Week 7: Premier League Tops & Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

OMG!

And once again Luis Suarez added to his Oscar nominations for the best drama queen! The Uruguayan striker stole the show once again with his antiques at Anfield. The 25-year old appeared to be stamped on by Stoke defender Robert Huth earlier on in the goalless game, the German lucky to stay on the pitch, before Suarez himself committed an embarrassing dive in the box, which he also escaped from uncautioned. Tony Pulis may slam Suarez for his drama performance and Rodgers may bemoan the missed chances and the officials' prejudice against his renowned forward, but both manager cannot deny the facts and problems they have to work on and improve on: Stoke's discipline and Liverpool's goal conversion rate (+ Suarez' balance), they are both as bad as each other! 

WOW!

Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney are hitting it off together for Manchester United. The two strikers may not have been on the scoreboard this week, but their hard work is paying off for their side. Both were providers for the first and second goal by Jonny Evans and Patrice Evra respectively. Tom Cleverley's dipping shot made it 3-0 from outside the box on the left bending across and past Steve Harper. It was United's first win at St James' Park since 2009 and a perfect comeback from their home defeat against Tottenham last week. That is something what Sir Alex Ferguson likes to see, I am sure. 

TOP!

Manchester City shut up their doubters this week with a clean sheet and convincing win against Sunderland. Smashing free kicks from Aleksandar Kolarov and James Milner and a sweet Sergio Aguero goal ended Sunderland's unbeaten run in the league and gave Roberto Mancini the satisfaction of being proven right. The Italian manager was over-confident before the game and the three points won will justify this for him. Before this outing, City had conceded 16 goals in all competitions. But with Micah Richards having made a perfect return from injury after being out since April 2011 and added to the back line, the difference showed for City and will surely make it more difficult for Mancini to change - if he would ever consider to that is. So far so much better.

FLOP!

Norwich were thrashed the second time in a row. Last week they conceded five goals against Liverpool, this week they let through four against Chelsea. Manager Chris Hughton has only been in the job for a couple of months, but after seven games, no wins and 17 goals conceded, the worry is obvious, in the back line. Ok, The Canaries have only scored five too, which means they have conceded the most and scored the least in the whole Premier League. So, where shall they start you ask? Front? Middle? Back? The first ten minutes showed they can scare the opposition and score. Striker Grant Holt drilled one past Petr Cech and could not have made a better start for the visitors at Stamford Bridge. But the surprise did not last long. Hughton's men crumbled to bits. They may make good starts, but they have to learn to pull themselves together and hold onto what they have.

HERO!

Arsenal look back on track thanks to a star performance by new boy Santi Cazorla. The midfielder pulled all strings for The Gunners against The Hammers and crowned his performance with a breathtaking strike from 25-yards out to make it 1-3 with seven minutes remaining. Arsene Wenger said Cazorla's slick footwork reminds him of Glenn Hoddle and Theo Walcott, who was also on the score sheet, described him as their "conductor". The Spaniard certainly dictated the game for Arsenal, gliding through the competition, creating and providing for his team mates. I am certainly looking forward to seeing more from him. And so too from Olivier Giroud, who scored a fine first Premier League goal and set up Walcott for his. Promising signs and moves from Arsenal, that is for sure.

ZERO!

Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is unpopular enough as it is. After his pathetic attempt to rebrand his club's ground as the Sports Direct Arena, the English billionaire is now reported to be negotiating a sponsorship deal with payday loans company Wonga. This did not go down well with the fans, which is an understatement. And after their side's defence was flawed once again by set pieces and thrashed 0-3 by United, I'm sure the fans won't be off Ashley's case or warm up to him any time soon.

Ashley Cole the twit and John Terry will have time over the international break to think over and take responsibility for their idiotic actions. The club have launched disciplinary proceedings against the prior whilst the latter will be consulting his legal advisers to decide whether to appeal against his four-match ban and £220,000 fine. I say to both, be a man, stand up and take responsibility for your actions! Yes, you were stupid, snot your normal self, so, yes, take the punishment and move on! Sometimes it is the best and only way to learn, the hard way! And the more and better you no next time, not to be such an idiot again! FULL STOP!

