Another weekend in the Premier League
Another ten games of some intrigue,
City go top after beating the Villa,
United held in the city of Cilla,
Mario Balotelli was no damp squib,
Reason why: didn’t need to wear a bib,
McCarthy’s Wolves, lost five on the trot
Bolton meanwhile stopped the rot,
Martin Jol’s Fulham lose away again,
Unbeaten at home are Pulis’ men,
Swansea defeated by the Canaries,
Rogers defence were away with the fairies,
Arsenal and Chelsea both won too,
QPR and Blackburn, together, they drew,
And now without further ado,
Let us commence the weekend review.
Player of the Weekend
Although there are perhaps more obvious candidates, Norwich’s Anthony Pilkington deserves a lot of credit for his role in the Canaries victory over Swansea. Last season, Pilkington was playing in League One with Huddersfield. He bagged a brace on Saturday with two well taken finishes and helping the Norfolk side to an important three points.
Honourable Mentions: Robin van Persie, Mario Balotelli
Goal of the Weekend
Mario Balotelli has been a controversy magnet since he arrived in Manchester in 2010. However, this weekend against Aston Villa, he was in the headlines for a great bicycle kick. Balotelli clearly has talent and if he can learn to control his temperament well in the future, Manchester City certainly possess a terrific player.
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Biggest Disappointment
As always, Liverpool v Manchester United received plenty of hype prior to the fixture. However, the game was a below par affair considering some of the games in previous years. Unusually, they could not even muster a sending off – perhaps this was something to do with Nemanja Vidic not playing. Let’s hope this is an anomaly for this derby.
Miss of the Weekend
And here’s to you Bolton Wanderers Dedryck Boyata for contriving to miss the target from two yards, having been given acres of space by a generous Wigan Athletic defence. The centre back’s effort, if it can be called that, narrowly beats Lee Cattermole header at the Emirates. The Sunderland midfielder’s saving grace is that it was a fantastic save from Wojciech Szczesny. However, when you’re nearly under the crossbar and not scoring, you must be doing something wrong.
Pick Me Fabio Alert
Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge was omitted from Fabio Capello’s last England squad. With Wayne Rooney now ruled out for the first three games of the European Championships, the former Manchester City forward must continue to net, as he did against Everton, to ensure he is given the opportunity to impress on a bigger stage.
“I Don’t Think So”
Sir Alex Ferguson claimed prior to this weekend’s game that Liverpool v Manchester United was a bigger game than Real Madrid v Barcelona.
Although Sir Alex may have won every competition under the sun in his time at Old Trafford, perhaps the famous Manchester weather (which manages to upset some Argentinians earning over £200,000 week HINT HINT) has had at last started to affect on Fergie!
Quote of the Weekend
However, reserve goalkeeper Lukas Fabianski, labelled Flappy Handski by some, provided us with the quote of the weekend. Prior to Sunday’s game, the Pole said Wojciech Szczesny was lucky to be the Arsenal No.1 and that he himself would like another shot between the sticks.
This is coming from a man who has cost Arsenal numerous matches thanks to some ridiculous goalkeeping antics. Not only is Fabianski being kept out at Arsenal but Szczesny also is ahead of him in the pecking order in the Polish national team. Bitter much, Lukas?
If you’d like to talk more about the Premier League, Lukas Flappy Handski and how to pronounce Wojciech Szczesny then follow me on Twitter! @arhindtutt