Gunners hand Blackpool a reality check

LONDON: Theo Walcott scored a hat-trick as Arsenal handed Premier League new boys Blackpool a painful lesson with a 6-0 thrashing.

After the euphoria of their 4-0 win over Wigan, Ian Holloway’s side endured a reality check after being reduced to ten men midway through the first half.

However, by then, Walcott had already given the Gunners the lead, finishing off Andrey Arshavin’s pass with a first-time drive from the right of the box. Arshavin made it two with a 32nd-minute penalty after Ian Evatt was ordered off for bringing down Marouane Chamakh with a challenge from behind.

Walcott claimed his second, six minutes from the break and might easily have completed his hat-trick before the break as the Gunners turned the screw. He claimed the ball as the hour mark approached and Chamakh’s and Abou Diaby’s goals completed Aresenal’s victory.

Spurs register win

Tottenham also claimed their first win of the season after holding out under intense pressure for a 2-1 win at Stoke. Gareth Bale’s opener was cancelled out by Stoke’s striker Ricardo Fuller. But Bale restored Spurs’ advantage five minutes later with a left-foot volley that was enough to secure the three points for Tottenham

A scrappy encounter between Birmingham and Blackburn burst into life in the wake of a stunning penalty save by Ben Foster, who tipped Morten Gamst Pedersen’s well-struck spot kick. Steven Nzonzi headed Blackburn into the lead shortly afterwards but Birmingham bounced back to win 2-1 thanks to a Craig Gardner double.

Meanwhile, Tim Cahill opened Everton’s goal account for the season and gave them a half-time lead over Wolves. But the midfielder’s effort was cancelled out by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, who converted a Kevin Doyle cross. The match ended with a 1-1 scoreline.

Peter Odemwingie marked his debut for West Brom with the only goal of a 1-0 win over Sunderland. West Ham, on the other hand lost to Bolton 1-3 after squandering a chance to take the lead when Carlton Cole had a penalty saved.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2010.