Premier League review:Blackpool announced their arrival in the Premier League last weekend with a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic but they and their fans were brought crashing back down to earth by Theo Walcott and Arsenal this weekend.
The young England player, who was controversially left at home by manager Fabio Capello for the World Cup this summer, scored a hat-trick against Ian Holloway’s side, who had Ian Evatt sent off in the first half.
Walcott had already given Arsenal the lead by then, but after Andriy Arshavin’s penalty from the foul on Marouane Chamakh there was never a doubt as to where the points were heading.
Walcott’s neat turn and shot six minutes from the break gave the homeside a three goal lead at halftime and the same amount came after the break.
Abou Diaby converted Bacary Sagna’s cross four minutes after the restart and Walcott sealed the hat-trick with a precise left footed finish after cutting in from the right.
Chamakh finally got in on the act in the 83rd minute, shortly after shooting over an open goal from five yards out, when he headed home Robin Van Persie’s corner.
The latter’s introduction, along with that of Cesc Fabregas in the second half, were further positives for Arsene Wenger and the Gunners faithful ahead of a season they look primed to tackle.
Gareth Bale claimed the first double of his senior career as Tottenhamwon 2-1 at Stoke.
The Wales international knew little about his 19th-minute opener when Ryan Shawcross’s attempted clearance cannoned in off him, but there was no questioning his winner, a stunning volley from Aaron Lennon’s cross on the half-hour after Ricardo Fuller had levelled.
However, the game ended in controversy with Stoke convinced a late effort had crossed the line, although not in the opinion of referee Chris Foy.
Birminghammidfielder Craig Gardner was another to strike twice as his side came from behind to beat Blackburn2-1.
Rovers midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen saw his 50th-minute penalty saved by Birmingham keeper Ben Foster, but then delivered the corner from which Steven N’Zonzi headed Rovers in front at St Andrews four minutes later.
However, the lead was fleeting and Gardner levelled from James McFadden’s delicately volleyed cross within three minutes before smashing home a long-range winner 19 minutes from time.
Boltonstriker Johan Elmander claimed a second-half brace as his side won 3-1 at West Ham.
West Ham had only themselves to blame when, having seen Carlton Cole miss a first-half penalty, Matthew Upson headed into his own net under pressure from Bolton’s Kevin Davies three minutes into the second half.
Things went from bad to worse for the Hammers and they found themselves 2-0 down when Elmander powered home a 68th-minute header, and the Swede doubled his tally after Mark Noble had briefly given the home side hope by beating keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen with a second spot-kick.
Promoted West Brom bounced back from their 6-0 mauling at Chelsea last weekend with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland thanks to debutant Peter Odemwingie’s first goal from the club, although they had to wait until the 81st-minute despite dominating for long periods.
Evertonhad to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves.
Tim Cahill fired Everton in front two minutes before the break when he smashed home the rebound from Mikel Arteta’s blocked free-kick with the visitors’ appealing in vain for a foul, but Sylvan Ebanks-Blake cancelled out the lead with a 74th-minute equaliser to snatch a point.