Liverpool 3-1 Cardiff City
With both sides having conflicting weeks, Liverpool had been buoyed by the contract extension of Luis Suarez whilst Cardiff had to endure the public outbursts of owner Vincent Tan, this game was set up nicely and we were not to be disappointed. The match was a lively, if one sided affair and the boys from Cardiff had effectively lost the game by halftime. It will come as no surprise that Suarez, Jordan Henderson, Raheem Sterling and the up and coming Jon Flanagan featured heavily in this game. Liverpool were rampant at times and could have been five up at halftime having scored three and been denied by the woodwork twice. Suarez was outstanding and is clearly the man of the moment, had he not unselfishly set up Sterling’s goal he could have had a hatrick in the first 45minutes. Malky Mackay to his credit rallied his Cardiff troops during the break and “The Bluebirds” responded well with a well taken header by Jordan Mutch on 58 minutes though Liverpool’s defending was nothing short of amateurish. Martin Skrtel was fortunate not to give away two penalties during the game. This result cemented Liverpools growing standing and could possibly be Malky Makays last one in charge at Cardiff. (It was ironic that Cardiff were in a blue strip today)
Bonus points: Suarez (3), Henderson (2), Whittingham (1)
Crystal Palace 0-3 Newcastle
The first twenty five minutes of this encounter at Selhurst Park were a scrappy affair with both sides conceding several free kicks and yet the only surprise was that no one was booked. Newcastle slowly started to take command of the match and they get their reward when Yohan Cabaye fired home from a deflection off Damien Delaney. The second on thirty eight minutes was an own goal when Danny Gabbidon turned in Mathieu Debuchy’s low cross. The second half was all action but no result until in the eighty sixth minute Hatem Ben Arfa completed the win when he converted from the spot after Jonathan Parr had needlessly fouled Shola Ameobi.
Bonus points: Debuchy (3), Cabaye (3), Coloccini, Krul (1)
Fulham 2-4 Man City
This turned out to be the game of the day with Man City hoping to carry on their current form with a win at second from bottom Fulham. One of their men of the moment got the ball rolling when Fulham’s Steve Sidwell upended David Silva, Yaya Toure stepped up to curl in the free-kick via the underside of the bar. That’s 11 for the season for the impressive Ivorian. City doubled their lead on forty three minutes when Vincent Kompany tapped in from close range after Martin Demichelis’s header was only parried by Maarten Stekelenburg. It was plain sailing for City but then Fulham did something we weren’t expecting, they put up a fight! Five minutes after the break Fulham pulled a goal back when Adel Taarabt found an unmarked Kieran Richardson, who calmly finished past Joe Hart from 12 yards out and then on seventy minutes Kompany scored an own goal when Sascha Riether drilled in a cross from the right and the City skipper sliced his clearance over Joe Hart and into the back of the net. Could this be another poor away performance from City? Alas, the comeback was to no avail as Jesus Navas converted David Silva’s pass to restore City’s lead and James Milner tapped in a fourth goal on eighty three minutes courtesy of an Alvaro Negredo assist to complete the win for city.
Bonus points: Toure (3), Silva (2), Demichelis (2),Navas (2)
Man Utd 3-1 West Ham
Manager David Moyes was glad to have Wayne Rooney in the starting eleven following a mid-week injury scare and twenty six minutes into the game following some excellent play from Rooney he found Danny Welbeck to score his first Premier League goal at Old Trafford since October 2012. Adnan Januzaj, who was fortunate to escape a booking for diving, scored the second when he curled home his first Old Trafford goal before substitute Ashley Young got Utd’s third. Those hoping for a United clean sheet were disappointed when West Ham’s Carlton Cole slotted in a consolation goal on eighty one minutes.
