1) TOTTENHAM are spectacularly inconsistent. Days after being drawn in the same Champions League group as Inter Milan, Spurs went down 1-0 to Premier League whipping boys Wigan… at home. But after losing to Stoke and Wolves at White Hart Lane last season, it’s a result that proves yet again to their fans, they struggle to perform when playing teams they feel are beneath them.
2) CHELSEA, on the other hand, are spectacularly consistent. It’s now three games without a loss or even a goal conceded. Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba scored once more, as the Blues beat Stoke 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, however Frank Lampard missed his 3rd penalty in a row. With West Ham and Blackpool up next, it should soon be five wins out of five and who knows how many goals netted.
3) WAYNE ROONEY scored his first goal in 14 competitive matches. OK it was a penalty, but you have to start somewhere and the floodgates should open now. England fans will certainly be hoping so. But it was team-mate Nani who starred in United’s 3-0 victory over West Ham, running the show in the way that another Portuguese winger once did.
4) FRANK LAMPARD leads the traditional England injury list as we head into the international break. Joining the Chelsea star on the sidelines are teammate John Terry, long-standing injury victim Rio Ferdinand and Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale. Peter Crouch and Phil Jagielka may also pull out before the weekend. Stockdale aside, all should be fit once the Premier League returns on September 11.
5) MIKEL ARTETA is one player in exactly the right sort of form for an England call-up. Everton’s Spanish born playmaker, who could be eligible for the national side after living here for so long, again reiterated at the weekend that “if the chance comes I'll consider it very seriously”. But with Everton in the bottom three after losing 1-0 at Aston Villa, maybe he should concentrate on club, rather than new country.
6) WEST HAM and Stoke are the two teams keeping the Toffees from the foot of the table. They did have to travel to United and Chelsea this weekend, but both are on zero points after three games and have only scored three goals between them. It’s going to be a long old season especially for the Hammers who have the Blues up next.
7) ASTON VILLA are officially looking for a new manager. Despite being fourth in the league with six points, their Europa Cup exit and humiliation at Newcastle have done for caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald. The board are looking for a man with “experience of managing in the Premier League” if the rumours are to be believed. The odds have been slashed on Everton gaffer David Moyes but would he really ditch Goodison Park for another club not willing to spend much money?
8) ROBIN VAN PERSIE and Cesc Fabregas returned to the Arsenal starting XI away at Blackburn, but RVP lasted only 35 minutes before hobbling off with an ankle injury. Will he ever have a full season again? After the 2-1 win, Wenger hailed Cesc saying the Gunners’ captain had forgotten all that Barcelona transfer talk and “will be the player he was before without any problem”. Assuming he doesn’t pick up another knock, we guess.
9) DARREN BENT’s 94th minute penalty, as Sunderland beat Manchester City 1-0 at the Stadium of Light, meant this was the second successive weekend without a goalless draw. The win over the Premier League rich men saw Carlos Tevez miss an absolute sitter. After their 3-0 demolition of Liverpool, Roberto Mancini’s team have come crashing back down to earth. Perhaps they’re not as frightening as we thought!
10) Mark Schwarzer, Scott Parker, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Robinho, Jermaine Jenas, Jack Rodwell, Robbie Keane and, erm, David Nugent, could all move clubs today if newspaper gossip holds true. The transfer window firmly shuts at midnight and with very little business of interest done in the last couple of weeks, it could well be a tidal flow of transfers today.
