Week 4

ManU v Arsenal - 2:1 - Prior to this game Arsenal were unbeaten in the league in 9 months. Good though they are ManU are missing something at the moment, (could that be Ronaldo?), they just can't scare people. They certainly didn't scare Arsenal, who should have won this match. Arshavin might have had a penalty, but shortly after scored a great goal anyway. Then Rooney earned a nice professional penalty (shades of Eduardo?) and ManU wrapped it up - with an unfortunate own goal by Diaby. But 3 points are 3 points, or according to Your Ear's theory, 6 points in a mini-league sense. ManU are going to have to start winning a few games, they can't expect gifts like this all season.

Spurs v Birmingham - 2:1 - A few missed early chances, made by Modric, and one or two for Birmingham, all missed. Finally Crouch came on for Modric (who, it turns out, has broken his leg) and almost scored immediately and then again, and then again, and then scored in the 72nd minute - all with his head!. Bowyer equalized 3 minutes later. Birmingham might have won the game, Benitez caused all sorts of problems to the shaky Spurs defence. However, Spurs clinched it in the last minute (Lennon). 100% record. Neat.

Bolton v Liverpool - 2:3 - Davies scored a scrappy goal to put Bolton in front. Glen Johnson equalized with a smart shot (what a player to have at right back he is). Brilliant start to the second half by Bolton, scoring their second. (Cohen). Then Sean Davies was sent off and Liverpool were over Bolton like the proverbial rash. Gerrard nearly scored (almost broke the crossbar), Torres equalized and Gerrard's howitzer shot won it with 7 minutes to play. Good resilience displayed by Liverpool but Bolton were a bit unlucky to lose a man and the game. Lucas was not very sportsmanlike in complaining to the ref about the trip that caused Davies to be dismissed.

Chelsea v Burnley - 3:0 - to start with, and once again, goalkeeper Jensen played a big part in denying Burnley's opponents - Anelka tried to run past him, and failed. Then Patterson should have scored for Burnley, but didn't and Anelka should have scored for Chelsea, and did (at the close of the first half). Ballack made it 2 with a good header off a Lampard cross. Ashley Cole made it 3. Despite the goals against Burnley played well, especially in defence, but they just don't have the firepower.

Stoke v Sunderland - 1:0 - Kitson scored for Stoke, who maintain their good home form although Bent had come close for Sunderland on a couple of occasions.

Wolves v Hull - 1:1 - Geovanni scored for Hull in 3rd minute, Wolves (Stearman) equalized even sooner into the start of the second half and looked the more likely side after that. Petered out into a draw, but Wolves not uncomfortable in the Premiership. Hull look more uncomfortable as time goes by. Don’t believe they’ll finish higher than 8th.

Blackburn v West Ham - 0:0 - Cole was lively, again, but to no avail. Blackburn should have had a penalty, but didn't get one. Sam Allardyce used up 2 litres of fluid watching the match (on his chewing gum - that man has very powerful jaws).

Everton v Wigan - 2:1 - Wigan scored first against the run of play (Scharner) and Saha levelled the match in the 62nd minute. Wigan should have won this match in stoppage time with a clear chance, but gave away a penalty instead, then almost ceded a third. But Everton are finally (and slightly fortunately) off the mark and looked fairly competent and determined. Can't see them finishing higher than 8th though.

Portsmouth v Man City - 0:1 - Good goal by Adebayor but City not convincing. Can't see them finishing higher than 8th.

Aston Villa v Fulham - 2:0 - Villa were gifted a corner which led to the first (own) goal. But good clubs ride their luck and Villa did just that, hardly giving Fulham an opportunity to get back at them. Tremendous second goal by Agbonlahor (who had tried to claim the first goal as well), he hardly seemed to draw back his leg but the ball moved with the speed of light (well, sound, anyway). He looks very good for England's future. Still, I'd be surprised if Villa finished higher than 8th.
As a small distraction - Paul Scharner, Wigan's Austrian international defender, seems to be making his mark on You Tube, see; and also.

Are Portsmouth turning a page? Sulaiman Al Fahim has finally managed to take over Portsmouth, beating chairman Peter Storrie in a race for control of the club. Within 72 hours Portsmouth had 5 new signings - talk about leaving it late! But they are still sheddding players - League Two side Notts County signed Sol Campbell on Monday night. I'm not sure he will find the going any easier in League 2, seems a shame to me. And St Harold did not take Your Ear's advice to sign big Sol. As I've said before, just his knees would have done. Pompey may start to win a game or two now, but they won’t finish higher than 8th.

Excrement is sticky - Adebayor fell over on a run down the right wing, causing the crowd to break into a merry chant of ♫Same old Arsenal, always cheating…♫ to the tune of Big Ben's chimes - even when they sell their players Arsenal are still tainted - is there only one pure London club? (no, not the Russian’s team, nor the Egyptian Grocer's, or the other one, although Zola is a good bloke) - Spurs is the shining light (even if Sir Harold has been taken to a police station by a Black Maria on occasion, nothing found, of course, a person, or persons, unknown just did not want him to be England manager - poor, benighted fools). Blimey - the Referee's Association is going to apologize… TO WENGER!!! This is for sending him into the stands for being ever so slightly pissed off and kicking a plastic water bottle in frustration when Arsenal's equalizing goal against ManU was disallowed. Wenger was banished to the stands, where he caused more trouble than when he was standing on the touchline. He was right to be annoyed though. Merde alors!

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