After the international break, English players returned to their clubs full of confidence and this confidence was in evidence in Saturday’s Premier League games.
Frank Lampard was the star man for Chelsea
- Frank Lampard and Joe Cole were superb as Chelsea won Setanta’s Clash of the Cash 3-1. Lampard took his left-footed goal very well and controlled the game with some clever movement and superb passing. Cole setup two of the away sides goals and caused problems throughout. Cole’s namesake Ashley also had a good game, coping admirably with both Shaun Wright-Phillips and Robinho. However, Chelsea’s other starter on Wednesday, John Terry was controversially sent off late-on for bringing down City striker Jo.
- At Anfield central midfielders Owen Hargreaves, Michael Carrick and Steven Gerrard, who all missed Wednesday’s game, took part in Liverpool’s thrilling 2-1 win over the champions. Carrick was substituted at half time with an ankle injury. All three will have to work hard to prove themselves after Lampard and Gareth Barry worked so well together against the Croatians.
- In that game Wayne Rooney again played out of position, hugging the right touchline as part of United’s three up front. England fans will be hoping Rooney can get games playing more centrally.
- Glen Johnson and David James were both on the winning side as Portsmouth beat Middlesbrough but it was two goals from Jermain Defoe that will have caught Capello’s eye. The former Spurs striker was typically clinical with his finishing giving Fabio a timely reminder of what he offers that maybe Rooney and Emile Heskey don’t.
- Wigan drew 1-1 at Sunderland and controlled most of the game after going 1-0 behind. Chris Kirkland had little to do and it was Amr Zaki and not Emile Heskey who troubled the Sunderland defence.
- Rob Green gave away a penalty and conceded three goals in West Ham’s 3-2 loss to West Brom.
- Michael Owen played the full 90 minutes in Newcastle’s 2-1 loss to Hull. He was denied brilliantly from a header by Welsh goalkeeper Boaz Myhill but it will be good for him to get 90 minutes under his belt.
- Jimmy Bullard returned to Fulham after his first call up to the English squad but it was Bobby Zamora who was most impressive as Fulham beat Bolton 2-1. The scoreline was very flattering to Bolton and Zamora, who was superb against Arsenal in Fulham’s last league game, was a constant threat. His 41st minute goal was a brilliant right-footed finish after a wonderful turn left the Wanderers’ defenders stranded. Zamora combined well with Andy Johnson, making his Fulham debut.
- Theo Walcott started on the left for Arsenal away at Blackburn after his wonderful midweek performance on the right. The 19-year-old drifted inside to setup Robin Van Persie for Arsenal’s first and had a few more mazy runs. At half time he was switched to the right to offer Gael Clichy more protection in the form of Emmanuel Eboue. Clichy had been overrun in the first half with Brett Emerton particularly impressive. Walcott was then substituted after 63 minutes and Arsenal strolled to a 4-0 victory.
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