Arsenal Hot, Chelsea and Definitely Liverpool Not

There were a few shock results in the English Premier League this weekend and as usual it was full of action. Wigan Athletic hammered Hull City 5-0 and Everton were turned over 3-0 at home by an impressive Portsmouth.

Shaun Wright-Philips returned to Manchester City a hero, and Stewart Downing unfortunately left his mark on the crossbar.

As always, some of that action was HOT and some of it was NOT!

HOT

Portsmouth: Harry Redknapp's men were brilliant at Goodison Park in their resounding 3-0 win. A long way from that opening day 4-0 hammering by Chelsea.

Jermaine Defoe: The talented front man was on fire at Everton and was rewarded with a goal and two assists for his trouble. Fabio Capello was pretty impressed it seems.

David James: Credit where credit is due. The old man of the EPL was awesome against Everton. I gave him stick recently but I take it all back! The save from Arteta and his penalty save were top class, and he fully deserves his spot in the England side.

Wigan Athletic: 5-0 victors over Hull City and they were full value for money. They showed last week at home to Chelsea they are a decent side and just in case we didn't get it, they went to Hull and gubbed them.

Antonio Valencia: I mentioned him last week and boy did he impress me again. Constant running, skill, vision, and clinical finishing. All that after he's ran half the length of the park!

Amr Zaki: I got some stick for not mentioning him last week and that stick was justified. Two goals for Wigan at Hull makes it three in three for the in-form striker.

Jason Roberts: I have to keep mentioning the big striker as he keeps on scoring. Great to see him returning to the form that made him a household name just a few seasons ago.

Goalkeepers: We'll start with Robert Green who has been rewarded for his recent form with a return to the England setup. Next up is Shay Given, who saved Newcastle from one hell of a humiliating defeat at the Emirates. A mention too for Scott Carson and Jussi Jaaskelainen. Finally we have Gomes of Spurs. What a long throw, 60 yards, I can't kick that far!

Alan Curbishley: They blame him for everything, they sell his players but yet the former Charlton coach has just guided West Ham to their best league start in nine years. Put that in your pipe and smoke it West Ham. Still going to fire him?

Robin Van Persie: The best and worst of the Dutchman. Two goals and an injury, do he and Dean Ashton drink the same water?

Mike Ashley: The Newcastle owner sat with the away fans in London and resorted to what most of them were doing by halftime—downing a pint in 13.07 seconds according to Match of the Day. Great stuff!

Alfonso Alves: Goal of the season so far for many. A postage stamp free kick by the Middlesbrough man that had Thomas Sorenson routed to the spot. It wouldn't have looked out of place on your gas bill!

Stephen Ireland: I have to mention him for scoring this week as I praised him last week. It's great being right and it's good to see the young Irishman apparently over his personal demons.

Shaun Wright-Philips: The England winger returned to Man City from Chelsea for £9m and scored two goals as his side beat Sunderland 3-0 away. He also bagged them a £12m profit from the bank that is Chelski. A heroes return for a true City boy.

NOT

Everton: The Everton squad looks extremely thin and I'm sure David Moyes is doing everything today to strengthen, or such results may become more common.

Portsmouth: Is that three different kits in three EPL games? The fans must have plenty of spare cash down on the south coast!

Hull City: I was about 10 years old when I learnt that you put a man on each post at the corner! Obviously not in Hull, their defending was terrible.

Blackburn Rovers: They haven't won at West Ham United in 14 years. No wait, make that 15 years and conceding two goals in the first 20 minutes was never going to change anything. Rover lost 4-1 in the end thanks to conceding two goals in injury time. Pretty poor stuff.

Refereeing: Blackburn were denied a perfectly good equalizer by the assistant referee at Upton Park (Matt Derbyshire really is a poacher) but the main talking point was Chris Foy at the Stadium of Light. He doesn't even know what a free kick is and it will be a long time before we see him back in the top flight of English football.

Jason Roberts: I can't praise without criticising and that penalty was pretty poor mate. Blackburn could easily have beaten West Ham United but went down 4-1. Who says we shouldn't get excited by the EPL?

William Gallas: What's a weekend of football without a sitter? William Gallas in plenty of space on the half volley inside the six yard box. I think you get it.

Owen and Ameobi: Maybe it was Owen hitting Ameobi instead of the target that has led Fabio Capello to leave out the striker? No wait, I think he's just screwing it up.

Amdy Faye: I told you last week he wasn't used to playing beyond half time! He was so worried about it that he figured the best thing to do was get off before half time. A pretty poor challenge and a deserved red card.

Stewart Downing: We all know the game Stewart. First one to hit the crossbar wins a prize! Just not in the middle of the second half mate. You won't see a more spectacular penalty miss all season. The ball ended up with the Middlesbrough centre back!

0-0: First two of the season. Bolton v West Brom and Liverpool at Aston Villa. At least Bolton and WBA but on a show.

Kevin Davies: The Bolton front man had not one but two goals disallowed in that 0-0 draw. That must really bite!

Sunderland's Defence: Poor old Craig Gordon about covers it. Let's hope Anton Ferdinand knows how to stay on his feet, mark, and tackle as he'll have a lot of it to do.

Liverpool's Narrow Play: Robbie Keane on the left, one up front and three in the middle? Come on Rafa you were playing against one of the best drilled sides in the league with a very exciting winger in Ashley Young. How about exploiting the space he leaves behind? No Gerrard, no Torres, no Liverpool it seems.

Xabi Alonso: We know you can score from your own half! Even the opposition keeper knows. Sorry Xabi, the secret is out.

So there you have it. Another great weekend of EPL action.

Do you get all this action in other leagues? Yes, sure you do.

Do I need to watch it?

No, as I've got everything I want right here.