Premier League Round-up: Big-money signings suffered debut defeats
Ferguson deployed striker Dimitar Berbatov for the first time since his 30.75 million-pound (US$55.1 million; £37.7 million) move from Tottenham on the last day of the transfer window on Sept. 1. But both Bulgarian star Berbatov and Brazilian Robinho found themselves on the losing sides as Manchester United and Manchester City lost 2-1 against Liverpool and Chelsea respectively.
Pavlyuchenko’s new team, Tottenham Hotspur, also lost 2-1 against Aston Villa on Monday night.
Robinho had a dream start as he stroked a 22-yard free-kick into Peter Cech’s net after thirteen minutes. The Brazilian was matched at 12.5 in the first goalscorer market.
Chelsea’s odds reached 4.5 but four minutes later Ricardo Carvalho equalised to set up a half-time 1-1 which was matched at 12.0.
The Blues imposed their superiority in the second-half with goals from Frank Lampard and Nicolas Anelka to set-up a 1-3 score which was matched at 28.0.
Earlier in the day, Liverpool were backed at a high of 11.0 on their way to victory over Manchester United at Anfield. United traded at a low of 1.55 after Carlos Tevez, who was backed at a high of 14.0 in the First Goalscorer market, gave them the lead after three minutes.
Liverpool hit back through a Wes Brown own goal to leave the sides level at half-time. The half- time draw was backed at a 6.4 high and the 1-1 half time score at 13.5.
Liverpool were the better team in the second-half, harrying United, dominating possesion and put together a number of impressive moves before Ryan Babel won it for them in the 76th minute.
Over 2.5 goals was backed at a high of 2.92 and 2-1 was backed at a high of 16.0 in the correct score market.
The game of the day was at the Hawthorns where West Bromwich Albion were matched at a high of 6.4 on their way to a 3-2 victory over West Ham United. Those who backed Over 4.5 goals at 8.4 will have joined Baggies fan’s celebrations when Chris Brunt scored the winner late in the second-half.
Arsenal did not trade any higher than 1.98 as they cruised to a 0-4 win against Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. However, Emmanuel Adebayor scored a hat-trick which was matched at a high of 26.0.
Hull City gained their second win of the season when they added to Newcastle United’s woes with a 1-2 win at St James Park. New Magpies’ signing Xisco scored on his debut to inspire a late siege on the Hull goal but the away side held out for a victory which was matched a high of 6.8.
There was value at Fratton Park where Portsmouth Town soared to odds of 10.0 before Jermaine Defoe fired them to a 2-1 comeback against Middlesborough.
Elsewhere, Zaki scored a second-half equaliser to give Wigan a 1-1 draw with Sunderland and, with first-half goals from Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora, Fulham touched a high of 2.36 as they ran out 2-1 winners against Bolton.
There was value in four Premier League sending offs today with Nemanja Vidic’s red matched at 8.0, John Terry’s at 6.8, Danny Guthrie’s at 6.2 and Lee Cattermole’s at 5.7.
Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko made his Tottenham Hotspur debut in Monday night’s Barclays Premier League match with Aston Villa. Pavlyuchenko replaced Dimitar Berbatov in the Spurs number-nine shirt. Nigel Reo-Coker and Ashley Young both found the net for the Villans.
After these results, Chelsea are 2.12 favourites to win the Premier League followed by Manchester United who are out to 3.85. After their victories Arsenal are 7.6 with Liverpool at 8.4.