Premier League Review - Week 5 : Sept 20/21st : 2008

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Fantasy Football at Eastlands?

There was an element of Fantasy Football afoot this weekend as Man City utterly trounced Portsmouth 6-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The two Brazilians, Jo & Robinho produced their best displays so far in a City shirt and both got on the score sheet, but were eclipsed by the returning prodigal son, Sean Wright-Phillips, who put in a tireless and awesome display of direct attacking.

Mazy runs and step overs abounded, back heelers were thrown in for good measure, and a real party atmosphere grew as the goals went in. Even Ched Evans got on the score sheet. Happy Days.

David James would also have scored good Fantasy League points as well, for 4 assists as he produced one of his real old school Calamity days.
Perhaps he got confused and thought he was back playing for City as well?

S.W.P seems to have instantly picked up where he left off at City a couple of years ago, before his move to Chelsea, and on this display he should also be in the running to resume his England career as well.

All in all, a good move for the young lad.

However, many City fans are quick to claim that Wright-Philiips is back at his spiritual home, and playing for the team he loves and grew up at. This may be true, but I think there has to be an element of the mercenary about S.W.P.

If money was a motivating factor in his move to Chelsea, can it be just coincidence that the first city signing in City's mega bucks era was S.W.P himself?

Or perhaps he's taken a 50% pay cut, for the guarantee of first team football?

Sky Blue fans may think S.W.P is City 'til he dies, but if Arsenal decide they want to buy him and give him more money, just watch those little legs scurry off to North London apace.

At the top of the table, Chelsea & Man Utd contested a fairly predictable 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge although the visitors will be a little disappointed at not being able to hang on to an early lead that was given them by the persistence of Park, who followed in on Cech's parry from Berbatov's shot.

A wave of second half pressure from Chelsea culminated in a deserved late draw, although United's defence of the set piece that led up to the goal will have Alex Ferguson waking up in cold sweats for weeks.

Also at the top, Liverpool failed to capitalise on their good League position, althought they laid siege to Stoke's goalmouth at Anfield throughout the 90 minutes.

Stoke provided little in threat at the other end, but Rory Delap was injured wasn't he? And no-one else could throw the ball far enough to worry the 'Pool defence.
0-0, Excellent away point for Stoke.

Also at the top, Hull (yes, the top) failed to make home advantage pay and allowed visitors Everton to escape away with a point after two late goals from Cahill & Osman levelled Michael Turner's early header, and an O.G from Phil Neville (yes, another one).
Good away point for Everton, who seem to need them a lot more than Hull at the moment.

Aston Villa also climbed to dizzy heights after a fine 2-1 away win at local rivals West Brom.
The Baggies early pressure was shrugged off as the Behemoth that is John Carew again nodded home to put Villa in front. He seems to score the most simple of headers every week (or perhaps he just makes them look easy?).

Within seconds of the restart, Gabby Agbonlahore raced on to an Ashley young through ball and a sublime finish had the visiting support in raptures.

Although West Brom hit back before the break through a well snaffled James Morrison follow up to an uncharacteristic Brad Friedel boob.

Spurs v Wigan was 0-0 and crap.

In the North East the bragging rights were well and truly with Sunderland as they triumphed 2-0 over plucky Middlesboro, with local rivals Newcastle also coming unstuck 3-1 at West Ham.

Chopy Chopsticks Chopra proved the late messiah for the Black Cats as he poped up to score two late goals to dispirit Boro, who probably deserved a point for their efforts.

David Di Michele also bagged a brace for the Hammers as they deepened the crisis for the Toon.

Elsewhere, Arsenal put paid to perennial spoilers Bolton in a tricky visit to the Reebok. Kevin Davies had Arsenal on the rack early on with an early goal but a quickfire double from Eboue and Bendtner proved Arsenal's superiority, and a late third from Denilson put the gloss on another slick performance.

Finally, Blackburn secured an expected three point with a 1-0 defeat of struggling visitors Fulham.