RVP Hat trick, Arsenal Wins…

Van Persie scores hat trick, Arsenal win, United win in injury time.  All headlines we have seen before but this season Van Persie is making Manchester United look better than they appear at present and Arsenal’s new signing are starting to hit their straps.

Southampton felt the pressure of being level with the Manchester giants this week, poor defending can probably be out down to nerves, but at least they have the belief they can compete with the big boys at Premiership level.  Currently having nothing to show for their opening three matches the Saints will travel to Arsenal to face yet another tough challenge.  Manager Nigel Adkins will be aware of the tough start to the season, but will be enforcing there will be better days for the Premier league newcomers.  Sadly 3-2 losses count for nothing as the club continue their battle to reach the converted 40 points to safety.

United on the other hand look a shadow of their former selves, but still manage to collect 3 points consistently on their travels.  A sign of a Champion team.  The blue side of Manchester will be much happier with their demolition job QPR.  Yaya Toure started the run, with Tevez putting the icing on the cake with a 90^th minute goal, to finish 3-1 winners.  The game was never going to live up to last year’s epic heroics and will only be remembered for three points collected on home soil.

Arsenal collected their first win of the season at the expense of the Jekyll and Hyde Liverpool.  Brendan Rodgers has already conceded it was a mistake to loan out striker Andy Carroll, is it only a matter of time now to see how quickly it costs his job at Anfield.  Arsenal was very impressive in parts and ‘very Arsenal’ for the most part.  Crisp passing, with the midfield linking together and dominating the middle third of the pitch.   Lukas Podolski scored his debut goal at his new club and I’m predicting it will be the first of many in the famous Arsenal shirt.  For Liverpool youngster Raheem Stirling was the major shining light, with Gerard and Reina very disappointing yet again.

Some comfort for Liverpool fans was Everton’s loss at the hands of West Bromwich Albion.  Albion looked comfortable again playing under new manager Steve Clarke, and could manage to surprise a few of the bigger clubs this year.  I tipping some ‘experts’ would want to retract their ‘West Brom to be relegated’ statements they made at the start of the season.

Hatem Ben Arfa struck a claim to goal of the week when he levelled the scores against Aston Villa.  Unfortunately it was a mistake by Australian Brett Holman to allow the attempt on goal, but it was a cracker of a goal.  Newcastle should be beating teams like Villa, particularly on current form especially if they want to repeat last year’s heroics.  It was a better story for rivals Sunderland where their new 12 million pound striker scored a brace against high flying Swansea.  The game finished 2-2 which was a fair result in an even contest.  West Ham scored in the first minute and didn’t look back against a disappointing Fulham.  New signing Berbatov has little impact in his first appearance that ended in a 3-0 defeat.  Elsewhere Wigan and Stoke drew 2-2, and Tottenham were held by Norwich 1-1.

@TheHardsWord hero of the week – Very tough to go past Robin Van Persie, yes he missed a penalty with an arrogant chip, but still managed to rescue the points against Southampton.  Four goals already have RVP on track for another stunning season.

Villain of the week – Liverpool and their decision to loan Andy Carroll.  There is just no plan B at Anfield now, and much of the scoring pressure will come back to Suarez.  Gerard is a shadow of his former self, and Brendan Rodgers is fast running out of answers.  The international break couldn’t come at a better time.

Who would rather be – Tottenham or Liverpool?  Both clubs have Champions league aspirations but appear to be missed the boat early.  Both have dropped points to West Brom already, and are losing ground on City, Arsenal, United and Chelsea quickly.

No matches this week because of the International break, so until next week enjoy the action on the pitch.

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