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We are now done with two “rounds” of the Premier League season, and already there is much to talk about. Two of the “Big Four” have already fallen once, while only Arsenal has managed to fly out of the gates, strange since they are strongly tipped to be the most likely to fall out of the European qualification spots. Manchester City started their season with a win, and Wigan shocked Villa. I’ll cover it all after the jump.

First to cover the big stories: United failed to score against the team I am convinced to end up in last, and were duly punished with a 1 – 0 defeat at the hands of the disruptive Clarets. While I didn’t have the opportunity to watch, from what I gather from reports United had their chances (aka missed a penalty) and thanks to the heroics of Burnley’s keeper Brian Jensen came away with nothing. After a rather unimpressive 1 – 0 victory over Birmingham at the weekend, United supporters must be shaking their heads.

Then we have Tottenham’s first round victory over Liverpool. Two well taken goals were enough to take Spurs past the Reds, however even I must admit ‘Pool had a penalty shout near the end. However, as a Chelsea fan I must also say, you have my sympathy, but no dice, at least the referee wasn’t from Norway. Furthermore, Rafa decided to already put himself in hot water with the FA over claims that a referee is too young. Not sure about that Rafa, I’d rather have a kid that could actually physically keep up with the pace of the game over the roly-poly Graham Poll. Still, they recovered today with a convincing performance over Stoke (see the match report from Biggy).

Chelsea had two close calls already, but will be sitting pretty as they managed to grind out victories in both. Hull played them well on Saturday and was unlucky to be beaten by a cross that just happened to drift into the net in the 92nd minute. Chelsea have managed to give up a rather unfortunate goal in both games, as in each case the ball has ricocheted off defenders, falling right into the paths of opposing players with only a stranded Cech to beat. However, I give their resilience credit, and there were two things to point out that many Blues fans will enjoy: 1) Drogba actually didn’t dive, and actually got a legitimate penalty call, for the first time in years and 2) Deco scored a brilliant goal. Sunderland fell apart the second half yesterday, though I still tip them to be the surprise package of the season, especially if Bent keeps up his scoring run.

Speaking of Sunderland, Bent scored within four minutes of his debut for the Black Cats, and that was enough to give them an opening day victory over Bolton at the Reebok, which is no easy feat.

That same day Stoke managed a 2 -0 result over Burnley, where the Clarets performed much more haphazardly than they did today.

Wolves managed to pull a victory back over Wigan after their weekend loss to a pretty impressive West Ham side (aided by that great Noble goal).

Birmingham got a late penalty against Portsmouth to send Pompey to their second straight defeat, and well on their way to an almost inevitable relegation (yes, I’ll claim it now, I feel it’s not a risk to say that).

Manchester City, a game that I was so intrigued by, looked abysmal. Yes, they were awful. If you shave off the first two minutes and the last four, there was very little to cheer about. Both Adebayor and Ireland’s goals were extremely well taken and at least Adebayor’s was set up by a gorgeous play, but Blackburn were unlucky not to come away with anything. It’s quite obvious City need defenders, as they looked like Swiss cheese as Rovers found chance after chance to pepper Given’s goal with shots. If it weren’t for the experienced Irishman City would have lost. That said, once City figure out their defensive woes, they will be a fun team to watch, as there isn’t a team with more creative players in the Premiership.

Arsenal smashed six past a terrible Everton squad. I don’t know what else to say about this one. Arsenal played decently at best, I’ve seen them play exponentially better, this loss comes down to Everton. Both Gallas and Vermaelen’s goals were terribly defended, and while I take nothing away from Fabregas’s marauding run, not a single Toffee stepped to him and basically gift wrapped his second of the game.

Fulham picked up an important away win against Pompey on a fortunate deflected goal that Dempsey smashed against Zamora. That goal means that Zamora now has half as many as he did all of last term. Congratulations mate! 

Tottenham destroyed Hull 5-1 today, moving them top, while proving that Defoe is still an incredible threat and should almost certainly be looked at by Capello as he managed a hat-trick against a demoralized Hull squad. Unfortunately Hull’s one goal was again scored by none other than Stephen Hunt….

Lastly there is the Wigan shocker against Aston Villa. The Villans did not come to play on Saturday, and were punished by a goal of the season candidate thanks to the right foot of Rodallega. That match ended 2-0 Wigan.

Overall an entertaining week of football, we can only hope that the rest of the season manages to be so interesting. Not a single draw in 16 matches!