Premiership Weekend Roundup: November 19-20

Just a short recap this week, since I didn't get to see any of the games I really cared about. No United, no Liverpool, and a Michael Owen-less Newcastle getting smacked around by Chelsea. Bah.

Charlton 1-3 Manchester United
United don't seem to be missing Roy Keane too much...yet. The real test will be the game against Villareal tomorrow, which they basically have to win to avoid crashing out of the Champions League. Wayne Rooney had a spectacular game -- although he didn't score, he set up United's first two goals. Van Nistelrooy finished beautifully for the second goal and then finished things off with another from outside the box. Will wonders never cease?

Wigan 2-3 Arsenal
Another week, another master class in ass-kicking from Thierry Henry. Wigan fought valiantly, though, and there could easily have been another two or three goals for either side. You could argue that Wigan's keeper should have done better, particularly with the opening goal from Van Persie. But there was also the sense that no matter how much Wigan harried them, Henry would have simply turned things up another notch if necessary.

Liverpool 3-0 Portsmouth
Peter Crouch just cannot seem to find the net. Not even with Stevie G offering a target. (And let's add that to the list of Things I Did Not Need To See, Ever.) Still, it's a good result going into the Champions League matches this week, and hopefully Luis Garcia and Xabi Alonso will be back from the knocks they picked up in time to face Real Betis.

Chelsea 3-0 Newcastle
Newcastle held things together relatively well in the first half, but in the second half their defence (read: Titus Bramble) just fell apart. Best moment of the match: A gorgeous tackle from Scott Parker sending Joe Cole ass over teakettle.

West Bromwich Albion 4-0 Everton
A note for the Sportsnet programming department: If satellite problems prevent you from showing the United game, this is not really an adequate replacement. No matter how enjoyable it might be to watch Everton get so thoroughly schooled. Phil Neville must be looking longingly at the holes in the United lineup.

Middlesbrough 3-2 Fulham
Another one that was fun to watch as an impartial observer. (Well, mostly impartial; I was leaning towards Fulham for no good reason other than Boro having beaten United a couple weeks back.) Hard to say if either team really deserved the win. Middlesbrough had most of the possession but none of the finishing in the first half, and in the second half it seemed to be the reverse. Highlight of this one was the fantastic goal from Collins John to start the game.

Other results
Sunderland 1-3 Aston Villa
Manchester City 0-0 Blackburn
Tottenham 1-1 West Ham