Reading bring Everton down to earth: Premier League
LONDON, Aug 18: High-flying Everton came crashing back down to earth on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Reading while Tottenham Hotspur hit form with a 4-0 demolition of Derby County in the English Premier League.
Stephen Hunt scored Reading's winner just before halftime and Everton, who had won their opening two matches to top the table, could find no way back after the break.
Tottenham got back on track after a poor start to the season with two goals from Steed Malbranque and one from Jermaine Jenas killing off a poor Derby side inside the opening 15 minutes.
Wigan Athletic joined Everton on six points with a 3-0 defeat of Roy Keane's Sunderland while Portsmouth's impressive start continued with a 3-1 defeat of Bolton Wanderers who are still searching for their first point.
Middlesbrough and West Ham United secured their first victories of the campaign, winning away at Fulham and Birmingham City respectively.
Champions Manchester United play Manchester City on Sunday when Chelsea also travel to Liverpool.
Sammy Lee is still looking for his first point as manager of Bolton Wanderers after his side were soundly beaten at Portsmouth.
Nicolas Anelka gave Bolton an early lead when he shot through the legs of keeper David James. Nwankwo Kanu levelled for Portsmouth before John Utaka sprinted from the halfway line to give the home team a halftime lead.
Portsmouth wrapped up their first victory of the season after 88 minutes when Kanu fell in the area after a lunging tackle by Gerald Cid and Matt Taylor converted the penalty. Their third consecutive defeat leaves Bolton bottom of the league.
Saturday’s results:
Birmingham City 0 West Ham United 1
Fulham 1 Middlesbrough 2
Portsmouth 3 Bolton Wanderers 1
Reading 1 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 4 Derby County 0
Wigan Athletic 3 Sunderland 0
Playing later on Saturday:
Newcastle United v Aston Villa
Playing on Sunday:
Manchester City v Manchester United; Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal; Liverpool v Chelsea.—Reuters