Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
2009-10-17 Portsmouth – Tottenham 1-2
Tottenham manager Redknapp made a triumphant return to his former club but saw Jermain Defoe sent off for a stamp in the Barclays Premier League victory against Portsmouth.
After leaving Pompey nearly a year ago, Redknapp eventually took Defoe, Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar with him - and almost inevitably Defoe got on the scoresheet after Ledley King had opened the scoring.
The England striker getting sent off, however, was not in the script and set up a thrilling finale after Kevin-Prince Boateng had pulled a goal back - with Michael Brown following Defoe in injury time for a second booking.
2009-10-17 Everton – Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1
Kevin Doyle looked to have pinched victory for the visitors 14 minutes from time but the home side grabbed an equaliser.
Stefan Maierhofer was sent off in the closing minutes for Wolves.
2009-10-17 Arsenal – Birmingham City 3-1
Arsenal continued their momentum with a 3-1 Barclays Premier League win over Birmingham City at the Emirates Stadium.
Robin van Persie and Abou Diaby had fired the Gunners into a 2-0 lead inside 18 minutes.
However, Lee Bowyer capitalised on a mistake by young keeper Vito Mannone - preferred to fit-again Manuel Almunia - to pull a goal back before half-time.
After soaking up plenty of pressure during the second half from the battling Blues, Andrey Arshavin wrapped up the points late on as Arsene Wenger's side made it seven successive victories in all competitions this season.
New Birmingham owner Carson Yeung - who has promised manager Alex McLeish a transfer kitty of up to £40m to spend in the January transfer window - was in the stands.
However, the challenge ahead to make his club in the same league as the Gunners was clear inside the opening few moments as the hosts immediately went on the offensive.
Emmanuel Eboue combined with Theo Walcott down the right to swing over a dangerous cross towards Robin van Persie.
On five minutes, the Dutchman knocked down a high ball into the path of Tomas Rosicky at the edge of the penalty area.
However, the Czech midfielder scuffed his first-time shot into the ground.
Birmingham defender Liam Ridgewell left Walcott - making his first start of the season following a back problem - in a heap following a strong sliding challenge.
The Arsenal forward, though, bent his knee back when falling, and had to go off for extended treatment.
As play continued, the home side should have taken the lead when Diaby's left-wing cross was knocked back by van Persie at the far post, but once again Rosicky got his timing all wrong and failed to make a decent contact.
Walcott, hoping to be part of Fabio Capello's World Cup squad, soon came on again - immediately picking up the ball on the right, expertly side-stepping Ridgewell before his cross was tipped over by Joe Hart.
The opening goal finally came on 16 minutes.
Alex Song collected possession 25 yards out, and slipped a lovely low pass through the left side of the penalty area.
Van Persie took the ball on his right, then switched back inside past Stephen Carr before drilling it into the far corner.
Before Birmingham could recover, it was 2-0.
Eboue put Rosicky clear down the right channel, and his cut-back from the near post went all the way through to Diaby - who smashed a first-time effort into the roof of the net.
Arsenal were now in cruise control, but to their credit, Birmingham maintained some tempo.
Song bundled over James McFadden to concede a free-kick in a decent position for the visitors, some 25 yards out.
Larsson, who left Arsenal in January 2007, struck his effort well as it beat the wall, but Mannone got down quickly to make the save.
Walcott eventually had to go off, replaced by Arshavin on 33 minutes.
Arsenal were made to pay for a lapse in concentration as Birmingham pulled a goal back after 38 minutes.
Barry Ferguson sent a deep cross into the penalty area, which Diaby flicked back up in the air.
Mannone, under pressure from Larsson, came to collect, but dropped the ball - which Bowyer smashed into the net.
Arsenal quickly looked to restore their two-goal cushion, and Hart saved well down at the right-hand post to deny Arshavin.
Birmingham, clearly boosted by their goal, had an early chance at the start of the second half when the ball flashed across the Arsenal six-yard box.
At the other end, Arshavin stabbed a close-range effort wide after Diaby's low centre.
Larsson was, at full stretch, penalised for what referee Lee Probert deemed a somewhat harsh backpass, giving Arsenal an indirect free-kick eight yards out.
Fabregas rolled the ball to Arshavin, who stopped it for van Persie, but the Dutchman's fierce effort skimmed off the top of the crossbar.
As the hour passed, Arsenal maintained the pressure, but despite all of their decent approach play, failed to find a telling pass.
It could have proved costly as Mannone made a brave take as Ridgewell's pass went through the Arsenal six-yard box, which would only have needed a touch for the visitors to equalise.
Arshavin, however, settled matters with five minutes left when he slotted home from just inside the penalty area after a quick counter attack.
2009-10-17 Manchester United – Bolton Wanderers 2-1
Manchester United received more last-gasp salvation at Old Trafford - this time from Edwin van der Sar as they scrambled back to the Barclays Premier League summit.
Late goals against Manchester City and Sunderland have kept United afloat at Old Trafford this season. This time the drama was all at the other end.
Two goals up and cruising against Bolton Wanderers thanks to an early Zat Knight own goal and Antonio Valencia's first since a £17m summer move from Wigan Athletic, United looked destined to ease home.
Instead, the whole match changed following a series of superb saves from Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Matt Taylor pulled one back 15 minutes from time. And with almost the final touch, Gary Cahill went agonisingly close to snatching a point with a point-blank header which the returning veteran Van der Sar somehow managed to keep out.
United could have been ahead before Patrice Evra charged forward on the overlap and drove a cross to Michael Owen at the near-post.
With Wayne Rooney missing due to a groin injury, Owen could have done with getting his own name on the scoresheet.
Instead, his off-target header fell to Knight, who misjudged an intended clearance and instead trundled the ball into his own net.
More should have soon followed. Jonny Evans gave Jussi Jaaskelainen the opportunity to make a fine block when really his far-post header should have been guided in from a Ryan Giggs cross that came at the end of some excellent approach play.
Dimitar Berbatov, celebrating the birth of his first child - Dea - on Thursday, blazed a decent opportunity wide, while Jaaskelainen stood tall in the face of Valencia's long-range effort.
It meant Ferguson's side had to wait until the 33rd minute to double their lead, before which Kevin Davies had wasted a golden chance to equalise.
Valencia has made a promising start in his new surroundings, with the exception of his efforts in front of goal.
The Ecuador star has rarely given the impression of being prolific and there have been many better chances than the one he belted past Jaaskelainen.
However, after collecting Michael Owen's square ball, he raced forward before prodding a pass to Gary Neville, whose return was delivered with precision, inviting what followed.
Had Jaaskelainen not managed to beat away an acrobatic Berbatov volley, the Bulgarian would have had a fitting way to celebrate such a momentous week in his life.
