Premier League: Sky Sports picks out some of the key highlights of this weekend's action
Last Updated: 24/08/14 9:17pm
Sky Sports casts an eye over this weekend's Premier League action and picks out some of the key highlights
Game of the Weekend
Everton looked to be heading for a repeat of last season’s 3-0 home win over Arsenal when taking a 2-0 lead at half-time. Seamus Coleman headed Roberto Martinez’s side into a 19th minute lead before Everton got the benefit of a couple of tight calls to go 2-0 up at the end of the first half through Steven Naismith. Arsenal introduced Olivier Giroud at half-time and the French striker missed three chances to bring his team back into the game before Aaron Ramsey did pull a goal back with seven minutes to go. And, in the final minute, Giroud finally found the target as he headed home to earn Arsenal a point.
Player of the Weekend
The West Ham United winger has been an easy target for the critics in recent seasons, but Downing was at his best in the 3-1 win at Crystal Palace. Operating on the right flank, Downing was a constant torment to the home defence as he helped to secure West Ham’s first win of the season. He also weighed in with a rare goal as he cut in from the right and curled a low shot beyond Palace keeper Julian Speroni.
Goal of the Weekend
No outstanding candidates, but there was much to admire about Spurs’ third goal in the 4-0 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers which came via a couple of rejuvenated players. Erik Lamela appears to have been sparked into life by Mauricio Pochettino’s appointment as manager and his driving diagonal run to the box was followed by a precise chipped cross for Nacer Chadli to powerfully head home his second goal of the game.
Controversy of the Weekend
Arsenal had a couple of valid complaints about Everton’s second goal in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, but Hull City had just as much reason to feel aggrieved by events in their 1-1 stalemate at home to Stoke City on Sunday. There was nothing to dispute about James Chester’s early red card, which Hull recovered from to lead through Nikica Jelavic. However, with seven minutes to go, Stoke were awarded a throw-in when the ball clearly came off Potters full-back Erik Pieters. Bojan’s cross eventually led to Ryan Shawcross’ equaliser and, while Hull had chances to clear the danger, it was an easily avoidable incident.
Save of the Weekend
Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel pulled off a few flying saves in his side’s 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, but his best was one which saw him stand his ground. Chelsea’s summer signing Cesc Fabregas found himself in space in the penalty area and attempted to chip the ball over Schmeichel, who had stood tall and reached out a hand to claw the shot away from goal.
Pass of the Weekend
Diego Costa continued his impressive start to his Chelsea career by scoring for the second time in a week when he opened the scoring the 2-0 win over Leicester. His goal was sparked by a brilliantly threaded pass between defenders by Oscar, whose ball found Branislav Ivanovic and the Serbian defender crossed for Costa to score.
Moment of the Weekend
Just over two years after his last appearance in a Chelsea shirt at Stamford Bridge, veteran striker Didier Drogba was back on old territory to a rapturous reception. Drogba, who played for Galatasaray at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League last season, was introduced as a 79th minute substitute for Costa and it’s possible that the applause is still going on now.
