The second bout of fixtures in the Premier League went ahead this weekend and Saturday treated us to no 0-0 draws and two 6-0 thrashings. The first of which came at the Emirates where Blackpool's honeymoon victory over Wigan was certainly forgotten about as Arsenal romped the Tangerines 6-0. Theo Walcott certainly proved a point to Capello and opened up the scoring in just twelve minutes. Blackpool's day got worse when defender Evatt was sent off for being last man after fouling Arshavin what appeared to be just outside the box, however referee Jones pointed to the spot and the Russian stepped up to double Arsenal's lead. Walcott grabbed his second seven minutes later to give Arsenal a 3-0 half-time lead. The second half would've been all about damage limitation for Ian Holloway's men but the four down four minutes into the half after Diaby finished off a slick Arsenal move. Walcott finished his day off with a hat-trick nine minutes later and Chamakh also could have had a hat-trick himself but missed countless chances before getting his goal seven minutes from time.
The game at St.Andrews between Birmingham and Blackburn was the background story as all spotlights were on referee Michael Oliver who became the League's youngest ever referee at 25 years old. The young man wasn't afraid to give the big decisions as he gave Blackburn a penalty when Zigic was blatantly tugging at Samba's shirt during a corner; Pedersen stepped up and the arguable man of the match Ben Foster splendidly saved onto the bar. Foster definitely put his case forward to be England's number one after Joe Hart's stunning performance last week. Blackburn did take the lead via Nzonzi but their lead lasted just three minutes when Craig Gardener equalised just before the hour mark. Birmingham took the three points when the unlikely hero Gardener scored again with 19 minutes to play, giving Birmingham the 2-1 win.
Unfortunately Everton's game against Wolves was also about the referee, as Lee Mason didn't have a good one. He awarded Everton a free-kick right on the edge of the box which replays showed the offence clearly took place in the box, however little will be said about it because Cahill managed to scramble the ball home. Wolves got their equaliser in the 74th minute thanks to Ebanks-Blake finishing off a swift break, however Guediora seemed to jump off the ground and dive in studs first to win the ball that led to the break, which any referee apart from Mason would've given a free-kick and even possibly a sending off for Guediora.
Stoke's game against Tottenham was also surrounded in controversy but not until at the end. Gareth Bale gave Tottenham the lead nineteen minutes into the game when a Sorensen save rebounded off his shoulder into the net. Fuller equalised six minutes later before Bale scored a wonder goal on the half-hour mark to restore Tottenham's lead. Stoke should've got a point when Crouch stopped a shot seemingly over the line that wasn't given and the three points went to Tottenham.
After their non-existent display against Chelsea, West Brom looked to have improved greatly against Sunderland and deserved their 1-0 victory with great new signing Peter Odemwingie getting the goal nine minutes before the end, Chris Brunt nearly added a second but his thunderbolt crashed into the bar.
West Ham's poor start against Villa last week continued this week after losing 3-1 to Bolton; Carlton Cole took a very poor penalty that was easily saved by Jaaskelainen. Three minutes into the second half and Upson scored an own goal to give Bolton the lead, Elmander made it two on the 68th minute. West Ham got themselves back in it after referee Andre Marriner awarded another penalty which Mark Noble took this time and scored. However Bolton were to restore their two goal advantage six minutes from time with Elmander getting his second. West Ham could now be facing four games no points with their next to games being Man United at Old Trafford and Chelsea at home.
On the up side for West Ham they're not Wigan, who after suffering a 4-0 defeat to Blackpool last week were treated to a 6-0 defeat by the rampant Chelsea this week. Like last week's 6-0 win Malouda started the scoring, this time on the 34th minute to give them a 1-0 lead at half time. But two goals from Anelka and substitute Kalou was rounded off in stoppage time with Benayoun getting his first goal for Chelsea. Leaving the Champions top of the table with 6 points and +12 goal difference already and Wigan bottom with no points and -10 goal difference already.
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