Premier League Round-Up

     The Premier League returned with a bang off the back of the first international break of the season and what a weekend it was. Rio returned to Old Trafford, there was a battle of the 100% records at Stamford Bridge and a early season grudge match at the Emirates. But how did your team fare - it's the Total Football Premier League Round-Up!

Saturday

Arsenal 2-2 Manchester City

It was a share of the points in North London, in another early season grudge match, which was pulsating to say the least. Arsenal dominated the early stages of the game, debutante Danny Welbeck clipped the post. But a quick City counter ended with Sergio Aguero strike to ensure the champions led at the break. Jack Wilshere, who received heaps of criticism throughout the week, managed to claw the Gunners level after the hour before Alexis Sanchez looked to have buried the winner with an exquisite volley. But it wasn't to be, Martin Demichelis found the target with a free header to ensure all was even.

Chelsea 4-2 Swansea City
Chelsea maintained their 100% record against previously unbeaten side Swansea, with Diego Costa once again the centre of attention. The Blues went behind early however, skipper John Terry bundling Neil Taylor's cross into his own net. But it was Costa with the 'Get out of Jail' card as he scored the equalizer on the stroke of half time. And it was the Spaniard, an injury doubt before the game, who delivered the goods a further two times after the break to complete the first Premier League hat-trick of the season. Debutante Loic Remy bagged himself a goal off the bench, before Jonjo Shelvey scored a mere consolation for the visitors.

Crystal Palace 0-0 Burnley
Burnley moved off the foot of the table with a hard earned point away to Crystal Palace. Neil Warnock saw his side get off to a good start, Scott Dann headed against the bar early on. But it wasn't until the dying embers that the match came alive. With just five minutes left on the clock, Burnley striker Lukas Jutkiewicz went down in the area, penalty the obvious decision. But Julian Speroni was the hero for Palace as he parried away Scott Arfield's effort.

Southampton 4-0 Newcastle United
More pressure was heaped on Magpies manager Alan Pardew as he witnessed his side slump to defeat at Southampton. The Saints blitzed Newcastle early on, with Graziano Pelle twice converting from close range following some shocking defending. More suicidal play gifted another goal to Southampton when Jack Cork rounded Krul to roll into the empty net. But the Saints definitely saved the best until last, want away midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin curling in from 18 yards.

Stoke City 0-1 Leicester City
Stoke failed to replicate their win against Manchester City before the international break after falling to defeat against Leicester. Shock Foxes signing Estban Cambiasso entered the fray at half time, but it was in form man Leonardo Ulloa that scored his third goal of the season after the hour mark to put the visitors ahead. Ben Hamer made a number of fine stops on his Foxes debut, with regular keeper Kasper Schmeichel out injured. Leicester will be hoping to add to their good start to the season.

Sunderland 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs were left frustrated as Sunderland twice came from behind at the Stadium of Light. It looked as though the Londoners would go on for a comfortable victory after Nacer Chadli opened the scoring after just two minutes, only for Adam Johnson to pull one back moments later. Tottenham had their chances and finally took one just minutes after the restart, Christian Eriksen pounced on some poor defending. Spurs continued to dominate in all areas of the field but failed to deliver in the dying moments, Jordi Gomez's cross found itself at the feet of Harry Kane who bundled into his own net.

West Bromwich Albion 0-2 Everton
Everton helped themselves to their first win of the season away at the Hawthorns. The Toffees started well and capitalized on some shaky West Brom defending, with Romelu Lukaku curling home. It was the first time the Belgian had scored in the Premier League for a club that owned him, his previous 32 coming during loan spells. Steven Naismith should have added a second when he blazed over the bar, but replays showed him offside anyway. But it was Lukaku's fellow countryman, Kevin Mirallas, that doubled Everton's advantage, his strike from the edge of the area squirming under Ben Foster. The Toffees held on for their first clean sheet of the season.

Liverpool 0-1 Aston Villa
Liverpool's mixed start to the season continued against bogey team Aston Villa at Anfield. The Red's failed to clear a corner less than ten minutes in and Villa's longest serving player Gabriel Agbonlahor pounced at the back post. Liverpool dominated in possession but failed to convert into goals, possibly missing the creativity of Raheem Sterling, dropped to the bench to prevent burnout. Adam Lallana showed signs of what is to come in his Reds career, but lacked the match sharpness to effect the game and Liverpool failed to win for the fourth time in a row at home against Villa.


Sunday

Manchester United 4-0 Queens Park Rangers
Manchester United picked up their first three points of the season in a convincing home display against QPR. R's defender Rio Ferdinand endured a miserable return to Old Trafford, his side conceding three times in the first half. The first came from United's new midfield maestro, Angel Di Maria, whose curling free kick found its way in. Two more came before half time, a lovely drilled strike from another new man in Ander Herrera and skipper Wayne Rooney earning his 175th Premier League goal. New striker Radamel Falcao came on to replace United's forth goalscorer Juan Mata, but the Colombian failed to score on his debut for the first time in his career.

Monday

Hull City 2-2 West Ham United

West Ham showed great determination after twice coming from behind at the KC Stadium. Hull led at the break through a lovely guided header from record signing Abel Hernandez. But soon after the break the teams were level once more thanks to a thumping effort from Enner Valencia, who showed glimpses of his World Cup form. The Hammers learnt to keep tabs on their exes, after Mohammed Diame's placed finish before his strike was quickly cancelled out by a deflected Diafra Sakho shot. Valencia had a header deflected onto the bar in the dying moments, but it wasn't enough to secure all three points.


This Week's Champion - Enner Valencia
The Ecuador international gave us an early contender for goal of the season, after rifling home from 25 yards against Hull!

This Week's Loser - Alan Pardew
His side slumped to a heavy defeat at the hands of Southampton, the crowd began to get on his back - and not for the first time...


1) Chelsea
2) Aston Villa
3) Swansea City
4) Southampton
5) Manchester City
6) Tottenham Hotspur
7) Arsenal
8) Liverpool
9) Manchester United
10) Hull City
11) Everton
12) Leicester City
13) West Ham United
14) Stoke City
15) Sunderland
16) Queens Park Rangers
17) Crystal Palace
18) Burnley
19) West Bromwich Albion
20) Newcastle United