Monday Morning Premier League Analysis

Arsenal 2 Wigan 0

No Fabregas (suspended) or Flamini for The Gunners. Diarra, Denilson and Walcott all started. RVP was not quite fit enough to make the squad - he should be back in action soon. A second goal in three games for William Gallas. Arsenal are looking comfortable and with a game in hand are likely to go six points clear.

Wigan have lost all 20 of their Premier League clashes with the so-called “Big Four”. Heskey made a welcome return as a 68th minute substitute. It’s a big job facing Steve Bruce although with Middlesbrough and Sunderland in freefall I think they’ll survive.

Birmingham 0 Portsmouth 2

Only one win in eight for Birmingham. Eric Black didn’t exactly enhance his chances of becoming manager after a lacklustre performance. Forsell was preferred up front alongside Kapo with McSheffrey on the left of midfield.

Harry for England! Pompey have only lost twice all season and have won their last five away games - a club record. Hreidarsson was benched again. Niko Krancjar followed up his goal at Wembley with his third of the season to go along side two KC’s making a respectable return of 46 points so far.

Bolton 1 Man Utd 0

Megson remains unbeaten and has got Bolton playing like they used to. Anelka returned from injury to bag his seventh goal in 11 starts and is bound to attract a lot of attention in the January window.

Sir Alex says he has his best squad ever but Pique did not look an able deputy for Vidic. With all the talk of rotation this season it’s interesting that Sir Alex seems to have avoided any criticism for resting Ronaldo. Maybe playing with four attackers (Giggs, Nani, Saha and Tevez) was not best suited to this fixture.

Derby 0 Chelsea 2

It’s been 611 minutes since Derby have scored a league goal. Billy Davies has paid for a terrible season with his job this morning.

Avram Grant and Chelsea go steadily about their business. Terry and Ashley Cole were fit enough to start despite not featuring for England. Joe Cole and Essien were benched with the Ghanaian coming on in the 75th minute only to be red carded in the 90th minute.

Everton 7 Sunderland 1

The Yak has bagged four in four and Tim Cahill, playing just off him, has claimed five in seven. With Arteta looking sublime and even Phil Neville chipping in with KC’s Everton are beginning to fire on all cylinders. Andy Johnson scored within six minutes of coming on as a sub.

No win in eight for Sunderland who are now in the thick of a relegation battle.

Man City 2 Reading 1

Eight out of eight at home for City. Fernandes continues to deputise for the injured Johnson in midfield. Two goals in three games for the Superman pant wearing Stephen Ireland. Petrov’s fourth goal of the season and on 64 points he’s just four behind team mate Elano. Corluka picked up a hamstring strain and was subbed in the 43rd minute.

Harsh on Reading to concede a late goal when they were desperate to hang on for an away point. Their home form should see them safe. Hunt was lucky to avoid a red card.

Middlesbrough 0 Aston Villa 3

There is nothing positive to say about ‘Boro.

Carson’s second KC of the season - both have been for Agbonlahor goals. With six goals in 13 starts Gabi is having a top season and can’t be far off the next full England squad. Big John Carew scored in his second game back from injury and seems to complement the pace of Young and Agbonlahor well.

Newcastle 0 Liverpool 3

Big Sam’s change to three at the back failed miserably with Liverpool creating numerous more chances than they scored. Beye, Enrique and Rozehnal looked all at sea. Newcastle failed to register a single shot on target. The fans chanted “Big Sam for England” - hopefully not.

More selection surprises from Rafa with Kewell, Lucas and Sissoko all starting in midfield. Gerrard responded to the boos with a goal and two KC’s. Kuyt kneed his first goal of the campaign from open play. Benayoun not fit enough to make the squad.

Fulham 2 Blackburn 2

Danny Murphy (two goals in five starts) has assumed penalty taking duties and the former Liverpool man is proving a decent player for Fulham who have dropped 17 points after being in a leading position in games this season. Kamara and Dempsey started up front.

Rovers are playing well and had 64% possession in this game. Worryingly McCarthy only lasted eight minutes before being subbed by Roberts who did well for two KC’s. Warnock was their best player with a goal and KC. Reid came on as a late sub after a long term injury.

West Ham 1 Tottenham 1

Green has saved three Premier League penalties this season. Maybe he should have played against Croatia? Ashton and Parker both returned from injury with sub appearances.

Shocking mistake from Kaboul for the West Ham goal. With regular penalty taker Keane off the field Defoe failed to step up to the mark. Bale was back from injury and played the full game as did Lennon.

That’s it for today.

Remember it’s 25% off for December teams when you spend £15 or more. With £10,000 for the winner it’s got to be worth a go!

Cheers,
Tom

Tags (click to view more!): Arsenal, Premier League, Man Utd, Anelka, Ronaldo, Chelsea, Avram Grant, Liverpool