The Finn also denied Valencia, whose rasping angled drive was heading for the far corner and the worth of Jaaskelainen's immense contribution was proved 15 minutes from time when Bolton dragged themselves back into the contest.
United failed to heed the warning offered by a disallowed Ivan Klasnic effort, and when Kevin Davies launched a far post cross towards Taylor, the midfielder steered his header into the left corner.
The move highlighted Evra's weakness in the air, which Bolton desperately tried to exploit.
Ivan Klasnic, whose introduction had thrown United's defence into a panic, fired narrowly wide, then Knight was off target before Cahill was presented with his glorious chance.
Ferguson had already placed his trust in Van der Sar to make his first appearance of the season after breaking his fingers in the summer, and the 38-year-old did not let him down.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
2009-10-04 Chelsea – Liverpool 2-0
Second half goals from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda gave Chelsea a deserved victory over Liverpool and put them two points clear at top of the Barclays Premier League table.
The France international struck first in the 60th minute when he finished off a sublime low cross from Didier Drogba as Chelsea defied their critics with a performance of grit and quality.
Substitute Malouda sealed the win in injury-time when he slid home another low cross from Drogba.
It was Liverpool who had the best of the early exchanges and the match sparked into life in the 12th minute when Fernando Torres was fortunate not to receive a yellow card for a late challenge on Chelsea captain John Terry.
The Spaniard's right foot was clearly too high and raked the shins of the England defender.
However, referee Martin Atkinson opted to give the Liverpool striker a lengthy lecture, much to the annoyance of the home fans.
Liverpool continued to dominate but a shot from Albert Riera was high and wide of the target in the 19th minute.
Michael Essien appeared to be late and high with a challenge on Javier Mascherano but referee Atkinson was perfectly positioned to see the incident and ignored Chelsea appeals. The Liverpool player soon rose to his feet without any damage to his right leg.
Both sides were full of attacking desire but neither goalkeeper had been tested at the midway stage of the opening half.
Liverpool's Jose Reina finally collected a header from Drogba just beneath the crossbar in the 24th minute but Chelsea's threat was somewhat impotent.
In the 27th minute Reina was called into action again when Essien's cross was met by Anelka.
The France international was unmarked but despite the luxury of a free header, he could not find a way past the Liverpool goalkeeper.
Liverpool were handed a chance to open the scoring in the 29th minute when Branislav Ivanovic was adjudged to have brought down Torres.
The free-kick was some 25 yards out but Gerrard's effort sailed over the crossbar to the delight of the home fans.
Four minutes later Chelsea squandered a chance of their own after Drogba had been brought down by Jamie Carragher near the corner flag.
Deco's free-kick into the penalty area was well placed but Michael Ballack's header was off target from six yards.
Chelsea were now enjoying their best spell of the match and when Lampard's 38th-minute corner fell to Essien at the far post, the Ghanaian international forced Reina to make a save at the second attempt.
Liverpool responded with Dirk Kuyt crossing for Torres to head straight at Hilario from six yards.
Deco was booked for a foul on Kuyt in the 44th minute and Riera forced Hilario into a late save with a 40-yard low drive.
In the 57th minute Liverpool won a free-kick when Riera was blocked by Ballack - but Gerrard's delivery was met by a confident punch from Hilario and Chelsea survived a difficult moment.
The Blues broke the deadlock on the hour after Mascherano lost possession to Lampard in the Chelsea half.
Essien and Deco fed the ball wide to Drogba on the left - and his centre was perfect for Anelka to convert his fifth goal of the season.
In the 63rd minute, Drogba met Lampard's free-kick but his header was well held by Reina - and four minutes later the visitors replaced Riera with Yossi Benayoun.
In the 77th minute Chelsea won a free-kick in a dangerous area when Lampard was brought down by Gerrard.
The challenge earned Gerrard a yellow card and Chelsea almost went two goals in front but Drogba was just wide of the right-hand post with his free-kick.
Chelsea's goal was now under siege and Torres wasted a glorious chance to level the scores when he shot wide in the 80th minute.
Substitute Malouda then settled the outcome when he slid the ball home from close range in injury-time.
2009-10-04 Everton – Stoke City 1-1
Everton's run of five successive victories came to end when a defiant Stoke City stole a point from a physical battle at Goodison Park.
The Toffees may have been feeling the effects of their long haul to Belarus on Thursday, but they were nowhere near their usual combative self.
Stoke took the lead five minutes after the break when Robert Huth headed home his first goal for his new club - but stand-in skipper Leon Osman lashed home a fine equaliser five minutes later.
Stoke were intent on attack, fielding former Everton striker Beattie with Fuller while Matthew Etherington took on Hibbert at every opportunity.
The winger's first cross saw Beattie outjump Leighton Baines before planting a firm header into Tim Howard's arms.
The long ball into the box was the main weapon of both sides, and Everton's response was a couple of efforts blocked from Saha and Tim Cahill, before the Australian should have netted after 15 minutes.
Marouane Fellaini swung in a cross from the left, and Cahill ducked low for a header just six yards out, but Thomas Sorensen managed to clutch the effort at the second attempt.
Howard, faced with a similar downward header a minute later at the other end from Fuller, also struggled to hold the effort cleanly.
Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov came more into the match on the left as the half wore on, and when he cut inside to fire in a rising shot, the ball crashed into Ryan Shawcross' arm.
Referee Andre Marriner turned down the penalty appeals, the Stoke central defender having not moved his arms from his side.
Fuller was booked for a 35th-minute tackle on Heitinga, and Rory Delap was lucky not to follow his colleague into the book when he tripped Baines in full flow.
Osman then produced a fine snapshot on the edge of the box which Sorensen saw late but did well to turn over the bar.
Diao was next to be booked in an increasingly niggly match, for a foul on Baines. Heitinga lifted the resulting free-kick wide.
Stoke started the second period even more belligerently than the first, hounding Everton in possession.
And the Potteries side were ahead when Etherington's right-wing corner curled into the box and defender
Huth soared above Cahill to power home his first goal since his £6m summer move from Middlesbrough.
The lead lasted five minutes. Heitinga came forward from the back and exchanged passes with Osman, who struck a fierce drive from the edge of the box which crashed into the net off the underside of the bar.
Bilyaletdinov saw a shot saved by Sorensen, while Fuller failed to trouble Howard with a low drive at the other end.
With 15 minutes left Everton sent on strikers Jo and Yakubu for midfielders Osman and Bilyaletdinov, with Hibbert taking the captain's armband. Stoke responded by replacing Diao with Whelan.
It was a bold ploy by Everton, but one which could see them caught on the break. But even after that change, they did not make a serious opportunity.
Fellaini and Shawcross were booked with four minutes left for a clash in the centre circle, before Stoke sent on Kitson for Fuller during injury-time.
