When Sunday Comes: The Champions Fall

We're back with another Sunday wrap up, bringing you a couple lines about each Premier League match as well as notes from the rest of the world of football. This week, last year's English, German and Italian champions can't find any points.

Yesterday started with the week's biggest match, and let me tell you, it's not fun opening your eyes to see Carlos Tevez grinning maniacally on a 42 inch screen. Is it just me, or has he had his teeth fixed? Tevez scored the only match in Manchester City's 1-0 triumph over Chelsea, and anyone who thinks Frank Lampard is unlikely to reclaim his starting spot when he finally returns from injury failed to see Ramires make a total muck-up of the field.

Wigan traveled to St. Andrews and came away with a point, something Villa fans always enjoy seeing, and it's even better from a team that began their season being hammered 4-0 by Blackpool. The Latics held Birmingham City to a scoreless draw and even managed to get Craig Gardner sent off. Traitor scum.

Speaking of the Seasiders, they lost at home, with Charlie Adams scoring a dropping header in the first half, although unfortunately for him it went into his own net. Blackburn took advantage of the gift and won 2-1, likely making Big Sam even more certain of his ability to coach on the continent.

West Ham United lifted themselves from the bottom of the table with a 1-0 win over Tottenham, who seemed listless, but still managed to threaten the Hammers' goal a couple times. Fortunately for them, the good Rob Green came to play, and West Ham finally got their win.

Everton, on the other hand, still haven't managed victory this Premier League season, and are now left in the cellar, with their supporters wondering how it's gone so wrong so quickly. Fans should be pleased with their teams' performance, however, with the Toffees giving Fulham plenty of trouble, but the home side kept the match scoreless and remain unbeaten.

That other Liverpool side is facing its own difficulties, stuck in fifteenth and failing to beat Sunderland at Anfield, but at least the supporters had a chance to protest against the ownership, which seems the most important thing. The Black Cats, on the other hand, may not have been satisfied with the 2-2 draw, but they'll take back-to-back draws against Liverpool and Arsenal.

Arsenal, however, were longing for last week's draw after losing to West Brom at the Emirates. Even after the Baggies had a penalty saved, they managed to take a 3-0 lead into the 75th minute, when Samir Nasri happened. Nasri scored a second in the first minute of extra time, but the Gunners were unable to find the equalizer, and West Brom went away with a 3-2 scoreline and a temporary residence in fifth place.

Of course, fifth place was stolen today by the Villa, who stole all three points from Wolves when Emile Heskey executed a perfect pirouette header for the 2-1 winner.

Sunday's early game saw Bolton Wanderers doing its darnedest to beat Manchester United, but even though the home side took the lead twice, Michael Owen's header provided the equalizer, proving that it's probably for the best when players retire from international football. United still haven't won on the road this Premier League season.

The EPL day ended with a cracking second half between Newcastle and Stoke City, with the Magpies taking the lead just before the break. The Potters found their attack after the break, with Kenwyne Jones hitting woodwork twice before finally sending one in for the equalizer. Newcastle surged forward, giving Thomas Sorensen a heart attack as he nearly dropped the ball on a black-and-white foot. Then OwnGoal struck again, in the form of James Perch, who headed in the game winning goal, giving Stoke a 2-1 win at St James Park.

Bundesliga

I'm personally not a big fan of German football, although I do enjoy when FC Koln wins. Unfortunately, this week was not that week, with the Billy Goats failing to keep their halftime lead, drawing 1-1 to TSG Hoffenheim. 

Mainz, however, continues to be the story of the season, beating last year's champions, Bayern Munich, 2-1 at the Allianz. The team were only promoted to the Bundesliga last year, but have won all five of their games this season.

Serie A

The Roma-Inter game provided plenty of action...ok, no, I'm lying. There were plenty of shots; however, it took until stoppage time for Roma to finally find a goal, ending the match 1-0 and giving the home side their first win of the season, triumphing over last year's champs.

Juventus v Cagliari provided more thrills, with The Old Lady roaring back from their midweek defeat against Palermo, defeating the visitors 4-2 with a boost from Milos Krasic's hat-trick.

I may be biased but the most thrilling Italian match of the weekend was Cesena v Napoli. Mazzarri sought rest for star striker Edinson Cavani, but when down 1-0 to the home side, brought in the Uruguayan. Cavani provided the assist for the equalizer and bagged a brace, with Napoli's fourth goal in twenty minutes coming from Marek Hamsik's converted penalty. Napoli win, 4-1