Jermain Defoe made an instant impact at Pompey as the ex-Spurs scored a goal on his debut from a Baros flick. It was Pompey’s first goal against Chelsea in ten EPL games. The game was played end to end at breathless pace with scores of chances and near misses. Lassana Diarra, the disgruntled ex-Gunner who complained of his playing minutes at the Emirates also turned in a fine performance, orchestrating the midfield.
Wigan got a win over the Hammers through a Kevin Kilbane goal but it was tireless midfielder Wilson Palacios, a Deportivo Olimpia import who caught the eye. He was everywhere chasing balls down, tackling, starting an attack, keeping the Latics cohesive and dangerous on the counterattacks.
Spurs played magnificently for 93 minutes before being cruelly done in by a Tevez goal which nullified Berbatov’s 21st minute strike. Alan Hutton, the ex-Rangers right back and Jonathan Woodgate, the ex-Boro center back effectively bottled up the Man U attack with Hutton in particular having an outstanding match.