Manchester United’s awful start to the season continued on Sunday and became more of a full blown slump when they were beaten by their neighbours, a battling Manchester City, at Eastlands.

They win for City came courtesy of a 31 minutes strike by Geovanni which took a slight deflection of off Vidic. The win left Sven Goran Eriksson’s Man City top of the Premier League with a maximum of nine point from three games and just as importantly for the City fans, means they are looking down on the rivals Utd who are languishing just above the bottom three with just two points.

Geovanni celebrates his winning derby goal.

The Utd manager said after the game, “We really should have sewn the game up before they’d crossed the halfway line. We’ve only got ourselves to blame, let’s make no mistake about that.”

It was quite an untidy derby at Eastlands that was settled by Geovanni, one of numerous foreign signings that Eriksson has made since taking charge in the summer break. The Brazilian midfielder delivered a low swerving shot that took a decisive deflection off the defender before nestling just inside the post.

It was one of the few chances City had in a match the really Utd dominated but I can guarantee not one City fan will care less about that this morning. They will be lots of smiling faces on their way to work waiting for the bragging rights to begin. And let’s face it, they won’t have been able to exercise those too many times over the last few years!

Utd were of course missing Rooney through and Ronaldo from suspension. However they have got a big squad, and they did include their new signing from Bayern Munich, the England international midfielder Owen Hargreaves.

Utd missing numerous chances with Nani failing to beat the City keeper, the son of Peter Schmeichel, Kasper. Schmeichel senior, who of course played for both clubs but was probably Utd’s best ever keeper, was sat in the stands at Eastlands and was obviously supporting his son and City. Both Evra and new boy Tevez squandered chances and Vidic produced a fierce header from a corner that rattled the City crossbar. But it all counted for nothing.

It all means it is a dream start for Eriksson on his return to England and he praised his defenders for a resolute performance stating, “Today we defended very well, our back line and oalkeeper were fantastic. I am very happy, nine points and three clean sheets. We’ll enjoy the night but the season is very long. Today we had a bit of luck.

However, it is easily Utd’s worst start to a Premiership season since 1992 when the managed only one point from their first three matches. It is also the worst start by any defending champion.

I could say that the only good news for Man Utd it that their chief title contenders all dropped points. However it took an awful refereeing decision to deny Liverpool their deserved three points when Rob Styles somehow saw Finnan foul Malouda when no one else did. Frank Lampard cancelled out Fernando Torres’ 15th minute strike, his first real goal for Liverpool. Meanwhile Arsenal drew 1 - 1 at Ewood Park against Blackburn Rovers.

After watching his side being pegged back, Liverpool’s manager Rafael Benítez described the decision from Styles to award the penalty to Chelsea as “unbelievable”.

However, Torres showed Benítez why he splashed out the cash on the club’ record signing after just 16 minuted of his home debut when the former Atletico Madrid striker glided onto a a Steven Gerrard pass, outfoxed Tal Ben-Haim and guided a precise shot across Petr Cech.

Even though Liverpool dominated most of the game, like so many clashes between the two clubs, it was not one of the most memorable, although it did have that controversy. Just past the hour mark Malouda no more than stumbled into Steve Finnan and for Styles to award a penalty. I didn’t realise falling over was now a penalty offence!

Kuyt headed just over for Liverpool late on whilst Babel, also making his home debut, shot into the side netting. Then Styles provided more confusion when he appeared to show a yellow card to Chelsea midfielder Essien after he had already booked him in the first half but he stayed on he the pitch. Memories of Graham Poll from last year’s World Cup came flooding back.

Benítez was rightly upset stating, “It was an unbelievable decision….how can [Styles] change a game like this? You can’t expect decisions like this.”

Elsewhere at Ewood Park, Robin van Persie gave Arsenal an early lead against Blackburn Rovers however Rovers, who are made of stern stuff and ended the game with 10 men after Ryan Nelson was sent off, got a point when the Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann made his second mistake of the season when he fumbled David Dunn’s 25 yard shot into the net.

Not one to let other managers take all the limelight, Arsene Wenger claimed after the match the Rovers had used “violent” tactics. Well, he may have a point!

