English Premier League Round-Up: Winners and Losers of Week 2

With week one now behind us and the frenzy and excitement that comes with the start of a new EPL season winding down, it is now time to begin to get into the nitty gritty of the long season.

The winners and losers of the first week are so random. This is in part because as much as we like to predict outcomes before the season, they rarely hold any validity. Maybe Aguero really will live up to the hype. Perhaps Villas-Boas isn't the savior we thought he was. Is West Brom for real?

The second week is the first time we can really start to answer those questions. We can see who played great the first just got lucky on a fluke and who will show that they belong in the top class of teams for the remainder of the season.

With this week eclipsing last week's play and goal total (thank god!), we can really see the teams beginning to shake out the cobwebs and get down to real competitive football.

Without further to do, here are the winners and losers from week two...

Loser: Arsene Wenger (Again)

Last week's draw to Newcastle is not the ideal way to start your season, but a loss at home to Liverpool only makes it worse.

It is not only the fact they lost, but it is how they lost. They rarely showed any threat except from the play of want-away Samir Nasri. The young Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off in his first Premier League game. And the injury worries continue with defender Laurent Koscielny out with a lower-back concern.

Even with all of that, they were able to keep Liverpool at bay. Then, in one move, Liverpool got behind the line. Even though it was covered well by Ignasi Miguel, his clearance went right off the chest of  Aaron Ramsey and over the head of Wojciech Szczęsny for the first goal of the game. Arsenal just can't seem to get a break.

It may be early, but Arsenal already find themselves well below the other "big clubs" in the league

Poor poor Arsene. One point out of his first two games, poor performances in both, players who want to leave and now a two-match ban in Champions League beginning Wednesday in the return leg to Udinese. How could things get any worse for the frail Frenchman?

Oh yeah; they have Manchester United away next Sunday.

Winner: Samir Nasri

On an afternoon many Arsenal players are hoping to soon forget, Samir Nasri was the only one who walked off with a grin. Forced to play because of injuries, Wenger had to sit on the sideline and watch the man who wants so badly out of Emirates be the only one showing any kind of quality in the Gunner play.

A streaking run from Nasri's own defensive third, which ended in a shot just wide of the post, was one of the best movements the team had all day, and it involved only the young Frenchman.

With Manchester City waiting in the shadows to pounce on him as soon as Wenger gives the OK, many suspect it won't be long before he moves up north.

This Wednesday's game against Udinese may be one of the most highly anticipated Champions League Qualification games in history. Not for the match up, but just to see who makes the trip. Should Nasri suit up for the game, he can no longer help City in the contest, and therefore, will probably remain at Arsenal.

Winner: Luis Suarez

Liverpool had their chances with Andy Carroll as the lone striker, but when Suarez was introduced to replace him, you really had the feeling that the afternoon was over for Arsenal. Within minutes of coming on, he had already forced Arsenal into an own goal. Ten minutes later, he would tack on his own.

Manager Kenny Daglish held him out to give him some more rest after his long Copa America campaign. But if he is able to create two goals in just 20 minutes of play, you can only wonder how much longer he needs to rest.

He was an preseason favorite for the golden boot, and though it is only week two, he is living up to that honor.

Winners: The Aston Villa Englishmen

Villa improved on last week's dull 0-0 draw to Fulham by giving Alex McLeish his first win as manager with a 3-1 win over Blackburn. He can thank his English players for that.

A team which just a few years ago had Three Lion regulars such as James Milner, Gareth Barry, and Ashely Young, has sold them all the bigger clubs as they just reached their prime. Going into the season they seemed some what a depleted side that could struggle.

But on Saturday Darren Bent, Emile Heskey, and Gabriel Agbonlahor each scored to prove they have plenty of homegrown talent still at Villa Park.

With Euros less than a year away, Fabio Capello is paying close attention to this season's performances. Heskey has already retired, but Bent isn't getting any younger, and Agbonlahor is looking to become a regular on the national side.

Their performances the rest of the season may not be enough for a national team spot, but Villa fans will be glad to see it help their team.

Losers: West Brom

If there was any team that deserves our sympathy, it is West Brom. After a great first season back in the Premier League, the powers that be awarded them back-to-back opening games to Manchester United and Chelsea.

A late deflection goal from Ashely young sent West Brom supporters hearts to the floor, and this past Saturday, another would do the same.

With Chelsea producing next to nothing in the way of chances, a break on a ball dropped to the feet of Nicolas Anleka, whose shot careened off the shin of his defender and around the outstretched arm of Ben Foster.

From that point, Chelsea turned it on, and the question of if they would score another quickly became a question of when.

What is even more discouraging is the fact that West Brom should have been up 2-0 within the opening 20 minutes. Roy Hodgson has done an excellent job getting this team ready. You have to figure had they played anyone else these opening weekends, they may have turned some heads.

On the bright side, they got two of their hardest matches out of the way early.

Winner: Andre Villas-Boas

It may have not been pretty and far from what the manager was expecting, but Villas-Boas got his first win in the Premier League Saturday 2-1 over West Brom.

His tactics still are not the talk of the land, as Chelsea failed for most of the game to create any real opportunities. Torres was picked to start again, and his play was of little consequence. But the decision to put Anelka on his right and to sub Malouda on early in the match saw Villas-Boas making the correct call twice.