The visitors were powering forward at the end looking for a winner - but neither side deserved to win a scrappy match.
2009-10-04 Arsenal – Blackburn Rovers 6-2
Manchester United delved into their much-used box of late comebacks to rescue a point against Sunderland.
Two weeks after Michael Owen's last-gasp winner against Manchester City, Anton Ferdinand could not get out of the way of an off-target effort from Patrice Evra to grab United a point and deprive the Black Cats of their first Old Trafford win since 1968.
Sunderland were the ones who adapted to the blustery conditions quicker. Indeed, it could have been argued United did not adapt at all.
Rare are the times an opposition goalkeeper comes to this ground and gets through an entire half without having to make a save. But this was one.
Craig Gordon did make one meaningful intervention, diving low to cut out John O'Shea's curling cross. Apart from that, the Scotland keeper was redundant.
Anton Ferdinand, the one member of his family to start after brother Rio was consigned to the bench by Sir Alex Ferguson, produced an effective central defensive performance alongside the equally impressive Michael Turner.
Yet even they must have been surprised by how little they had to do.
With teenager Danny Welbeck handed only his second Barclays Premier League start, a tentative approach from one flank was to be expected. Maybe the same could also be said of Nani given his dismal display at Stoke seven days previously.
The Portugal international was no better on Saturday, and this time Ryan Giggs was not on the bench to bail him out.
And, in Darren Bent, Sunderland boasted a man at the top of his game.
When he made the quick dash down from Bolton Wanderers, England coach Fabio Capello might not have been expecting to spend half-time thinking about whether Bent should be in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus.
Yet, had it not been for his decision to hand over penalty duties to Kenwyne Jones at Sunderland last week, he would now be top of the scoring charts.
And what a fine effort his seventh of the season was as Sunderland took the lead in only the seventh minute.
He got far enough away from O'Shea during a lengthy Black Cats build-up to have room to turn away from the Irishman when Lee Cattermole played the final pass.
The finish was inch perfect, giving Ben Foster no chance.
Replacing Paul Scholes at the break was a bold statement by Ferguson, which triggered an instant response.
Nani was a suddenly a man inspired, twice causing confusion with direct runs, the second of which demanded a brave low save of Gordon to deny Wayne Rooney.
The clearance came straight back out to O'Shea, whose curling 51st-minute cross was perfectly met by Dimitar Berbatov's overhead kick, which nestled in the bottom corner.
As they say when the TV picture goes down, normal service was expected to resume shortly. Instead, United conceded again.
Foster, and no doubt Ferguson, who had already been incensed by a couple of Alan Wiley's decisions, will doubtless feel Jones fouled the United keeper as he rose to meet Andy Reid's cross just before the hour mark.
But Foster should have been stronger in the challenge. Instead, he was shoved aside to allow Jones to head into an empty net.
Thrilling late comebacks from such positions are the stuff of Manchester United legend.
Probably only this knowledge kept the hosts going as, even after Kieran Richardson's needless dismissal, it never actually looked like happening.
Evra refused to accept second best, though, leaving Ferdinand to beat the ground in frustration.
2009-10-03 Manchester United – Sunderland 2-2
Manchester United delved into their much-used box of late comebacks to rescue a point against Sunderland.
Two weeks after Michael Owen's last-gasp winner against Manchester City, Anton Ferdinand could not get out of the way of an off-target effort from Patrice Evra to grab United a point and deprive the Black Cats of their first Old Trafford win since 1968.
Sunderland were the ones who adapted to the blustery conditions quicker. Indeed, it could have been argued United did not adapt at all.
Rare are the times an opposition goalkeeper comes to this ground and gets through an entire half without having to make a save. But this was one.
Craig Gordon did make one meaningful intervention, diving low to cut out John O'Shea's curling cross. Apart from that, the Scotland keeper was redundant.
Anton Ferdinand, the one member of his family to start after brother Rio was consigned to the bench by Sir Alex Ferguson, produced an effective central defensive performance alongside the equally impressive Michael Turner.
Yet even they must have been surprised by how little they had to do.
With teenager Danny Welbeck handed only his second Barclays Premier League start, a tentative approach from one flank was to be expected. Maybe the same could also be said of Nani given his dismal display at Stoke seven days previously.
The Portugal international was no better on Saturday, and this time Ryan Giggs was not on the bench to bail him out.
And, in Darren Bent, Sunderland boasted a man at the top of his game.
When he made the quick dash down from Bolton Wanderers, England coach Fabio Capello might not have been expecting to spend half-time thinking about whether Bent should be in his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Belarus.
Yet, had it not been for his decision to hand over penalty duties to Kenwyne Jones at Sunderland last week, he would now be top of the scoring charts.
And what a fine effort his seventh of the season was as Sunderland took the lead in only the seventh minute.
He got far enough away from O'Shea during a lengthy Black Cats build-up to have room to turn away from the Irishman when Lee Cattermole played the final pass.
The finish was inch perfect, giving Ben Foster no chance.
Replacing Paul Scholes at the break was a bold statement by Ferguson, which triggered an instant response.
Nani was a suddenly a man inspired, twice causing confusion with direct runs, the second of which demanded a brave low save of Gordon to deny Wayne Rooney.
The clearance came straight back out to O'Shea, whose curling 51st-minute cross was perfectly met by Dimitar Berbatov's overhead kick, which nestled in the bottom corner.
As they say when the TV picture goes down, normal service was expected to resume shortly. Instead, United conceded again.
Foster, and no doubt Ferguson, who had already been incensed by a couple of Alan Wiley's decisions, will doubtless feel Jones fouled the United keeper as he rose to meet Andy Reid's cross just before the hour mark.
But Foster should have been stronger in the challenge. Instead, he was shoved aside to allow Jones to head into an empty net.
Thrilling late comebacks from such positions are the stuff of Manchester United legend.
Probably only this knowledge kept the hosts going as, even after Kieran Richardson's needless dismissal, it never actually looked like happening.
Evra refused to accept second best, though, leaving Ferdinand to beat the ground in frustration.
2009-10-03 Bolton Wanderers – Tottenham 2-2
Tottenham Hotspur's long-standing jinx at the Reebok Stadium continues but at least manager Harry Redknapp saw his side get some reward for a battling display.
Twice behind in an open match, they secured a point thanks to a goal from Vedran Corluka in the 73rd minute.
Tottenham went into the match without a win in nine attempts at the ground and then got off to a terrible start.
Ricardo Gardner opened the scoring in the second minute and that could have been the cue for another bad day in Bolton.
Instead Tottenham regrouped and equalised 30 minutes later through Niko Kranjcar. Even though Kevin Davies equalised they refused to lie down.
