Summary Review: Round 5 (12/09/2009 and 13/09/2009) 18 September, 2009

It was a weekend where Manchester City enhanced their title credentials while fellow pace setters Tottenham Hotspur were somewhat put in their place. City put four past Arsenal at home and Spurs were undone by Manchester United despite taking a very early lead and playing against ten men for half an hour. How Arsene Wenger must hate Manchester by now, and could this game against the defending champions be a micro-reflection of how Spurs' season is going to pan out?

Title favourites Chelsea are showing that they are able to get three points anywhere and anyhow. Another late winner after being a goal down - this time against Stoke City - saw them maintain their perfect start to the season. I can't see them dropping many points this season, and I can't see any team getting more points than them. Liverpool kept pace with a convincing with against Burnley. I don't remember Benayoun scoring many goals, but this must have been at least his second hat-trick already in a Liverpool shirt.

Aston Villa and Sunderland continued with their fine form; extending difficult starts so far for Birmingham City and Hull City. Villa got a narrow win over Birmingham, while Sunderland had a much easier time against Hull. Speaking of difficult starts, in the bottom-of-the-table clash, Bolton Wanderers came away from Fratton Park leaving Portsmouth with zero points from five games.

Finally, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, and Wigan Athletic scored home wins against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Everton, and West Ham United respectively. Everton, who finished fifth last season, seems to be having trouble finding their feet this season, having just three points from four games.

Predictions

Portsmouth - Bolton Wanderers
Prediction: 2 - 1
Result: 2 - 3

Blackburn Rovers - Wolverhampton Wanderers
Prediction: 2 - 1
Result: 3 - 1

Wigan Athletic - West Ham United
Prediction: 2 - 2
Result: 1 - 0

Liverpool - Burnley
Prediction: 3 - 0
Result: 4 - 0

Stoke City - Chelsea
Prediction: 1 - 3
Result: 1 - 2

Sunderland - Hull City
Prediction: 2 - 0
Result: 4 - 1

Manchester City - Arsenal
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 4 - 2

Tottenham Hotspur - Manchester United
Prediction: 1 - 2
Result: 1 - 3

Birmingham City - Aston Villa
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 0 - 1

Fulham - Everton
Prediction: 1 - 1
Result: 2 - 1

Round 5 Tally: 10 Predictions; 0 Correct Scores; 5 Correct Outcomes
Season Tally: 46 Predictions; 1 Correct Scores; 24 Correct Outcomes

Betting

Portsmouth - Bolton Wanderers
Bet: £20 on Home Win at 2.60
Result: Away Win (Lost £20.00)

Sunderland - Hull City
Bet: £25 on Home Win at 1.80
Result: Home Win (Won £20.00)

Tottenham Hotspur - Manchester United
Bet: £10 on Draw at 3.40
Result: Away Win (Lost £10.00)

Round 4 Tally: £55.00 in Bets; -£10.00 in Takings
Season Tally: £325.00 in Bets; -£53.85 in Takings

Fantasy Football

Another decent gameweek, with the right selection of captain - Darrent Bent scoring twice for Sunderland against Hull City!

It was a good attacking gameweek in general. Wayne Rooney, Tim Cahill and Shaun Wright-Phillips all contributed goals while Lee Cattermole also had a good game.

None of the defenders and midfielders kept a clean sheet, as Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Joseph Yobo and Gael Clichy produced a miserable total of four points.