All that happened in the premier league this weekend.......funny

 

 

1. Man United’s big players must take more responsibility

Despite an impressive, committed display from Premier League new boys Burnley, Manchester United will wonder how they left Turf Moor without three points today.
Despite fielding an expensively assembled team, they could find no way past Burnley’s admirable work horses.
Of course, there are several excuses to offer — the team are still getting used to Louis van Gaal’s 3-5-2 system, many of the squad have yet to reach full fitness and recover from their World Cup exploits, and there are still a number of important players to come into the side.
That said, it was still an unacceptable performance by the Red Devils’ standards, as on paper United are vastly superior to Burnley. Consequently, it’s surely about time that the persistently ineffectual likes of Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney start to accept a bit more responsibility and take greater risks during games — otherwise, a repeat of the Moyes era or worse may ensue.

2. Stoke consolidate reputation as Manchester City’s bogey team

Of the incredible 102 goals Man City scored in the Premier League last season, just one came against Stoke.
There was consequently a suspicion that Mark Hughes and his men had identified a weakness in the City set-up, and such a belief will only be strengthened on today’s evidence.
Stoke managed to do what just one side (Chelsea) achieved in the league last season – beat Man City at the Etihad.
This unlikely victory can be attributed to a mixture of resolute defending, intelligent tactics, lacklustre City attack play and perhaps most vitally of all, luck — Marc Wilson was fortunate not to concede a penalty at one point when he stuck a leg out in the vicinity of an onrushing Yaya Toure, yet the referee chose to give the Irishman the benefit of the doubt, booking the Ivory Coast international for diving and compounding the hosts’ misery in the process.

3. Chelsea formidable but not infallible

Chelsea have arguably been the most impressive team in the Premier League so far this season, and they certainly looked imperious against Everton at Goodison Park today.
In an attacking sense, Jose Mourinho can have few complaints with his side, who were at their clinical best.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect for the manager to take from the game is that it more or less confirmed the speed with which his new signings are adapting to life in the Premier League — Diego Costa took his overall tally to four goals in the three games, while Cesc Fabregas now has five assists in as many appearances as his Spanish teammate.
That said, defensively, there will be cause for concern. Eden Hazard’s tendency to wander often left full-back Cesar Azpilicueta a little exposed, with Seamus Coleman and Aiden McGeady posing Chelsea considerable problems down the right, to the extent that the visitors could easily have conceded even more than the three they ultimately let in.

4. Swansea flying high

There are currently just two teams that have won three games in the Premier League this season and who sit joint top of the table as a result — Chelsea and Swansea (though Tottenham could join them if they beat Liverpool tomorrow).
The Welsh side had already defeated Manchester United and Burnley before they continued their perfect start to the season as they overcame a hapless West Brom outfit 3-0 this afternoon.
The feat is particularly impressive because, in stark contrast with fellow league leaders Chelsea, Swansea are a team without stars. However, one ostensibly astute purchase has been Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icelandic international, taken from Tottenham in the summer in what is his second stint at the Liberty Stadium outfit, has had an excellent start to the season and was influential again today, with two assists.
Moreover, in Nathan Dyer, they boast a player whose confidence is currently boundless, with three goals in three appearances including a brace today.
Though the table at the start of the season can be notoriously deceptive, the early signs suggest Garry Monk and his men could be set to enjoy an excellent season, as evidenced especially by the commanding nature of their display today.

5. Joy at last for Southampton

After a difficult summer in which many key players left, several pundits predicted Southampton would struggle this year.
Yet irrespective of these sweeping changes, they still possess a number of highly talented players, including Morgan Schneiderlin who scored a brace as they gained an impressive 3-1 victory over West Ham at Upton Park this afternoon.
The Saints were ultimately rewarded for an adventurous starting line-up that featured three recognised strikers, including Ireland’s Shane Long, who was playing for the first time from the start since securing a £12million move to the Saints recently.
After a less-than-assured beginning to the season, compared with the heights of their last campaign, a win at Upton Park against a physically imposing West Ham side undoubtedly is the type of performance that the club can derive confidence from and build on from hereon in.

Result: Everton 3-6 Chelsea

• Costa scores first and last goals
• Eto'o scores with first Everton touch
• Man C 0-1 Stoke; Newc 3-3 Palace
• QPR 1-0 S'land; Swansea 3-0 WBA
• W Ham 1-3 Saints; Burnley 0-0 Man U

Manager reaction- Everton 3-6 Chelsea

Everton manager Roberto Martinez, speaking to BBC Sport: "I can imagine it was a great game to watch from a neutral point of view but our point of view was that we started too slow.
"But even then I felt we showed great character and great belief and I felt we were getting back into it, but every time we did we were dealt a sucker punch. Our defending was not as good as it should be. We need to make sure our good play gets a lot more support from having a more solid defensive display.
"We should have protected Tim Howard a lot better. But we take responsibility as a team and in the same way promote all the good things we have. We have the experience and the know how. There were positives, Romelu Lukaku lasting along as he did and Samuel Eto'o arriving and having the impact he did."

1. Manager reaction- Everton 3-6 Chelsea
   

   

   Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, speaking to BBC Sport: "It was wonderful for everyone at the stadium and watching television around the world - but not for me. We cannot make so many defensive mistakes. We want to improve as a team by keeping our defensive strength and quality and improving in other areas. Today we showed we are improving in other areas but not keeping the balance in defence.
   "The team likes to have the ball, that is very important but we need to keep our defensive balance and not commit mistakes. Wednesday afternoon we spent 90 minutes defending corners and free-kicks but today we conceded from a free-kick so I cannot be happy with the ridiculous goal we conceded.
   "There is 35 more games, three is nothing."
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   Everton manager Roberto Martinez on Sky Sports: "The way we defended was soft. To concede two goals so quickly could have ruined us but we were magnificent in our response to that. There were one or two situations when we didn't defend as we should do but those are the small margins.
   "There are many positives for us. But we can't carry on conceding the goals we have, it is not natural and we must improve. But the way we kept bouncing back to get into the game will allow us to show our potential."
3. "The two teams played fantastically well. I know Everton are a good offensive side and their movement is not easy to control but we concede three goals it is too much. All of them I can clearly identify mistakes and those who are involved but in the end we are killers in attack.
   "We come to this stadium and get three points so we are happy. Obviously my players did well. Diego Costa had three chances and he scored two goals. He is a good finisher and he gives us a lot.
   "Today I told my people that I have no news until the end of the game. We are trying since yesterday to get Loic Remy but I don't know the status. We have a fantastic doctor and I trust him completely. They will identify any problem."
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5. TOP OF THE POPS-
   
   

   

   Hugely early days of course, but what a start to the season for Chelsea. Can anyone stop them?
6. GOAL- Everton 3-6 Chelsea - Diego Costa (90 mins)
   

   Oh a disastrous introduction to the game for Muhamed Besic as he gives the ball away with his first touch and Diego Costa races into the area, draws out Tim Howard and fires in.
   

   
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    Confirmation that West Ham have signed former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song on a season-long loan deal from Barcelona.
    The 26-year-old Cameroon international joined Barcelona in 2012 from Arsenal for about £15m with an 80m euros (£63m) release clause.
    He played 135 times for the Gunners and has made 39 appearances since moving to the Nou Camp.
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     Angel Di Maria had a decent - if unspectacular - debut.