The Premier League season has begun: Everton 1 - Arsenal 6 (Eduardo scores!)

This season, there are three English clubs that are thought to have a chance of breaking the Premier League stranglehold held by the top four teams (Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Arsenal): Everton (because they try hard and make do with less), Aston Villa (I'm not actually sure why), and Manchester City (because they are owned by members of the Abu Dhabi royal family and have a lot of money to spend.)

Unfortunately, Everton had their first match of the season today, and things did not look good. They were annihilated 6-1 at home by Arsenal, and, obviously, looked terrible in the process. One happy note, however (at least for Arsenal) -- Arsenal's final goal was scored by Eduardo. Eduardo has not scored a Premier League goal since February of 2008 due to a hideous leg injury he suffered later that month in a match against Birmingham City.

Photos-- Above: Everton goalie Tim Howard fails to stop Arsenal's first goal by Denilson. There would be more.

Below: Eduardo scores an otherwise-meaningless goal in the 88th minute.

I have a Franklin Gutierrez bobblehead doll

Last night my wife, daughter, and I went to see the Seattle Mariners lose 9-0 to the Cleveland Indians. It was also Franklin Gutierrez Bobblehead Night (see picture, above). Earlier this week, Manny Ramirez hit a pinch-hit grand slam for the Dodgers at Manny Ramirez Bobblehead Night, and we were hoping for something similar from Franklin Gutierrez. It didn't happen, though-- he went 0-for-2 with a walk (see picture, below).

Gutierrez also tried, but failed, to catch a home run hit by Travis Haffner in the 7th inning. (see picture, below).

Also at the game were such celebrities as Flo Rida and members of the Everton FC squad, including Tim Cahill (below, holding the baseball), who has the same birthday as I do.