The Weekend Review

by Danny Wright

Gary Megon’s Bolton reign couldn’t get off to a winning start as they were held by Aston Villa at the Reebok, 1-1 the final score. Hotshot Nikolas Anelka fired the Trotters ahead with a superb free kick, but Luke Moore denied Megson a dream start. A shockingly low crowd was in attendance, only 18,413 brave souls making the effort to attend. Everton piled the misery on struggling Derby as goals from Mikel Arteta and Yakubu commended the Rams to a 2-0 defeat and a return to the bottom of the table, meanwhile news Spurs boss Jaunde Ramos couldn’t life his new recruits as Tottenham fell to a 2-1 defeat against Blackburn. Robbie Keane had given the home side the lead but Benni McCarthy and an injury time effort from Christopher Samba broke Spurs’ hearts as Brad Friedel’s heroics kept Spurs at bay.

At the other end of the table Arsenal reclaimed top shot as they snatched a point at Liverpool. Steven Gerrard scored after seven minutes as the Reds were indebted to the saves of Pepe Reina, who kept Arsenal out until the 80th minute when Cesc Fabregas poked home to rescue a point for the Gunners. Manchester United follow Arsenal close behind after their demolition of Middlesborough at Old Trafford, 41-1 the result after goals from Nani, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez double cancelled out a Jeremie Aliadiere’s header.

Chelsea handed out a demolition of their own, Sven’s Manchester City on the receiving end of a 6-0 thumping at the Bridge. Frank Lampard was Chelsea’s catalyst in the first half as his assists helped them to a healthy 2-0 advantage at the break thanks to Didier Drogba and Michel Essein’s goals. Stephen Ireland and Martin Petrov went close for City but they couldn’t convert as Drogba netted a second, as Joe Cole, Andriy Shevchenko and Salomon Kalou added further goals to complete the rout. Despite the defeat City remain in third place meanwhile Chelsea climb into the Champions League places in fourth.

Birmingham and Wigan played out a thriller at St Andrews, 3-2 the final score in the Midlands to lift Steve Bruce’s spirits and impressive perspective owner Carson Yeung. Marcus Bent had thumped Wigan ahead but Olivier Kapo leveled from the spot only for Birmingham and Maik Taylor to shot themselves in the foot, their comical mix-up costing them dear as Bent netted his second. The Blues rallied though and Liam Ridgewell leveled with Kapo popping up late on to steal the show with a fine strike.

Robert Green did his England chances no harm at all as he put in a fine shift to earn West Ham a point at goal-shy Portsmouth. The former Norwich man made several crucial saves to keep his side in it before saving Benjani’s last minute penalty to ensure a point returned to London. Earlier Nolberto Solano missed two chances worthy of winning ‘miss of the season’ award.

Kenwyne Jones was the Sunderland hero once again as he salvaged a point against Fulham. The Black Cats had fallen behind following Simon Davies long-range free kick and things looked bleak when Greg Halford was sent off, but Jones was right on hand to head home in the 86th minute.

Shane Long scored with his second touch of the ball after coming on as a substitute to give Reading a 2-1 win over Newcastle. Dave Kitson curled home a peach of a goal to give the Royals lead only for Michael Duberry to put through his own net to level things up, but thankfully for Duberry Long was on hand to tuck him a tidy finish.

Manchester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has joined Cardiff City on a month’s loan. The young Dane started the season as number one at Eastlands but has since lost his place to Joe Hart, and has joined the Welsh side to shore up a leaky defence that has conceded 15 goals in the last eight games. Manager Sven Goran Eriksson said “This does not mean Kasper has no future here, he just needs to get some games.”

Elsewhere Tottenham have parted company with goalkeeper coach Hans Sagers, who was dismissed alongside former manager Martin Jol earlier this week. Academy goalkeeper coach Perry Suckling will cover the role until further notice.

images - bbc.co.uk/sport