James Beattie
Beattie, a Sheffield United player last season, slowly adjusted to his move up to the Premier League to open this season. Going into last weekend the thirty-one year old had yet to find the back of the net. This would change though against West Ham last weekend. Beattie scored both goals in Stoke’s 2-1 victory and Beattie would provide one via penalty and one for the winner in the 69th minute. Getting your team three points isn’t such a bad way to make up for a slow start to the season.
Antonio Valencia
Well he is no Cristiano Ronaldo or even a Carlos Tevez, but Antonio Valencia also was able to finally get on the board for the Red Devils and just like Beattie he was able to score the game winner over Bolton. He only has one so far this year, but look for Valencia to continue to progress as the year moves forward.
The Red Beach Ball
You will hear a lot about this object this week simply because it was one of the more ridiculous things I’ve seen happen in any sporting event. The Red Beach Ball has become a celebrity much like Wilson the Volleyball from the film Castaway. That Red Beach Ball (thrown on the field by fans of the Reds of course) drifted in front of the goal and by rule the game went on and the ball was not removed from the pitch by officials or anyone playing. Darren Bent took advantage of this lapse and fired a low shot that directly struck the legendary beach ball and the beach ball sailed one direction and the shot sailed into the net. Sunderland wins 1-0 thanks to their new friend.
