Premiership Review (12/09/2006)

Last updated : 12 September 2006 By Gary Holmes

Ryan Giggs: Early goal proved enough.
Manchester United still leads the FA Barclays Premiership following a narrow home success over Martin Jol's Tottenham Hotspur at a packed Old Trafford.

A rare headed goal by an in-form Ryan Giggs proved sufficient for Sir Alex Ferguson's men in front of 75, 243 spectators, a new Premiership record, as the Red Devils made in four wins on the bounce. The visitors, wearing garish sky blue shirts posed a threat throughout but failed to convert their chances.

Portsmouth, yet to concede a goal and sporting their traditional blue shirts remain second, a Benjani Mwaruwari effort easing Pompey to a hard fought victory over Paul Jewell's Wigan Athletic at Fratton Park.

The blue half of Merseyside was also celebrating big time, as an unexpectedly comfortable three goal home success over fierce rivals Liverpool was attained at an emotionally charged Goodison Park.

Rafael Benitez: Bad day at the office!
Rafael Benitez's side fell behind to a close range effort by Tim Cahill on 24 minutes, and when Andy Johnson netted twelve minutes later with a composed finish the writing was on the wall. To rub salt into the wounds the precocious Johnson then took advantage of a horrendous error by Liverpool goalkeeper, Jose Reina to nod home a third, the Blues biggest winning margin over the Reds in 40 years.

Chelsea moved ominously into fourth place with an odd goal in three home success over Charlton Athletic.

The Blues took an early lead courtesy of Didier Drogba, but former ‘Blue' Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink restored parity nine minutes into the second half for the Addicks. Ricardo Carvalho won it for Jose Mourinho's troops, who could even afford the luxury of a Frank Lampard penalty miss, the England man's third in his last four attempts.

The Champions remain impregnable at home however, and are now unbeaten in 46 league games at Stamford Bridge.

Reading, another side playing in blue gained a second consecutive home victory in the Monday night televised Sky fixture against goal shy Manchester City, who had Ousmane Dabo red carded late in the game.

The blue half of Manchester fell behind to a 23rd minute headed goal by the hosts' Ivar Ingimarsson, and despite plenty of possession failed to convert their territorial domination into tangible reward. Another blank leaves Stuart Pearce's side with just one goal, scored from the penalty spot, from their opening four matches.

It was the air that turned blue for Watford's fans, mangement and players alike at Bolton Wanderers impressive Reebok Stadium, after 95 minutes to be precise!

The Golden Boys, still looking for their first victory since promotion back into the top flight last May, had dominated proceedings for large parts of an entertaining affair, but after striking wood three times fell foul to a correctly awarded penalty decision, given during an extended four minutes of injury time. Gary Speed swept home from 12 yards to leave a heartbroken Watford marooned at the bottom of the table with just a point from four praiseworthy performances. For a full match report, click here.

Newcastle United manager, Glen Roeder and Fulham playmaker, Jimmy Bullard must have felt blue as the Londoners gained an unexpected victory at St James Park.

Things looked bleak for the notoriously bad travelling Cottagers when Magpie skipper, Scott Parker gave the Geordies an early second half advantage, but Chris Coleman's battlers levelled eight minutes from time through American striker, Brian McBride and then went on to secure an unlikely three points when Carlos Bocanegra converted from close range following good approach play by on loan Tottenham winger, Wayne Routledge.

Fulham's triumph was marred though by a serious looking injury to the inspirational Bullard, who collapsed beneath an innocent first half challenge by Parker. The ex-Wigan Athletic star had to be stretchered off and is likely to be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

Thierry Henry: Scored his first Emirates goal.
The other weekend fixtures ended in stalemate.

Arsenal surprisingly continue to flounder and needed a second half Thierry Henry penalty, his first goal at the new Emirates Stadium, to cancel out James Morrison's opener for Middlesbrough, while in a remarkable game at Bramall Lane, Sheffield United and Blackburn missed three penalties between them as the match finished goalless.

Finally, the televised Sunday fixture had been hyped as the perfect stage for West Ham United to parade their new Argentine recruits, Carlos Teves and Javier Mascherano.

In the event both players started on the bench, only Teves figured and visiting Aston Villa, enjoying a predictable resurgence under the impressive Martin O'Neill, threatened to spoil the afternoon for the Eastenders as Liam Ridgewell edged them ahead in the 4th minute.

However, the Hammers levelled in the second half as Bobby Zamora continued his terrific start to the season by netting for a fifth time of the new campaign.