Premier League Review, Week 3.

Norwich City 1-1 Stoke City

Stoke travelled to Norwich looking for their first win of the campaign. An absolute immaculate performance from the Potters keeper Jack Butland made sure they left with a point. Stoke found themselves in the lead early on after a tremendous free kick was whipped in by new boy Shaqiri for Diouf to head home.  In the 28^th minute Norwich were level when centre back Martin managed to beat the impressive Butland through his legs. Early second half Dorrans saw his superb effort hit the post after beating Butland from just outside the box. The second half was dominated by the home team and if it wasn’t for Butland then Stoke would have been travelling back with nothing, the young keeper kept Redmond out late on to secure a point for the Potters.

West Brom 2-3 Chelsea

Chelsea travelled to the Hawthorns knowing that anything other than a win would give Manchester City a chance later on in the day to increase their lead to eight points and give them a huge lead in the title race. Costa’s early effort did not trouble Myhill and the game seemed to be an attacking display from Chelsea until the 13^th minute, Matic lunging in dangerously in the penalty area and making clear contact with McManaman to produce an excellent chance for the Baggies to open up the scoring. Morrison saw his penalty saved by Courtois and over the bar for a corner. Nine minutes later and Chelsea were ahead, a superb run from Chelsea new boy, Pedro, saw his deflected shot beat Myhill and give Chelsea the lead. Ten minutes later and Chelsea doubled their lead, a low cross from Pedro was met by Costa to fire into an empty net. Chelsea looked to be cruising to victory until Morrison repaid his team with a well-controlled half volley from 12 yards out. Just before half time, Azpilicueta restored Chelsea’s two goal lead, seeing his effort roll slowly past the rooted Myhill. Nine minutes into the second half and Chelsea were down to ten men. Skipper, John Terry, was shown his marching orders for a deliberate tug on Rondon just outside the box, Rondon saw his following free kick fly over the bar. In the 59^th minute Morrison grabbed his second of the game when he rose well in the air and saw the ball flick off the back of his head and beat the Chelsea stopper. The momentum was with West Brom as they searched for an equalising goal. Costa should have wrapped up the game when he saw his effort fly wide late on, a barrage of West Brom attacks led to no avail as Chelsea managed to hold on and secure their first win of this season’s Premier league.

Watford 0-0 Southampton

Southampton made the trip to London where the spoils were shared. Anya was causing all sorts of problems for the visitors coming close on a few occasions. Gomes kept out Pelle mid-way through the second half with a good save from a tight angle. In the second half Watford had the chance of the game when Capoue saw his five yard header fly over the bar, it really was harder to miss. Very quiet game as I’m sure that both teams will feel that a point was deserved.

Everton 0-2 Manchester City

Manchester City were looking to keep up their 100% record when they travelled to Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon, goals from Kolarov and Nasri assued that the visitors would be going home with all three points. Tim Howard was busy from the first minute, the American kept out Aguero twice within the first ten minutes. The first twenty minutes were all Manchester City as they came close to scoring several times. Lukaku did have a goal disallowed mid-way through the first half when he slotted past Hart, replays showing that he was inches offside. In first half stoppage time, Fernandinho was in the book after a lunge on Cleverley right on the edge of the box. Lukaku stepped up and grazed the bar from 20 yards out, Hart rooted to the spot. Early in the second half David Silva saw his effort blasted against the post and back into play with Howard easily beaten. Kolarov did get the breakthrough in the 60^th minute when he saw his effort fly into the net and past a wrong footed Howard. The latter stages of the match were all City, Navas’ clever turn saw him one on one with the Everton keeper but saw his effort well kept out by Howard’s face. Gareth Barry saw his late headed effort cleared off the line by Vincent Kompany just before Manchester City doubled their lead. Toure with a defence splitting ball for Nasri to run onto and cleverly flick over the advancing Howard’s head. City keep their third consecutive clean sheet and never really looked like dropping points throughout the whole game, Silva controlled the game superbly well and was the most creative player on the field.

Arsenal 0-0 Liverpool

Arsenal played host to Liverpool in this highly anticipated clash, the game ended goalless but with so many chances within the game it’s hard to believe there were no goals in this encounter. It was a game of two halves with Liverpool the far better in the first. Cech kept the reds out time after time and proved to the Arsenal fans that he really was an absolute great signing. Ramsey saw his first half strike ruled wrongly out for offside, the Welshman was clearly onside when the ball was played into him. Coutinho hit the post twice within the first half as we headed into half time with the score at 0-0. Sanchez had a good chance to open the scoring in the 60^th minute, the Chilean saw his effort fly off the outside of the post. Ten minutes later and Mignolet was called into action and didn’t he deliver, Grioud’s stretched effort appeared to be flying into the back of the net until Mignolet pulled out a desperate dive to his right hand side to the keep the Frenchman out. The game finished goalless but was packed with action from the off.