My Predictions => Actual Results
Man City 3-2 Sunderland => 3-0
Chelsea 3-0 Norwich => 4-1
Swansea 2-1 Reading => 2-2
West Brom 2-0 QPR => 3-2
Wigan 0-1 Everton => 2-2
West Ham 0-2 Arsenal => 1-3
Southampton 1-2 Fulham => 2-2
Liverpool 2-0 Stoke => 0-0
Tottenham 2-1 Aston Villa => 2-0
Newcastle 2-2 Man United => 0-3

Week 4: Premier League Tops & Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Weekend

OMG!



Finally, over two decades late, the liars have come out and the Hillsborough victims have been recognised! Football and fans held together, it was great to see every team's thoughts and condolences - forget about a couple of chanting idiots! Football together forever! YNWA! Please show Rio and Anton Ferdinand, John Terry and Ashley Cole what it's all about and maybe they'll wake up, appreciate life and the game, forget their little stupid issues and handbags, grow up and shake hands!!! See what Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra will do next weekend! Please walk on with your head held high and don't slip over old stones that should have been thrown away and resolved ages ago!

WOW!

Arsenal crises? Where? They absolutely swept away newly promoted Southampton who had impressed with their display against United the previous week! The Gunners' buildup impressed, the goals were from formal to gobsmacking and there could have been more! After beating Liverpool at Anfield and this comfortable home win, Arsenal will feel more than confident heading to the champions' City ground next week.

TOP!

Tottenham, United and Arsenal all impressed with their performances. Whilst Spurs climbed up into the top half of the table thanks to a comfortable win at Reading, easing pressure on manager Andre Villas-Boas, the latter two jumped up into the top three with two thrashes against Wigan and Soutampton respectively and ten goals between the two, heating up the title race by closing the gap to league leaders Chelsea who only drew at QPR.

FLOP!

Southampton and Liverpool are till waiting for their first win. Brendan Rodgers' men were condemned to their worst league start in over a centurs after having to settle for just a point at the Stadium of Light which takes their total to two points out of four games so far. It was a much better display for the Reds than against the Gunners last week, but once again, they will rue the missed chances and with United next on the list, they will have to learn to convert, FAST!

HERO!

Suarez saved a point for Liverpool after gleefully smashing in Titus Bramble's deflection off Raheem Sterling's cross from the right. Dimitar Berbatov impressed for Fulham. The Bulgarian striker worked hard for his new team and proved his quality with a couple of goals for the Cottagers, the opener being a curling beauty into the top corner.

ZERO!

Red cards, bookings, penalties underlined inconsistencies by the officials once again this week, Suarez' yellow and Danny Welbeck's penalty being just one example! Both players have and are adding to their reputation of drama queens, but referees should be professional enough to take on and decide about every situation individually by what happens right in front of them rather then going by their thoughts and prejudices!

My Predictions => Actual Results:
Norwich 0-0 West Ham => 0-0
Arsenal 6-1 Southampton => 6-1
Aston Villa 2-0 Swansea => 2-0
Fulham 3-0 West Brom => 3-0
Man United 4-0 Wigan => 4-0
QPR 0-0 Chelsea => 0-0
Stoke 1-1 Man City => 1-1
Sunderland 1-1 Liverpool => 1-1
Reading 1-3 Tottenham => 1-3
Everton 2-2 Newcastle => 2-2

No, I'm not that good in predictions! Just forgot to put in my scores this week! Ups, typical! ;-P

Week 3: Premier League Tops and Flops

Sports - Football - Premier League - Picks of the Week

Manchester highs, London lows, goals galore, penalties missed, ... Just loads to choose from this weekend gone, unbelievable scores, scenes, action, teams, players and goals! That is the Premier League at its most shocking best!!!

