EPL Weekly Round-Up: Hat-Tricks In Manchester, Londoners Win As Liverpool Stumble

Manchester United displayed their clinical selves as they hammered Bolton Wanderers 5-0 at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday. Wayne Rooney scored his second hat-trick of the season while his partner-in-crime Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez scored the other two in what was his first league start of the season. However, there was bad news as midfielder Tom Cleverley had to come off in the 8th minute, limping from a knee injury suffered coz of an unnecessary tackle from Bolton skipper (and useless twat) Kevin Davies. This victory puts the Red Devils on top of the table, with maximum points from 4 games & 18 goals scored.

How The Rivals Fared

Manchester City continued their electrifying start in the Premier League as they beat Wigan Athletic 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium, courtesy of a hat-trick from £38 million summer signing Sergio Aguero. Wantaway striker Carlos Tevez, who started the game in place of the in-form Edin Dzeko, missed a first-half penalty after David Silva had been brought down in the box. The Citizens are currently second in the league table, behind their city rivals on goal difference.

Chelsea remained unbeaten as they overcame Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. Blues skipper John Terry opened the scoring in the first half & young Daniel Sturridge doubled the lead early in the second half. Ji-Dong Won grabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time but it was not enough to drive away the darkness looming over Steve Bruce's reign at the Stadium of Light.

Liverpool suffered a 1-0 loss at Stoke City after they failed to convert a host of chances. Jonathan Walters went down inside the box under Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher's challenge in the 20th minute, to which Mark Clattenburg directed to the penalty spot. Walters made no mistake to send Pepe Reina the other way & scored the lone goal of the match.

Arsenal resumed life after a chastening 8-2 defeat away to Manchester United with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over new boys Swansea City. Andrei Arshavin struck from a tight angle after a defensive lapse from the Welsh club to help the Gunners register their first win of the season. Fans should be happy that deadline day signings Arteta & Mertesacker impressed on debut in what appeared to be a new-look Arsenal team.

Former Arsenal forward Emmanuel Adebayor got onto the scoresheet on his Spurs debut, as did Jermaine Defoe as Tottenham Hotspur won their first game of the season 2-0 away at Wolves.

The current top four standings are as under:

Man United - 12 points

Man City - 12 points

Chelsea - 10 points

Stoke City - 8 points

The Weekly Verdict:

Team of the Week - Manchester United

Player of the Week - Wayne Rooney

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