EPL Wrap-Up: Liverpool Cruises, Chelsea Falters

Liverpool 6 - Derby 0

Liverpool’s six-goal avalanche against Derby County on Saturday saw the Reds take the top spot in the Premiership, a position they haven't occupied in the last five seasons.

Coupled with a victory against Toulouse that qualified them for the Champions League, the Derby win capped a pretty good week for Rafael Benitez’s side.

Derby may not be the strongest club in the Premiership, but Liverpool's all-around attack was still impressive. With upcoming league matches against Portsmouth and Birmingham and their opening Champions League match against Porto on September 18th, the Reds could notch three more wins in the coming weeks.

It’s still early, but this could be the kind of start that leaves the Anfield faithful celebrating more than just another successful Champions League campaign at the end of the season.

Aston Villa 2 - Chelsea 0

The score says it all—Aston Villa outclassed Chelsea.

The loss capped one of the worst weeks in the Mourinho Era. After missing out on Sevilla wingback Daniel Alves during the transfer window, giving away Glen Johnson, and letting Lassana Diarra leave, the boys in blue can't be feeling good about themselves.

That said, the Villans played a wonderful match, and defender Zat Knight may have given the club the boost they need to solidify themselves in the hunt for a European place.

Every year, there's a mid-table side who manage to scrap their way into the UEFA Cup. Could this be the victory Villa uses to get there...or will it be a mere footnote in another average season?

Arsenal 3 - Portsmouth 1

Goals from Emmanuel Adebayor, Cesc Fabregas, and Tomas Rosicky shot Arsenal to second place in the standings. Injuries have left the Arsenal defense a bit hampered, and Phillipe Senderos’ red card certainly didn't help, but the club made the best of a tough situation.

Next week, the Gunners face Tottenham in the North London Derby—a pivotal match for both teams.

Blackburn 1 - Manchester City 0

It may not have been the most glamorous game, but it did feature two of the biggest surprises of the young season.

Blackburn looks like a team ready to go far in the EPL, and maybe in Europe too. As for City—even after the loss, Sven Goran Eriksson is looking like he just might be the Manager of the Year.

City has been receiving stellar efforts from keeper Kasper Schmiechel and forging viable combinations in attack from newcomers like Elano.

Though their progress didn't show this weekend, these are two teams to keep an eye on for the rest of the season.

Fulham 3 - Tottenham 3 (Game of the Week)

In line with his physical resemblance to fictional mobster Tony Soprano, there's a chance that Tottenham manager Martin Jol could be getting whacked in the near future.

Although the Tottenham board has decided to stick with the Dutchman, more performances like this one could have them looking elsewhere in the near future.

A goal from Welsh starlet Gareth Bale in the 61st minute gave Spurs a 3-1 lead, but Fulham scored twice in the game's final 30 minutes—including a goal from Diomansy Kamara with seconds left—to even the score.

Jol showed his displeasure with the defense in the postgame interview, appearing dumbfounded that set pieces led to his side’s demise.

On the other end, Lawrie Sanchez’s side pulled out a gutsy draw against a side that most oddsmakers had winning.

Newcastle United 1 - Wigan 0

Michael Owen might finally be approaching the form that Newcastle have long awaited. His second goal of the season gave United the 1-0 win.

Owen’s strike in the 87th minute was badly need by a club that struggled against a 10-man Wigan side.

It’s really just a matter of time before the trio of Owen, Smith, and Viduka learn how to play together and help Newcastle make a run at a Top-Six finish.

Everton 2 - Bolton 1

The summer transfer period paid off for Everton, as they received a goal from Ayegbani Yakubu and a strong second-half performance from Thomas Gravesen.

Gravesen, in his second stint at the club, gave Everton manager David Moyes plenty to smile about with his dominating presence in the midfield and a corner that led to the winner by Joleon Lescott.

If Gravsen can keep that kind of form, he'll prove that teams like Real Madrid and Celtic were justified in their aggressive efforts to acquire him.

West Ham 3 - Reading 0

A lot has changed since West Ham was crushed 6-0 by Reading in their last meeting at Madejski Stadium.

New boy Craig Bellamy fired home the eventual game-winner before Matthew Etherington had a brace to finish things off.

The Hammers moved to the middle of the pack with the win, while Reading fell into the relegation zone. If you’re a Reading supporter, you might be worried about your next few matches—against a deceptively good Sunderland club and a Wigan side that's still in the top half of the standings.

Middlesbrough 2 -  Birmingham 0

Middlesbrough managed a decent offensive output following the transfer of Yakubu to Everton earlier in the week.

Winger Stuart Downing gave the home side an insurance goal in the 37th minute, helping the club reach their 1,500th all-time victory.

Before the end of the season, the lighting-quick Downing could emerge as one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. Don’t be surprised if teams come calling for him in January if Boro are faltering.

Manchester United 1 - Sunderland 0

A Louis Saha goal gave the Red Devils a much-need 1-0 win after a rough two-week span.

With injuries to Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney, a suspension to Cristiano Ronaldo, and a stinging loss to Manchester City already on the books this season, the Old Trafford faithful needed something to cheer about. They got it this weekend.

Before the match, the club honored Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who retired earlier in the week. Former United captain and tough man Roy Keane—now Sunderland's manager—even took part in the celebrations.

United fans will no doubt take the sight of these two on the pitch together as a sign of better days still to come at Old Trafford.