Soccer Saturday Week 1

Swansea 1 v 4 Manchester United (V.Persie 34 and 72, Welbeck 36 and 90, Bony 82)

Phil Jones had an early effort saved before Michu had a goal disallowed for offside. Michu continued the Swansea pressure with an effort saved at the near post before heading the resulting corner wide. The opening goal came when Ryan Giggs found Robin Van Perise in the box who majestically volleyed in to give United the lead. Danny Welbeck doubled the champions lead after tapping in from Valencia's driven cross. The second half began with Van Persie firing wide. Van Persie got his second goal of the game after smashing in after Rooney's pass. Swansea pressed for a goal and came close when Bony headed wide. Swansea did get a goal back when Welbeck lost the ball outside his box to Hernadez who played Bony in to slot home coolly. United finished off the game in the closing minutes when Welbeck stylishly chipped the goalkeeper to give Unuted an opening day 4-1 victory.

My Opinion:

It was a great start for the champions and David Moyes in his first league game in charge as they outclassed Swansea. Van Persie was my man of the match for two world class goals. Welbeck scored two goals as he looks to make a case for a starting spot. His second goal was simply brilliant. Wayne Rooney played really well and United looked better with him playing in a more attacking role. Wilfried Bony converted nicely for his goal but the Swans will hope for better results in the coming weeks.

Arsenal 1 v 3 Aston Villa (Giroud 6, Benteke 22 and 61(p), Luna 85, Koscielny sent off)

Arsenal got off to a fast start as Giroud scored from close range after a good cross from Oxlade-Chamberlain. The momentum turned twenty minutes in as Agbonlahor broke the Arsenal defence but was brought down by Szczesny in the box. The referee pointed to the spot but only gave the goalkeeper a yellow card. Benteke saw his poor penalty saved but managed to convert from the rebound to level the game at 1-1. Shortly after the break Fabien Delph saw his long range shot bounce off the post as Villa continued to pressure Arsenal. The referee made another big decision to give Villa another penalty after Koscielny brought down Agbonlahor in the box. Benteke made no mistake from the spot this time, firing into the corner. Things got even worse for the Gunners after Koscielny was sent off for a second yellow card. Rosicky brought a good save out of Guzan before Cazorla saw his effort saved onto the bar. Villa finished the game off when they countered an Arsenal corner which ended with Luna scoring to make it 3-1 to Villa.

My Opinion:

Agbonlahor gets my man of the match for being a constant threat to Arsenal's defence. Although it was a good start to the game from Arsenal they lacked a spark in front of goal. Koscielny was unlucky to receive a yellow for his first card but deserved his second yellow. Benteke showed what an important player he is to the Villa team and looks set to score plenty more goals for them.

Norwich 2 v 2 Everton (Whittaker 51, Barkley 61, Coleman 65, Van Wolfswinkel 71)

Norwich had the first chance of the game but Van Wolfswinkel headed wide. Everton had the best of the rest of the first half as Mirallas shot wide before Barkley blazed over. Norwich came out in the second half strongly and took the lead after Whittaker converted his rebounded shot off the post. Everton hit back as Barkley levelled the score after a brilliant long range effort. Coleman put the visitors in front after tapping in Jelavic's saved shot. Norwich managed to equalise shortly after through Van Wolfswinkel as the new signing headed in Whittaker's cross. Everton couldn't find a winner as Naismith had an effort blocked whilst Coleman shot wide.

My Opinion:

Ross Barkley got my man of the match for a really impressive performance. It was an even game and a draw seemed the fairest result. Both teams will see encouraging signs from this game.

Liverpool 1 v 0 Stoke (Sturridge 37)

Stoke came close to opening the scoring as Huth hit the bar from a corner with a thunderous volley. Kolo Toure then headed onto the Stoke bar from a corner. Liverpool took the lead as Sturridge scored with a low drive shot from 20 yards. Mignolet saved a Walters effort before Lucas cleared off the line. After the break, Henderson hit the post before Gerrard had an effort saved. Stoke were given a lifeline late in the game to equalise when the referee pointed to the spot after an Agger handball. However, Mignolet saved a very poor Walters penalty to give Liverpool a winning start to the season.

My Opinion:

West Ham 2 v 0 Cardiff (Cole 13, Nolan 76)

Cardiff had the first effort on goal as Kim blazed wide. It was West Ham who opened the scoring as Joe Cole brought down Jarvis' cross, turned and swivelled before slotting home. Diame had a deflected shot which went just wide before half time. Jarvis had the first chance in the second half but blazed high and wide. West Ham doubled their lead through Kevin Nolan after his early shot beat the keeper. Maynard came close to scoring but managed to put the ball over the bar from close range.

My Opinion:

My man of the match was Kevin Nolan who was at the heart of everything West Ham did well. It was solid start from the Hammers who will look to make Upton Park a fortress this season. Tough start for Cardiff as they look to adapt to the premier league but will hope to improve.

West Brom 0 v 1 Southampton (Lambert 90(p))

Southampton should have taken the lead but Lallana's goal was wrongly given offside by the linesman. Dorrans free kick before half time was slightly too high to trouble the goal. It was a fairly even game throughout the second half but the big moment of the game came in the 90th minute as Shaw was fouled in the box by Mulumbu. The referee awarded Southampton a penalty which Lambert scored to give the Saints the three points.

My Opinion:

The man of the match goes to Rickie Lambert for me for scoring the last minute penalty. It was a deserved win for the Saints who looked the more threatening with the ball. West Brom will be disappointed to have lost so late on but will need to improve their performances.

Sunderland 0 v 1 Fulham (Kasami 52)

Sunderland had the first meaningful effort of the game as Cabral shot wide. Giaccherini had his shot easily saved by Stekelenburg before the new Fulham goalkeeper made a great diving save to deny Celutska before half time. Fulham took the lead in the second half thanks to Kasami heading into the far corner from a corner. Sunderland had a few chances towards the end of the match but both Altidore and Ji failed to convert for Sunderland.

My Opinion:

Man of the match goes to Stekelenburg for making some very good saves. Sunderland had the desire to create chances but lacked any real quality and cutting edge. Good result for Fulham who will be looking to improve their away form.

Best Goal of the Day: Robin Van Persie's first goal was sheer class.

Upset of the Day: Aston Villa winning 3-1 at Arsenal.

Performance of the Day: Aston Villa were very good.