A look at the winners and losers in week two of the 2010-2011 Premier League Season
Winners
Gareth Bale
Another brilliant performance by the best left footed player in the Premier League.
Chelsea
Played two, won two. Scored twelve and conceded none.
When Roman Abramovich hired Carlo Ancelotti last season, one of his mandates to Ancelotti was that he wanted Chelsea to play a more attacking, attractive, style of football. Abramovich is getting what he wanted as Chelsea have now scored six or more goals in five or their last ten Premier League matches. A historic run that might never be repeated.
Andy Carroll
After missing a great chance to but Newcastle on the board against Manchester United last week, Carroll rebounded to score the first Premier League hat-trick by a Newcastle player in five years.
Ben Foster
Last week is was Joe Hart getting all the praise for his performance against Spurs and this week it is Foster getting the rave reviews for his performance against Blackburn. Suddenly England’s goalkeeping problems do not seem as bad as they were three weeks ago.
Arsenal
As Arsenal were hammering Blackpool, Arsene Wenger used the game as an opportunity to give Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie thirty minutes of action as he continues to ease them back into action after the World Cup. Any ambition’s that Arsenal had of winning a trophy last season ended with the injuries to Fabregas and van Persie. It is good to see Wenger taking his time bringing them back this season.
Losers
Kevin MacDonald
After last week’s impressive win at home at the draw in the Europa League, all the pundits had Kevin MacDonald all but named the new Villa manager. After a 6-0 thrashing at Newcastle, Villa will be looking elsewhere for a new boss,
Manchester United
Once again, United are playing catch-up to Chelsea. Last season they dropped points to Burnley (and missed a penalty) and this time they drop points at Fulham (and missed a penalty).
Jonny Evans
Evans was given a torrid time by Bobby Zamora, but his performance should not be a surprise to anyone who watched Evans struggle all pre-season. Unfortunately for United fans, Evans still played better than Chris Smalling. Suddenly the heart of the Manchester United, which two years ago was rock-solid looks weak and vulnerable without the often injured Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, who does not look like the player he was 10 months ago.
West Ham
Horrendous start to the season for West Ham and with their next three games against Manchester United and Chelsea and away to Stoke it could be mid September before the Hammers get their first points of the season.