Anyway, all this leaves City sitting proudly at the top of he Premiership. How long that will last remains to be seen. Utd are nearly bottom and Liverpool (after 2 games) and Arsenal both have 4 points and Chelsea have 6.

The Soccer Blogger

There are two stand out games this weekend in the English Premiership. Firstly Sven Goran Eriksson has his first taste of the Manchester derby when his resurgent City take on the stuttering champions at Eastlands. But the main game of the weekend is the first clash between the “big four” as Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.

In this first clash Rafael Benítez’s Reds welcome Mourinho’s Chelsea in what will be an early test of both teams title winning potential. A win will lay down an early makers and land a huge psychological blow. Chelsea go into the game having won their opening two matches of the campaign, while Liverpool are playing only their second Premier League fixture after being involved in European action, beating Toulouse 1-0 in midweek.

Gerrard will be looking to land another killer blow against Chelsea like he did against Villa. The midfielder has been passed fit despite suffering a knock in France.

There has not been a draw between these two in a league game since May 2001 - a run of 12 games. Liverpool have conceded only 11 goals in 35 league matches at home since losing 4-1 to Chelsea in October 2005.

Meanwhile, just a few miles down the M62 Manchester Utd head to their neighbours at Eastlands without their top two scorers from last year. Rooney, as I’ve reported during the week, is out for two months following his hairline fracture in his foot against Reading last weekend and Ronaldo got himself banned for his head butt during the week. His manager must have been so happy!

Manchester City appear to be revitalised under the former England manager Eriksson after a great start and they now have a wonderful opportunity to prove their impressive start to the season by landing a severe blow to their fiercest rivals, to whom they are always overshadowed by. Both the derby, Liverpool’s game and Arsenal’s trip to Blackburn take place on Sunday.

Meanwhile on Saturday, Everton the current leaders, will look to keep up their perfect start to the season at Reading. That will be no easy task! Reading are a tough test at the Madejski but the early season pace-setters, who have already beaten Tottenham and Wigan, will have to handle the tough tackling Reading who earned a point at Old Trafford and also gave Chelsea a fright.

The Reading boss Steve Coppell said, “We will be playing three from the top 6 six within a week, and it’s as if it’s the hardest possible hurdle we could have been set.”

The new Everton midfielder, Phil Jagielka, signed from whinging Sheffield Utd, reckons Everton are playing so well he faces an extended term warming the bench. He said, “I can’t see the gaffer changing it for Reading. Nine or even seven points [from the first three games] would be a fantastic start.”

Big spending Tottenham (not that it’s done them any good so far!) are desperate for their first win and host the newly promoted Derby County. Spurs were tipped to be among the top sides this season (including me) but have so far lost both of their matches. Martin Jol’s assistant, long term Spurs employee and ex-player Chris Houghton said, “Now there is more pressure to get a result. I am sure Derby will try to make it difficult for us but it has to be about us and about bouncing back from two defeats. It has been a disappointing start for all of us here and we’re determined to get back to winning ways.”

West Ham travel to another newly promoted side Birmingham City with their new signing from Newcastle Kieron Dyer set to make his debut for the Hammers. Birmingham have been frustrated in their matches so far, losing 3-2 at Chelsea in an excellent opening game and then stumbling to a disputed last minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland. Birmingham have certainly been entertaining so far, at least. West Ham however were embarrassed by Man City who ripped them apart on the opening day. Dyer said he was ready to be thrown into the deep end, “It is possibly one of my strengths, to hit the ground running, so even though I have had a bit of a stop-start pre-season, if the manager asks me to play at Birmingham on Saturday I would be totally up for the challenge.”

The new Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce takes charge of his first league game at St James’ Park as the Magpies host Aston Villa. The England striker Michael Owen could make a welcome return for Newcastle who have not scored at home since February. However, the Villa boss Martin O’Neill wants his defenders to close down the likes of Owen. He said, “If we could just tighten up a little bit, especially when we haven’t got the ball, then I honestly believe we will start to do better. Once we get going we will be fine.”