Top game: All Manchester, 16 goals in their two games, 13 goals between the two Mancunian rivals on the day, both topping the Premier League table, United just beating City to the top by one goal more in their goal difference. Mark the 23rd October in your football diary - the first Manchester derby of the season! What are the odds on a 0-0 in that match, I wonder?


Top team: All Manchester again, both sides riding high over everyone at the moment, although Liverpool would want a shout here too with a beautiful display and strong play in their 3-1 win against Bolton. Luis Suarez was crucial and controversial as always, the ref did well though and kept control.


Top player: Scoring the first City hat-trick since 1962, Edin Dzeko is on fire fire fire! Wayne Rooney scored his 102nd United league goal, top notch Premier League record for United, to make it 4:1 against Arsenal. The former Evertonian then completed his 6th career hat-trick with a penalty to make it 7:2, his 151st for the club overtaking Ruud van Nistelrooy and Paul Scholes in the process! And that still wasn't the end of that game!!!


Top goal: Jose Bosingwa's bullett against Norwich to make it 1-0 to Chelsea,was a brilliant strike from outside the box, over 20m away! Grant Holt's equaliser was a cheeky breathtaker too, with his back to the goal, hurling it over the keeper, although it came from Chelsea nr 3 Ashley Cole's mistake/backpass, stunning play.


Top news: Transfer madness to end the transfer window! Arsenal finally having a shout, too, very late on...


Flop game: There was not much happening at Villa Park, 0-0 and yawns against Wolves. It just wasn't meant to be at Swansea, 0-0, Sunderland were saved by woodwork though. Swansea were good up front but showed too many gaps at the back, to be punished against stronger side unless they learn and tighten up. QPR will be wondering what they are doing wrong after hitting the bar three times and still going home without any points! There was very little in the game, mm and a little bit of luck the difference between them.


Flop team: Tottenham once again, showed a strong start, but didn't take their chances, ended up falling to pieces against a strong attack and were thrashed for all their (lack of) effort. The Gunners certainly got their gobs smacked! Another missed penalty for Robin van Persie v David De Gea for Ashley Young to make it 2:0 seconds later with a stunner... But no one could have foreseen the downfall and whipping, hitting, thrashing torture that followed! Unbelievable!


Flop player: When Didier Drogba was knocked out cold, the players showed good reaction, character and attitude, the Norwich keeper John Ruddy especially, he could have just ignored it but realised straight away how serious it was! Respect. But then: Ruddy got himself sent off for felling Ramires in the box, shame but good refereeing after everything, contact was made, risky tackle. Frank Lampard was relieved to net it too, bang straight down the middle. With 11 minutes added time, the third goal came in the 11th minute, good refereeing all round I would say after the Drogba delay. Don't know what the Norwich manager Lambert was on about...


Flop goal: Missed penalties! It was just not meant to be for Blackburn, missing two of them!!! Then a penalty came for Everton, after Chris Samba jumped onto and over Marouane Fellaini, caught him in a sandwich, Mikel Arteta showed Blackburn how it's done and netted the spot kick easy, 0-1, on 90+2! Cruel, cruel, cruel! Of 9 penalties so far this season, 6 have been missed! I think all penalties were correct according to the rule book, harsh but right! (This was before the flood of goals on Sunday, I may note- Rooney netting one penalty and van Persie missing his one makes it 7 misses out of 12 penalties in total so far this season, if I haven't missed anything that is... :-P)

Flop news: Man City's chief executive Garry Cook's resignation over mocking email - rightly so, heartless b....... 

My predictions - Actual results

Aston Villa 1:1 Wolves - 0:0

Blackburn 1:2 Everton - 0:1

Chelsea 2:1 Norwich - 3:1

Swansea 0:0 Sunderland - 0:0

Wigan 0:1 QPR - 2:0

Liverpool 3:0 Bolton - 3:1

Newcastle 2:0 Fulham - 2:1

Tottenham 2:3 Man City - 1:5

West Brom 1:2 Stoke - 0:1

Man Utd 3:1 Arsenal - 8:2