English Premier League, Week Two: Manchester United Crush Tottenham Hotspur 3-0

Spurs really haven’t done anything that might indicate that this is not game over - their potshots from range arent going to beat David de Gea, even with the game slightly more open than it was in the first half. In fact, the hosts look by far the more likely to score the game’s next goal. This match should end up as a fairly comfortable win for United.

In the second half, Wolves did what they did best and shut up shop. As the home side played a slightly more defensive game, Fulham continued to struggle to create chances. It was a poor performance from the Cottagers, and while there’s no reason for their fans to panic, they will be at least slightly upset and/or annoyed by the way their team played.

Temporarily, Wolves are top of the English Premier League. Just laugh at that for a second. Obviously, if either Bolton or Manchester City win outright in the later game, they will knock Wolves off the top spot.

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The game changed significantly in the 63rd minute when Leon Bennett fouled Jonathan Walters, for which he was shown a straight red card and Stoke were granted a penalty. Bennett committed a foul without a doubt, but the foul absolutely occurred outside of the penalty area and whether or not a red card was warranted is certainly debatable, which is being generous to the referee. Ruddy saved the penalty, but Stoke would be on the front foot from that point forward.

Norwich did well to hold out for as long as they did, but they will be disappointed that they were denied their first Premier League win.

West Brom aren’t quite ready to give up their share of the points, however. Substitute Peter Odemwingie had a great shot on goal, but Hilario managed a decent save to deny the striker.

Everton might be aggrieved, given that they dominated possession, but their two best chances came from Leighton Baines’ free kick hitting the bar and youngster Ross Barkley’s left footed shot. It’s never good to lose at home to a promoted side, but when that side lost 4-0 at home the previous week and when your chairman comes out and says there is no money to spend, things looks pretty dire at Goodison right now. No wonder the fans were frustrated, and there was heavy booing at full time, and sporadically throughout the second half, especially when David Moyes brought off Jermaine Beckford for Fellaini, before bringing off Heitinga for Saha.

The Goodison faithful are getting pretty frustrated, and have just had a great chance. Tim Cahill, though, headed Jermaine Beckford’s cross wide, as Everton begin to recover from the shock of going one down. If they want to improve their home form though, they’ll have to take chances like that.

*The save looks less and less impressive the more one watches it.

So, improvements from both sides are probably necessary at this point. With 45 minutes to go, it’s 0-0 at the Emirates.

Aside from the stupid fouling, Frimpong actually looks quite good running from deep - the 19-year-old surges forward yet again only to be dragged back by Lucas Leiva, the Brazilian earning a booking for his trouble - he’s provided the main attacking impetus in the Arsenal side so far this half, which must be profoundly depressing if one’s an Arsenal fan. He’s probably be much better in a double pivot. Anyway, three minutes of injury time are just about up, and we’ll probably get into half time at 0-0. Nasri ensures that we will by smashing a shot into low earth orbit.

For more on the Tyne-Wear derby, check out SB Nation’s Sunderland AFC blog Roker Report and our Newcastle United blog Coming Home Newcastle.

Oh dear, and that’s Koscielny down (not related to the Carroll foul). The French centre half appears to have injured his lower back and it doesn’t look like he’ll be able to continue. Awful news for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger, who may have to committ youngster Ignasi Miguel to the fray. That’s really really unfortunate - the defender is hobbling off very very slowly and Miguel is now coming on.

Sunderland and Newcastle went back and forth with their control of the game in the half, with Sunderland having the slightly better of the play. They controlled the opening 15 minutes, but Newcastle were the better team in the next 20. In the final 10 minutes, it was mostly Sunderland on the front foot. Both teams will feel like they can win the game and change the game in their favor with their substitutions, but the Black Cats have the slight edge thus far.

For more on the Tyne-Wear derby, check out SB Nation’s Sunderland AFC blog Roker Report and our Newcastle United blog Coming Home Newcastle.