His position was by no means under any kind of danger, but this is the easiest stretch of the season for the blues. If they went into the third week with four points already dropped, it would just be added anxiety for the young boss.

Loser: Fernando Torres

For the second straight week, Torres did little to help his team secure a victory before being subbed off  for Drogba. His confidence seems to be there, as he makes cutting runs with the ball and attracts defenders to him. The problem lies in his decision making and execution of those decisions.

His teammates also appear to be operating on a different wave length than him. When he makes a run, they pass the ball to where he was. When he waits for the ball, they anticipate a run. It is comical at times, if you aren't a fan, that is.

As a £50m striker, he will continue to be on the "loser" side of things until he begins to have direct influence on the lead up to goals or starts putting them in the net himself.

Winner: Fernando Torres

The beautiful thing about sports is that one day you could be the goat, but wake up the next morning and your future could be a whole lot brighter.

This afternoon, Chelsea announced that they had agreed to terms with Valencia for the services of winger Juan Mata.

Much of Torres' misfortune has been attributed to the lack of players around him that support his style of play. With Mata now on the team, it should greatly help Torres' confidence and abilities.

Torres believes this more than anyone, as the People.co.uk report that the striker has been sending texts to his fellow countryman, encouraging a move to West London.

Loser: Wigan Shot Accuracy

In the first ever Premier League game played outside of England, the fans were rewarded with the only goalless contest of the week. This is not to say there weren't chances. As a matter of fact there were as many in Swansea as in any other this weekend.

Swans goalie Michel Vorm had an angle looking over him as ball after ball rattled the posts of his net. Wigan seemed sure to put one or two away by game's end, but nothing seemed to work.

Jordi Gomez's clever little volley-flick from just outside the box hit off the right. Minutes later, Victor Moses' close range chance was off the upright. The rebound fell to Gomez, who drew a penalty and gave the look that Wigan would be rewarded for their efforts and take the full three points.

However, Ben Watson's low shot was to close to Vorm, who comfortably saved it.

After Wigan's near relegation last season, they got a bit lucky and drew the three promoted teams in back to back to back weeks to open the season. Unfortunately, Roberto Martinez's men have failed to take advantage of it, albeit on the end of some poor shooting.

Loser: Jussi Jaaskelainen

This week's game between Manchester City and Bolton pitted the two top teams in the Premier League, tied both no points and goal differential. Though it was not hyped quite as much as Chelsea and Man U's meeting last season, it was still for the top of the table.

Everyone expected City to handle Swansea in the opening weekend, but Bolton's 4-0 thrashing of QPR was quite impressive. In that game, Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen was very impressive. He knew he would have to do the same Sunday if they were to remain undefeated against Man City.

Instead, in the 26th minute, he flubbed on a harmless strike from David Silva giving City an Early 1-0 lead. When you are playing a team with the talent City has, the last thing you want to do is gift them an early goal.

When all was said and done, the mistake cost them a point, as Bolton was able to get two well earned goals against City. You can bet Jaaskelainen will be kicking himself for a while over that one.

Winner: Roberto Mancini

Seven goals in two games is enough to get any coach excited. But when it comes off the feet of four different players, it will have them salivating at the mouth. Mancini right now looks like dog staring at a T-bone.

Edin Dzeko, Gareth Barry, David Silva and Sergio Aguero have all found the net this season, as City look the dominant team early in the campaign. What is more is that these four players were all brought to Eastlands by Mancini himself. He is proving to the boards that the moves he has made have so far all been right.

Carlos Tevez featured in Sunday's game, perhaps suggesting that a move may not come after all. If that is true, then we may be looking at one of the best offenses in league for quite some time.

Loser: Tottenham Stubborness

Harry Redknapp kept Luka Modric out of the lineup for today's match against Man U because "at the moment, his head's not in the right place."

Whether this means he does not want to play or Redknapp is getting back at him for his summer antics, the fact remains that this is a huge game, and until pen is put to paper, Modric should be out there for the Spurs.

Did Redknapp not learn anything from Wenger's motives last week? You cannot risk leaving your best player at home, especially when your team is playing a game of this magnitude. Modric is a professional. You really think if you put him out there he won't perform at his very best? Nonsense!

Winners: The Man U Youngsters

Manchester United has six points through their opening two games, including a 3-0 win over Spurs on Monday. What makes that win even more impressive is who got it.

With Ferdinand and Vidic ruled out for injuries, and Giggs and Berbatov on the bench, the starting 11 was incredibly young for such a high stature side.

With the exception of 30-year-old Patrice Evra, Man U averaged just 22.3 years of age between them. Danny Welbeck, Anderson and Rooney all got on the board. Ashely Young continued to impress making darting runs and great passes.

But of all the young stars on the Man U squad, the biggest game today came from keeper David De Gea. After a rocky first two starts in meaningful games for the Red Devils, he calmed down to earn his first Premier League shutout. He was not called on to do anything fantastic, but held his ground on some hard shots and made comfortable saves.

A result and match like this will give him some much needed confidence as he builds toward the same kind of career van der Sar had at the Theater of Dreams.