Thursday August 16, 2007 06:30
Utd Stumble Again, Chelsea Win
Posted by The Soccer Blogger as English Premiership
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