Sat 19 Aug 06
Week One (Saturday)
It was an interesting Opening Day of the EPL’s 2006-07 campaign.
Hulse’s header was a real cracker to open the season, and Liverpool will be disappointed with their day at Bramhall Lane. The penalty was a crap call, not that Liverpool didn’t deserve to share the points on the day. The Blades really hustled, though, and started their season off well. The announcers commented later in the game that Arne Riise’s ankle injury may not have been that bad ~ surprising to me given the way it looked.
Reading certainly hold “comeback of the season” honours, thus far. Kitson, Sidwell and Kita notched the goals to wipe out Boro’s 2 goal lead. I believe Sidwell was Four Four Two’s ‘best player outside the Prem’ last season, so he’s definitely one ot watch this year.
At Goodison Park, the guy Everton acquired to score the goals actually scored the opener 14 minutes in. (How odd!) Mikel Arteta added a penalty and Everton edged out Watford for their first opening day win in five years. [Later: it seems both Merseyside clubs were beneficiaries of bad penalty calls on Saturday, Everton’s being the more egregious, apparently. Oh well, what can you do?]
So, it was win, draw, loss for the three promoted teams.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day for me was Pompey trashing Blackburn Rovers. They had a 2 goal cushion before Neil went off, and Todd’s sending off happened in the 91st minute (so, I don’t think saying that it was a victory “over nine-man Blackburn” quite tells the tale). Could this big win by ‘arry’s boys have been the biggest statement of the young season?
We’ll let Damian report on the solid start by Roeder’s Magpies.
You gotta think Chelsea and Manchester United are more than pleased with the points left on the field by Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs (though I write in the 82nd minute of that game).
Mike C
“Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day for me was Pompey trashing Blackburn Rovers.”
I dunno. With new signings Campbell and Kanu putting in solid performances, Pompey look an altogether different outfit from their Perrin-era predecessors. All credit to Harry Redknapp, perhaps the Premiership’s savviest wheeler-dealer.
Given the strong showings by all three promoted sides (yes, including Watford), and the lack of obvious relegation candidates elsewhere, it could prove an interesting season at the foot of the table.
Hey, your guys had a great first outing as well.
Yup, I think you’re right about the foot of the table.
Yeah, perhaps I shouldn’t have said surprise. They’ve certainly been loading up, even before Campbell and Kanu. Noteworthy, anyway.