Oh dear

I was just about the enjoy the opening weekend of the Premier League when Pepe Reina decided to show Manuel Almunia that he's not the only one who can make comedy blunders. But a draw with Arsenal was almost inevitible, although it did make me angry with and blame Mark Lawrenson for his ever unambitious BBC predictions that every game between two teams in the top six will finish 1-1. Joe Cole wasted no time in making an impact and, realising he wouldn't be spending the next few weeks with Alberto Aqualini and the physio, decided he'd rather spend them watching from the stands instead. David N'gog continued to look alright in Fernando Torres' absence with a well taken goal, even if the television men can't decide how to pronnounce his name - is it 'en-go' or 'un-gog'? Maybe one day he'll do an interview and tell everyone.

Elsewhere, Manchester United continued with their ruthless efficiency last night as they eased past the fallen Newcastle. Dimitar Berbatov got carried away after one good finish and by the midway point of the second half was trying acrobatic stunts that boys try in parks to try an impress the watching girls, only it ended the same way as most attmepts in the park do, with the ball going nearer the corner flag and the player looking like an arse. Ryan Giggs continued to score in every Premier League season so can now retire with that statistic intact, and Paul Scholes managed to get through the full 90 minutes and showed no signs of turning from ginger to grey. Newcastle were never likely to win and their fate will be decided in other games, but it was disappointing to see a game where both sides looked quite content at 2-0.

Chelsea did what we have come to expect them to from last season and put smiles on the faces of everyone who had made Didier Drogba their fantasy football captain. West Brom showed the naivety that ensures relegation and the problems of newly promoted teams 'trying to play football' in the Premier League - namely that they get hammered each time they play a decent opponant. It seems that teams who are well organised and disciplined, that can defend well and counter attack and use set pieces, will always stand a better chance of surrvivng that those who come up and try to play the beautiful game.

The other big surprise result was of course Blackpool's opening day thumping of Wigan at the DW as the nomadic Marlon Harewood scored a well taken brace. Clearly I wasn't being sarcastic when I spoke about Wigan losing to 'to gift one of the promoted sides their first and only away win of their season' - which this probably will be for Blackpool. The irony is that Wigan will probably win on their trip to the coast. Though I can't see Wigan continuing the stay up this season - they have been on borrowed time now for almost four years with their continuous influx of South American jugglers each playing for a move to a better club next season as they scrape to surrvive each year. How long can a club that sells its best players to its rivals - often ones not much higher above them in the league - continue at the highest level?

Elsewhere results were much as expected. Tottenham failed to break down Manchester City in the most disappointing opening game since, well, the World Cup. Joe Hart pulled off a string of great saves while Shay Given had a strop about not wanting to be a reserve goalkeeper - why these reseve players can't just focus on playing and training well to earn a place rather than complain abiut being left out of the starting XI is beyond me. City looked like a group of strangers - which they are - and will need to gel quickly to avoid falling short again and having a carousel of managers.

Aston Villa eased past West Ham in what looks like a difficult season for 'yes man' Avram Grant, especially under the influence of the two Davids, who seem to want to meddle in team affairs as much as Florentino Perez does with his Galacticos, which isn't as bad when it costs you La Liga by a few points and sees you exit the Champions' League before the quarter finals for the umpteenth year running, but it is when it may cost you Premier League surrvival by the same margin. Good to see James Milner being a good pro and playing well, as was Javier Mascherano for Liverpool - both showed a player can be dignified in asking for a transfer without doing their sulking on the pitch.

Wolves edged past Stoke in their early potential bottom of the pile scrap, while Birmingham did well to come from two down to draw at the Stadium of Light. Stephen Carr was competing with red carded debutants Joe Cole and Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny for best start to the season as he gave away a penalty before giving the hosts a two goal cushion, so at least a draw spared his blushes. Bolton played out a bore-draw with Fulham as Blackburn got stuckin into their usual rough and tumble to scrape past Everton - good to see two goalkeepers on Merseyside having a clanger in the same weekend.

In the Championship Millwall and QPR continued their perfect start to the season - be interesting to see how their fans react if they are this strong in April if West Ham are likely candidates to go down, and the two may miss the opportunity for what would be come an biannual East End Royal Rumble.

Ipswich reverted to last season's form as they conceded an equaliser after having gone ahead just four minutes from time against newly relegated Burnley at Portman Road, while pre-season favourites Leister and Middlesbrough both failed to get their seasons going.

Sheffield United suffered a crushing home defeat at the hands of their ex-manager, and I was disappointed to see the consequence of that being Kevin Blackwell getting the boot. I thought he had done a reasonable job since his appointment, usually challenging for promotion, and though that should be the club's realistic target every season I hope they don't become crushed under the weight of expectancy. Gary Speed looks likely to be appointed manager as I write this so hopefully he will enjoy success and lead the Blades back to the Premier League.

Anyway, depsite all the hopes prematurely dashed and the expectation being built up, just remember - the season has only just begun. Man City could be challenging at the top, as could Liverpool (hopefully!), despite opening day draws - Chelsea and Man Utd will not remain invincible - and Blackpool will not win the Premier League. If you want to prove me wrong, try and get rich by placing a 2,000-1!

So don't be too disappointed or get too carried away based on the opening weekend results - there's still a long way to go! And if you've had a poor start to your Fantasy Football league like me, with no Drogba or Florent Malouda raking the points in and Torres, Luca Levia and Sol Campbell making you regret your choices, then just trsut that they will all be reacy and firing next week - or at some point over the next 37 at least!

(Picture courtesy of the BBC)