It’s Not Only Referees that Are Helping City – MCB’s Premier League Review

While the debate over Martin Atkinson’s performance at Eastlands, the latest round of Premiership matches gives the table a slightly satisfying look, particularly of you’re a blue and with the way the results went over the weekend, it wasn’t just Atkinson who gave us a helping hand.

But we start our review with a look at Wigan’s game at home to Wolves, which was the now traditional early Saturday kick-off. Goals by Jordi Gomez and Hugo Rodallega gave the Latics their first home win of the season and lifted them out of the relegation zone.

Everton, another endangered team at the foot of the table, travelled to Birmingham, who had been unbeaten at St Andrews for 12 months prior to the game. That record ended went as the Toffees scored their first win of the new campaign, winning 2-0, thanks to an own goal from Roger Johnson and a late strike from Tim Cahill. That win also moved Everton out of the relegation zone at the expense of neighbours Liverpool, who played on Sunday.

City’s biggest challengers for a Champions League spot, Spurs beat Aston Villa 2-1 at White Hart Lane to remain in fifth place and keep the pressure on the blues. Recent signing Rafael Van der Vaart scored twice as Spurs came from behind to end Gerard Houllier’s 100% start.

Stoke’s decent start to the season continued with a 1-0 home win over Blackburn. The win pushes the Potters into seventh in the league, while Blackburn remain in mid table. West Brom find themselves in sixth place in the league after a 1-1 home draw with Bolton but West Ham remain rooted to the bottom of the league after a 1-1 London derby draw at home to Fulham.

The weekend’s only goalless draw came at the Stadium of Light, where United got their fourth point on the road this season. This result meant a City win would put them above the reds and into second place in the Premiership table

We all know how the City game turned out and it was down to Chelsea to give us a helping hand and they duly obliged by beating Arsenal 2-0. Didier Drogba, who couldn’t have hit a cow on the backside with a shovel last week, scored the first and Alex got the second with a free kick, meaning City stayed in second place after their earlier win.

But it was Liverpool who provided us with the most entertainment. Following their recent dismal run of form, surely Liverpool would beat Premiership newcomers Blackpool at Anfield? After all, they are the whipping boys of the league aren’t they? Well no actually, Blackpool have proved themselves a very good side and secured their third away win of the season, more than anyone else so far, with a 2-1 victory.

The Seasiders were 2-0 up at half time and despite scoring an early second half goal, Liverpool couldn’t muster up the strength to get another and find themselves in the relegation zone, with only West Ham and Wolves below them.

At the top of the table, Chelsea still lead the way, four points clear of City in second, with United and Arsenal one and three points behind respectively, Spurs are in fifth. At the bottom, Liverpool join West Ham and Wolves in the relegation zone and Everton hover just above them. Wouldn’t it be nice if that’s how the table ended?

So an excellent weekend for the blues and a trip to the seaside is next for the blues in two weeks time. The illuminations will still be on then so book your B&B’s and make a weekend of it.

CTID