Bolton got off to a flying start when the visitors failed to deal with a long throw from Jlloyd Samuel.
Lee Chung-Yong was unmarked at the back post and helped the ball on. Ricardo Gardner then got a vital touch to send his effort beyond Carlo Cudicini.
Bolton were playing some good football and Gardner skipped away in the 13th minute before releasing Tamir Cohen with a neat through-ball.
The Israel midfielder got a good touch inside the area but his effort was diverted to safety - much to Tottenham's relief.
Cohen was then booked in the 31st minute for a challenge on Wilson Palacios which left the Spurs player writhing on the floor.
Palacios made a quick recovery, however, and had a hand in their equaliser. He delivered the ball to Peter Crouch, who nodded it on and Kranjcar sent a stunning shot into the net.
Bolton responded and Zat Knight met Matt Taylor's free-kick in the 38th minute but was off-balance and headed wide.
Then Cohen clipped the ball wide after good link-up play involving Kevin Davies and Taylor.
Tottenham were left badly exposed on the stroke of half-time when Taylor sprung the offside trap.
He homed in on goal but Cudicini was alert to the danger and was happy to concede a corner.
Bolton carved out a good chance after 50 minutes when Davies got away from Tom Huddlestone down the right.
The tenacious striker played the ball into the path of Lee, who was lurking in the penalty area. However the Korean opted to try and release Taylor instead of shooting and his pass was easily cut out.
Tottenham should have taken the lead five minutes later following a blistering run from Aaron Lennon.
The England winger fired in a shot that Jussi Jaaskelainen did well to beat away but only to Palacios six yards out.
Palacios was well placed in front of goal but only succeeded in sending his effort closer to the corner flag.
Jermain Defoe, suffering from two dislocated fingers, was then called up in the 67th minute for Robbie Keane, who had been ineffective.
Bolton then took the lead when Cohen chipped the ball to the back post and Davies headed in his third goal of the campaign.
Tottenham, however, almost drew level in the 72nd minute after Jaaskelainen spilled a shot from Defoe. The ball landed kindly at the feet of Crouch but his effort hit the bar.
A minute later the visitors drew level for the second time in the match. Corluka was left unmarked as Kranjcar delivered a corner and headed high into the net.
Tottenham finished strongly. Lennon then surged into the area after linking up with Kranjcar only to see his effort blocked by Sam Ricketts.
The Bolton full-back again carried out his defensive duties in the 85th minute to get in a timely challenge on Crouch.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Portsmouth 1
Hassan Yebda lifted some of the gloom surrounding Portsmouth as his first half goal earned them their first Barclays Premier League win of the season against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The on-loan Benfica player struck after 20 minutes to end a run of seven successive league defeats for Paul Hart's side.
They went into the match on the back of the worst top-flight sequence of results at the start of a campaign since Manchester United in 1930.
But Pompey deserved their first success of the campaign and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy's claim his side were facing "their most dangerous game of the season" proved well founded.
Yebda, a French-born Algerian international, impressed in midfield while Tommy Smith was always a handful for the Wolves defence and worked tirelessly.
Wolves struggled to find any rhythm despite the promptings of Matt Jarvis in the centre of the park.
Wolves began brightly and a long throw from Greg Halford was met by Christophe Berra whose flicked header flew straight at Pompey keeper David James.
But Portsmouth were not afraid to knock the ball around despite their disastrous start to the campaign.
Boateng had their first worthwhile effort on goal, spinning to fire in a shot from a narrow angle which Wolves keeper Hennessey turned around the post.
Jarvis brought the home fans to life with a powerful 50-yard run and he was allowed to surge into the box as the Pompey players backed off.
But he would have been disappointed with his eventual low shot which James dealt with comfortably.
At the other end Aruna Dindane was only just too high with a 25 yard shot on the turn and Tommy Smith had a low shot cleared off the line by Jarvis.
But after 20 minutes Portsmouth took the lead through Yebda.
Boateng was the creator with a right-wing cross and Yebda was perfectly positioned to head past Hennessey into the corner of the net.
Wolves were stunned by this reversal and it needed a fine save from Hennessey to prevent Portsmouth from doubling their lead.
Smith played the ball into the path of Aruna Dindane and his first time effort was turned aside by Hennessey at full stretch away to his right.
The rebound broke to Smith who cut back inside to make a better angle but drilled his shot across the face of goal.
Wolves began to get a foothold back in the match and a well worked free-kick move ended with Foley crossing to Doyle whose shot was deflected just wide.
Wolves fans were becoming frustrated but James produced a fine reflex save to deny Keogh at point blank range in first half injury-time and then Doyle's follow-up shot was blocked.
Wolves manager McCarthy responded to his side's first-half performance by bringing on last season's top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Michael Kightly in place of Keogh and Foley.
Portsmouth had the first chance of the second period when Dindane's header from Smith's cross was saved by Hennessey.
Wolves looked more purposeful and Jarvis had a shot deflected wide after racing onto a pass from Doyle. From Jarvis' resulting corner, Halford got up well but could only direct his header wide of the far post.
Portsmouth still looked dangerous on the break and Dindane beat the offside trap but, instead of shooting himself, he tried to find Michael Brown and the move broke down.
Pompey were still looking relatively untroubled but Wolves looked to be denied a clear-cut penalty after 63 minutes.
Television replays indicated that Pompey defender Marc Wilson had handled a right-wing cross from Kightly.
Culled from www.premierleague.com
Sunday, September 20, 2009
2009-09-20 Chelsea – Tottenham 3-0
Chelsea remained top of the Barclays Premier League after a 3-0 defeat of London rivals Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.
Ashley Cole put the Blues on the way to a comfortable victory with a first-half header and Michael Ballack made it two in the 57th minute.
Didier Drogba finished Spurs off with a third in the 62nd minute to make it six straight wins for the Blues and leave them three points clear of Manchester United at the summit.
To make matters worse for Spurs they lost both Ledley King and Sebastien Bassong through injury to leave Harry Redknapp with a defensive crisis.
There was bad news for Chelasea, too, as Drogba exited seven minutes from time with a calf problem.
Chelsea almost went ahead in the seventh minute when an angled drive from Jose Bosingwa cannoned off the crossbar.
But the Blues had Petr Cech to thank in the 11th minute when Jermain Defoe sprinted clear of the Chelsea defence only to see the Chelsea keeper stick out a leg to deny him.
Tottenham were now enjoying the majority of the possession and Jermaine Jenas was inches wide with a 20-yard drive that had Cech beaten.
It was enough to encourage Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti off his seat and into the technical area.
His presence almost had an immediate effect as Frank Lampard headed just wide from a cross by Nicolas Anelka in the 17th minute.
