The star performers this week were a pair of Premier League newcomers, one more predictable than the other. At the City of Manchester Stadium, Robinho (discussed in last week's column) set the tempo as Manchester City hit Portsmouth for six. Pompey's defence last season was a model of consistency, with the first choice quartet playing 83% of the combined possible minutes. On Sunday, only the centre-backs from last season's campaign lined up in defence, with Glen Johnson pushed forward into midfield. Robinho took advantage of the confusion, causing mayhem with only 3 of his 52 passes failing to find a sky blue shirt.
The less heralded star performer was Italian journeyman David Di Michele, now of West Ham. Aged 32, the striker hasn't had a 15 goal season since his days with Salertina in Serie B around the turn of the millennium, but took advantage of the general air of celebration that comes to strikers lucky enough to be facing Newcastle United's hapless defence at the moment. Like Marlon King the week previously, he bagged a brace. Any attacker facing the Magpies has to be in a starting line-up until further notice – Blackburn are the visitors at St James' Park next week.
Stoke City keeper Tomas Sorensen had a fantastic game against Liverpool, beating out six attempts on goal to preserve his clean sheet. Through the first four weeks Sorensen had been the second worst player in the game, however, so be cautious with him.
Comeback Kids
Like many at Eastlands, Shaun Wright-Phillips is a man on a roll. Through three games with his new/old team, the diminutive winger has scored 3 goals, created 5 attempts and drawn 10 fouls.
The defence behind him may be having a hard time, but Peter Crouch is settling very nicely into Portsmouth's attack. The lanky Timmy-alike has used his aerial presence to create 13 chances (second most in the league), most of which have fallen to his partner Jermain Defoe, who has more shots on target than any other player thus far. Both are top 30 players in the Fantasy game.
Emmanuel Eboue laboured through his 2007/08 campaign without much impact, playing under 50% of minutes for Arsenal and struggling to adjust to life in midfield following the arrival of Bacary Sagna at right back. he finished outside the top 200 fantasy players. This year, however, Eboue has played in all but half an hour of the Gunners' campaign, right across midfield, and is 13th on the player-rater. His passing is up 9% to 88.7%, and he's drawing fouls and creating chances at an increased rate. Once Samir Nasri and Tomas Rosicky return to fitness, the Ivorian's place is no longer secure, but it's hard to bench a guy who's playing well.
Shooting Statistics
Nicolas Anelka has let 16 shots fly this season, with only 4 on target. Last season the Incredible Sulk had a shooting accuracy of over 56%, so if he can keep his minutes on the pitch up, he should get his radar more fixed soon. Anelka has already scored with 2 of those on-target attempts.
Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa has the most shots without hitting the target of any player so far this season, with 8 attempts, most from his powerful left boot.
Cesc Fabregas fired off 68 shots last season, but has yet to try his hand at goal in 3 games this campaign. The Spaniard has been the most selfless player in the league, with 10 attempts created for team-mates, more than any other player without an attempt of their own on goal. Long throw specialist Rory Delap is second with 9.
Fernando Torres has been struggling to recapture the form with which he tore up the league, and the European Championships, last season. The Spanish hitman has only managed to put 1 of his 7 attempts on target, after an even 50:50 rate in 07/08. The one that hit the target also hit the back of the net.
Looking Ahead
Following the impressive performance of his young stars in the Carling Cup tonight, Arsene Wenger may use the game against Hull this weekend to give some first XI players another rest. Samir Nasri may return for Wenger's team.
West Brom have yet to score away from home, and they travel to the Riverside, where Middlesbrough have a 100% record. After Brad Jones started in week one, Ross Turnbull seems to have locked up the goalkeeping jersey, making him reasonable second keeper for the season and a good short term play for this weekend.
Tim Cahill is on a hot streak since returning to fitness, scoring in each match, and has three goals in Merseyside derbies over recent seasons.
Martin Petrov is returning to fitness, giving Mark Hughes a selection dilemma. Stephen Ireland, Sean Wright-Phillips and Elano have been fantastic in the attacking midfield positions in Petrov's absence. Hughes would be mad to change the side that thrashed Pompey 6-0 unless forced to.
Johan Elmander will have a fitness test before Bolton's match at Old Trafford. The Trotters have scored just 2 in 4 since their club record signing injured his hamstring, so Gary Megson will be anxious to get him back in the starting XI.
By Sandy King
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