Wigan 0 – Chelsea 1 (Premier League, August 24, 2008) (MOTD highlights here.) After scoring on his debut, Deco showed he is the real deal with a stunning free-kick after just 4 minutes at the JJB, arching the ball from right to left and giving Pollitt (who came in for Kirkland minutes before kick-off) no chance. Wigan responded in a spirited fashion, and dominated the half with Petr Cech the far busier of the keepers. For their part, Chelsea looked off the boil for the majority of the first half (highlights here). The second half was largely a dull affair, Chelsea nullifying Wigan who lacked the same penetration which they displayed in the opening 45. Kapo forced Cech into a smart save in the final minutes but in the end Chelsea, without playing well, made it two wins from two.

Manchester City 3 – West Ham 0 (Premier League, August 24, 2008) (MOTD highlights here.) City were unlucky to go into the break deadlocked, after they had pressed West Ham throughout the first half. The Hammers were reduced to 10-men after Mark Noble was sent off for a second yellow card. (First half highlights here.) Early in the second half the match was held up for ten minutes as Micah Richards was stretchered off in a clash with Tal Ben Haim. Eventually City took the lead, Daniel Sturridge firing in the opener after Upson’s poor clearance. Elano bagged the second after a cut back from Ireland, and the same two players combined again as Elano made it three.

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Ipswich 0 – Wolves 2 (Championship, August 23, 2008) Sylvan Ebanks-Blake headed home in the 21st minute from a cross by Matt Jarvis, before midfielder Dave Edwards made his second consecutive goalscoring appearance as a substitute.