EPL weekly review: Ups and downs for the big clubs

Saturday in the English Premier League proved eventful as Man City went top, whilst Chelsea and Man Utd let points slip and Arsenal made up ground.

Man City hosted Aston Villa, a team who started the campaign poorly but have managed to slowly charge up the table thanks to, in part, their inform Belgium striker Christian Benteke.

City showed their champion form that had rather flagged of late, putting five past the hapless ‘keeper Guzan, with their Argentinian duo helping themsleves to a brace.

It comes at the end of a month of uncertainty for City, who find themselves all but out of Champions League progression but now are outright top of the league. Which is contrast to Villa who now find themselves in the bottom three.

Manchester United lost 1-0 away to a terrific Norwich, who showed their victory over Arsenal was no fluke with an outstanding display. United held good possession throughout but could not formulate chances, with the absence of Wayne Rooney perhaps showing.

Nevertheless, United find themselves one point adrift from their neighbours and will be looking to improve their form midweek against Galatasaray. Norwich though, with Pilkington to thank for a wonderful header, find themselves in 13th.

Chelsea were away to Westbrom in the fixture that spelt the end for AVB’s reign at Chelsea last year. The Baggies have been mighty impressive and Steve Clark showed his managerial credentials with his biggest win yet, against his former employers.

Shane Long was outstanding for the home side who started both halves brightly. The football and energy displayed by West Brom justified their lofty position of fourth on the table, whilst Chelsea were left to rue three points and a performance that didnt offer enough creativity, even with their plethora of attacking options.

The North London derby had a sence of deja vu as Arsenal dismantled an erratic, ten-man Tottenham helped in no part by Adebayor’s reckless challenge and AVB’s tactical tinkering. Spurs started brightly but the correct sending off changed the whole complexion of the match. Arsenal ran riot with their Spanish maestro Santi Cazorla back to his best, capitalising and helping Arsenal putting five past Tottenham in an emphatic performance.

Southampton and Reading took their first wins of the campaign, against QPR and Everon respectively. Southampton were the better side by far throughout and heaped more pressure onto Mark Hughes whose team lacked any will to win. Whilst Reading put in a strong showing although were lucky to not concede a few penalties.

Liverpool eased past Wigan 3-0 at Anfield with Luis Suarez again showing his quality although also showing Liverpool’s reliance on him.