GOONERSGUIDE ENGLISH PREMIER NEWS SECTION

This is our English Premier news section where we provide any news items that might have a significant effect on the matches being played - or sports betting in general.

English Premier News :: Sunday's Premier League roundup (video of Manchester Utd v Newcastle, Chelsea v Portsmouth, Aston Villa v Man City)

Posted on 2008-08-17 by Gooner

Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth (video highlights link)
Luiz Felipe Scolari made the perfect start to his Chelsea reign as they easily overcame Portsmouth 4-0 in their Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Joe Cole, Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard (penalty) and Deco all netted as the Blues made short work of the FA Cup holders to top the early standings.

Chelsea played with more freedom than under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant, and were in front inside 12 minutes. Cole provided the breakthrough, racing onto an excellent Michael Ballack pass to fire confidently past David James.

The Blues doubled their advantage on 26 minutes when new boy Deco's looping effort drifted over the head of James and the impressive Anelka headed home from close range.

By now Chelsea were rampant, and they virtually made certain of victory in first-half injury time. Sylvain Distin handled Joe Cole's cross and Lampard easily beat James from the spot.

The second half was a stroll in the sunshine for the home side, though Pompey did provide more threat in attack. It was Chelsea who eventually did find another goal, when Deco capped a fine Premier League debut with a superb swerving long-range effort a minute from time.

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Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United (video highlights link)
Reigning champions Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Sir Alex Ferguson was missing a host of first-team regulars, including Carlos Tevez who had returned home to Argentina because of a family bereavement.

Young gun Fraizer Campbell started up front with Wayne Rooney, and saw his early point-blank header crash against the fortunate Shay Given's forehead.

But it was Newcastle who took a surprise lead on 22 minutes when Obafemi Martins powered home a header from a James Milner corner.

It took the champions just two minutes to draw level, as Darren Fletcher popped up to slide home a Ryan Giggs cross.

Both sides had chances to win it after that with Nemanja Vidic hitting the bar for the home side, but Kevin Keegan's side held out for a highly creditable point.

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Aston Villa 4-2 Manchester City



Gabriel Agbonlahor bounced back from his England snub with a stunning seven-minute hat-trick as Aston Villa beat Manchester City 4-2 at Villa Park.

John Carew had fired Martin O'Neill's side in front early in the second half but his strike was cancelled out by Elano on 64 minutes.

Then Agbonlahor, who was left out of the England squad by Fabio Capello for Wednesday's friendly against the Czech Republic, took out any disappointment on City in devastating fashion.

He netted on 69,74 and 76 minutes to give Villa a 4-1 advantage and assure them of three points.

Vedran Corluka got City's second - a consolation effort a minute from time.

It was a miserable afternoon all round for Mark Hughes' Blues, who lost Valeri Bojinov before kick-off. He snapped his Achilles during the warm-up and is now facing six months on the sidelines.

Sourced From : Gooner Football Blog

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