More Adebayor: 8/30

Allowing Adebayor a free header: not advised

Portsmouth 0-1 Manchester City

Last year, City's biggest issue was woeful road form. While it wasn't a dominant, decisive victory, they have maximum points after a road win at Pompey. Not extremely impressive, but a step in the right direction. They may only have a +4 goal differential from three wins, but they have yet to concede a single tally. This, plus Liverpool's 7 goals conceded thus far, is what I get for making fun of City's lack of defense. Meanwhile, Portsmouth join Bolton as the only Prem teams with no points for the month of August, and they'll play one another in their next matches after the international break. Big Bear, I believe you have your first "Zero Star" rating of the season for your next preview...

Everton 2-1 Wigan

The Toffees took advantage of a late penalty to win a relatively even affair and move off the bottom of the table. Everton seemed to have an edge in sheer volume of opportunities, though Wigan botched a 5-on-2 break at the start of extra time that, in hindsight, could have meant taking a point away from Goodison Park. Everton's early season form looks to have been turned around, just in time for everyone to leave for two weeks. I'm sure David Moyes is thrilled with the timing.

Aston Villa 2-0 Fulham

Let's all get back on board the Aston Villa train!! An own goal from John Pantsil put Fulham in a very early hole, and Gabby Agbonlahor essentially finished off the win in the second half, as Fulham were reportedly atrocious.

Spain:

Valencia took advantage of 10-man Sevilla in the second half to cruise to a 2-0 win to start the campaign. Among other notable clubs in action Sunday, Villareal drew 1-1 away at Osasuna, and Atletico Madrid lost 3-0 at Malaga. Taking the early lead in the Spanish league, pending Monday's results for defending champion Barcelona, was Getafe. The club that finished in 17th place last season, barely maintaining their stay in the top league, won 4-1 at Racing Santander.

Italy:

In the notable early match, Juventus defeated Roma 3-1, with Juventus moving into second place. Sampdoria won, 3-1 over Udinese, to take first place. Genoa and Lazio also won their second match from two, and are off the pace only due to goal differential.

Germany:

In the early match, Werder Bremen defeated Hertha Berlin in Berlin, 3-2, to move to third in the Bundesliga. Later, Hamburg defeated FC Cologne, 3-1, to move into first place at the break.

Midweek Soccer:

None. Zip. Zilch. Nada. This week is all build-up and training to a considerable slate of World Cup Qualifying next Saturday and the following Wednesday.