EPL Wrap-up: Week 2

Monday Night Football?

No its not what you think; John Madden isn't in the booth and Hank Williams Jr. isn't serenading us with an American classic. This week we had a prime time (GMT) matchup between Aston Villa (winners of the biggest disappointment award last week) and Liverpool. This was an exciting match up with Aston Villa looking to come back off a very disappointing week one, and Liverpool needeing to establish themselves as a consistent force in the league this year.

One of those things did happen.

Aston Villa got lucky picking up an own goal off a free kick. Then again right before they half they pick up a cheeky header off a corner that Liverpool didn't think was a corner. Liverpool looked to be on the comeback path with Fernando Torres netting a cross, making it a 2-1 game. Aston Villa was quick to respond and extend their lead on and Ashley Young penalty kick after a foolish challenge from Steve Gerrard.

In other matchups this week, Arsenal continued their EPL dominance over 2 games by making easy work of Portsmouth, cruising to a 4-1 win. Goals by Abou Diaby, Aaron Ramsey and William Gallas paced the Gunners past. It is worth noting that Gallas, a defender, has scored in ALL of Arsenal's games this year. An impressive feat. Also Arsenal has only played 2 EPL games so far this season and put home a whopping 10 goals. 10 goals in the 2 games?! Are you kidding me? Amazing.

Following up that domination we come to the Wigan v. Manchester United game. For Man U, coming off a fresh loss to Burnley, this game meant a lot. Was Man U really in trouble? or are they their normal Red Devil selves? Well, it only took 56 minutes to find out. Wayne Rooney slotted home the first goal of the match. It WAS pretty even until this point. Then Man U turned into the Man U we all know. After going scoreless in the first 55 minutes, it only took Man U 35 minutes to score 5 goals. With English legend Michael Owen even getting in on the action. The result of this game 5-0 Manchester United.

Around the league Manchester City barely got pased a tough Wolverhampton team 1-0. Chelsea scored twice against Fulham, with Anelka and Drogba putting in the goals, leading the Blues to a 2-0 victory. Tottenham continued their hot streak beating the West Ham Hammers 2-1 and remained at the top of the EPL table. Burnley continued off new momentum gained from beating Man U to hand Everton their second loss of the season in a 1-0 victory.

Top of the Table:

1) Tottenham
2) Chelsea
3) Arsenal
4) Manchester United
5) Manchester City

Awards:

Best Team: Arsenal - 4-1 leveling of Portsmouth gets the honors. Impressive work being turned in by the Gunners right now.

Worst Team: Everton - Taking the honor for the second week in a row. Everton couldn't muster enough to get past Burnley, losing 1-0.

Biggest Surprise: Aston Villa - Beating Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield is a tough task to ask from any team. Aston Villa was the Biggest Disappointment last week, but they have redeemed themselves and are looking to build on this win and enter the title race.

Biggest Disappointment: Liverpool - Losing 3-1 at home to Aston Villa is inexcusable.

Player of the Week: Kenwyne Jones - In a game I didn't recap, Jones put 2 goals home in a 2-1 victory for the Blackcats of Sunderland over Blackburn. Check out the goal and more importantly the celebration of his first goal at the 3:08 mark.

Check in every Friday for a new EPL wrap-up.

--Dirk - International Soccer Correspondent

EPL Wrap-up: Week 1

It has been a long and sumptuous summer for soccer. The Confederations Cup provided excitement on the field, while teams are still fighting for World Cup qualifying. Also the transfer period revealed spending sprees of unparalleled proportion by Real Madrid and Manchester City. With all of this behind us we finally have the start of the Barclay's English Premier League. Week one provided much to talk about and much excitement. So lets get to a week 1 wrap-up.

No better place to start off than with the defending champs. Much attention has been given to Manchester United with the departure of the world's best #7 Cristiano Ronaldo and the departure of Carlos Tevez. Much of the weight of those moves has fallen on the shoulders of Englishman Wayne Rooney, not to mention the preseason injury to keeper Edwin van der Sar. Rooney did not disappoint by providing the lone goal in a 1-0 win in the opening match against Birmingham. The second match of the week the Red Devils did not fair as well. New EPL call up Burnley brought down the league champs with a first half rip by Robbie Blake. To take things from embarrassing to worse Man U had a chance to equalize but Michael Carrick missed a penalty and Man U lost stud center back Rio Ferdinand for up to a month with an injury. It will be interesting to see how the Red Devils respond to this adversity in the coming matches.

Two teams that have been impressive with two first week victories are Chelsea and Tottenham. Both teams looked sharp against their opponents scoring multiple goals with ease.Chelsea handled the Black Cats of Sunderland 3-1 and Hull 2-1 with last minute heroics from Didier Drogba. Tottenham handed a early season loss to last years season long front runners Liverpool and then trounced Hull 5-1.

Liverpool followed up the disappointing showing with an absolute 4-0 stomping of Stoke City, showing that they won't curl up and quit after the exit of Xabi Alonso.

The most impressive showing of the week was put on by Arsenal. The Gunners who have had notable exits of Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure came out firing. I mean firing! 6 goals before Everton scored their 1. Arsenal showed no ill effects of losing two starters to Manchester City.

Man City did their thing with a easy 2-0 victory on Saturday over Blackburn Rovers. A goal on a beautiful volley from around the 18 by Adebayor in the 2nd minute. From then on it was easy cruising until Stephen Ireland sealed the deal with a cheeky 90th minute goal. Ireland flicking the ball on to himself just toys with the keeper and defense before sliding it home near post. Showing why he is one of the most talented and prized young players in the EPL.

This weeks awards:

Best Team: Tottenham and Arsenal split this award for week on, both had the most dominate showing of any teams.

Worst Team: Everton - A team that is consistently in the top 10 got worked all over the pitch and didn't show an ounce of defensive pressure all game. Not to mention star defender Joleon Lescott was dropped from the line up due to poor attitude

Biggest Surprise: Burnley with a 1-0 win over Manchester United

Biggest Disappointment: Aston Villa - Much was made of Aston Villa coming into this season, but it failed to materialize with a 2-0 loss to Wigan Athletic.

Player of the Week : Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal) - 2 Goals and 2 Assists. This is soccer, enough said.

One week down, many more to go, check back next week for more English Premier League insight and wrap-up.

~Dirk - International Soccer Correspondent