Middlesborough’s new signing fro Tottenham, Mido, should make his debut at Fulham. Boro lost both their opening games and boss Gareth Southgate cannot wait for the Egyptian striker to get started. Southgate said, “You want a centre-forward to hold the ball up, to be a physical presence and to score goals. Mido brings all of those attributes. Mido is a player I believe possibly has a point to prove. He is a player of great ability, a strong player and a big character.”

Roy Keane takes his Championship winning side Sunderland to Wigan looking to capitalise on their four points from six so far with their new striker Michael Chopre scoring in both games. he said, “Hopefully I can make it three in three at Wigan. I’ve got self-belief and I always thought I should be playing in the Premier League.”

In the finally game on Saturday, Portsmouth host Sammy Lee’s Bolton, who have lost both of their first two games. Sammy Lee said, “It’s right that we have got no points out of the two games but I want the players to have the belief in what they are doing.”

Good luck to your team this weekend! Unless they’re playing mine, of course!

The Soccer Blogger

Carlos Tevez finally made his Man Utd debut last night but couldn’t stop Utd dropping another 2 points. Man Utd drew 1-1 at Portsmouth. However, Chelsea and Manchester City won again.

Following his extremely protracted summer transfer from West Ham, Tevez finally donned a red shirt for the first time at Fratton Park, but the Argentine was unable to secure his new club a first three-point haul of the season, which they needed even at this early stage of the season.

Tevez was involved in Utd’s goal on 15 minutes when he set the ball up for Paul Scholes to lash a 25-yard drive past David James.

Carlos Tevez battles against Portsmouth

At half time, Harry Rednapp made a double substitution and it seemed to do the trick for Pompey, as Matt Taylor fizzed in a cross for Benjani to head past Edwin van der Sar on 53 minutes.

However, late on in the second half when Sulley Muntari was sent off for a second yellow card on 83 minutes and just two minutes later Cristiano Ronaldo was dismissed after appearing to head-butt Richard Hughes.

Ronaldo sees Red

Elsewhere, Fulham came from behind to beat Bolton Wanderers at home, Wigan Athletic edged past Middlesbrough and the promoted duo of Birmingham City and Sunderland drew 2 - 2 at St Andrews.

Unfortunately for Manchester United, Chelsea made it two from two for the new season after coming from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Reading.

Steve Coppell’s side, who earned a hard fought 0 - 0 draw at Old Trafford, took the lead on the half-hour when Andre Bikey nudged into an empty net after Petr Cech had uncharacteristically flapped at a high ball.

It took a Frank Lampard surge into the box brought about Chelsea’s equaliser two minutes into the second half and a fine curling shot from Didier Drogba three minutes later secured the points.

Reading’s summer signing Khalifa Cisse marked his debut for the club by being sent off on 72 minutes for a second yellow card.

The new Manchester City boss, Sven Goran Eriksson’s first home game in charge finished on a positive note as Michael Johnson’s delightful goal on 43 minutes saw off promoted Derby County.

Stern John came back to haunt his old club as he scored a last-minute equaliser to salvage Sunderland a 2-2 draw at Birmingham.

Stephen Kelly’s header deflected in off Paul McShane to give Blues the lead on 28 minutes, but a thumping volley from Michael Chopra drew Sunderland level on 75 minutes.

Substitute Garry O’Connor scored his first goal in the Premier League to put Birmingham back in front on 83 minutes before John nodded in from close range in the final minute.

The new Bolton manager Sammy Lee had to endure another defeat, the second straight of the season, as Bolton lost 2-1 at Fulham. Heidar Helguson scored on his return to Craven Cottage when he capitalised on a Tony Warner gaffe to put Bolton ahead on 12 minutes. But Helguson’s poor clearance allowed David Healy to level on 23 minutes and three minutes later the winner arrived when Alexei Smertin’s shot took a vicious deflection of Gerald Cid.

Antoine Sibierski bundled home the only goal 10 minutes into the second half at The JJB Stadium as Wigan earned a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough.

It’s obviously still very early days but the table is starting to take a little shape and it’s there are a couple of surprises. How long will it take to correct? Not long I suspect!

