It was back to EPL action this week after an international break that saw Australia cruise through their match against Oman, Rooney getting sent off in an all too familiar show of petulance and Scotland taking it easy on World Champs Spain to let them win 3-1.

Sir Alex decided it better to leave Rooney on the bench in the match of the weekend against Liverpool as his red card and subsequent three match suspension for the Euro Championships had made it a "hard week for him". Another way of saying he doesnt trust him not to get sent off again. United also started with Nani, Valencia and Hernandez on the bench. Liverpool dropped Carroll to the bench. Gerrard scored the first from a free kick after Adam was "brought down" in a game that they had enough chances that they arguably should have won. United can never be written off though and after bringing on the trio of Hernandez, Nani and Rooney the writing was on the wall. Hernandez getting the equaliser. Going into the match, United had conceded more shots on their goal than any other team in the EPL.

Rooney throughout his career has scored his goals in bursts of form. With his fathers arrest and the possibility of missing the Euro finals weighing on his mind, is it possible that hes going to go off the boil for a few games?<img src="../wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wordpress/img/trans.gif" border="0" alt="" width="1" height="1" align="BOTTOM" /><!--more-->

Man City v Villa

Man City went top of the table after trouncing Villa 4-1. Villa put on a decent show until Balotelli opened the scoring with a cracking overhead kick. The boy is on form and with Aguero out injured(possibly back next wk), the Tevez debacle and Dzeko throwing his toys out of the pram in Munich - hes stepped up to the plate with four goals in his last four games.

A rare goal from Kompany as well as one each for Johnson and Milner completed their scoring. Warnock scored Villas goal.

Chelsea v Everton

Chelsea are now sitting just one point behind United and three behind City after beating Everton 3-1. Drogba started this one, Terry was back on the scoresheet for the Blues as was Sturridge and Ramires (who later went off with a serious looking injury)who scored from Matas cross. Not for the first time this season Vellios came off the bench to score, this time with his first touch.

Arsenal v Sunderland

RVP put in a match-winning performance for Arsenal scoring two goals and possibly deserving more. His first came after 28 seconds before scoring a peach of a free-kick late in the game. Arshavin came on for Gervinho and nearly scored a fine solo effort. Seb Larsson scored for Sunderland. Arsenals defense is still looking suspect but after they play Stoke then Chelsea theyve got a favourable run of games and a chance to hit some form and push back up the table.

Newcastle v Spurs

Incredibly Newcastle are still unbeaten this season after drawing 2-2 with an impressive looking Spurs. Van der Vaart didnt let his fall out with Harry over his continual substitutions affect him too much as he slotted away a penalty after a foul on Adebayor. Ba who is hot, hot, hot at the moment scored to make it 1-1. Before VDV was .... erm, substituted. His replacement Defoe scored beofre Ameobi, another substitute, scored from a Cabaye assist. Ben Arfa came on for the last 20 minutes and had some nice touches in the lead-up to the goal. Newcastle remain in 4th place.

QPR v Blackburn

Its been a tough couple of weeks for QPR. After getting hammered by Fulham 6-0 last time out with Taarabt leaving the ground at half-time in the huff, they had a chance to make amends with a game at home against Blackburn. Warnock wasnt happy that the team was leaked the night before onto a QPR fans website and Joey had a go at Taarabt, questioning whether he worked hard enough. Taarabt started on the bench for this one. Helguson opened the scoring for QPR with Samba equalising for Blackburn 1-1.

Stoke v Fulham

Etherington showed that hes still got what it takes with two assists, setting up for Walters and Delap 2-0.

Wigan v Bolton

Sorry Walesy but it looks like I might have given your team the kiss of death since tipping them to avoid relegation. Thats five losses on the trot now and they are avoiding bottom spot by the narrow margin of one goal. Rodellega out for them is a huge loss and theyre feeling it. Bolton are possibly in a false position after a tough run of games to start the season and its maybe time that they start climbing the table a little. NGog and Reo-coker scored for them with Diame scoring for Wigan. 3-1 Bolton.

Norwich v Swansea

The two promoted teams faced off in a game that threw up three goals in the first ten minutes. Pilkington made up for missing his sitter at Old Trafford a couple of weeks back by scoring two in this one. For Swansea two of their main players got involved in the scoring. With Sinclair setting up record-signing Danny Graham for his second goal in two games. 3-1 to the Canaries.

West Brom v Wolves

Odemwingie who has been under an injury cloud came off the bench to score to help WBA to the 3 pts!

Huge game at OT this week as Utd take on City, one to look forward to!