In the 22nd minute Anelka sent a powerful volley into the side netting after a cross from Florent Malouda had made its way across the six-yard box without attention from the Spurs defenders.
Chelsea felt they should have had a penalty in the 31st minute when Ballack collided with Vedran Corluka but referee Howard Webb rejected their appeals.
But his decision was of little consequence when Chelsea went ahead a minute later.
Drogba turned supplier with a superb cross into the middle of the Spurs penalty area and Cole got in front of Corluka to put a diving header into the net beyond former Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini.
The match had erupted into life at last and it was now a full-blooded derby with tackles flying in from both sides.
Chelsea won a free-kick in a central position some 25 yards out when Tom Huddlestone jumped into Ballack two minutes before the interval.
But Drogba hit the free-kick straight at Tottenham's defensive wall.
Chelsea should have gone two in front in the 46th minute but Lampard drove wide after Drogba had found him with a low cross.
In the build-up to Lampard's chance, Spurs defender King sustained a knock that forced his retirement from the action.
Alan Hutton replaced the stricken King with Corluka moving from right-back into the centre of defence alongside Bassong.
Spurs appealed for a penalty in the 54th minute when Robbie Keane went down under a challenge from Ricardo Carvalho.
Moments later Ballack made it 2-0.
Drogba's 57th-minute shot was well saved by Cudicini but Lampard followed up to roll the ball back into the six-yard box where Ballack was waiting to poke it home from point-blank range.
Chelsea were at their fluid best with a two-goal cushion and Bosingwa forced Cudicini into another save with a left-foot drive from 20-yards.
Not surprisingly the Blues went three in front in the 62nd minute when Drogba fired home from six yards for his fifth goal of the season.
Cudicini almost gifted Chelsea a fourth in the 73rd minute when he allowed a shot by substitute John Obi Mikel to creep under his body.
But the Italian keeper was alert enough to recover the ball before it could cross the goal line.
It got worse for Spurs when centre-half Bassong fell awkwardly on his shoulder and had to be carried off after lengthy treatment. He was replaced by Niko Kranjcar.
But Chelsea also lost striker Drogba with a calf injury in the 83rd minute which will give coach Ancelotti real cause for concern if he is out for any length of time.
2009-09-20 Everton – Blackburn Rovers 3-0
Everton picked up their second home win in four days with a comprehensive Barclays Premier League victory over Blackburn.
Louis Saha scored after 22 and 54 minutes and then defender Joseph Yobo grabbed the third for the hosts, punishing poor defending at a corner after the impressive Paul Robinson had denied the France striker a hat-trick goal.
David Moyes' side had endured a slow start to the campaign, seemingly suffering a hangover from last season's FA Cup final defeat to Chelsea.
But the Toffees appear to be back on track after following Thursday's 4-0 Europa League rout of AEK Athens with another fine win and clean sheet at Goodison Park against a disappointing Rovers side who were looking to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.
While Moyes' worries look to be easing, Rovers boss Sam Allardyce must be seriously concerned now about his side, who have won just one league match all term and were feeble for much of this encounter.
This had been Everton's worst start to a league season since 2004, with only one win in their opening four fixtures prior to this match.
Their intent to correct that unwanted statistic was evident from the outset. First Osman saw a shot on the turn deflected inches wide, and then Steven Pienaar's cross was headed onto the roof of the net by Saha.
But the match deteriorated into a scrappy affair with far too many stoppages and a general lack of ideas and invention.
However, after 22 minutes, Everton were in front. Leighton Baines fired in a free-kick from the left and Saha arrived at the near post to turn the ball past Robinson.
Blackburn responded with a couple of headers from Christopher Samba and a twisting run and shot from Dunn which was held by Tim Howard.
Robinson saved well from Pienaar, and then watched a Marouane Fellaini drive fly wide after a quick Everton break.
Rovers sent on Ryan Nelsen for Gael Givet in the centre of defence at the break, with teenager David Hoilett replacing Morten Gamst Pedersen on the left after 50 minutes.
But it was Everton who extended their lead soon after. Fellaini's cross sailed in from the right and Saha got above Pascal Chimbonda with ease to send his header wide of Robinson's dive.
The former Tottenham goalkeeper then needed to save superbly to keep out an Osman drive, but Everton soon got their third.
Baines' corner from the right after 58 minutes hit Nelsen and fell invitingly for Yobo to fire in from a couple of yards out.
Allardyce opted to give Jason Roberts some support up front just after the hour, sending on Croatian striker Nicola Kalinic in place of Salgado.
There was some fight still left in the visitors, El-Hadji Diouf cautioned for a foul on Fellaini and Hoilett seeing a low drive blocked by Howard.
Howard was at last called into action to save from Dunn and Diouf, while Everton sent on Jo to replace Saha with 16 minutes left.
Next on was Tony Hibbert in place of Tim Cahill, with Heitinga moving into central midfield.
Teenager Gosling took over from Osman with nine minutes left, by which time Everton were well on their way to a comfortable three points.
2009-09-19 Barcelona – Atletico Madrid 5-2 - La Liga
Barcelona crushed Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou with a stunning first half performance to return to the top of the table. Although the visitors found a brace of goals from Sergio Aguero and Diego Forlan, the Blaugrana were always in control of the match thanks to goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lionel Messi, Dani Alves and Seydou Keita.
Both sides were at full strength up front: Messi, Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry formed the attacking trident for the hosts, while Aguero and Forlan lined up in attack for los Rojiblancos. Dmytro Chygrynskiy made his home debut for the Blaugrana.
Barcelona stated their intent after just 55 seconds, when Henry turned on the edge of the box to fire a shot off the crossbar. Barely a minute later, Ibrahimovic found the back of the net. Sergio Busquets slid a superb ball through to the former Inter man, who chipped the ball exquisitely over Roberto.
Antonio Lopez saved a certain goal after 13 minutes when he cut out Henry's cross just as Messi was preparing to tap home from a matter of yards, and los Rojiblancos were rocking.
The scintillating Argentine was not to be denied three minutes later, however. Xavi played an excellent ball over the visitors' defense which Messi brought down with ease, dropped his shoulder to dummy Roberto before rolling the ball home.
Los Colchoneros fashioned a good passage of play on 22 minutes after Maxwell needlessly gave the ball away in his own half, but Maxi Rodriguez was unable to capitalize on the final chance.
Aguero then fed Maxi with a cute through ball, but the Argentine took too long to take his shot and could only find the side netting from a narrow angle. Moments later, Jose Manuel Jurado saw his shot blocked by Chygrynskiy after he briefly saw himself through on goal as los Colchoneros looked for a way back into the game.
However, Barcelona cut any hopes short when Dani Alves lashed in a long range free kick that crashed in off the post after half an hour.
