Weekend Round-Up from England and Scotland

The Premier league table is starting to take shape, the boys from Stamford Bridge sit on top of the table after their second win of the season. New boy Deco once again stealing the show with a brilliant free-kick as they beat Wigan 1-0. Mike Pollitt who replaced Chris Kirkland between the sticks after the injury prone former England ‘keeper injured his back in the warm-up could do nothing as the diminutive portuguese midfielder curled the ball majestically into the back of the net.

Liverpool once again played badly but once again used their get of jail card, in the guise of Steven Gerrard, to pick up all three points from their home game against Middlesbrough. Mido had given ‘boro the lead with his second goal in as many games, before a Jamie Carragher blast was deflected in by Potagetz. (Come on dubious goals committee give it to Jamie!), then deep in injury time Gerrard once again conjured up another Liverpool victory which see’s them sitting pretty in second despite playing badly.

Hull City’s first foray into the top level continues to give the Tiger’s fans plenty to smile about as they drew 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers, thanks to a looping header by Richard Garcia which sailed over the head of the bemused former England ‘keeper Paul Robinson. The sides occupy third and fourth in the table.

Darren Fletcher grabbed his second in two games to secure all three points for Manchester United at Fratton Park and move the defending champions to fifth in the table, while Pompey remain goalless and routed to the bottom. There’s no game for United in the league this week as they play Zenit in Monaco for the Super Cup on Friday night.

Michael Owen stepped off the bench to give Newcastle a 1-0 win over Bolton and sixth place in the table.

If you want goals go and watch Aston Villa, after winning 4-2 last week this week they went down 3-2 to Premier new boys Stoke City, to give Tony Pulis’ men their first win of the season.

Despite winning their first game, Arsenal slumped to 14th in the league after going down 1-0 at Fulham, who are in 12th, Hangeland scoring the only goal of the game. Also down near the bottom are Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham who went down 2-1 at home to Roy Keane’s Sunderland, Djrbil Cisse scoring on his debut for the Black Cats.

West Ham are also down their with the other W’s in the league West Brom and Wigan. West Brom went down 2-1 at home to Everton, while the Hammers lost 3-0 to Manchester City and saw their midfielder Mark Noble claim the first red card of the Premier season after two yellow card offences. City climb to 8th in the early season table.

Away from the Premiership Birmingham are the only team with a 100% record in the Championship, with three wins from three, after they beat bottom side Barnsley, who are still looking for their first point, 2-0 at St Andrews, local rivals Wolverhampton are in second.

Crystal Palace managed to hold on for a 0-0 draw with Burnley despite having two men sent off while Charlton beat Reading in a thriller 4-2.

Oldham kept their 100% record intact in League One with a hat-trick from Hughes as they beat Cheltenham 4-0. Bristol Rovers hit Hereford for six to keep Hereford rooted to the bottom of the table.

In League Two, Shrewsbury, Bradford and Bury maintained their 100% records and occipy the top three spots. Rotherham also have a 100% record but remain in 22nd place on minus 8 points while Bournemouth and Luton remain on minus 15 and 26 respectively.

In Scotland Celtic took over at the top after beating winless Falkirk 3-0. Rangers and Kilmarnock occupy 2nd and 3rd. In Division 3 Annan Athletic are still unbeaten in the inagural season in the league after drawing 1-1 with Montrose, who have drawn all of their four games to date and must be a banker on the pools coupon this week.