Premier League Rundown: 8/21

Birmingham City-2 Blackburn Rovers-1: This was a thrilling game at St Andrews Stadium in Birmingham, and the home side came out on top. Birmingham City goalkeeper Ben Foster made a magnificent save on a penalty. Morten Gamst Pedersen was on the receiving end of the save in the 50th minute, and that was a big moment in the game.

Blackburn did take the lead a few minutes later however, when a header from Steven Nzonzi found the back of the net. Birmingham city rallied back to when it though. Craig Gardner was the hero, scoring two great goals in the 57th and 71st minutes.

Everton-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers-1: Althought Everton controlled the ball for most of the game, Wolves were able to come away from Goodison Park with a point. Tim Cahill scored for Everton late in the first half, but Wolves equalized on a goal from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the 74th minute.

Everton have to be disappointed with their performance today. This are the kinds of games they have to win (especially at home) if they hope to finish in the top-10 at the end of the year. Wolves will be thrilled to get a result in this one.

Tottenham Hotspur-2 Stoke City-1: Another close, thrilling game took place at Britannia Stadium. Gareth Bale opened the scoring in the 19th minute, when a ball deflected off his face and into the net. Stoke came back and equalized, when Ricardo Fuller scored in the 25th minute. Gareth Bale, five minutes later, put Tottenham up for good with his second goal of the game. It was a terrific volley from Bale.

Now comes the controversy. Stoke, trying to equalize late in the game, appeared to have put the ball across the line but it was ruled not a goal. Jon Walters, making his debut, headed the ball towards the net. It was cleared by Peter Crouch but looked to go over the line first. Unfortunately for Stoke, the referee ruled no goal on the play.

West Bromwich-1 Sunderland-0: This game, while not as exciting as the others, was just as close. West Brom and Sunderland battled it out and both failed to score until West Brom took the lead in the 81st minute. Peter Odemwingle was the hero for West Brom.

This is a great bounce back game for West Brom, who were thrashed 6-0 by Chelsea last weekend.

Bolton-3 West Ham-1: West Ham's bad luck has continued. It started in the 33rd minute, when Carlton Cole kicked his penalty shot right into the arms of Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelanien. The misery continued when Matthew Upson netted an own goal in the 48th minute. West Ham really have to start playing better if they want to stay in the Premier League.

As for Bolton, Johan Elmander was the star, scoring two goals and leading Bolton to the win.

Chelsea-6 Wigan-0: Think about this stat: Chelsea's goal differential this season is 12 goals scored and 0 goals against. Wigan's goal differential is 0 goals scored and 10 goals against. That basically tells the story of this game. Chelsea dominated all game, and Wigan struggled yet again.

Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou each scored two goals for Chelsea.

Premier League Predictions: 20-11

Here are my 2010/11 Premier League predictions and previews. I will be going in reverse order, starting with the the team I think will finish last up until #11 for this post. Later in the week, I will post who I think will finish in the top 10 in the league table. Enjoy.

20. Blackpool
Manager: Ian Holloway

2009/10 Finish: Promoted

Players to Watch: Neil Eardley, Brett Ormerod, Charlie Adam

Preview: Blackpool are just happy to be up in the top league. Many newly promoted teams like to keep a tight budget for players. Blackpool is no different. The most they've ever spent for a player is £500,000. The big four teams pay 12-year old youth players that amount. Almost all the players on Blackpool's roster are from the UK or Ireland.

While Blackpool have a good manager in Holloway, their roster is just not up to Premier League standards. I have a feeling they will be back in the Championship next season.

19. West Bromwich Albion
Manager: Roberto Di Matteo

2009/10 Finish: Promoted

Players to Watch: Yossuf Mulumbu, Graham Dorrans, Chris Wood

Preview: West Brom are more prepared to face the Premier League than Blackpool. That said, I still think they will be relegated. The "Baggies" have a more experienced roster than Blackpool, and have a small chance to stick around in the Premier League.

18. Wigan Athletic
Manager: Roberto Martinez

2009/10 Finish: 16th

Players to Watch: Emmerson Boyce, Chris Kirkland, Charles N'Zogbia

Preview: I think Wigan were lucky to avoid relegation last season. Their goal differential was worst in the EPL last season at -42. I don't think they'll be so lucky this season.


17. West Ham United
Manager: Avram Grant

2009/10 Finish: 17th

Players to Watch: Scott Parker, Matthew Upson, Robert Green

Preview: West Ham just avoided an relegation last season. Of course, 17th wasn't their ideal finish. They do have some quality players however. Captain Matthew Upson started center back at center back  for the English national team in the World Cup. Green gave up that soft goal against the USA, which lead to a 1-1 draw. West Ham will just escape relegation this season.

16. Newcastle United
Manager: Chris Hughton

2009/10 Finish: Promoted

Players to Watch: Kevin Nolan, Sol Campbell, Nile Ranger

Preview: After bringing in Sol Campbell from Arsenal, Newcastle basically have no money for any more players. That said, they still have a decent enough squad to stick around in the Premier League. Newcastle gained their promotion by winning the Championship. They will avoid relegation, but they will not finish higher than hated rival Sunderland.

15. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Manager: Andy Dalziel

2009/10 Finish: 15th

Players to Watch: Kevin Doyle, Michael Kightly, Ashley Hemmings

Preview: Wolves surprised many by avoiding relegation last season. This season they are expected to stay in the league as they try to become a Premier League mainstay. They brought in Stephen Fletcher to play with Irishman Kevin Doyle up front. Wolves may surprise some people again this season.

14. Stoke City
Manager: Tony Pulis

2009/10 Finish: 11th

Players to Watch: Ricardo Fuller, Matthew Etherington, Rory Delap

Preview: Stoke terrorized Arsenal and Man City in in the F.A. Cup and finished 11th in the table. Everyone was shocked by Stoke City last year and Rory Delap's long throw-ins. That will not be the case this season. Teams that took Stoke lightly last season will not this season.

13. Birmingham City
Manager: Alex McLeish

2009/10 Finish: 9th

Players to Watch: Ben Foster, Roger Johnson, Stephen Carr

Preview: Birmingham had a great season in 09/10. Ben Foster will have to come up HUGE if Birmingham hope to crack the top 10 this season. Joe Hart, on loan from Man City, saved Birmingham time and time again last season. Birmingham will return back to earth this season.

12. Bolton Wanderers
Manager: Owen Coyle

2009/10 Finish: 14th

Players to Watch: Lee Chung-yong, Kevin Davies, Gary Cahill

Preview: Bolton finished a disappointing 14th last season. Acquiring Martin Petrov will help them, but they will still not get into the top 10. They need more young talent to inject some creativity into the side.

11. Blackburn Rovers
Manager: Sam Allardyce

2009/10 Finish: 10th

Players to Watch: El Hadji Diouf, Steven Nzonzi, Phil Jones

Preview: Blackburn have a lot of young talent. That is great for the future of the club, until bigger clubs snatch them away that is.

Check in tomorrow for my prediction as to who will finish in the top 10 in the Premier League.