Week 3: Premier League Tops & Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend 

This weekend ended a window/month/week/day of transfer madness and saw only nine Premier League games as Chelsea played Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup on Friday. But still, all these games had plenty to shout about with 28 goals, 243 shots, 88 corners, three penalties (two scored, one saved), 177 fouls, 24 bookings and two red cards! Here are my best and worst picks:

OMG!

What a goal to equalise for Newcastle!!! Centre-half Cieran Clark scored opener for Villa, what a comeback for his side after seeing red last weekend and serving his suspension in midweek. It looked too easy, no defender was anywhere near when Barry Bannan's cross from the left was headed in.

Hatem Ben Arfa then produced a sensational right-foot rocket, stunning smacker from outside the box to equalise for the Toons after Demba Ba went down, claiming fowl play. What a hit!
And United's comeback was a classic. But even for them it's a record, it was the first time since 1996 the Red Devils came back from two goals down after 85 minutes!

WOW!

The Saints were superb against United! They will have been gutted to find themselves pointless at the bottom of the table at the end of the day. The results have been harsh on the promoted side, their performances impressing and encouraging much in contrast to the scoreboard and results so far. I am sure things will turn for the better for Southampton and they will not have to worry about the drop if they continue this way and style of play.

TOP!

It was a contrasting weekend for the top three Chelsea, Swansea, West Brom - the league leaders and Champions League winners were shamed and thrashed by Atletico Mardid in the UEFA Super Cup.

Neil Taylor went off injured and Chico Flores was sent off for the Swans in their 2-2 draw against Sunderland. Steven Fletcher's double for the visitors was levelled thanks to the fighting Swans, Wayne Routledge with a smacker and Miguel Michu with a header. It was a point hard fought for.
Shane Long gave West Brom the lead off Peter Odemwingie 1-0 and Gareth McAuley made it 2-0 off a corner, fine times for The Baggies.

FLOP!

The two clubs from Merseyside will be very frustrated after this weekend, both going back home pointless and a lot to scratch their heads about! They will be glad to have the international break to be able to go back into the training room and put chalk and changes to the board.

HERO!

Robin van Persie - whoever had their doubts the Dutch striker would be able to fit in and produce at United, well, they can eat their words and throw their predictions out the window! A hat-trick later, who said anything after he missed the spot-kick??? Not me, no, never... :-P

Tottenham's Brad Friedel created a brilliant double save against Robert Snodgrass, earning his side a draw against Norwich. Breathtaking stuff!

ZERO!

Liverpool will mourn missed chances and missing players once again! And Pepe Reina slipped and flopped AGAIN! What's going on with the Spaniard! Brendan Rodgers will have been fuming at the end of deadline day, Andy Carroll out on loan and Liverpool unable to fork out the money to strengthen their attack. Stats speak for themselves... weekend analysis

Tottenham's Tom Huddlestone's sending off for his two-footed tackle on Norwich's Jonny Howson was very harsh as it did not look intentional or with any force. Unlike Chico's stupid kick into Louis Saha's head! Swansea can't have any complaints against that dismissal!

TRANSFER MADNESS!!!

Over £480 million were spent by all Premier League clubs counted together, Chelsea being top spenders with nearly £80 million whilst West Brom finish the list at the bottom after having only spent £3 million. Tottenham, Man City, Man United and Arsenal complete the top five, the Gunners having spent not even half of Chelsea's shopping total! Full table => Totaliser table

My Predictions => Actual Results:
West Ham 2-2 Fulham => 3-0
Swansea 2-0 Sunderland => 2-2
Tottenham 1-0 Norwich => 1-1
West Brom 1-0 Everton => 2-0
Wigan 1-1 Stoke => 2-2
Man City 3-1 QPR => 3-1
Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal => 0-2
Newcastle 2-0 Aston Villa => 1-1
Southampton 0-2 Man United => 2-3