Bonus points: Rooney (3), Welbeck (3), Cole (1)
Stoke 2-1 Aston Villa
Aston Villas poor run continued as they lost this encounter at Stoke. Peter Crouch grabbed the winner as he helped Stoke extend their unbeaten home league run to six games. Captains Poll favourite(!) Charlie Adam gave the Potters the lead when he latched on to a Crouch knockdown just after halftime. Libor Kozak pounced on a poor headed pass from Erik Pieters to get the Villa equaliser. But, on seventy minutes when keeper Brad Guzan missed a right-wing cross, the ball fell for Crouch to score from close range.
Bonus points: Crouch (3), Adam (2), Kozak (1)
Sunderland 0-0 Norwich
The highlight of this fixture was the sending off of Sunderland’s Wes Brown. The first thirty minutes was drab until Lee Cattermole’s attempted drop goal, shame he was playing football and not Rugby! Norwich frontman Gary Hooper had a cracking effort from 25 yards that Vito Mannone had to parry away for a corner. Hooper, Norwich’s top scorer, with three goals in his past four games missed an opportunity when he had a free header at the back post only to nod wide. Sunderland continued to push forward, with Steven Fletcher shooting wide from Sebastian Larsson’s delivery. Ki Sung-Yueng missed a guilt edged chance when he chipped over from 25 yards with the goal at his mercy.
Sunderland had a massive call for a penalty when Adam Johnson’s cross struck Sebastien Bassong on the hip, despite the home team’s claims of handball. Immediately afterwards, Brown jumped into a challenge with substitute Ricky van Wolfswinkel close to the corner flag, earning himself a red card and a three-game ban. Enjoy Christmas and New Year off Wes!
Bonus points: Mannone, Bardsley& O’Shea (3)
West Brom 1-1 Hull City
This game was a lively affair and following end to end action Hull took the lead in the twelfth minute when they scored on the counter-attack. David Meyler picked up the ball just outside of his own area, fed Danny Graham who picked out the run of Jake Livermore, who obliged by sliding the ball into the net from a tight angle. The Baggies took control of the second half but Hull stuck to their task and nearly came away with all three points, however, with only four minutes remaining, Czech striker Matej Vydra, a sixty ninth minute substitute, levelled with his first goal since joining. It was enough for the Baggies to claim their first point in five league games. A draw was probably a fair result.
Bonus points: Livermore (3), Vydra (2), Ridgewell, Brunt & Morrison (1)
I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all our fantastic community for their continued support, without you the site would not have grown into what it is now. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all.
This article was written by
Eddy
Yaya Toure the new free kick specialist…… :worthy:
I was hoping it would be Kolarov taking it…oh well…
Man City = 1 clean sheet at home this season!!! Be warned!!!
Eh? They have five.
Yes bihom I will be emailing the MOTD producers!!!! 😉
Ah I see, it was meant to be Fulham.
Of course,City were away lol the graphic defo said City.My apologies for not using my brain!!!!!!
Useless fact-Suarez kisses his wrist after scoring as he has his daughters name tattooed there.Her name is Delfina which by pure coincidence is an anagram of Anfield!! 😉
Great fact, I’ll be using that one down the pub! I always did wonder why he kissed his wrist – thanks!
Here’s another 1 herewegoagain !! Suarez has scored a hattrick every 17.4 premier league games he’s played!! Most frequent in PL history!!
Another good one, any ideas who is second place or how far ahead he is of others?
Not sure on hattricks per games but most Prem league hattricks is shearer with 11,fowler 9,Henry and Owen 8!!! Suarez has 5 hattys but at a better game ratio!!
Suarez almost got another hatrick and assist he is out of this world right now…..
Untouchables I have never seen an FPL player score such high points consistently every week over the last month like Suárez – 24, 15, 22, 16 – ridiculous! The man is on fire. In my opinion ahead of Ronaldo right now, though he’d have to continue at a similar pace for the next few months to truly be the World’s greatest
(That’s a 19.25 average over the past 4 GWs)
I know it bit early but is everyone going to (c)SURAEZ away to Man City ?