The fourth goal came five minutes before half time at the end of another gorgeous move by the Blaugrana. A flick by Ibrahimovic set up Messi, who turned magnificently before rolling the ball across the goal for Keita to tap home.
The hosts should have had a penalty just before the break when Ibrahimovic was felled in the box, before they conceded in the 45th minute, when Aguero picked up on Busquet's loose defensive header, raced away from Chygrynskiy and chipped over Victor Valdes.
Mercurial Messi - The Argentine was in sparkling form
Both coaches resisted the idea of making changes at half time, but while the visitors began the half positively, their defenders resembled rabbits caught in headlights when faced with another incisive Blaugrana attack.
10 minutes into the second half, Roberto was playing with fire as he firstly gave the ball away to Ibrahimovic before Messi rounded the visitors' keeper only for the ball to get caught up in the Argentine's feet.
Atleti probed and searched for ways through the Blaugrana defense, and Pep Guardiola responded by bringing on Andres Iniesta for the ever impressive Xavi.
The visitors continued to press forward, and Chygrynskiy was cautioned for a foul on Aguero as the Argentine forged his way towards the Blaugrana goal. Forlan struck just over the bar from 20 yards soon after, but Atleti were unable to really test Valdes.
Further substitutions were made on both sides as the game entered its final stages. Barcelona had taken their foot off the pedal, quite happy to sit on their 4-1 lead and not expend any further energy with a busy fixture list ahead of them.
It almost cost them in the 79th minute. Chygrynskiy was caught out by Sinama-Pongolle, who eventually fed the ball to Forlan. Unfortunately for the Uruguayan, he blasted his shot over with only Valdes in front of him.
Forlan found his goal with 5 minutes to go with a powerful finish from 20 yards after Valdes gifted possession to the visitors, however, and the Barca keeper comfortably gathered a shot from Jurado as los Rojiblancos sought a third goal.
Instead, it was Barcelona that found the game's seventh goal. Atleti were undone in the last few seconds of injury time, as Iniesta and Dani Alves linked up to provide Messi with the ball inside the area, and he swept home into the corner to wrap up a comprehensive win.
Anthony Wright, Goal.com
2009-09-19 West Ham – Liverpool 2-3
Fernando Torres scored twice as Liverpool held off a brave fightback from West Ham United to claim a deserved victory in a five-goal thriller at Upton Park.
Torres put the Reds in front in the 19th minute with a fine solo goal but debutant Alessandro Diamanti levelled from the penalty spot.
Dirk Kuyt restored Liverpool's lead in the 40th minute but Carlton Cole levelled a minute before the interval. Torres settled a pulsating game when he headed home from close range in the 75th minute.
Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano was restored to the Reds' line-up against his former side at Upton Park after recovering from a back injury.
Mascherano took the place of Albert Riera to line up alongside Fernando Torres and Yossi Benayoun who both passed fitness tests.
The home side welcomed back long-term absentee Valon Behrami and Herita Ilunga took his place in the starting XI after a cheek injury.
The Hammers were presented with a glorious chance to take the lead with just two minutes gone as Jamie Carragher dithered over Glen Johnson's pass and let Zavon Hines in.
The striker could not have asked for a simpler chance but although he beat Jose Reina, his shot hit the near post before the Spanish goalkeeper gratefully gathered the rebound.
Another Carragher mistake on the halfway line gave Cole room to run at the Liverpool goal but this time Martin Skrtel made a wonderful saving challenge.
The frenetic pace continued as Liverpool worked an early chance of their own, neat work from Steven Gerrard and Torres leaving Benayoun one on one with Rob Green.
The former Hammer side-footed at goal but failed to extend Green.
Torres also had a muted penalty appeal turned down when his shot hit Ilunga on the hand.
In the 15th minute the home team had another chance, Cole bundling the ball to Hines from Julien Faubert's cross. But the chance came too quickly and Hines' connection was minimal.
Torres, meanwhile, acrobatically volleyed wide after 17 minutes before opening the scoring three minutes later.
The Spaniard broke down the left flank, bamboozled James Tomkins and poked home at the near post to make it 1-0.
Torres was proving to be a real thorn in West Ham's side and was confident enough to try his luck from 30-yards in the 26th minute. But his shot was far too high and failed to trouble Green.
West Ham's woes continued moments later when Behrami was forced out of the action through injury and replaced by Radoslav Kovac.
It was the second enforced change for Gianfranco Zola's side who lost Upson earlier in the opening half.
But the home side were back in the game in the 28th minute when referee Andre Marriner adjudged that Hines had been pushed by Carragher.
Diamanti stepped-up to take the penalty and even though he put the ball into the net, the striker appeared to slip as he connected with the ball and touched it twice.
But Liverpool went back in front five minutes before the end of an eventual opening 45 minutes.
An outswinging corner from Benayoun was headed towards the far post by Steven Gerrard only for Kuyt to stick out a foot and poke the ball into the corner of the net in the 40th minute.
But a minute before the half-time whistle, England striker Cole rose highest in the six-yard box to meet Mark Noble's corner and head United level for the second time in the match.
Hines was giving Liverpool's defence a great deal of cause for concern. Javier Mascherano could only bring the winger down in the 49th minute and his mistimed tackle earned the Liverpool player a yellow card.
Liverpool enjoyed the better of the opening period of the half but a West Ham corner in the 59th minute almost caught them out.
Debutant Diamanti sent an inswinging corner into the Reds' six-yard box and Reina had to tip the ball away for another flag-kick as it threatened to end up in the net.
A fabulous run into the West Ham penalty area by Benayoun almost brought Liverpool a third but the home defence cleared the ball at the last hurdle.
West Ham were suffering from the lack of a killer final ball. Substitute Keiron Dyer made a superb run deep into the Liverpool half in the 68th minute but he could not supply the final ball to put Cole clear.
Liverpool's Babel tried his luck from 25 yards but his accuracy was found wanting as the ball went high over the crossbar and into the crowd.
Torres put Liverpool back in front in the 75th minute when he headed a cross from Babel into the corner from eight yards.
Liverpool had Reina to thank seconds later for hanging on to their lead when he had to be at his best to prevent a header from Kovac from finding the back of the net.
2009-09-19 Arsenal – Wigan Athletic 4-0
Arsene Wenger's men have never been far away from the headlines of late - and they were also beaten in their previous two league matches.
They needed a regulation win and Thomas Vermaelen grabbed the limelight with two strikes, while Emmanuel Eboue's deflection accounted for the third and Cesc Fabregas added another.
2009-09-19 Aston Villa – Portsmouth 2-0
Gabriel Agbonlahor struck for the third successive match to propel Aston Villa towards a fourth Barclays Premier League win on the trot - and pile on more misery for bottom-placed Portsmouth.
