Premiership Post Game

Thoughts from the latest round of Premiership fixtures;

Whatever Carlo Ancelotti may say, Didier Drogba’s calf injury could derail Chelsea’s strong start. The forward has been at his best for three years, leads the line and leads the league in shots. Presuming his injury is as bad as first feared, Nicolas Anelka will be the only natural striker and, without the Ivorian’s physicality, Lampard and Ballack may struggle for the space that has seen the pair, indeed the team, start so fast.

‘3 goals in 33 games for Portsmouth. 2 goals in 35 minutes for Burnley.’ The David Nugent story.

Thomas Vermaelen has 3 goals in 5 games. I thought they signed a centre back?

Burnley have 9 ever presents so far this campaign, more than any other team.

Robbie Keane was absolutely right; if it’s not a penalty - which it looked like it was - then he should be booked. Howard Webb, as so may refs do, took to the easy option. The FA needs to redefine the laws of the game in this regard and add some clarity to these decisions.

Ledley King, determined to work his way into England’s World Cup squad, is far too much of a liability. He can’t train, he is beyond injury prone and, despite his ability, could easily be unavailable for every game England play.

Louis Saha has 4 goals in 4 appearances, all at home. He has not played more than 24 games or scored more than 8 goals in 5 years.

Chelsea, Man United, Arsenal, Man City and Burnley are the only teams with 100% home records.

George Graham can’t be happy. 25 goals have been scored in games involving the Gunners this year, 5 per fixture.

Birmingham City have not scored before the 75th minute of a game this season and only hit the net 3 times in total.

Ok, so there were 6 minutes of injury time in the Manchester derby. Too much? Maybe, even considering the substitution and Craig Bellamy’s equaliser, but it always appears to happen at Old Trafford. It was easy to appreciate Mark Hughes’ anger and anguish but his attention should be turned towards his defence and in particular Micah Richards, out of position for United’s first and last goals.

Michael Owen. Meet the United faithful. Faithful. Meet Michael Owen, worth the manager’s faith with one well-placed, dramatic finish.

Craig Bellamy scored a screamer and earned an equaliser. Oh, and smacked a fan. If ever there was a 90-minute (ish) display of the man‘s talent and temperament, this was it. There’s a 3-match ban in the offing for his moment of madness.

Did anyone else think that Ben Foster, clearly to blame for the first goal, went to ground far too easily for the third? His form has not been as hoped for by his boss at both at either Domestic or International level.

Chelsea have outscored opponents 10-0 in the second half.

Manchester United have outscored opponents 11-2 in the second half.

Liverpool have conceded more goals than any other side in the 15 minutes before the break.

Here's why I think Bolton could be in real trouble; They have no clean sheets to date. Their only points have come from an 89th minute winner at Portmouth and an 89th minute equaliser at home to Stoke. They've already lost to Sunderland and Hull. Who scores the goals? Kevin Davies had a career best 12 league goals a year ago but has never broken into double digits in any other season. Top scorers this term? Matt Taylor and Tamir Cohen with 2. Who's impacting off the bench? The notable participants end after Ivan Klasnic and Ricardo Gardner. The Johan Elmander factor. And their next 6 fixtures? Birmingham (a), Tottenham (h), Man Utd (a), Everton (h), Chelsea (h) and Aston Villa (a). With me?

Portsmouth have not lead in a game this season.

Wigan, in two games against Arsenal and Man United, have been outscored 9-0.

Fulham’s European gamble failed to pay off; after resting 9 first team players in the draw at CSKA Sofia, they were beaten 2-1 by Wolves, their third defeat in four games.

Petr Cech has only had made 7 saves in 6 games this season. I’m not sure that’s good or bad. On that note…