Premier League weekend roundup – Gameweek 3

The second fixture was the 1st of the day along with West Brom Albion playing Swansea City, who were still searching for their first win of the season.

The biggest game of the season yet saw Liverpool becoming the only team to maintain a 100% win and clean sheet record so far into the season, as they moved to the top of the table by a lone Daniel Sturridge goal on his birthday just four minutes into the game.

Daniel Sturridge scored a goal on his birthday

The Reds were dominant throughout the first half that saw three yellows cards for Tom Cleverley, Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie along with summer signing Iago Aspas.

David Moyes proceeded to give his team his version of the Fergie hairdryer treatment at half-time as United were doubly threatening from the second-half kick off.

With introductions of Nani, Javier Hernandez and Antonio Valencia, the tempo stepped up while Brendan Rogers brought in Raheem Sterling to continue to attack. But the second half saw the Reds playing less cohesively and although the Red Devils had more possession and created more chances, Liverpool thus had won their first three games since 1993-94 season.

The Hawthorns witnessed their side’s loss against the Swans as Ben Davies scored the opening goal after nearly eight months to give his side a fighting chance against West Brom, Pablo Hernandez sealing the second before full time.

Losing to both Manchester United and Spurs, Michael Laudrup’s side needed a win to lift them from the bottom and they were provided exactly that. One notable change was Nicolas Anelka starting for the Baggies along with on loan from Manchester City winger, Scott Sinclair making the bench.

Anelka’s return and passion on the pitch created many chances along with a Sinclair free-kick but Albion were unable to score, meaning they go into the international break with one point from three matches.

The Gunners silenced their manager’s critics and fans’ clamours for signings while shrugging off injury worries as their star striker in the making, Olivier Giroud, scored for the third consecutive time to put a Gareth Bale-less but heavily strengthened by Roberto Soldado, Paulinho, Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela, Spurs behind.

Olivier Giroud scored in the North London Derby win for Arsenal

This motivated Wojciech Szcz?sny to commit to fixing his place as Arsene Wenger’s go-to goalkeeper ahead of Lukasz Fabianski as some amazing play during stoppage time against the desperate Spurs players trying to equalise was seen from the Pole.

Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla held together the midfield beautifully while Theo Walcott continued to trouble the Spurs’ defence with his sheer pace. Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker continued to be impressive and fully supporting Sczcesny while an injury to Jack Wilshere saw the return of Flamini.

Soldado and Paulinho again created chances but were unable to go through with it. Spurs ‘keeper Hugo Lloris was being continuously challenged by Ramsey, Giroud, Walcott and Cazorla as the quartet kept bringing the ball towards the opposition goal and getting shots on target, but either being deflected for a corner or saved by the goalkeeper.

All in all, week 3 ends with Liverpool at the top! Until after the international break then.

This article was written by Tanya Kini. You can view her writing regularly on her blog http://musingsandmuchmore.wordpress.com and also follow her on twitter @SportsManiac93.