Match 1 of the 2005-6 Premiership season brought no big surprises, except for the difficulty that Chelsea had in beating promoted Wigan, with a last gasp winner from Crespo, after Wigan had had two late chances to win the game, also in time added on.
Not that the table really means anything at the moment (I remember when they were never published till after three games at least), but Spurs are above Chelsea after one game! The presence of five out of the top six (winning) teams being from London, and including West Ham probably should be classed as surprising.
Red cards were shown to Jenas, Ehiogu, Dickov and Ambrose in the opening games, but Jenas's card has already been reduced to yellow after referee Steve Bennett's review of the evidence.
Ehiogu will therefore miss the game against Spurs next Saturday, and Dickov will not be available for our game at Ewood Park on 24th August, but he was only a 72nd minute substitute anyway, lasting just 9 minutes before his dismissal.
Jermain Defoe was Man of the Match in Monday's Telegraph assessment of the Spurs game, which wins an extra 5 points for those (like me) who have him in their Fantasy Team.
Teddy Sheringham scored The Hammers' opener, and another ex-Spur, Matthew Etherington sealed the points for the Premiership newcomers, with their third goal. Their trip to Newcastle next week will be more challenging. Chelsea meet Arsenal on Sunday, so, if Spurs can beat Middlesbrough they should stay above one or both of our main enemies for another week!
Results 13-14.08.05
A. Villa 2-2 Bolton
Everton 0-2 Man Utd
Fulham 0-0 Bi'mingham
Man City 0-0 West Brom
M'brough 0-0 Liverpool
P'tsmouth 0-2 Spurs
S'derland 1-3 Charlton
West Ham 3-1 Blackburn
Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle
Wigan 0-1 Chelsea
FA Barclays Premiership
Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Charlton 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3
2 West Ham 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 3
3 Arsenal 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
4 Man Utd 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
5 Spurs 1 1 0 0 2 0 2 3
6 Chelsea 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
7 A. Villa 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
8 Bolton 1 0 1 0 2 2 0 1
9 B'mingham 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
10 Fulham 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
11 Liverpool 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
12 Man City 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
13 M'brough 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
14 West Brom 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1
15 Wigan 1 0 0 1 0 1 -1 0
16 Blackburn 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
17 S'derland 1 0 0 1 1 3 -2 0
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18 Everton 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0
19 Newcastle 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0
20 P'tsmouth 1 0 0 1 0 2 -2 0
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