Agbonlahor, overlooked by England coach Fabio Capello for the recent games with Slovenia and Croatia, netted the decisive second goal just before the interval.
Another 2010 World Cup hopeful in James Milner had broken the deadlock from the penalty spot as Martin O'Neill's side cruised to victory to sustain their early challenge for a European spot.
Apart from a spell mid-way through the second half, Villa were seldom tested and the memory of their opening-day setback against Wigan Athletic is fast fading.
Agbonlahor is looking sharp and hungry in attack while Milner continues to impress with his work-rate and commitment down the right flank.
Central defender Richard Dunne has also added a presence to the Villa back four after his move from Manchester City.
But Portsmouth look doomed even at this early stage of the campaign to a lengthy battle against the drop after slumping to a sixth successive league reversal which leaves them still searching for their first point of the campaign.
Only Kevin-Prince Boateng emerged with much credit for the visitors who look short of confidence.
Agbonlahor saw plenty of the ball during the early exchanges in a bright start by the home side but it was Mokoena who inadvertently almost gifted Villa the lead after 11 minutes.
Ashley Young whipped in a dangerous cross to the near post and Aaron Mokoena's flick header was turned over his own bar by David James in a fine reflex save.
Pompey started to come more into the match and created their first decent chance after 23 minutes.
A corner from Boateng - his side's first of the match - was only half cleared and Michael Brown was able to swing a cross back into the box.
Mokoena got up well at the far post and would have been disappointed to send his header over the bar.
After 33 minutes Milner broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.
Portsmouth could have few complaints as Nadir Belhadj brought down Villa captain Stiliyan Petrov after his surging run into the box.
Up stepped Milner and he powerfully drilled his spot-kick past James for his first league goal of the campaign.
Friedel made his first save after 39 minutes in parrying a low skidding drive from Jamie O'Hara.
But two minutes before the interval Agbonlahor struck to double Villa's lead.
Milner won the ball in the air and flicked it onto Agbonlahor who shrugged off the challenge of Tal Ben Haim before beating James.
The home side were soon back on the offensive and Carew miskicked when attempting to connect with a low cross from Agbonlahor.
James produced a fine reflex save to turn aside a shot from Petrov after a free-kick from Young had been blocked by the Pompey defensive wall.
Villa defender Carlos Cuellar became the first player to be yellow carded after 57 minutes for a challenge on Boateng.
Boateng then produced a stinging low drive which forced a good save out of Friedel away to his left.
Portsmouth enjoyed their best spell of the match and Friedel was well positioned to keep out Fredric Piquionne's shot from 15 yards out.
O'Neill made his first substitution after 65 minutes with Carew replaced by Emile Heskey.
Agbonlahor picked up a yellow card for a touch-line shove on Kaboul deep in the Portsmouth half.
James held on to a Cuellar header from a deep cross by Young before Hart made a double substitution with Kanu and Danny Webber replaced by Tommy Smith and Piquionne.
Heskey needed treatment after being fouled by Ben Haim but limped out of the action to be replaced by Fabian Delph.
2009-09-19 Bolton Wanderers – Stoke City 1-1
Matt Taylor came to Bolton Wanderers' rescue with a minute remaining by scoring from the penalty spot at the Reebok Stadium.
The midfielder showed a cool head after Stoke City's Danny Collins had been hauled back for a challenge on Sam Ricketts.
Stoke were stunned as they were in sight of their first away victory on the road in the league this season.
Dave Kitson had given them the lead in the 52nd minute with his third goal in six matches in all competitions.
Stoke were the brighter of the two teams in the first half and made a break inside the first minute when Ricardo Fuller got clear down the right flank.
He delivered the ball into the area only for Fabrice Muamba to get there ahead of Matthew Etherington and make the clearance.
Stoke then found themselves on the back foot in the 15th minute when goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen launched the ball forward.
Kevin Davies won the aerial battle with former team-mate Abdoulaye Faye, leaving him dazed on the floor.
McCann tried his luck from 25 yards in the 20th minute but Thomas Sorensen was able to make a comfortable save before Gary Cahill sent a header wide for the home side.
Stoke, however, almost took the lead after 32 minutes when Tamir Cohen was punished for a challenge on Fuller.
Glenn Whelan tried to curl the free-kick from 25 yards beyond Jaaskelainen only for the goalkeeper to react swiftly and push his effort to safety.
Stoke kept up the pressure and a long throw from Rory Delap caused Jaaskelainen problems.
He could only parry the ball to Kitson but the striker could not get a decent enough touch and the chance was lost.
Bolton responded and Taylor came close in the 51st minute when he clipped a shot wide of the post after substitute Ricardo Gardner had carved out the opening.
A minute later Stoke made the breakthrough with a fine goal from Kitson. He latched on to a ball from Fuller and showed good skill to get away from Sam Ricketts.
Kitson then steadied himself before rattling a shot into the corner.
It was a clinical finish from a player who did not score for the club last season and was loaned back to Reading.
It was just the boost Stoke were looking for after the home defeat by Chelsea last weekend.
Bolton kept pressing forward in search of the equaliser and substitute Ivan Klasnic saw his close-range effort turned over by Thomas Sorensen in the 68th minute.
Then Zat Knight cleared the bar with a volley when it seemed easier to score.
Stoke were looking to extend their lead and Fuller made space in the penalty area after 72 minutes but his effort failed to trouble Jaaskelainen.
Bolton kept working away but the visitors were looking well organised at the back.
Stoke were also dangerous on the counter attack and substitute Danny Pugh saw his effort turned away by Jaaskelainen in the 88th minute.
A minute later Bolton grabbed the equaliser through Taylor but Jaaskelainen had to made a brave block from substitute Liam Lawrence in stoppage time to prevent him snatching the winner.
However this is a difficult time for the home side, who have managed just one win in five league matches.
2009-09-19 Hull City – Birmingham City 0-1
Substitute Garry O'Connor headed a late winner as Birmingham City finally beat goalkeeper Boaz Myhill to claim a scrappy win at Hull City.
Myhill had been outstanding throughout an eventful Barclays Premier League encounter at the KC Stadium, producing brilliant saves from the lively Christian Benitez and Lee Bowyer.
Joe Hart was also kept busy in the Birmingham goal and Hull's Seyi Olofinjana hit the bar late on but O'Connor's 75th-minute effort proved decisive.
It was only Birmingham's third goal of the season but the reasons why Hull went into the match with the worst defence in the competition were only too evident.
Ecuador striker Benitez, making his first league start, was a threat throughout and was unlucky to come up against Myhill in such good form.
Yet Blues could consider themselves fortunate to come away with the point as Hart was the least convincing of the two keepers and Hull caused some moments of panic in his area.
