Well the season finally got underway, dishing up some exciting, if unexpected, opening day results. None more so than Everton’s uncharacteristic collapse against an inspired Arsenal side: whom might I add, looked, every inch, genuine contenders, despite offloading both Toure and Adebeyor.

My pre-match premonitions back-fired spectacularly as Man City, equipped with their entourage of mercenaries, proved, in patches, they’ll be a team to be reckoned with. And with a bench boasting the likes of De Jong, Zabeleta & Tevez, their rise to prominence looks painfully ominous. Watching the full match, on Setanta (yes it’s still with us in Ireland), however, did provide some consolation, as Stephen Ireland – my fav player and key member of my fantasy football team this season – continued to shine, and showed in glimpses that his meteoric rise last season was certainly no fluke. The impetuous cheek with which he took his goal provided, for me, the highlight of the weekend.

Stephen Ireland continues to shine for star-studded City

* I was later informed, in no uncertain terms, by a 14 year old Galway United fan, that the real reason he’ll never play for Ireland’s national side is down to the unforgivable degradation he suffered at the hands of his International teammates not so long ago, when they discovered he was wearing a, monk-fashioned, wig (they were hair plugs, were they not??). 

Regardless, I’m in no doubt whatsoever, Stephen Ireland, wig or no wig, is one of the finest players around, and one whom, if looked after, could go onto become one of the game’s true greats.

Elsewhere, I was pleased my own Stoke Cty got off to a winning start, albeit against a debuting Burnley side who you’d expect them to defeat at the Britannia. Nevertheless, my fantasy team benefited enormously with the inclusion of free-scoring and rock solid defenders: Shawcross and Ab. Faye. Beattie was a huge disappointment nonetheless.

Predictably my 7 result accumulator was one result away from that elusive handsome pay out - this time it was Villa letting me down, who crashed to a surprise home defeat to Martinez’s impressive Wigan side. Hugo Rodallega’s sublime strike, no less, was certainly the best goal of the weekend.

Liverpool's midfield seriously devoid of Alonso spark

Sunday served up more shocks as Liverpool crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Spurs. More worryingly for the Reds however, who have a tricky home fixture against Stoke on Wednesday, was, in the absence of the departed Xabi Alonso, they looked drastically lacking in midfield of both drive and invention. On this evidence, despite the positive performance from Glen Johnson, Rafa needs to make more signings, if Liverpool are to challenge again this season.

A sliver-lining moment for me, however, as bad-minded as it sounds, came earlier in the day at Old Trafford, when Michael Owen, who when put through one-on-one with the goalie, fluffed his lines spectacularly. Somehow, sympathy, as you might’ve guessed, did not overcome me.

Last but not least, I wanted to give a special mention to Newcastle, who won convincingly again in the Championship. I was saddened, nevertheless,  by news of Duff’s likely departure to Fulham, after he had earlier suggested he might stick it out at the Magpies. Maybe borne from the loss of Sir Bobby, or simply the passion and intangible aura that has always drawn me to Newcastle, I will be keeping a special eye out for the Geordies this season, in hope of a roller coaster ride and a speedy return to the Premiership.

Our Friends in the North - Newcastle blog coming soon!

Watch this space for more news of events up at St James’s…

Welcome back everyone.

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