Another cracking week of action was rounded up with an emotionally-charged evening at Goodison where the<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-iipmv1P88"> Merseyside public remembered [/url]the 96 innocent victims of Hillsborough. It was a wonderful tribute from a club showing real class. Ill cover all the games over the break.<!--more-->

Stoke v Man City 1-1

Man City went back to a 4-4-2 which saw Clichy restored to the starting line-up and Maicon – who shared CK duties – make his debut. Javi Garcia scored on his debut from a Tevez (subbed on 64 mins) free kick and Sinclair another debutant kept Silva on the bench until the 75th minute. Kolarov, Rodwell and Dzeko all started on the bench while there was no sign of Zabaleta or Nastasic.

It was a familiar double act that brought Stoke’s goal. Walter’s assisting for Crouch who indulged in some hand-ball to the point of travelling before slotting away. N’Zonzi, Adam and Kightly all started. While Owen came on for his debut on the 90min mark. We’re still awaiting a first clean-sheet of the season for Kompany and company.

Man Utd v Wigan 4-0

There was plenty of speculation before the game about whether Kagawa and RVP would feature due to knocks picked up in the internationals. Only RVP featured and that was for the last 20mins of the game. Scholes scored in his 700th Utd game. Hernandez also hit the net while Powell and Buttner both scored on their debut.

Buttner also grabbed an assist as did Nani and Rafael. There was no sign of Evra while De Gea, Valencia, Cleverley and Kagawa all warmed the bench.

Maloney, who scored that wonder goal last year to help deny Utd the title, couldn’t repeat the feat and was subbed after 59mins. Ali Al-Habsi saved a Hernandez penalty after yet another dive from Welbeck. Kone and Di Santo both started again but couldn’t make any in-roads on the restored Ferdinand-Vidic partnership.

Villa v Swansea 2-0

“He’ll need another lung after that” was manager Paul Lambert’s assessment of Holman after an excellent hard-working performance. He didn’t quite manage some scoring returns but two of Villa’s other recent signings – Lowton and Benteke – did.

Benteke didn’t come on until the 71st min, replacing Weimann, but looked excellent for those 20mins. N’Zogbia was benched until the 80th min while Guzan retained his place in goals.

Swansea disappointed. Graham lasted 72mins before being replaced while Hernandez came on at 58mins for his debut replacing Routledge. Tate came in as expected. This was Lambert’s first league win as Villa boss and the team’s first victory in 13 PL games.

Fulham v WBA 3-0

Berbatov (2 goals) and Kacaniklic (2 assists) were the standout performers here. Sidwell also got on the scoresheet. Rodallega started while Petric was mysteriously missing from the match-day squad. New signing Karagounis remained on the bench.

There was no room for Popov in the WBA team, while Odemwingie (later red-carded) and Long started in an attacking looking line-up. Rosenberg, Brunt and Lukaku all came off the bench during the game. Gera and Dorran’s remained bench-warmers for the duration.

Sunderland v Liverpool 1-1

Liverpool’s back four took on a familiar look with Johnson – who hit the bar – playing LB and Kelly RB. Sterling was again one of Liverpool’s best performers and assisted Suarez’s goal. Enrique, Sahin, Downing and Assaidi were all subs. Fletcher scored his third goal since signing two games ago, Gardner with the assist. Cuellar came off with a hamstring injury while Adam Johnson was missing through injury. A decent effort from the reds after an emotionally draining week.

Reading v Spurs 1-3

A couple of major surprises in the Spurs line-up with Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Adebayor both missing. BAE, it transpires, is injured and the possibility of surgery and four weeks out awaits. Adebayor meanwhile was simply not given the opportunity with Defoe starting (and finishing) as the lone front-man. Defoe took his chance and scored a brace with Bale also finding the net for the first time this season. Walter, Lennon and Dembele with the assists.

Naughton came in for BAE while Dempsey came on for Bale at the 78min mark. Sigurdsson continues to start games…. And finish them early, 72mins this time. Friedel again started in goals.

Despite reports that Federici had recovered from injury he wasn’t in the match-day squad and it remains to be seen if his place is under threat.

Reading’s two substitutes Le Fondre (assist) and Robson-Kanu conjured up their consolation. One point from three games and Reading appear to be struggling.

QPR v Chelsea 0-0

Julio Cesar managed a clean sheet on his debut against top-of-the-table Chelsea. QPR deserved their point even if they were a bit fortunate not to concede a couple of penalties for fouls against Terry and Hazard. Ferdinand, Fabio and Andy Johnson all picked up injuries of varying degrees. Nelsen again started at CB while Cisse, Mackie, Hoilett and Taarabt all started on the bench.

Terry came back in which meant Cahill dropped out while Bertrand and Ramires both started. Oscar and Moses were both benched. Sturridge came on for Torres for the last ten minutes.

Norwich v West Ham Utd 0-0

West Ham posted their third clean sheet in four games while Norwich posted only their second in 18 games. Norwich have improved though since that 0-5 spanking on their first day.

Substitute Kane probably had the best chance for Norwich who were missing Pilkington.

Carroll was of course missing for WHU while Jarvis recovered enough to take his place on the bench.

The Hammers back-line is looking excellent value at the moment.

Arsenal v Southampton 6-1

An outstanding display from the Gunners. Hooiveld and Clyne both scored OG’s while Gervinho (x2), Podolski and Walcott also scored. Fox got the Saints consolation from an error by the recalled Szczesny.

Koscielny remained on the bench as Mertesacker retained his starting spot. Fellow defender Gibbs showed some excellent attacking play.

Gervinho was given a shot at CF to give Giroud some bench-time to take some pressure off. He didn’t disappoint with his brace. Podolski also showed his class. Walcott sat on the bench for 74mins before coming onto score.

Saints new signing, Ramirez came on at HT and showed some glimpses. Lambert was replaced by Rodriguez after 76mins. An opening four games that included Man Utd, Man City and Arsenal, was a brutal start but 14 goals conceded doesn’t make for pretty reading. 0 pts gained and Saints are rooted to the bottom.

Everton v Newcastle 2-2

Everton will be feeling robbed after seeing two legitimate goals not given. Fellaini had one wrongly ruled offside while Anichebe had one cross the line that wasn’t given. Anichebe had earlier replaced Jelavic who got injured clattering into a post. Baines had given Everton the lead. Pienaar assisted both goals. Mirallas looked good.

Newcastle had Krul, Simpson, R Taylor and Colocini all missing and didn’t start playing until the second half when Ba came off the bench. Indeed, he scored the first of his brace within a couple of mins of his arrival. Cabaya and another sub Ameobi with the assists.

Let us know how you all went this week....especially if you did really badly so as to make me feel a bit better.

GW5 Fixtures

Swansea v Everton

Chelsea v Stoke

Southampton v Villa

WBA v Reading

West Ham v Sunderland

Wigan v Fulham

Liverpool v Man Utd

Newcastle v Norwich

Man City v Arsenal

Spurs v QPR