It was always going to be tough to follow last weekend’s wild slate of matches and this weekend, it must be said, was a bit of a letdown. However, there were still big stories and games so here is how they shook out.

Manchester City 2-0 Everton

Back home after their first draw of the season at Fulham, Man City had a chance to temporarily go to the top of the league with a win over Everton. That would not be easy as the blue side of Liverpool came in on good form and always play City well. The first half ended goalless and Roberto Mancini inserted Mario Balotelli for Edin Dzeko and he got the opener on a deflected shot that Tim Howard really had no chance at saving. The home side controlled the second half and added a second goal through another sub, James Milner. This was a good win to gain confidence going into their Champions League clash with Bayern Munich this week.

Arsenal 3-0 Bolton

Arsenal just needed something good to happen to them in the league and on Saturday their captain was ready to put the team on his back. Robin van Persie scored the first goal and looked up for it all afternoon. RVP scored again but the second one was a testament to Theo Walcott’s speed. Alex Song made it 3-0 for the three points on a well struck shot.  

Chelsea 4-1 Swansea

This was another eventful match for Fernando Torres: first, he gave Chelsea the lead after coolly bringing down and finishing a Juan Mata pass, and then he was sent off for a super late challenge. I’ll give him credit for trying to win the ball and be involved more this year, but that doesn’t make him a ball winning defensive midfielder. Chelsea seemed undeterred as Ramires scored either side of the sending off to make it 3-0. Ashley Williams would pull one back for Swansea, but Didier Drogba came on and scored to keep the difference at three. Maybe more notable, Frank Lampard did not get in this game at all.

Liverpool 2-1 Wolves

Liverpool returned home after their game to forget at Spurs last week. Wolves looked good to start but Charlie Adam gave the home side the advantage after a wicked deflection put it into the net. Luis Suarez was incredible again and his goal doubled the lead and left jaws dropping around the Kop. Steven Fletcher came on at halftime for Wolves and made an immediate impact, scoring early in the second half to make it 2-1. It would stay that way as Steven Gerrard made his Premier League return, coming on for Suarez for the last ten minutes.

Newcastle 3-1 Blackburn

Allan Pardew’s Newcastle is starting to look really solid. Demba Ba scored twice before Junior Hoillett pulled one back for Blackburn. Ba would complete his hat trick and then Blackburn were reduced to ten men as Martin Olsson received his second yellow. Don’t look now but Newcastle is in fourth.

West Brom 0-0 Fulham

Both clubs registered a point in a decent match that saw both teams miss plenty of chances.

Wigan 1-2 Tottenham

These are the type of games where Tottenham just needs to get the job done. They did just that as last season’s two best players, Rafa van der Vaart and Gareth Bale, got the goals. Wigan improved and cut the lead in half but Steve Gohuri was sent off and that ended any chance of a comeback.

Stoke 1-1 Manchester United

Anyone who predicted anything but a United win probably predicted a 1-1 draw. Well that is exactly what happened. Wayne Rooney was out, but the on fire Nani made up for his absence with a brilliant goal to give the champions the lead. Stoke came out swinging in this game and went flying right back at the Red Devils. David de Gea had to save his new club on a couple of Jon Walters occasions. Stoke leveled on a Peter Crouch header in the second half. To be fair to United, they did have a couple of penalty claims that could have been called. A draw was deserved though and it would level Manchester United with their neighbors at the top of the table after this really entertaining match.

QPR 1-1 Aston Villa

QPR and Villa isn’t the match-up someone would anticipate on a one-match Sunday but nevertheless these clubs deserve attention too. Alex McCleish has his new club playing well but they were tested on this day by the feisty home side. QPR were unlucky to have a soft penalty called against them that Barry Bannan converted for the lead. Late in the match, Armond Traore, who was on a yellow from that penalty, was sent off for a late challenge on Marc Albrighton. QPR kept fighting and got a draw thanks to a Richard Dunne own goal.

Norwich 2-1 Sunderland

The Monday game wasn’t a classic but a big home win for Norwich over the enigmatic Sunderland. Norwich went 1-0 up before the break thanks to Leon Barnett and doubled that lead on a Steve Morrison strike early in the second half. The home fans were eager for their first Premier League win and they got it despite Kieran Richardson pulling one back late for the Black Cats.

There were red cards and misses a plenty but the Manchester clubs once again share the lead at the top of the table. My team of the week is going to the club that is right behind United and City, Chelsea. Their all-around performance has them now just three points behind the co-leaders. Player of the week is going to Juan Mata for the influence and passing range he has brought to Chelsea.