The Soccer Blogger

There I was thinking Tottenham Hotspur were going to be really good this season and surprise a few people and the kiss of death has worked again. 2 games, 0 points!

Meanwhile Everton made it 2 games, 6 points when they beat Spurs 3 - 1 at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night. Martin Jol must be pulling his hair out. Oh, hold on, he hasn’t got any left to pull out! And that’s not surprising after these first two results.

It wasn’t just me who thought Spurs would go well this season (and to be fair to say there is still a long way to go would be a bit of an understatement) but people were talking of a possible top 4 finish. However, keep this up and they’ll easily acquire a bottom 4 finish!

Tottenham were stunned after only two minutes when Mikel Arteta’s flighted free kick from the right was met by a downward header from the Everton defender Joleon Lescott.

Lescott (centre) wields away after scoring Everton’s early opener.

The Spurs centre back Anthony Gardner then headed what looked to be a lifeline with an equaliser on 25 minutes but Everton regained the lead when Leon Osman punished more Spurs defensive uncertainty and Alan Stubbs made it 3 - 1 with a wickedly deflected free kick in first half stoppage time. It just wasn’t going to be Spurs’ night!

Dimitar Berbatov, who had such an excellent first season at Spurs, headed against the post and a Jermaine Defoe volley was well saved by the Everton goalie Tim Howard however Andy Johnson, who worked tirelessly all night for Everton, nearly ended Tottenham’s misery in the second half.

After the game Everton manager David Moyes said, “We got fourth three seasons ago. We’re going to do the best we can but I’m not going to come out and say we are going to do that.

“We don’t have that expectation and I don’t need to burden the players or myself with it.

“I really thought we played well, the effort and work rate was incredible.”

However his counterpart, Spurs’ Martin Jol had this to say, “We have 10 defenders at the club and we’ve used all them that have been fit.

“We are still waiting for one or two players to come back and we will do better when they come back.

“You could throw in the towel after three goals but the players came out and worked hard, that was the positive thing.”

Ok, I’m going to go out on a limb here and still say that Spurs will get better, have a good season and will ultimately finish higher than Everton. Sorry Spurs if I’ve just put the mockers on you!

The Soccer Blogger

Ouch!

Wayne Rooney, according to his manager Alex Ferguson, is going to be out of action for two months! That’s certainly not good news for Manchester United or England.

Rooney has a hairline fracture in his left foot so he striker will therefore definitely miss the Manchester derby against City at Eastlands on Sunday, England’s friendly against Germany at Wembley on August 22 and the 2008 European Championship qualifiers against Israel on September 8 and Russia on September 12, both also at Wembley. It also looks like he will miss the away qualifying games against Estonia on October 12 and Russia on October 17. Oops!

Alex Ferguson has said, “it is a hairline fracture of the foot. Hopefully he will be back in two months. it is a bad blow for him and it’s a bad blow for Steve McClaren. I am disappointed for Steve but England should cope without him.”

Rooney sustained the fracture on Sunday in the 0 - 0 draw at Old Trafford with Reading. He left the ground with his foot in plaster.

United are now seriously short of fit strikers. Both Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are only just returning to training after long term injuries and new signing Carlos Tevez is short of match fitness. However Ferguson has ruled out bringing in a new forward to fill in whilst Rooney is out.

However, he is expected to hand Tevez his debut on Wednesday evening when Manchester United play Portsmouth.

Ferguson said after the Reading game, “Carlos Tevez is available now and Louis Saha and Solskjaer are training. I was considering using Carlos at Portsmouth anyway but obviously he will come into our thoughts even more now.

“With Wayne as well, we have four strikers so I am not looking at a situation where I have to add to the number.”

United are probably wishing they hadn’t sold Alan Smith to Newcastle and Giuseppe Rossi to Villareal in the summer now. Plus the current transfer window closes at the end of August.

The current shortage of strikers was highlighted in the Reading game when they finished the game with Portugal winger Ronaldo and defender cum midfielder John O’Shea up front. That combination isn’t going to scare too many Premiership defences!

Interesting times for United ahead and those sides schedules to play United in the next couple of months know that won’t have to face Rooney!

The Soccer Blogger