The Premier League returned this weekend after an international break that saw maybe the league’s biggest star, Wayne Rooney, see his fair share of controversy. The England star was sent off in the nation’s last qualifying match for Euro 2012 for kicking a Montenegrin player in the back of the leg. Rooney was suspended three competitive matches, which will be England’s three group stage matches in next summer’s tournament. In light of all of this, Sir Alex Ferguson left Rooney out of the starting lineup for the lunchtime kickoff against Liverpool at Anfield.

Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United

After a tense first half this classic match-up livened up in the second. Steven Gerrard was making his first league start in what felt like years and he looked semi-close to his old self. After each team had a few chances it was Liverpool who looked the more likely and their best chance came after Rio Ferdinand clipped Charlie Adam just outside the box. Gerrard stepped up to take the free kick and it was United legend Ryan Giggs who flinched and allowed the ball to get through the wall and passed David de Gea. You just had to know that Manchester United weren’t done and Javier Hernandez, who came on in the second half, got a typical Chicharito goal to level it up in the 81st. Liverpool created a couple more chances, most notably Jordan Henderson’s missed header, but the match would end at 1-1.

Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa

With United dropping points, this was City’s chance to finally be in first place outright. They took that chance with authority. There were plenty of players playing against their former club in this on and one in particular, James Milner for City (formerly of Villa), had maybe his best game since witching said clubs. Milner got City’s fourth goal on a classy finish, but the first was probably the goal of the weekend. As the ball bounced up in the box, Mario Balotelli had his back to goal and improvised with a perfect bicycle kick past Shay Given. Adam Johnson and Vincent Kompany were the other scorers for the home side as Stephen Warnock gave Villa at least something to go home with. Manchester City is top of the table.

Norwich 3-1 Swansea

This battle of newly promoted teams went to the home side, Swansea. Russell Martin scored in between Anthony Pilkington strikes to give Norwich their three goals. Danny Graham scored again for Swansea but Norwich looked pretty solid at home.

QPR 1-1 Blackburn

This was not the headlining match of the weekend with both of these teams struggling so far in the early season. QPR’s Heidar Helguson and Blackburn’s Chris Samba made sure both teams left with a point.

Stoke 2-0 Fulham

With both clubs having Europa League games ahead of them, this match was a proving ground for who could handle Euopean football better. This round went to Stoke as Jonathan Walters and Rory Delap gave the Potters the three points.

Wigan 1-3 Bolton

Bolton got a big win in yet another matchup of struggling clubs. Nigel Reo-Coker got the opener for Bolton but a wonder goal by Mohamed Diame made it 1-1. Bolton kept attacking and David N’Gog gave them the lead before halftime. Kevin Davies missed a penalty but Chris Eagles made sure to finish off Wigan in the 90^th minute.

Chelsea 3-1 Everton

The West London Blues continued their great run with another impressive performance at Stamford Bridge. Didier Drogba started again with Danny Sturridge. The front line looked really fluid with Juan Mata pulling the strings. Sturridge and John Terry both scored in the first half with Ramires adding a third after halftime. Everton sub, Apostolos Vellios, got one back but the three points would go to Chelsea.

West Brom 2-0 Wolves

West Brom won this Midlands encounter. Chris Brunt scored early on and Peter Odemwingie added a second after coming on as a sub. Wolves continue to struggle while West Brom picked up a much needed win.

Arsenal 2-1 Sunderland

The two surprise bottom five teams met at the Emirates on Sunday and Arsenal’s captain rescued the home team once again. Robin van Persie scored just under 30 seconds into the game and it looked like the Gunners were ready to bust out with a huge win. Seb Larsson and Sunderland fought back though and Larsson’s free kick made it and even match. RVP rose up and got the winner on a brilliant free kick for Arsenal They really needed this confidence builder heading into a Champions League week.

Newcastle 2-2 Tottenham

This battle of top six clubs turned into a wild finish that really could’ve gone either way. Spurs got on the board first when Rafael van der Vaart finished off a penalty the Emmanuel Abebayor drew. Demba Ba continued his scoring spree for Newcastle when he tied it up at one all in the second half. Jermaine Defoe came on for van der Vaart and scored to give Tottenham the lead but Newcastle were undeterred. Shola Ameobi came on and then he scored with a world-class finish into the bottom right hand corner. Newcastle almost won it with a late flurry but would have to settle for 2-2.

Team of the week once again goes to Manchester City and their rampant gang of talented millionaires and internationals. Carlos Tevez is in Argentina, Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko were unfit and there were rumors of testy personalities in the locker room but this team just pushes through and keeps winning. Player of the week was a tough one but I have settled on Robin van Persie for his two goal performance that won it for his Arsenal side.