But no question, the biggest upset of the day took place at the Emirates as West Bromwich Albion stunned Arsenal 3–2. It was the first win in 27 years for West Brom on Arsenal’s home ground.
At Upton Park, West Ham got off the bottom of the table with a 1–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Gunners Misfire
Arsenal began poorly, perhaps looking past minnows West Brom towards a trip to Serbia to face Partizan Belgrade on Tuesday in the Champions League. Next Sunday, Arsenal faces arguably their toughest test of the season at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea.
On Saturday, West Brom held their own and showed no fear. They took a deserved 1–0 lead early in the second half after missing a penalty in the first half. Peter Odemwingie poked home a centering pass at the top of the six-yard box.
Then West Brom really shocked the home side with another goal just two minutes later from Gonzalo Jara.
Former Arsenal player Jerome Thomas made it 3–0 after some very sloppy defending and another bad decision by goalkeeper Manuel Almunia. Almunia chased after a loose ball near the goal line but didn’t get there on time and left his net vacant for Thomas to fire home.
Samir Nasri replied with two nice goals for Arsenal but it was too little, too late.
With the loss, Arsenal remains four points back of Chelsea in second place. Manchester United could vault over the Gunners on Sunday as they face Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium.
Battle of the Rich
Chelsea’s first real test of the season took place at the Eastlands against Manchester City. The two expensively assembled sides canceled each other out in the first half.
Chelsea was coming off a surprising 4–3 loss to Newcastle in the Carling Cup on Wednesday and brought back many of their regulars.
But it was Manchester City who did just enough when Carlos Tevez’s brilliant run from just past midfield ended with a low strike inside the far post for the winning goal.
The loss was Chelsea’s first of the season, but third straight to Manchester City in the Premier League.
Other Results
Liverpool and Sunderland drew 2–2 meaning the struggling Reds will not have won a Premier League match in September.
Fulham and Everton drew 0–0. Fulham is now one of two Premier League clubs to have not yet lost, although five of their six matches have been draws. Everton finds itself at the foot of the Premier League now after West Ham’s win.
Birmingham and Wigan Athletic drew 0–0 and Blackburn Rovers burst Blackpool’s balloon 2–1.
