The Weekend Round-up

by Danny Wright

Arsenal lead the way this week after they defeated West Ham at the Boleyn Ground, Robin van Persie’s header proving enough to give the superb Gunners a 1-0 win. Freddie Ljungberg thought he had equalized, but his strike was wrongfully ruled offside.

Manchester United trail Wenger’s men by two points despite a 1-0 win at Birmingham. Cristiano Ronaldo hit the decisive goal just after half time, with United seeing off a spirited Birmingham fight back as Van der Saar saved well from Cameron Jerome and Rio Ferdinand cleared off the line. United will be without Van der Saar for their Champions League game with Roma on Tuesday, the Dutchman limping off at half-time with a foot injury.

Portsmouth and Reading played out an incredible game at Fratton Park, sharing eleven goals as the hosts ran out 7-4 winners, keepers Marcus Hahnemann and David James suffering from chronic back-ache yesterday morning. Benjani scored the first of his three after just seven minutes, with the Pompey hit-man doubling the lead with a fine strike. Reading pulled things level thanks to Stephen Hunt and an error from James that allowed Dave Kitson to score. The Royals soon fell behind again as Hahnemann flapped at a cross to allow Herman Hreidarsson to score, disappointing from the American having made a wonder-save moments earlier. James atoned for his earlier error by saving Nicky Shorey’s penalty, meanwhile Benjani completed his hat-trick as and Niko Kranjcar added another to make it five. Reading responded through Shane Long and Shorey, but Sean Davis’ beautifully deflected strike and a Muntari penalty complete the win. The game set a new Premiership record for the most aggregate goals scored in a single match.

Chelsea were frustrated by Fulham at Stamford Bridge, firing blanks in an entertaining 0-0. The hosts lost captain John Terry with a fractured cheekbone early on following a clash with Clint Dempsey, the news coming as a blow to the England set-up with crunch Euro 2008 qualifiers just around the corner. Things went from bad to worse as Didier Drogba was stupidly sent-off, as Fulham stopper Kasey Keller earned his side a point with a fine display. The pressure builds on Avram Grant as Chelsea now lie a lowly 8th place in the table.

Yossi Benayoun earned his Liverpool side a 1-0 win, Wigan on the receiving end of the Israeli’s wonderful individual goal, as Merseyside neighbours Everton climbed up to fifth with a 2-0 win over Middlesborough at Goodison. Mark Schwarzer made a mess of a corner as Joleon Lescott headed in and Steven Pienaar completed the win for David Moyes’ men. Tim Howard marked his return to the side with the Toffee’s first clean sheet of the season.

Strugglers Derby and Bolton played out a 1-1 draw at Pride Park, with fellow strugglers Sunderland stuttering at home to Blackburn, going down 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. Sunderland should have had a first half penalty after Brad Friedel felled Michael Chopra, but lackadaisical defending cost the Black Cats dear as David Bentley and Roque Santa Cruz fired home two in two minutes. Grant Leadbitter’s strike came too late in the day to save Roy Keane’s side.

Manchester City maintained their good start to the season with a 3-1 over Newcastle at Eastlands. Obefami Martins put Newcastle after twenty minutes with a delicate lob, but Sven’s men hit back through Martin Petrov and Emile Mpenza with Brazilian Elano putting daylight between the sides as he smashed home a superb free-kick.

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