Summary Review: Round 4 (29/08/2009 and 30/08/2009) 01 September, 2009

How Arsenal failed to leave Old Trafford with at least a point I do not know. Just what was Abou Diaby thinking when he headed Manchester United into the lead? That was a header any of United's attacking player on that day would have been proud off. Deserved or not, Arsenal's perfect start to the season has ended. But, if they can put out such a performance week in week out. they won't be throwing away too many points this season and will surely be thereabouts come May.

With Arsenal's run ended, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City remain the teams yet to drop a point this season, keeping up their good work with wins against Burnley, Birmingham City and Portsmouth respectively. Chelsea must now be early-season favourites for the title, while Spurs and City look good for some Champions League football next season. The next few weeks will be interesting though, as Spurs face both Manchester United and Chelsea while City will square up against Arsenal and their neighbours, United. Those matches will be true tests of their footballing credentials this season.

Liverpool needed to come from behind twice to eventually take all three points against Bolton Wanderers, and it was no less dramatic for their city rivals Everton, who needed a last minute penalty to beat Wigan Athletic - their first win (and first points) of the season - and move away from the bottom of the table.

Aston Villa's season continues to improve as they follow up last week's victory against Liverpool with a deserved win against Fulham. Finally, Blackburn Rovers and West Ham United shared the spoils, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Hull City took a point each, and Stoke City took all three crucial points against Sunderland with a typical Stoke City goal.

Predictions

Chelsea - Burnley
Prediction: 2 - 0
Result: 3 - 0

Tottenham Hotspur - Birmingham City
Prediction: 3 - 1
Result: 2 - 1

Blackburn Rovers - West Ham United
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 0 - 0

Bolton Wanderers - Liverpool
Prediction: 0 - 2
Result: 2 - 3

Stoke City - Sunderland
Prediction: 1 - 2
Result: 1 - 0

Wolverhampton Wanderers - Hull City
Prediction: 2 - 2
Result: 1 - 1

Manchester United - Arsenal
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 2 - 1

Portsmouth - Manchester City
Prediction: 1 - 3
Result: 0 - 1

Everton - Wigan Athletic
Prediction: 2 - 1
Result: 2 - 1

Aston Villa - Fulham
Prediction: 1 - 0
Result: 2 - 0

Round 4 Tally: 10 Predictions; 1 Correct Scores; 8 Correct Outcomes
Season Tally: 36 Predictions; 1 Correct Scores; 19 Correct Outcomes

Betting

Stoke City - Sunderland
Bet: £15 on Away Win at 3.20
Result: Home Win (Lost £15.00)

Bolton Wanderers - Liverpool
Bet: £15 on Away Win at 1.57
Result: Away Win (Won £8.55)

Portsmouth - Manchester City
Bet: £20 on Away Win at 1.61
Result: Home Win (Won £12.20)

Everton - Wigan Athletic
Bet: £20 on Everton at 1.80
Result: Home Win (Won £16.00)

Round 4 Tally: £70.00 in Bets; £21.75 in Takings
Season Tally: £270.00 in Bets; -£43.85 in Takings

Fantasy Football

A smashing game week with my captain Ashley Cole fully justifying his armband with a goal, a clean sheet and some bonus points for good measure. Petr Cech finally scores a clean sheet, while Aaron Lennon and Wayne Rooney continued their good form with goals and bonuses.

If the team can keep up such good form, honours will not be too far off at the end of the season!