English Premier League, Week 8: Manchester City Go Top, Exciting 2-2 Draw At St. James’ Park Caps Weekend

When Ferguson’s lineup came out, football fans were in disbelief. Many pointed out - correctly - that anyone but Ferguson would be absolutely roasted for the lineup he fielded. Here is that lineup, for reference.

From the start, it was obvious that the Northwest Derby wasn’t going to be the most open of games. United set out to keep a clean sheet from the beginning. However, having Wayne Rooney in the side and attempting to keep a clean sheet above all other goals are not mutually exclusive choices.

The captain was looking decidedly unhappy with life after stretching for a challenge and after a few minutes of trying to play through it he signalled to the bench that he needed to come off. Sebastian Bassong replaced him. The good news is that King was able to walk off the pitch under his own power, but the bad news, of course, is that it’s Ledley King. The man is more fragile than Arsene Wenger’s psyche, and no matter how minor this looks it could easily be very bad news. Anyway, it’s 0-0 at St. James’ Park.

So, yeah, at halftime... Arsenal are doing an Arsenal. It’s 1-1 at the half.

However, it turns out not everyone had a fun time at the Eastlands. There’s no way to describe the video after the jump as anything but ‘disturbing’.

Obviously, videos like this only tell one side of the story, but it’s difficult to imagine exactly what the Greater Manchester Police could say to make this incident any less reprehensible.

At statement released by English football’s governing body confirmed that they’re investigating ‘an allegation’ following the match:

The FA will now begin making enquiries into the matter.If the allegations are true, one would hope Suarez is presented with a hefty ban. English football, by and large, has done an excellent job kicking racism out of the game, and they’ll need to set a strong example if Suarez is indeed guilty of hurling racist slurs against Evra.

Thanks to We Ain’t Got No History for the lineups, where Chelsea fans can go to hang out. And be sure to check out the preview from Royal Blue Mersey, a place for Everton fans to chill.

Anyway, a 3-1 win for Norwich puts them in the top ten on eleven points. Although both Swansea and Norwich are comfortably mid table right now, the newly-promoted teams desperately need to collect points at the beginning of the season - each and every one will matter come May.

Apart from the first few minutes of the second half, Villa weren’t particularly poor, but when a team goes missing for spells against City, they’re going to be punished. Still, 4-1 was a great result for a Manchester City side missing their best attacking players, and they’re now clear of their closest rivals at the top of the league.

For more on the two teams involved, check out Liverpool blog Anfield Asylum and Manchester United blog The Busby Babe. Check out all of the weekend’s action in the Premiership in our English Premier League Week 8 StoryStream. For more on the entire world of football, head over to SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams involved, check out Liverpool blog Anfield Asylum and Manchester United blog The Busby Babe. Check out all of the weekend’s action in the Premiership in our English Premier League Week 8 StoryStream. For more on the entire world of football, head over to SB Nation Soccer.

For more on the two teams involved, check out Liverpool blog Anfield Asylum and Manchester United blog The Busby Babe. Check out all of the weekend’s action in the Premiership in our English Premier League Week 8 StoryStream. For more on the entire world of football, head over to SB Nation Soccer.

Hopefully Ferguson decides to make a change and go for the win. Otherwise, the score is likely to stay this way.

For more on the two teams involved, check out Liverpool blog Anfield Asylum and Manchester United blog The Busby Babe. Check out all of the weekend’s action in the Premiership in our English Premier League Week 8 StoryStream. For more on the entire world of football, head over to SB Nation Soccer.

Liverpool lineup (4-2-3-1): Reina; Enrique, Skrtel, Carragher, Kelly; Lucas, Adam; Downing, Gerrard, Kuyt; Suarez

Manchester United lineup (4-3-3): De Gea; Evra, Ferdinand, Evans, Smalling; Jones, Fletcher, Giggs; Park, Welbeck, Young