a friendly at least. Villa should be wary of complacency against Rovers and Bruce's Wigan side could bounce-back away to Fulham. West Ham vs. Arsenal (0-2) and with Wenger's side used to getting very little at Upton Park in recent years I wasn't surprised to see them start out with some caution. Arsenal were lively going forward and as usual free-flowing but struggling at the back. Bellamy was one-on-one with Almunia in the 1st half and if it wasn't for the future England 'keeper(!) it may have been a different story - other teams would have punished us. I was delighted to see Alex Song play in the middle of the park, he is the perfect foil for Cesc and the team looks stronger in the middle of the park with him in there. I hope he's not feeling any effect from Cole's rough challenge which I didn't think was a red card offence by the way... Arsenal should turn Spurs over tomorrow but I suspect it will be a contest, whilst West Ham have a tough game up at Old Trafford having not travelled well so far this season. Man City vs. Stoke (3-0) and Robinho proved me wrong by scoring 3 great goals, all of them clinically tucked away. I was glad to see them keep a clean sheet which Sparky will have desperately needed. They'll go on to play well at Boro and I fancy them to take 3 points there. Stoke look like the biggest contenders for relegation so far and unless it changes soon it'll be compounded tomorrow with defeat at home to Sunderland.
All-in-all a slightly surprising Sunday but that's why I love the game!