10 Things We Learned in the Premier League

By: Daryl | September 22nd, 2008

1. Billionaires always have good home security

Which would explain why Salomon Kalou’s equalizer on Sunday means Chelsea haven’t lost at Stamford Bridge since February 2004.

2. But Roman Abramovich should definitely think about building an extension
There were less than 42,000 at Stamford Bridge for Chelsea vs Man Utd. Because that’s the capacity. But now Chelsea are one of the proper big boys they need to be housing 50,000+. I know Chelsea face logistical problems with Stamford Bridge’s surrounding infratructure (railways and busy roads) but with Roman’s rubles there has to be a way, right?

3. It’s the beginning of the end for Edwin van der Sar at Man Utd
Last week VDS gifted Liverpool an equalizer by slapping the ball into Wes Brown, this week he fouled Florent Malouda in the box and injured himself in the process. And that’s not the furst time the old fella’s come off injured in the past year. He might have won Man Utd the Champions League last season, but you just know Fergie is already looking for a new #1. Do you think he still has Massimo Taibi’s contact info?

4. Man Utd didn’t need Dimitar Berbatov
Yes, he’s brilliant. He really is. But so are Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, both of whom will be either played out of position (Rooney) or benched (Tevez) thanks to Berbatov’s arrival. Seems like Fergie’s paid £30.75 million for a massive headache.

5. Gianfranco Zola has the best celebration of all Premier League managers
Check out the little manager’s leap and airpunch after David Di Michele scored an excellent second goal:

Brilliant. It’s more like a goalscoring celebration than a manager celebration. Imagine Wenger doing that?

6.We’ll probably never see Chris Hughton’s celebration
The Newcastle caretaker manager has - along with his players - been put in a horrible horrible position. Every time he bravely faces the press to explain another defeat, I do a sad face.

7. Stewart Downing could make a fortune in the NFL

If he can get that much height and distance on a penalty kick, imagine what he could with a field goal.

8. Abu Dhabi United Investment Group don’t need to spend another penny at Man City
Mark Hughes’ team absolutely dismantled Portsmouth - to the tune of 6-0. So why spend hundreds of millions on players, when Stephen Ireland does a perfectly passable imitation of Zinedine Zidane?

9. Michael Owen is counting the days until January
Owen’s contract is up this summer, which means he’s free to talk to other Premier League clubs about ending his highly paid Newcastle hell from January 1st 2009 onwards. He showed at the weekend that he can still do the business, but if Owen wants to enjoy what’s left of his good years then he needs to go somewhere a bit more stable. Smart money’s on an Anfield reunion.

10. Refs move in mysterious ways
Though Liverpool beat Stoke 1-0 at Anfield, the results will go down as 0-0. Because for some as yet unexplained reason this Steven Gerrard goal was ruled out:

The fact that both Fernando Torres and Dirk Kuyt were onside when the ball was played and neither of them touched it makes this one a puzzler. Only possible answer is that English refs had to rule out a perfectly good goal to make up for awarding this not so good one.

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