Jack's Premier League Weekend Wrap

Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City all put a little bit of breathing space between them and a faltering Chelsea at the top of the table while there was plenty of shake up at the bottom after a very entertaining weekend of Barclays Premier League action.

‘Striker’ Wayne Rooney scored his first goal from open play for 9 months, to get Manchester United off to the perfect start away at West Bromwich Albion. James Morrison replied in spectacular fashion with a curling first time half-volley for the Albion before referee Chris Foy lost the plot completely. Baggies midfield general Graham Dorrans burst through the United defence and looked set to fire the hosts into the lead, only to be challenged from behind and brought down by Gary Neville with only the keeper to beat. In this scenario Foy must have had the following go through his mind:

A player is clean through on goal with only the keeper to beat, he is then challenged from behind by a defender who does not get any part of the ball. Do you:
a) Award a penalty kick and send off the defender
b) Award a penalty kick and book the defender
c) Book the attacking player for simulation or,
d) Realise that the offending player is Gary Neville and wave play on.

Foy chose option d).
Thankfully West Brom were awarded a second half penalty later on the game, only for Peter Odemwingie to scuff it hopelessly wide. They were made to pay for that mistake late on as Mexican Havier Hernandez headed home a Rooney corner from 6 yards. Foy then showed that he is not biased to United, just hopeless in general, as he failed to award the Red Devils a penalty of their own as Jerome Thomas stuck out an arm to blatantly block Fabio’s cross from the right. It is matches like this, in which United are totally outplayed yet manage to win, that suggest more than anything that they will be champions this season.

Arsenal were never worried by Birmingham City, apart from some rather nasty challenges, as they cruised to a 3-0 win at St Andrews. Goals from Robin Van Persie and Samir Nasri had the Gunners out of sight before Roger Johnson put in a contender for funniest own goal of the seaon to make it 3-0. Fortunately for Johnson, that unwanted accolade looks set to go to Wolverhampton Wanderer’s Ronald Zubar who’s hilarious own goal broke the deadlock in the tense bottom of the pile battle between Wolves and West Ham at Upton Park. Hammers striker Carlton Cole was having his usual nightmare in front of goal and earning the wrath of the fans for missing several good chances that should have been taken, and when he had a complete air swing at a cross from the right with only the keeper to beat, the Bobby Moore Stand were just about to hurl a barrage of abuse in his direction, only for it to be cut short as the ball hit the knee of defender Zubar, who, like everyone watching the match, anticipated Cole making some sort of contact, and diverted the ball past his own keeper.
Youngster Freddie Sears scored for the first time since his debut in 2008 to seal a huge 3 points for the Hammers which shot them up and out of the relegation zone for the first time this season.

Manchester City were forced to nervously wait out a 1-0 win over Blackpool at Eastlands as Carlos Tevez did his best Carlton Cole impersonation by missing several chances to add to Adam Johnson’s opener as they kept pace with the league leaders.

Chelsea and Aston Villa went at it like two heavyweight boxers… who are both well past their prime as they slugged out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Stamford Bridge. Two late goals appeared to have the Blues on their way to a much needed win, only for Ciaran Clark’s late, late equaliser to earn a point for the struggling Villains.

Stoke’s 2-0 win over Everton will give Blues fans reason to sweat as it also signalled Tim Cahill’s last appearance before heading off to the Asian Cup in Qatar. So heavily reliant on the Australian, David Moyes will definitely need to do some business in the January transfer window if the Merseysiders are to pull away from the relegation zone.

Another Aussie leaving his club with big boots to fill is Mark Schwarzer at Fulham. Schwarzer was solid despite his side going down 1-0 at Tottenham.

Blackburn’s recent woes continued as they were thumped 3-0 at Sunderland. Goals from all three strikers in Darren Bent, Asamoah Gyan and Danny Wellbeck got the job done for Steve Bruce’s men and saw them jump to 6th on the ladder.
Alan Pardew continues to do well at Newcastle United as they further stabilised themselves in mid table following a 1-0 win at Wigan, the score line flattered the hosts, who were lucky to be nil, after the Toon hit the frame of the goal three times.

And finally Liverpool’s hilarious slide towards the Championship hit a snag as they actually won a game. Roy Hodgson’s men had to come from behind and score a very late winner to see off Bolton Wanderers at Anfield. Owen Coyle will feel desperately disappointed not to have taken anything from the most generous of hosts this season.