The second weekend of the Premier League was more entertaining than the first, even though each team still has holes to fill, most notably Arsenal. The club’s former captain, Cesc Fabregas has finally left Arsenal for his hometown and boyhood club, Barcelona. Samir Nasri, despite playing on Saturday for the Gunners, is most likely on his way to Manchester. So the north London club had many questions ahead of their clash with new-look Liverpool. Here is how that game played out, along with the nine others.

Arsenal 0-2 Liverpool

This was undoubtedly the biggest match on Saturday with both teams really wanting a win and going for it. The first half ended goalless with the clubs feeling each other out and playing their particular style: Arsenal attractive, Liverpool aggressive. Everything kicked off, however, when Emmanuel Frimpong got his second yellow card and was sent off. Luis Suarez came on and Liverpool instantly looked better. The first goal came on a freakish deflection and own goal by Aaron Ramsey while trying to defend Suarez. The second was a neat finish after a nice build up, again from Suarez. Liverpool seems to have an identity and they will be a tough team to beat this season.

Sunderland 0-1 Newcastle

The bitter rivals from northeast England squared off with both teams coming off of encouraging draws last weekend. This derby match really got going when Seb Larrson used his arm to block a Joey Barton header from going in for Newcastle. Ref, Howard Webb, didn’t see it and therefore didn’t give the penalty. Sunderland had chances but they amounted to nothing. In the second half Newcastle got the breakthrough on a Ryan Taylor free kick. It was all they needed as the away side held on for the victory.

Everton 0-1 QPR

Everton’s season got under way after their opener against Spurs was postponed. The notoriously slow starting club got off to a slow start for yet another season with a 1-0 home loss to newly promoted QPR. Neil Warnock’s men got their first three points thanks to a Tommy Smith strike.

Swansea 0-0 Wigan

Roberto Martinez was managing against his former club in the first Premier League match played in Wales. In front of a raucous crowd, Swansea went for it but could not muster up a goal. Luckily for them, neither could the opponent despite a penalty and a couple shots off the woodwork. 0-0 was a fair result for each side. 

Aston Villa 3-1 Blackburn

Alex McCleish started three strikers in an attacking formation against Blackburn. That move paid off with all three men getting on the score sheet. Gabby Agbonlahor got the first on a beautiful curler, then Emile Heskey netted before Blackburn pulled one back through Morten Gamst Pedersen. Blackburn really are a boring team to watch aside from the young Junior Hoillet, who set up the Blackburn goal with an amazing run. But anyway, Darren Bent was the last of the trio to score and his second half goal sealed the points for Villa.

Chelsea 2-1 West Brom

Fernando Torres was again given the nod over Didier Drogba for Andre Villas-Boas’ Chelsea. The match started perfectly for West Brom when Shane Long took advantage of terrible play from Alex to give the away side a 1-0 lead inside of five minutes. Chelsea never got a hold of the game in the first half and West Brom probably should’ve been ahead by more at halftime. The Blues would come out swinging in the second half, most noticeably Nic Anelka. Florent Malouda came on as AVB switched up formations and Malouda made his new manager look like a genius with a winner in the 83’.

Wolves 2-0 Fulham

Mick McCarthey’s boys continued their impressive start with a win on Sunday. Kevin Doyle got the first with Matt Jarvis getting the second first half goal. It stayed that way for Wolves and a 2-0 win was exactly what they wanted on their home debut.

Norwich 1-1 Stoke

Norwich was playing its first home Premier League game in six years and it looked like it was going to turn out three points with Ritchie De Leat giving them the lead. It was deep into stoppage time before Stoke would grab an equalizer thanks to a Kenwyne Jones header. 

Bolton 2-3 Manchester City

Manchester City, a club who has been pretty boring to watch the last couple years, has now started the season with two high scoring and fun to watch contests. David Silva got the first goal on a low shot that probably should’ve been saved. The second would come from a left footed blast by Gareth Barry but Bolton struck right back with a nicely worked goal finished off by Ivan Klasnic. The goals didn’t stop in the second half with Edin Dzeko scoring right after halftime to make it 3-1. The home team would again pull one back, this time through Kevin Davies, who was a menace all day. The score would finish at 3-2 and City starts the season 2 for 2.

Manchester United 3-0 Tottenham

Calling football a game of two halves is cliché but it was perfectly fitting for this match. Tottenham defended well in the first half and new keeper, Brad Friedel, looked very comfortable. Then the second half came and Man United turned it on. The first goal came via a cross by Tom Cleverley (starting again over Michael Carrick) which was headed home by Danny Welbeck (starting again over Dimitar Berbatov). Welbeck was the assist man on United’s second as his back heel pass set up Anderson. To top it all off Wayne Rooney got on the score sheet thanks to a perfect cross from sub, Ryan Giggs. Spurs looked out of sync, especially Rafa van der Vaart, but let’s not forget that it is their first game.

This week’s team of the week award goes to Manchester United for their strong second half performance. Player of the week honors belong to Swansea goalkeeper Michel Vorm for his great performance in getting his club a point.