Premier League week eight round up

Yes we are back. The international break is over for this month. At last, we can return to (our bread and butter) domestic league football in Europe. It was action packed over the weekend in the Barclays English Premier League. These are happy times for the (former) long suffering Gooners! Manchester United supporters wear long faces after games now, Guus Poyet is getting to realize the sheer amount of work he needs to do at the Stadium of Light.

We begin in the North East at St. James Park. Newcastle United supporters embarked on a protest in renewed remonstration against club owner – Mike Ashley at the manner he is running their beloved club. This protest did not affect performance on the pitch once the game commenced, Newcastle showed a lot of spirit and desire in their 2-2 draw against Liverpool. The Magpies led through Yohan Cababye’s long range strike but were pegged back before half time when centurion Premier League scorer Steven Gerrard converted a spot kick after Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa pulled Luis Suarez in the penalty area and was rightfully sent off. Paul Dummett’s far-post shot restored the Magpies’s lead only for Daniel Sturridge to nod the Reds level again. I mustn’t forget to salute the Liverpool skipper – Congrats Steven G!

Staying with the northern teams, Sunderland and their new manager Gus Poyet travelled down south to Swansea for their week 8 encounter. The former Brighton manager watched his team collapse in the second half as the Swans blew them away with four un-replied goals. Welcome to Premier League management Mr Poyet!

Moving over to London and there is only one place to start from – The Emirates Stadium in north London. Aside European champions, Bayern Munchen, no team is playing champagne football like this Gunners are presently. Did anyone miss Jack Wilshere’s goal?

A lifelong Arsenal supporter friend of mine described it as orgasmic on twitter. Arsenal rolled past Norwich City with ease, Mesut Ozil delivered two goals and Aaron Ramsey ensured he wasn’t going to be missing in the scoring party. The Welsh man’s confidence level is supreme at the moment.

From the north to the west of London the score line remained the same. However, Chelsea had to fight from a goal down to win at Stamford Bridge. What do you have to say about Eden Hazard’s first goal? Samuel Eto’o finally opened his Chelsea account with well worked goal before Oscar and Hazard finished off The Bluebirds.

The story was not equivalent in East London for the home side with Manchester City at Upton Park for a tricky game. The Hammers were in buoyant mood after destroying Spurs last time out at White Hart Lane. Sam Alllardyce’s men smelled victory considering City poor form on the road but it was not a familiar story. The Citizens tore through the middle with Kun Aguero reminding everyone of his ability with his two goals before setting up David Silva for the winner after West Ham threatened a comeback thanks to Ricardo Vaz Te bicycle kick goal when he made it 2-1. Manuel Pellegrini must be relieved to see his team’s improved performance on the road.

Welcome back Steve!

Same could not be said at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson’s appearance in the stands could not effectuate a victory for Manchester United. Adam Lallana’s tap in on 89 minutes ensured another frustrating afternoon for the Red Devils. United should have been out of sight but for the woodwork which denied Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney respectively before they conceded from a corner kick. United supporters will feel hard done but Southampton will feel their dominance of possession more than warranted a point. Now is the time to back their manager (#Moyesout) is a little premature as has taken over an almost impossible job, and he requires time to build his own team.

Everton returned to winning ways thanks to Steven Pienaar’s first touch 10 seconds after coming on as a sub. The South African has endured frustrating period on the sideline through injury but lit Goodison Park with his goal to restore the home side lead. Kevin Mirallas drove in a shot under 10 minutes of play then Hull responded when substitute Yannick Sagbo turned in from Sone Aluko’s cross after half an hour.

It was a boring afternoon at the Britannia with goal shy strikers on parade. Neither Stoke City nor West Brom appeared to be in the goal scoring mood. Stephane Sessegnon had the best chance of the game at the death to finish off for the visitors but he shot at straight at Asmir Begovic. Mark Hughes must be worried as his team has managed one goal in five league games.

Tottenham bounced back from their shock loss to West Ham with an assured victory against Aston Villa. Andros Townsend floated cross beat everyone including Brad Guzan in Villa’s goal for Spurs opener while Roberto Soldado wrapped up the three points as he dispatched the ball home to make it two nil. Villa’s inconsistence seems unabated.

Crystal Palace host Fullham in today’s London derby between two struggling sides.

Let’s have you comment on Eden Hazard’s first goal and #Moyesout. Please use the space provided below.