English Premier League: Winners and Losers of Week 1

Mid-August could not have come any sooner. No more meaningless preseason games. No more beating up on poor MLS and Asian "select" sides. No more fans having to splash out $100-plus to see the third string play.

Finally time for some good old classic English Premier League football!

Here is the first of my weekly installments of the winners and losers of EPL.

Loser: Arsene Wenger

The Arsenal boss was hoping to quiet the heavy criticism he was receiving all preseason by opening the campaign with a win against Newcastle. Instead, he seems to find himself in even more hot water, as his only big signing this summer, Gervinho, was sent off.

He opted to keep Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas out of the starting lineup due to the uncertainty of their future. Interesting move, considering the man who would get Gervinho sent off, Joey Barton, played a full 90 even though his future is in equal question.

Despite having a majority of possession and plenty of scoring opportunities, they were unable to put any away. That may not be the manager's fault, but he will take the brunt of the blame for sure.

Winner: Joey Barton

For someone who prides himself on being a tough guy, he sure went down awfully easy from the open palm nudge from Gervinho.

Strategically, it was of course the right thing to do. It got the attention referee Peter Walton, who gave the Ivory Coast international his packing orders. But manhood wise...Braton dropped a few notches on my list.

This is one of those things about the game that I think a lot of American fans find laughable. Not saying Barton should have retaliated with a haymaker, but come on, man should have a little cajones. I actually wonder if the yellow card he got was for picking up Gervinho or the acting on the hand to the face.

In the end, it accomplished what he wanted and got Gervinho sent off. Looks like Alan Pardew made the right decision in trusting Barton's loyalty to the club. Wenger, you watching this?

Winners: Bolton Wanderers

As one of only two teams that had wins in day one, Bolton put themselves on the top of the table with a 4-0 thrashing of QPR. Yes, I know; they did play QPR, but many predicted the newly promoted side to be the one to remain and do well in the Prem.

Not only did they handle business, but they did so in commendable fashion. Gary Cahill's opening goal was the best of any Saturday, and they moved the ball with fluidity and speed unlike any other side.

Odds are Bolton will not remain on the top for many more weeks, but they should enjoy it right now, as they are deserving of the honor.

Loser: QPR

Losing 4-0 in you first game in the Premier League in 15 years is not enough to be a loser on this list. But seeing one of your big summer signings, Kieron Dyer, end up with a serious injury, a straight red for your starting defender and just being plain unlucky as you see a goal waved off for offside and another stellar strike saved by the head of well placed defender is.

Not to mention they now face an Everton side next week who is healthy, rested and eager to play after the postponement of their match. The recipe is already set for them to have another poor week.

QPR will now be looking up at everyone else, as their quest to remain in England's top division has been made all the more difficult.

Winner: John Arne Riise

The Norwegian defender made his return to the Premier League in honorable fashion. In what overall was a dull 0-0 draw between Fulham and Aston Villa, Riise was an electrfying force on Fulham's left side. Getting forward and making overlapping runs, he was a surprising offensive threat for a player best known for his defense.

Winners: Stoke Big Men

Of all the teams in the league, Stoke perhaps got the worst opening day draw of the lot. Having to open your campaign against last year's runner-up, who has a new coach and a desire to win bigger than any other team, is not ideal. But Stoke and the fans overwhelmed Andre Villa-Boas' tactics and introduced him to Premier League ball with a hard-fought and fairly earned draw.

Though Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic was the savior of the day, the four big men in outfield positions were the unsung heroes. Defenders Ryan Shawcross and Robert Huth pounded on the much undersized Torres all game, even when a player their size like Drogba came in. They still imposed their force even on tired legs.

Up front, the likes of Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters created all kinds of havoc in the box, constantly getting in face of Petr Cech and making him uneasy.

Stoke are trying to reverse the opinion that they are just a bunch of giants looking to be physical on defense and score from set pieces to a more accepted version of footballing. But Tony Pulis should look at Sunday's game and remember the saying, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Losers: The Chelsea Attack

In one of his very first interviews as a Chelsea manager, Andre Villa-boas said he was going to bring "flair" to this side that lacked creativity all last season.

They had a pretty successful preseason, but their return to real competition saw the supposedly high powered-attack-mentality meets its match 0-0 draw at Stoke. Sure, one or two calls were debatable penalty no-calls, but overall, there was little difference between last year's side and the one on Sunday.

Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres, and Ramires all showed moments of brilliance, but it was on an individual scale. Same with Mikel and Anelka's shots that forced saves out Begovic. The midfield was still static and not able to have the exchanges that Villa-Boas wanted.

All of a sudden, 35 million doesn't seem so bad for Modric, huh?

Loser: Man U Defense

A win is a win, but when you're in the first week of a 10 month season and you have already lost two of your starting defenders to long term injuries and another for two weeks, some don't look quite as good. This is what Alex Ferguson is currently facing.

They played well all around, and the subs who replaced them did what they were asked to do, But you are looking at the two team leaders and last year's Premier League Player of the Year absent from the squad.

This win was huge given the circumstances, and with their cross town rivals, City, doing a number on Swansea, this win was all the more important.

Oddly enough, I think this situation will scare opposing fans more than Fergie. Now we know they can win with half their team missing.

Loser: David De Gea

OK, OK, you are forgiven for your gaffe on Dzeko's 30-yard attempt in the Community Shield. But what you did on Sunday....

I can't say anything negative about De Gea. He has been put in an impossible position. Expected to fill the role of legend who retired after one of the best seasons of his long career?

That is no easy task. Ferguson and the players understand this, and I hope the United fans will as well. That does not excuse the fact that he let that in a soft goal two games in a row, but he plays a position where every mistake you make is amplified in the worse way possible.

Not to mention he is only 20 and the second youngest player in the starting XI (he seniors Welbeck by a mere 13 days)! Did Welbeck screw up? You bet. But all that means is a turnover deep in the opposition's end, not a goal against.

He will be fine, but it is going to take time.

Winner: Sergio Aguero

Manchester City splashed out a club record £38 million for the Argentine striker, and it has already paid off.

In his first game in the powder blue kit, he scored two goals and assisted in a third.

Oh yeah...he only played 30 minutes.

You watching this, Fernando Torres?

Loser: EPL 2011/12 Ball

What the heck is this thing? It has to be one of the ugliest ball designs in professional football.

Nike says it helps performance by "the combination of graphic design and contrast creates an optimal visual signal picture on pitch. Which in short, means Nike RaDaR allows players to make faster decisions on the pitch and stay ahead of the pace of the game."

Pele kicked around a blob of brown leather, and he never seemed to have problems with making quick decisions.

Your Winners and Losers?

Who were your winners and losers for the week?