Premier League round-up, Europe

Some interesting results in the Premier League yesterday, most notably coming at Eastlands where Man City beat Chelsea 2-1. Chelsea took the lead through a bizarre own goal from Adebayor but the Togon restored parity before half time with a goal at the right end. Some claims of a hand ball in the build up but I didn't think it was so Terry can shut his mouth. Second half and Tevez scores from a free kick after Cech just decided to not save his shot and from that moment on Chelsea pretty much panicked and imploded. They were kicking people up in the air (6 bookings), relentlessly going on at the ref, and despite the fact I don't hold much love for City, Hughes or Adebayor, it was fantastic to watch following what happened last weekend. Drogba was fouled but then did that pathetic back spasm arch thing he does like he's been shot and got the penalty, which Lampard missed. Another golden chance for Drogba near the end went the wrong side of the post and there we have it, Chelsea drop 3 points and it brings everyone closer in. As for Man City they definitely have the players to make top 4, they just need to work a bit better defensively to become a bit more consistent. Chelsea's slip up was compounded by the news that came out of east London where Man Utd hammered the hammers 4-0, with it has to be said a real makeshift back 4.

I was in north London yesterday to see the Arsenal take on Stoke, and the home side ran out relatively comfortable 2-0 winners. Eduardo was missing following an all too familiar small muscular injury, so Andrey Arshavin was the man stuck up top on his own. The start of the game didn't bode great for the little Russian, a great chance was lost after a rare bad touch, and his little flicks and dinks just weren't coming off. Then, like a secret Soviet spy plane, 'Shava picked the ball up and jinked his way over one challenge, then another and finally he is brought down in the box, pen. Yes, we're thinking, 1-0 to the Arsenal. But with no RvP in sight the honour goes to El Capitano who's not great pen is turned away - is it going to be just one of those days? Thankfully not because shortly after, Cesc plays Arshavin in and with wonderful touch, strength and control he practically flicks the ball in from what an infinitely more difficult chance than his previous one. Before half time there is just time for what will be another clip in the Emmanuel Eboue video horror moments. Good play from Arshavin and Traore down the left, the Frenchman whips in a cross which causes their keeper to flatten 2 of their defenders, and after a deflection the ball hits the post, comes back to Cesc for a tap in but his shot is inexplicably blocked on the line by Eboue! The poor lad, he's trying to get out of the way but ends up getting in the way, chin up Manu. Second half and after a good start where an increasingly impressive and involved Arshavin hit the bar, Stoke were gradually starting to ask some questions. I don't remember Almunia having to make a save but there were one or 2 hairy moments, one of which was only rescued by some great defending from Gallas. Finally the break through came at the other end to seal the points, the boy Ramsey picked the ball up and caressed it with the outside of his boot for his 2nd of the season. Job done, back to winning ways and rebuilding the confidence of the team. The Arshavin experiment worked pretty well, he's such a clever player that he comes short, goes wide and generally causes a nuisance of himself which the Stoke defenders couldn't handle. It's Anfield next weekend, Arshavin returns to the scene of the crime, and if Bendtner and Eduardo are not back I wouldn't be surprised to see the boss trying the magician up there again.

Big wins for Pompey, Wolves and Birmingham (they're 8th now! how good are they doing?) yesterday mean that Bolton were the real losers. My feelings for them are pretty well known, I hate them, I hate Megson and I hope they lose every match the ever play. A dull 0-0 draw for Liverpool at Blackburn keeps the pressure on Benitez, and with so many teams this year involved at the top they're really going to need a change in form, and fast - just not next weekend, thanks Rafa. Last year it was really only Villa who looked like they might break the big 4 monopoly, but this year there's Villa, City and Spurs so the likely hood that at least one of them will get in there is certainly increased. An impressive 3-0 win for Villa over Hull was sadly over shadowed by the injury for Jimmy Bullard. His knee injury has plagued his career in recent years, he has dislocated the kneecap twice and had serious ligament damage to boot. To see him being helped off the pitch in tears yesterday really was a terrible sight, the only minor consolation is that this injury was on his right leg, not his previously troublesome left leg. All the best Jim.

Good results in Italy yesterday where Milan beat Sampdoria 3-0 and Juve beat Inter 2-1, nicely tightening everything up in Serie A. Barca and Real both won in Spain, Ronaldo scoring their last goal but then getting himself sent off haha. Bordeaux continue to impress in France following a 1-0 win over ParisSG, and 2 rather unfancied teams Montpellier and Valenciennes continued their climb up the table with wins. I happen to have a vested interest in both, Valenciennes being the closest club to my French family and Montpellier being the closest club to where I spend my summer holidays every year. They currently lie 2nd and 3rd and the English equivalent would be someone like Wigan and Pompey being 2nd and 3rd - mad right? Take her easy.