Hunt swung in the resulting free-kick towards Jozy Altidore and Kamil Zayatte also seemed to get a touch in the ensuing scramble but Birmingham cleared.
Hull had an early chance after Stephen Carr was booked for a foul on Stephen Hunt on the left.
Hunt continued his lively start with a swerving shot from 30 yards moments later but Hart parried to safety.
Birmingham's first chance came as Benitez showed good skill on the edge of the area and turned neatly to shoot but Myhill saved low down and Andy Dawson cleared.
It was the first of three good saves in quick succession from the Wales international as Birmingham enjoyed a good spell.
Myhill first pushed away a Barry Ferguson flick and then quickly regained his feet to tip over a fierce drive from Bowyer.
Gary McSheffrey then flashed wide from outside the edge of the box as Birmingham, despite their poor scoring record, showed some promise.
Hull responded as Olofinjana made a powerful run into the box and squared across goal but Scott Dann slid in and forced Altidore to scuff his shot.
Geovanni tried his luck from 25 yards but his low effort bobbled wide.
The Brazilian then fired in a dangerous cross but Roger Johnson's touch took it away from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who was making his first Hull start.
A long throw by Ibrahima Sonko was unconvincingly punched away by Hart but Birmingham just managed to hack behind as Vennegoor of Hesselink threatened.
Benitez, sporting a bandage after a clash of heads with Zayatte, created another opportunity on the stroke of half-time but Myhill tipped over.
Altidore worked his way into the box early in the second half but Hart saved after the American checked and shot left-footed.
Paul McShane then failed to cut out a Stuart Parnaby pass and allowed Birmingham to break but Hull survived as Keith Fahey headed McSheffrey's cross wide.
Geovanni tested Hart again with another good effort from the edge of the box from a Vennegoor of Hesselink lay-off but the keeper was again alert.
Myhill was soon back in the thick of the action as Parnaby found himself wide open on the right but shot straight at the Hull keeper.
Myhill then produced an even better point-blank save from Bowyer after Johnson had risen high to knock down a corner from McSheffrey.
Hull survived another scare after a Hart goalkick found its way to Benitez but he was unable to get a shot away.
Hull had another turn in the ascendancy with Carr heading away a delicate McShane cross at the far post and substitute Kamel Ghilas having a shot blocked for a corner.
But play quickly switched the other end as Benitez skipped past Dawson and Myhill again saved at the expense of a corner.
Fahey's delivery from the set-piece was perfect and found O'Connor, who came on for McSheffrey just after the hour, unmarked to head home at the near post.
Hull, in their response, appealed for a penalty after Hunt went down under a challenge from Dann but Phil Dowd gave nothing.
The Tigers rallied for one late charge and Geovanni shot wide before Olofinjana headed against the bar from a corner. Another goalmouth scramble ensued but Blues somehow held out.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
2009-09-12 Liverpool - Burnley 4-0
Liverpool's season is firmly back on track after a Yossi Benayoun hat-trick left promoted Burnley overwhelmed.
The top-flight new boys had started the season so well with wins over Manchester United and Everton but have now suffered successive defeats at Chelsea and now Liverpool - conceding seven in the process.
They could not live with a vibrant Liverpool, who kept up an impressive high tempo throughout and are slowly wiping away the memory of those two early league defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.
Benayoun scored his first from the edge of the box, and saw his shot parried by the overworked Brian Jensen for Dirk Kuyt to add the second before the break.
Steven Gerrard's pass set up Benayoun for his second, a close-range tap-in, before the Israeli was sent clear by substitute Andriy Voronin for his third and Liverpool's fourth.
Rafael Benitez made two changes from the side which won at Bolton Wanderers a fortnight ago, with Martin Skrtel returning to central defence in place of Greece international Sotirios Kyrgiakos.
With Javier Mascherano suffering a muscle injury while on international duty with Argentina and not arriving back until late Friday, Benayoun came into the side.
And what a tremendous impact he made, with a goal and a display of running power that Burnley never came to terms with.
The Clarets, in their first league visit to Anfield for 33 years, retained the side that lost at Chelsea last time out, with new loan signing David Nugent - a former Liverpool trainee - on the bench.
The absence of Mascherano meant that Steven Gerrard played in a much deeper role, alongside Lucas in the centre of midfield, with Benayoun and Kuyt left to play just behind Fernando Torres.
Burnley started brightly with Martin Paterson firing wide from the edge of the box, while Kuyt produced a low shot at the other end that produced the first of many saves by Jensen.
Liverpool slowly built up possession, moving the ball quickly and Torres saw a curling 20-yard shot clear the far post.
But Burnley had Steven Fletcher and Paterson interchanging positions up front and the visitors were quick and dangerous on the break.
Liverpool's best early chance came when Emiliano Insua's chip was headed a foot wide by Benayoun, the beginning of a purple patch from the 29-year-old.
The lively Israel captain broke the deadlock with a gem of a goal after 27 minutes.
He surged from midfield, turned away from Graham Alexander and moved into the box to fire across Jensen and into the bottom corner.
Benayoun almost added another a minute later when he met Albert Riera's cross with a low header that Jensen blocked, the Burnley goalkeeper also keeping out Kuyt's follow-up.
Jensen had to keep out drives from Benayoun and Lucas before Paterson forced his way past Gerrard to unleash a rising drive that was held by Jose Reina.
But Liverpool went further ahead after 40 minutes with a dynamic five-man break from defence.
Torres and Insua combined to set up Benayoun for a 20-yard shot that Jensen blocked, but only as far as Kuyt who clipped home from five yards.
The increasingly busy Jensen had to produce the save of the half to keep out a Gerrard 20-yard drive before the break.
Liverpool kept up their assault after the interval with Riera seeing two efforts blocked while Jensen saved from a Kuyt flick.
Stephen Jordan was booked for a block on Torres before Burnley sent on Chris Eagles to replace Robbie Blake.
Torres was starting to stretch a tiring Burnley defence by now and only Tyrone Mears' fine saving tackle stopped the Spaniard in full flow.
But after 61 minutes Torres' pass played in a fiercely determined Gerrard, who battered his way past two men in the box to find Benayoun on the far post for a tap-in.
Liverpool sent on Swiss defender Philipp Degen for Glen Johnson and Voronin for the hard-running Kuyt, the match well won by now, and Burnley responded by giving Nugent his debut for Paterson.
Benayoun had an effort ruled out for offside and Gerrard forced his way through again to hit a post, before David Ngog took over from Torres.
There was still time for Benayoun to secure his hat-trick after 81 minutes. Voronin's pass sent him clear in the box - played onside by Jordan - and he side-footed the ball past an exposed Jensen.
Eagles was booked for a foul on Benayoun, Jensen saved again from Gerrard and Voronin missed when clear, with Burnley just wanting it all to end.
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