English Premier League, Week 3: Manchester United Crush Arsenal In Record Fashion, 8-2

Early days, but Robert Mancini’s side have been very impressive so far.

Also, I have no idea who Francis Coquelin is. I imagine United fans will be looking forward to the introduction.

*At least 145 points in scrabble right there.

Once again, City would score just one minute after Tottenham failed to finish off a great chance of their own, illustrating the main difference between the two teams on the evening. The assist came from Nasri once again, this time with a floating cross. Dzeko hit an absolutely ridiculous header towards the far post, providing a world class finish that no one on Spurs seems to have the quality to execute.

City leads by a score of 2-0 at the break, and based on the players available on the two benches, it would not be surprising if that lead was expanded.

Tottenham Hotspur lineup (4-4-1-1): Friedel; Corluka, Dawson, Kaboul, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Kranjcar, Modric, Bale; Van der Vaart; Crouch

Substitutes from: Cudicini, Bassong, Walker, Huddlestone, Livermore, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko

Despite the fact that six out of eight penalties awarded in the Premier League thus far this season have been missed or saved (an impressive number, even if the season is still only three weeks old), Lampard sent his kick straight down the middle, past substitute Declan Rudd, to give Chelsea the 2-1 lead at Stamford Bridge.

It’s been all Chelsea in the second half, with the Blues taking advantage of Kyle Naughton’s weak defending to wreak havoc down Norwich’s right. Norwich took off Wes Hoolahan for summer signing Steve Morison. Soon after, though, Naughton did something useful. It was his cross that lead to Hilario coming miles off his line, and taking out Branislav Ivanovic, who had headed Naughton’s cross straight to Grant Holt, who turned and brilliantly volleyed over the despairing John Terry. Based on the first half, Norwich deserve a goal, and have continued to plug away despite Chelsea’s dominance.

Soon after, Drogba and Norwich keeper John Ruddy collided, and Drogba had a bad fall, and has remained down for 5 or 6 minutes. Thankfully, Drogba is conscious but does appear to be getting oxygen and has been stretched off.

Well, that didn’t take long. After two somewhat disappointing performances from Chelsea, Andre Villas-Boas has gone away from the 4-3-3 that has served both Chelsea and Porto last season so well. Didier Drogba and Fernando Torres both start this afternoon, in a diamond 4-4-2. It’s an interesting move from Villas-Boas, especially as creating chances for Torres rather than his finishing has been Chelsea’s major problem. Florent Malouda, in what could be his last game for Chelsea if latest rumours are correct will have the job of main creator for Torres and Drogba, but expect Ashley Cole and Bosingwa to spend lots of time forward.

Norwich make two changes to the side that drew 1-1 at home last week. Zak Whitbread comes into the centre of defence, pushing Richie De Laet to left back, while Wes Hoolihan (The Irish Lionel Messi, or Wessi) replaces Anthony Pilkington. Marc Tierny continue to play, albeit in the midfield instead of left back. Paul Lambert played 4-<4>-2 for most of last season, but his side could play 4-5-1 today, depending where Chris Martin (no, not the one from Coldplay) lines up. Last week he played upfront with Grant Holt; this week he could play on the right of midfield.

Villa were the better side for most of the game - especially for the opening 35 minutes or so of the second half - but Mick McCarthy’s defense got it done again and kept a clean sheet, despite the fact that Villa had a high volume of set piece opportunities. It seemed like something would eventually come from one of them, but Wolves defended expertly.

McCarthy’s side was actually on the ascendancy and looked like the more likely team to score in the final 10 minutes, but nothing quite came of it. They leave Villa Park with a credible 0-0 draw, and they remain top of the table for the time being.

Although Wolves look like they’re in trouble here with a disembodied canine head against a lion rampant, their natural disadvantage is overcome by the sheer awesomeness of said wolf head against the pranciness of Villa’s lion. ‘Prepared’ my bottom.

Pick: 2-1 Wolves.