Weekend Premier League Round Up: Rooney & Aguero Keep Manchester's On Top!

By Jack Hussey / September 13, 2011

Like the vagrant at a bus stop that won't leave you alone, here I am to give you my Premiership round up for week four of the Barclay's Premier League. I feel like this should be followed by a dramatic orchestral score, alas, this is a single media experience. Following a brief break in play for international fixtures, Liverpool looked to maintain their bright start to the season away from home to Stoke City. With several years of careful buying, dogged support and astute management from Tony Pulis, the Potters have firmly established themselves as a solid top flight team. Having spent well on players such as Jonathan Woodgate, Wilson Palacios and Peter Crouch, they have improved a side that reached the FA Cup final last season and already boasts the likes of Ryan Shawcross, Kenwyene Jones and Jermaine Pennant. Much to the disappointment of the travelling Merseysiders on Saturday afternoon, they were to experience the power of Tottenham's reserve team, sorry, Stoke City, as they succumbed to a one nil loss at the Britannia Stadium. Jon Walters penalty was the difference between the two teams after the under rated forward was brought down in the box by Jamie Carragher, firing past the hapless Pepe Reina. The goal, having come against the run of play, proved to be the catalyst for relentless waves of Liverpool attacks. Ryan Shawcross was a hero at the back, as was Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic keeping the Scousers at bay. No more evident was their effectiveness than when keeping out a string of chances from a goal mouth scramble featuring frankly appalling, on the day, duo of Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson. Stoke's win continued their unbeaten run and ended Liverpool's, lifting them above the Reds in the Premier League table. Another result which highlights the strength of the English top division. Arsenal's miserable start to the season threatened to take a drastic turn for the worst with a banana skin tie at home to Swansea City. Arsene Wenger's much criticized youth policy and at times bizarre lack of transfer activity, have come under intense scrutiny thus far this season. Their last fixture, a humiliating 8-2 loss to Manchester United, has seen many question how much longer the Frenchman has left at the helm. Several years ago a prospect that seemed as likely as Abu Hamza becoming leader of the EDL, is fast becoming a real possibility. In a less than convincing performance however, the Gunners managed to dodge any further humiliation by recording their first win of the season over the Swans after keeper Michael Vorm gifted a goal to Andrey Arshavin. Vorm, who was otherwise impressive, clearly felt sympathy for Arsene Wenger as he tamely rolled the ball out to an unaware Angel Rangel with Arshavin intercepting and slotting home into an empty net. Swansea showed that they weren't pushovers, or highlighted that Arsenal aren't that good any more, by carving out a number of their own chances. In particular front man Danny Graham forcing a fabulous save from Wojciech Szczesny and also missing what should have been the equaliser late on. Impressive débuts for Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker however, showed a glimmer of hope for Arsenal's season. In a fixture that has providing some entertaining games in recent years, a late Gabby Agbonlahor goal saw honours evened between Everton and Aston Villa, as the sides drew 2-2 at Goodison Park. Everton took the lead after a neat exchange from Tim Cahill and Leon Osman provided the first goal and it could have been worse for the visitors were it not for Darren Bent clearing a Phil Jagielka header off of the line. Parity was restored thanks to a Stiliyan Petrov thunderbolt from thirty yards early in the second half as Villa came out after the break fighting. But it wasn't to go all the way of the Villains after Fabian Delph was penalised for clumsily draping himself over the back of Leon Osman, giving referee Michael Oliver no option but to point to the spot. The resulting penalty was converted by Leighton Baines after sending Shay Given the wrong way. Bill Kenwright's image on the big screen split opinion within Goodison Park, with a seemingly equal number booing or cheering the lifelong Toffees fan's presence in relation to his financial dealing of the club. Villa carried on the fight and got their reward with the equaliser and remain unbeaten as they look to challenge for the top 6 of the Premiership. Manchester United's noisy neighbours, Manchester City, continued to rampage through the fixture list like Adele at an all you can eat buffet, demolishing Wigan 3-0 at the MiddleEastlands. Argentine Sergio Aguero continued to make the Premiership look easy, netting all three of the goals. Buoyed from last weeks humbling of once closest rivals Tottenham, Manchester City kept up the momentum in the chase for their first Premier League title. Showing no signs of complacency, they handled the fixture in an efficient and professional manner showing Wigan the respect that any Premiership team deserves. Turmoil has surrounded the club this week after chief executive Garry Cook's email gaffe saw him resign with immediate effect, but the players didn't seem to let it bother them. I'm not particularly sure why it actually would, but most journalists seem to think such matters actually have a bearing on a group of player's ability to kick the pig skin, so I'm adopting a similar chain of thought. Only down side for City was a lacklustre display from Carlos Tevez, topped by a penalty miss. As for Wigan, well, they got to enjoy an afternoon bus ride upon which Chris Kirkland is believed to have commented that the team were treated to the 'best petrol station sandwiches he'd ever tasted.' Every cloud Chris. It seems as though the form of the two teams from Manchester have led most to forget about Chelsea's credentials with regards to a Premiership title race, but they showed that they're still in it, winning a tricky tie away in the north east. Record signing Fernando Torres was left on the bench after continuing to look a shadow of his former self with England youngster Daniel Sturridge taking the World Cup winner's place. It was a decision that paid dividends for manager, Villas-Boas, as Sturridge scored with a crafty back heel following a through ball from the impressive Raul Meireles. This was following an earlier goal from Wayne Bridge's best mate John Terry, as the Chelsea skipper's poked