Saturday 14th August 2010

The first game of the new Premier League ended in a 0-0 draw between Tottenham and Manchester City. Tottenham had the best of the first half but were denied by a fantastic performance by City keeper Joe Hart. The England keeper pulled off three top class saves in the opening period and denied the home side taking a point. The second half City came out with more purpose but neither side could find a breakthrough.

Blackpool made a dream start to their Premier League career with a 4-0 victory at North West rivals Wigan. The Tangerines took a 16th minute lead through striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Former-Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood then scored two goals in five minutes before half-time. And Blackpool's dream start was completed in the second half as Alex Baptiste made it four. Blackpool sat on the top of the Premier League table for less than two hours.

Champions Chelsea took new comers West Brom apart at Stamford Bridge thumping the Baggies 6-0 to go straight to the top of the table. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba scored a superb hat-trick, Florent Malouda scored a brace and England midfielder Frank Lampard also got on the scoresheet.

Aston Villa overcame the loss of boss Martin O'Neill with a 3-0 victory over West Ham at Villa Park. England's forgotten man Stewart Downing gave Villa the lead in the 15th minute. Bulgarian midfielder Stilyan Petrov headed home the Villa's second five minutes before the break. Wantaway City target James Milner completed the scoring in the 66th minute with a superb effort after being teed up by impressive youngster Marc Albrighton.

Sunderland and Birmingham drew 2-2 at the Stadium of Light, after the Mackems took a two-goal lead. Sunderland took an early lead through a Darren Bent penalty. Sunderland were reduced to ten men just before half time as Lee Cattermole was sent off for a second bookable offence.

However the Mackems made it 2-0 in the 56th minute as Blues defender Stephen Carr sent a lopping header over his own keeper. Birmingham got back into the game on 77 minutes through a header from defender Scott Dann. And with just two minutes left fellow defender Liam Ridgewell bundled home an equaliser for the Blues.

Wolves defeated Stoke 2-1 at Molineux. Wolves took the lead through a fantastic free-kick from midfielder David Jones. Stoke's record signing Kenwyne Jones lasted just 14 minutes. Wolves' record signing Steven Fletcher had better luck as he bundled home his sides second. Stoke looked like they had got back into the game in the second half as Abdoulaye Faye headed home. However the Potters couldn't find an equaliser.

Blackburn were gifted a 1-0 victory over Everton after an absolutely awful howler from Everton keeper Tim Howard. The usually solid USA keeper dropped the ball at Blackburn striker Nikola Kalinic's feet and the Croatian fired into an empty net. Paul Robinson denied Everton's Phil Jagielka late on with a superb save and Blackburn claimed a good victory.

Bolton and Fulham played out an uneventful 0-0 draw at the Reebok Stadium. It was a decent start for the Cottagers new manager Mark Hughes.

Sunday 15th August 2010

Liverpool and Arsenal both ended up with ten men as the pair drew 1-1 at Anfield. Liverpool lost Joe Cole just before half time, as the England midfielder committed a reckless challenge on Laurent Koscielny. Liverpool came out stronger in the second half and less than two minutes into the second half David Ngog fired home past Manuel Almunia in the Arsenal goal.

The three points looked to be staying on Merseyside until the last minute. Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina fumbled the ball over his own line after being challenged by Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh. There was still time for referee Martin Atkinson to send off off Koscielny for a delibrate handball after receiving a yellow card earlier on.