It’s been an interesting weekend, one with many talking points and surprises, but one challenge – or lack of – will be uppermost in the minds of football fans.

Liverpool were in control of their encounter with Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea side, who looked pretty toothless going forward. They needed something special to unlock the Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger door, some bit of skill, a clever turn, a mazy dribble, but failing that, why not just fake a fall and win a penalty? Florent Malouda fooled no one except the hapless Rob Styles, who chose to officiate the game as a cross between Mr Magoo and Rainman.

The end result would have pleased Arsenal and Man United, both of whom dropped points. Sir Alex Ferguson will be seething as his side found themselves seven points off top spot and, far more importantly, seven points behind their City rivals. And it’s been a long time since their neighbours could be considered rivals, but maybe this year it will prove to be the case.

‘Malouda fooled no one except the hapless Rob Styles, who chose to officiate the game as a cross between Mr Magoo and Rainman’


Sven Goran Eriksson has instilled some steel and determination to his new-look Manchester City side. Geovanni’s deflected winning goal may have been one of only a few efforts from the home side, but Richard Dunne and the outstanding Micah Richards kept Tevez and Co at bay.

Spurs got off the mark and were scintillating for the opening 30 minutes. The 4-0 win over Derby should, for a short time at least, keep the media wolves from Martin Jol’s door. It was far too early for anyone to call for the Dutchman’s head, but the Premier League may not be too far away from its first sacking, Sammy Lee must open the papers with a mixture of dread and more dread. His Bolton Wanderers side were appallingly inept as they took on Pompey with a heartless, directionless display that leaves the fans wondering where their first win will come from.

Chris Hutchings’ Wigan are proving many people, including me, wrong. Another three points and strong performance against Sunderland put the Latics top of the Premier League for a short time. Who’d have thought that a side with Titus Bramble at its heart could record back-to-back clean sheets? The JJB’s band of journeymen have gone a long way towards exorcising the ghost of Paul Jewell, but it is still early days.

Gareth Southgate and Alan Curbishley can both sleep a little more soundly after recording their first wins of the season. West Ham and Middlesbrough now find themselves, temporarily at least, above the champions in the table. Reading finally got what they deserved after solid performances against Chelsea and United garnered just the one point. Everton arrived as league leaders but left with nothing. Aston Villa outplayed Newcastle but couldn’t convert their chances and had to settle for a point when they probably merited all three.

So we now have a top four that has only one of the usual suspects and, let’s face it, Chelsea’s placing is chiefly down to a dive. It is refreshing to see Man City, Everton and Wigan at the giddy heights, but it would take a brave and possibly stupid fan to wager on any of these three being there come next May.