shot deflected off of Phil Bardsley's foot and into the net. Ji-Dong Wong clawed one back for the Black Cats in injury time, but it was to prove no more than a consolation as Chelsea took the three points back to West London. Sunderland have scored only two goals so far this season, with new addition Nicklas Bendtner having never been particularly prolific, look like they're going to struggle for end product this season. The last time Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur met in this fixture, it was under tragic circumstances, both mourning the passing of shared former star Dean Richards. The match, quite fittingly, produced an exciting 3-3 draw however this time it was Spurs who recorded their first win of the season winning by two goals to nil. Wolves had been in fine form up to this match, but interestingly have never gone more than three Premiership games unbeaten, a statistic that looks to continue. Spurs struggled through the first half, with questionable body language from a number of the players most noticeably in Luka Modric, which is unlikely to ease any concerns the fans may have about his willingness to turn in a decent shift for the club. Luckily for Tottenham, the engine room acquisition of Scott Parker seems to be a shrewd move, with the England midfielder controlling the centre of the park. Former Spurs man Jamie O'Hara battled well in an attempt to show his once paymasters that they made the wrong decision in allowing him to leave, but Parker edged the contest. It was Parker who combined well with Tottenham's other significant signing Emmanuel Adebayor as he played a through ball to the Togolese striker. Still with a lot to do, the lanky forward man rounded the on rushing Wayne Hennessey to ensure that he has now scored a début goal for every Premiership team he's played for. The bus shy striker looked somewhat out of place in a Tottenham shirt, not only being a striker that can score but given that he has been the bane of the White Lane outfit on so many occasions, but on this occasion he worked hard and put in sack loads of effort to aid the cause. After the goal, Tottenham started to exert their authority and later scored a second through Jermain Defoe. It had been a bright performance from the small man, and he took his goal well hoping to get back into the rich goal scoring vein that saw him battle his way into Capello's international team plans. The returning Ledley King looked uncomfortable at times, but will be as happy as the Tottenham faithful to be once again be getting some game time after Harry Redknapp's comments during the week that he may be moved on at the end of the season. Me thinks Tottenham may not have seen the last of it's riots were that to happen. Samson is alive and well in Manchester, the man who holds his power in his locks of hair appears to be none other than Wayne Rooney. Following a decidedly unimpressive couple of seasons for the England striker, he appears to be determined to cast all doubts aside with a barnstorming start to this campaign, netting another hattrick as Manchester United smashed Bolton 5-0 at the Reebok Stadium. In another performance that called out to City, 'anything you can do we can do better' the Red Devils looked utterly unstoppable and with Javier Hernandez's brace added on top of Rooney's haul, they have now set a new record for the most goals scored at this stage of the season with 18. The Manchester derby is swiftly becoming the game that everyone wants to see. Sunday's fixture list did little to inspire Super Sunday montages from the Sky Sports editorial team, opening on a West Brom away trip to Norwich City. Peter Odemwingie ensured that Roy Hodgson's jowls could shake with delight as the thus far unfortunate Baggies recorded their first three points of the season. The goal also happened to be the fastest thus far this season coming after just three minutes. Norwich seldom looked dangerous and continue to look out of their depth in the Premiership, leaving Ben Foster with a quiet afternoon. West Brom could have been even more ruthless but failed to score from the spot. Controversy did strike at the end however with West Brom defender Gabriel Tamas very lucky to avoid a red card after viciously swinging out an elbow at striker James Vaughn catching him in the face, from which Norwich would have also been rightly awarded with a penalty. The last of the weekend's action saw Fulham take on Blackburn Rovers at Craven Cottage. Blackburn who were still without a point, took a surprise lead with an absolute scorcher of a goal from Ruben Rochina. The former Barcelona man capitalised on a poor clearance from messy faced Phillipe Senderos to fire home a rocket with his left foot, arrowing into the top corner leaving Schwarzer with no chance. Blackburn's lead wasn't to last long however with Fulham biting back six minutes later through oddly faced Bobby Zamora as he curled home from a tight angle. Both sides had their chances with either keeper pulling off a number of top drawer saves, most notably Paul Robinson who tipped a Clint Dempsey effort wide at full stretch. At the other end Fulham keeper Mark Schwarzer made the headlines for an entirely different reason after clattering Junior Hoilett in what could have been considered a red card offence. The tricky Blackburn winger was subsequently carried from the field whilst the Aussie keeper was booked. Steve Kean was rumoured to have his head on the block with the executioner ready to wield the axe were he to lose again, it'll be interesting to see if this point will be enough to appease the owners. In the last of this week's fixtures, Newcastle United travelled to West London on Monday night to take on new look QPR at Loftus Road. Much attention was paid to this game as it was the début of none other than Joey Barton, captaining his new club against his old. The controversial Barton was on hand to put in a fantastic performance but the Hoops were left frustrated by an organised Newcastle side, the Magpies leaving with a point as the final score ended 0-0. There was an encouraging sign of things to come for the home fans after the raft of new signings made by new owner Tony Fernandes, made an instant impression. The much forgotten Sean Wright-Phillips was the pick of the bunch, with fantastic wing play all evening. Newcastle remain unbeaten, but looked blunt up front. Clearly missing the threat posed by Andy Carroll, the St. James faithful will be praying that Mike Ashley spends money on more than just Gregg's produce come January time. Follow me on Twitter @tehTrunk