Premier League Round-Up

     We've all come back off our holidays now (including myself, so apologies for no recent posts), so that only means one thing. The football's back! New faces including Super Mario and Di Maria were on show at the weekend, but what happened in week two? Total Football will give you all the news!

Saturday

Burnley 0-0 Manchester United
The Red Devils are still undergoing a transitional period under new manager Louis Van Gaal, but there were no excuses as newly promoted Burnley dominated the game in large parts at Turf Moor. Dave Jones' early free kick hit the bar early on for the hosts and the United fans saw signs of promise from £60 million Angel Di Maria. No amount of money, however, will compensate for their midweek loss to MK Dons in the League Cup, 4-0 was the score at stadium:mk.

Manchester City 0-1 Stoke City
It wasn't any better for fans on the blue side of Manchester either as the champions were shocked 1-0 at home to Stoke. City, although dominating the game with 16 shots, failed to convert any of them with only two on target. And on 58 minutes were punished by a fine solo effort from ex-Man United player Mame Biram Diouf, his shot squirming under Joe Hart after an excellent run. Yaya Toure was booked late on for diving, but replays show there was contact.

Newcastle United 3-3 Crystal Palace
The game got off to a flyer with Dwight Gayle on target after 30 seconds for the visitors, but Daryl Janmaat leveled before half-time. Palace were back in front soon after the break, a deflected Puncheon volley found it's way in before Rolando Aarons put the hosts back on terms again. With just two minutes of regular time remaining Mike Williamson bundled home for his first Newcastle goal after the ball came back off the bar. But it wasn't to be for the Toon, Wilfried Zaha on loan from Manchester United and making his second debut for Palace, rifled home from 12 yards in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

Swansea City 3-0 West Bromwich Albion
Swansea maintained their 100% start to 2014-15 with a comfortable victory over West Brom. Nathan Dyer got on the scoresheet after two minutes, round Ben Foster before slotting into the empty net. The Swans pressed hard throughout and reaped the rewards when they doubled there advantage after 25 minutes, Wayne Routledge volleying home from 18 yards. The scoring was complete midway through the second period, Nathan Dyer punishing some weak Baggies defending.

West Ham United 1-3 Southampton
Morgan Schneiderlin put questions about his loyalty to bed, scoring twice against West Ham. The Hammers looked to have taken control of the game, Mark Noble's deflected strike midway through the first half finding its way in. But on the stroke of half-time, Schneiderlin collected the ball in the box and curled into the corner at the second attempt. The Saints created throughout the second half and had a goal disallowed, until their persistence finally paid off from a sloppily defended short corner, Schneiderlin with his second. And with time running out, Graziano Pelle blasted home from close range with his first Southampton goal.

Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Sunderland
Pre-match happenings didn't stop QPR as they beat Sunderland at home. The hosts accepted a bid from Chelsea for striker Loic Remy, who was subsequently removed from the match day squad. Charlie Austin came in for the Frenchman and nearly scored only for Vito Mannone to be quick off his line. But the Rs' kept pushing and in first half stoppage time, Joey Barton's corner was knocked by new signing Leroy Fer before being smacked in by Austin. The Londoners didn't have to wait long for their first Premier League victory, the last time they were in the top flight they had to wait until December.

Everton 3-6 Chelsea
The most pulsating game so far this season took place at Goodison Park on Saturday. Diego Costa put Chelsea ahead after less than a minute putting through the legs of Tim Howard before Branislav Ivanovic spun and shot moments later to extend their lead. However, Ivanovic's trailing leg appeared offside. Everton's American goalkeeper should have been sent off after less than ten minutes, catching the ball clearly outside of his area. Lukaku rattled against the bar against his former team before Sylvain Distin turned home - the flag was raised. Costa was caught offside himself before the hosts leveled through a beautiful Kevin Mirallas header, just the boost Everton needed before half-time. But Eden Hazard went on exquisite run before his cross was deflected in by Seamus Coleman. But the Toffees didn't lie down and found themselves in contention again, a McGeady pass converted well by Naismith. But just as hope was restored a brilliant passing move was finished off Nemanja Matic with a slight deflection, 4-2 the score. But the Everton determination was still their and the ex-Chelsea man score with his first touch for his new club with a well guided header and suddenly Everton were right back in it, it isn't over until the fat lady sings! The Everton defence was unlocked once more though, another good passing move found Ramires who finished with ease. And with time running out, Kevin Mirallas thought he'd scored, only to be denied by the post. However, Chelsea proved to have the last laugh in this game, a woeful touch from Muhamed Besic was latched onto by Didier Drogba and Diego Costa finished how he started. This is going to be some season...


Sunday

Aston Villa 2-1 Hull City
Steve Bruce labelled Hull's first half as pathetic as they were defeated at Villa Park. The home side opened the scoring after a quarter of an hour, Gabriel Agbonlahor swiveling and neatly finishing. And ten minutes before the break, Michael Dawson gave away possession cheaply before Kieran Richardson put it on a plate for Andreas Weimann. Nikica Jelavic headed home midway through the first half, but it wasn't enough to stop Villa's unbeaten record this season.

Tottenham Hotspur 0-3 Liverpool
Tottenham failed to continue their impressive start as Liverpool showed the form that made them title contenders last season. The Reds took the lead early on, Jordan Henderson squaring the ball to Raheem Sterling who easily finished. Spurs could have equalized almost immediately, but Adebayor couldn't get the ball down past Mignolet quick enough. Mario Balotelli should have opened his Liverpool account, but his shot from distance went woefully wide. But the Reds doubled their advantage soon after the break, Joe Allen softly brought down, Steven Gerrard converted from the spot. Tottenham had chances to get back into the game but Liverpool pulled further away, Alberto Moreno robbed Andros Towsend before running around 70 yards before putting the ball into the corner. Liverpool now have 15 goals in their last 4 four games against Spurs.

Leicester City 1-1 Arsenal
Leicester's tricky start continued as they faced Arsenal, who moved into the Champions League group stages in the week. The visitors were dealt a blow early on, Laurent Koscielny colliding with Schlupp, but the Frenchman was deemed fit to continue. The Gunners continued to push and got there rewards after twenty minutes, an indecision saw Yaya Sanogo put the ball past Kasper Schmeichel for Alexis Sanchez to roll the ball into the empty net. The Chilean's second goal in as many games. But Leicester didn't lie down and equalized soon afterwards, Laurent Koscielny didn't spot Ulloa behind him and the Argentinian scored with a well guided header. Leicester pushed for a winner in the second half but weren't clinical enough. Arsenal on the other hand are still waiting for their first away win this season.

This Week's Champion - Burnley 
The Clarets did well to keep £60 million Angel Di Maria at bay - the Lancashire side have only ever spent £45 million in their history!

This Week's Loser - Raheem Sterling
Although Raheem scored a goal early on against Spurs, he should have scored later on, dancing past four Tottenham defenders, before passing the ball to Hugo Lloris!

1)   Chelsea

2)   Swansea City

3)   Aston Villa

4)   Manchester City

5)   Liverpool

6)   Tottenham Hotspur

7)   Arsenal

8)   Southampton

9)   Hull City

10) Stoke City

11)

West Ham United

12) Queens Park Rangers

13) Sunderland

14) Manchester United

15) Leicester City

16) Newcastle United

17) Everton

18) West Bromwich Albion

19) Crystal Palace

20) Burnley