Week 4 Roundup

Saturday

Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United
In the second half, Rafa finally took the role of aggressor with Man U, and it worked. Hard to tell how much this win means until we see more of both teams, but for Liverpool's early season confidence after a string of poor performances, this game may do wonders.
Liverpool- Brown (own goal, 26'), Babel (77')
Man U- Tevez (3')

Blackburn 0-4 Arsenal
The Arsenal was in full force as the Rovers let in 4 goals for a second straight week. Blackburn made a game of it in the first, getting a few chances after an early RVP goal for the Gunners. Adebayor's goal just before the half was the beginning of the end, as Arsenal dominated the second half. The Togolese striker netted two more times, putting Wenger's boys in good position after 4 games.
Arsenal- Van Persie (8'), Adebayor (45', pen 81', 90')

Newcastle 1-2 Hull City
Newcastle's turmoil off the pitch overshadowed the action on the pitch, as supporters voice their concerns with owner Mike Ashley. Hull continued their surprising start with a victory helped along by two goals from summer signing, former Watford and Wigan striker, Marlon King.
Newcastle- Xisco (81')
Hull- King (pen 34', 55')

Fulham 2-1 Bolton
Fulham's summer signing shined at Craven Cottage as they beat the Wanderers with a solid attacking performance. Zoltan Geran scored his first with Fulham and a very much in form, Bobby Zamora, notched one as well, leading them to a 2-1 victory.
Fulham- Gera (15'), Zamora (41')
Bolton- Davies (82')

Portsmouth 2-1 Middlesbrough
Two more goals from Jermaine Defoe meant a victory for Pompey, in a game in which they controlled the run of play. Peter Crouch and Defoe are starting to get on together, which could mean trouble for other 5th place hopefuls. An early goal for Mido, put a worry into Harry Rednapp, but 'Boro couldn't hold off the Portsmouth attack.
Portsmouth- Defoe (59', 86')
'Boro- Mido (24')

Wigan 1-1 Sunderland
Sunderland's new mix held Wigan's vastly improved attack until the 78th minute, when Amr Zaki continued his goal scoring purge. Despite superior possession and attacking threat, the Latics could not seem put Sunderland away. Now if only they could send Titus Bramble away.
Wigan- Zaki (78')
Sunderland- Bramble (own goal, 14')

West Brom 3-2 West Ham United
Gianfranco Zola will have his work cut out for him after watching this one at The Hawthorns. A 2-1 was taken away minutes after the Hammers second goal, and finished with a late Chris Brunt goal. West Ham's defense looked open to manipulation as they lost a game that was less about wide open, good football, than it was about both teams defending weaknesses.
West Brom- Morrison (3'), Bednar (pen 37'), Brunt (83')
West Ham- Noble (28'), Neill (35')

Man City 1-3 Chelsea
Despite the subplots and debut of the Brazilian wonder, Robinho, great football was the star of the show in this match. Open play and brilliant passing highlighted the match. Robinho's early free kick goal, frenzied the City fans, but was erased by a quick counter goal by Ricardo Carvalho. Lampard and Anelka would add to the Chelsea tally as they put apparent new big-timers, City, in their proper place.
Man City- Robinho (13')
Chelsea- Carvalho (16'), Lampard (53'), Anelka (69')


Sunday

Stoke City 2-3 Everton
Everton continues to look unimpressive in form as they nipped on from Stoke on Sunday. Up 2 goals, they relinquished the lead, the second Stoke goal coming off a Jagielka own goal. Tim Cahill showed why his health is so highly prized for the Merseysiders with a late, deciding goal.
Stoke- Olofinjana (54'), Jagielka (og 63')
Everton- Yakubu (41'), Anichebe (51'), Cahill (77')


Monday

Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Aston Villa
Tottenham's woes continue, as they drop another home game to the Villans. Villa handled the Spurs attack, which controlled possession but failed to put significant pressure on the solid backline. Ashley Young was magnificent once again, with a goal highlighting a performance in which his pace proved too much for the Spurs defense. Spurs looked attractive in possession, but have a glut of midfielders and need Pavlyuchenko to start adding a scoring punch. Don't get me started on their defense, way too much talent back there and they can't get it together.
Tottenham- Bent (87')
Aston Villa- Reo-Coker (5'), Young (54')