Premier League review

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Mikel Arteta's last-minute leveller earned Everton a deserved point against Manchester United, Michael Essien inspired champions Chelsea to a convincing 3-1 win at West Ham whilst Arsenal romped to victory again ten-man Bolton in another thrilling weekend of Premier League action.

But Goodison Park was host to the game of the weekend as Manchester United squandered a two-goal advantage to draw 3-3 with David Moyes' battling Everton team. It was the first time in nearly ten years that Sir Alex Ferguson's team have seen a two-goal lead turned around by an opposing team, and the Scot will be even more furious with his team after they were leading 3-1 with two minutes of stoppage time remaining. Steven Pienaar's opener had been cancelled out by a triple salvo from United; Darren Fletcher, Nemanja Vidic and Dimitar Berbatov scoring in a twenty-two minute spell. However Tim Cahill reduced the arrears with a stunning header and Arteta's late strike ensured Everton secured just their second point of the season.

Whilst United were making an unusually slow start to the season having drawn two of their opening four fixtures, champions Chelsea maintained their flawless start to the season - though Petr Cech was finally beaten after 671 minutes without conceding thanks to a late West Ham consolation. By that point Carlo Ancelotti's side had opened up a three-goal lead thanks to a Michael Essien brace and a Salomon Kalou strike, but Avram Grant's side pulled it back to 3-1 through a late rally and might have made the score more favourable had striker Piquionne not missed from a mere two yards.

Marouane Chamakh scored the 1000th Premier League goal under Arsene Wenger for Arsenal as Cesc Fabregas pulled the strings from midfield in their 4-1 demolition of Bolton. Previously unbeaten heading into this clash at the Emirates, Bolton had equalised when Johan Elmander cancelled out Laurent Koscielny's first goal for the Gunners, but Chamakh, Alex Song and Carlos Vela all scored to maintain Arsenal's impressive start to the season.

Elsewhere, Liverpool suffered yet another set-back in their quest to re-establish themselves as a top four side when they draw a blank at Birmingham City. Roy Hodgson's side were insipid and were saved only by the brilliance of goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who preserved his clean sheet with a string of excellent saves to deny Birmingham, who remain unbeaten this term. Contrastingly, a mistake from the usually-reliable Joe Hart meant Manchester City and Blackburn shared the spoils at Eastlands; Nikola Kalinic's opener being nullified by a Patrick Vieira equaliser.

Blackpool were once again excellent away from home as they beat Newcastle 2-0 at St James' Park. The Tangerines - many peoples' favourites for relegation - picked up their second win of the season thanks to a Charlie Adam penalty and a super effort from DJ Campbell, which means the seaside-based club have now picked up an impressive seven points from their first four games.

Champions League qualifiers Tottenham were indebted to Carlo Cudicini for their point at West Bromwich Albion - the ex-Chelsea man saving the North London side from defeat and earning them a 1-1 draw at the Hawthorns. Spurs' Luka Modric opened the scoring with a neat finish but Chris Brunt capitalised on hesitant Tottenham defending to level the scores, before Cudicini made a number of excellent saves, including a super save from Peter Odemwingie's late curling shot.

Mark Hughes' Fulham recorded their first win of the season and move up to fifth in the table after Moussa Dembele's late freekick capped off a brilliant fight-back as they came from behind to win 2-1 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wolves took an early lead through Jelle van Damme, but Dembele's second half double helped the Cottagers to their first three-point haul of the 2010/11 campaign.

Antolin Alcaraz scored a late leveller for Wigan at the DW Stadium; a goal that earned the Latics a 1-1 draw with Sunderland. Ex-Wigan player Lee Cattermole was shown his second red card in three games but Sunderland took the lead through record signing Asamoah Gyan, who scored on his début, before Alcaraz scored with a headed effort to earn Roberto Martinez' side a draw.

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Player of the weekend - Matthew Gilks. Honourable mentions must go to Michael Essien, Pepe Reina, Cesc Fabregas and Leighton Baines for their performances this weekend, but Gilks was unbeatable between the posts for Blackpool. The Blackpool stopper made a number of crucial saves; including an excellent reflex stop to deny Andy Carroll, ensuring Ian Holloway's side recorded a second win of the season.

Team of the weekend - Arsenal. The Gunners were brilliant in their 4-1 win over Bolton, with each player performing well. Though Laurent Koscielny turned from hero to villain after his mistake led to the Bolton equaliser, Wenger's side were ruthless in the second half and their incisive passing was matched by quality finishes from Song and Vela late on. They were helped by some poor officiating - Gary Cahill was harshly sent off for a lunge that was more mistimed than reckless, and the England international's dismissal came as a result of a freekick that wasn't awarded to the Trotters in the first place. Nevertheless, Arsenal were ruthless and deserved their win.

Moan of the weekend - Refereeing inconsistencies. At Arsenal, Gary Cahill was dismissed for a tackle no worse than Fabricio Coloccini's lunge at St James' Park; a tackle that saw the Argentine given a yellow card only. Meanwhile at Upton Park, Scott Parker's forceful elbow into Michael Essien's temple wasn't even given as a foul whilst the most innocuous of challenges earned Ashley Cole a yellow card that will come back to punish him later in the season.

Goal of the weekend - Dimitar Berbatov. The goal that should have won the game for United; everything about the strike screamed pure quality. Paul Scholes' pass was visionary, and the two touches Berbatov took; one to bring the ball down and the other to stroke it home, were exquisite. It was a finish that speaks volumes of the Bulgarian's new-found confidence at Old Trafford.

Game of the weekend - Everton 3-3 Manchester United. I don't really have to spell it out, do I? Goals, goals, goals, and enough brilliant football to sate the appetite of any football fan. More of the same next weekend, please.

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