Jeet, now there’s a question. It’s like GW 16 all over again:
..where Everton (and Lukaku) face easy opposition at home,..
..whilst Liverpool (and Suárez) have tough opposition away..
..what happened? I captained Lukaku, thinking he’d bag a brace whilst Suárez would struggle. I was completely wrong. So common sense, form, logic and past-lessons would strongly suggest we all trust and captain Suárez next gameweek.
However: it’s not just any away game, it’s City away, who never get beaten. Oh, and they’ve only let in 5 goals at home so far this season, 3 of which to the strong team that is Arsenal.
Everton aren’t too shabby either, and Sunderland are shite. Wow, writing this has made me realise how hard then decision will be. Happy reading all
Oh yeah, and there’s Walcott and Rooney in contention too!
The Question is do u guys think Liverpool will score 2 goals away to City if not then can’t see SURAEZ being the overall top point scorer might go for SURAEZ or LUKAKU or maybe Rooney to hard to choose.
It will be a virtual coin toss between Rooney and Lukaku for me…
jamesimmo…. you may have to copy and paste this every night this week as it’s a great question and analysis. Having looked at my team and the fixtures you are right – this is a toughie to say the least. My initial reaction is to go Lukaku but Suarez could prove the exception to the rule against City. Hmmmm………….
If they go for each other it could be a goal fest but it depends on the mentality of the 2 managers going into the game. I imagine both will tolerate a draw as a decent result. City may feel that they can beat anyone at home and just go for it. Rodgers may view it as an opportunity to consolidate. Who knows.
Everton are starting to notch up a lot of goals at home but Sunderland are getting tighter at the back….
Pelligrini won’t go for a draw. I have known him for 20 years and he will attack Liverpool without a doubt. It will be City full on vs the Liverpool counter.
Thanks init, I’m honoured – if I was to copy it I would add a Rooney/Walcott analysis section as they are good shouts too.
Good point about Sunderland… they had a 0-0 today, and Lukaku prefers playing against the bigger teams when it comes to racking up the points it seems…
Rooney v Hull? Sounds like a dry 1-0.. Walcott v WHU? Different story…
Suarez v City? 2-2 perhaps – at least, I can’t see more than 2 for Liverpool, which means 13 max for Luis, which means there probably will be better options…..?
Go for it jamesimmo and add a Rooney/Walcott by all means. It’s a hot topic this week if ever there was one.
13 sounds like a captain though to be honest – we are getting spoilt by Suarez and his 16 to 20 point games!
I will do
haha I’ll be back tomorrow after some sleep and a day out no doubt, then I could re-contribute to this debate..
That’s got me thinking. Hmm, 26 (C) in the past has been great. It’s a big if as to whether he would get 13, but he could…
Yep has to be, he can score against anyone
My pick would be between Remy or Lukaku. I know it sounds crazy.
Guys what are your predictions for tomorrow Games ?
JEET, I love you posting and you are as regular as anyone so don’t take this the wrong way as it’s meant to help – can I help you get a grav uploaded for you? (the little picture in the box)
Perhaps
http://thebaldwinadventures.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/chickenhawk.jpg
Or perhaps
http://crazymomwithkids.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/ms-priss.jpeg
Isn’t that mine in 20 years?!
You going to look like Potty in 20 years?
Jeet, dont listen to them. You look good the way you are, even if you are a grey blob. Dont get sucked in this corporate world!
BE DIFFERENT.
Shut up Butters! He freakin looks like edenhazard, he deserves a better look than that. The only person that should carry a grey gravatar is ATF. Because he is anti, but Jeet should put something on there to make him more distinguishable, his choice though. I see Butters, I know The B is around, I see Homer or Ozil, I know to go to do something else.
I don’t think JEET is taking us on. Oh well we tried. I remember we did this for SP I think and eventually he relented so you never know.
Yeah, but I feel sorry for Homer as I feel he gets a bad reputation being Slow’s grav.
Homer’s taking one for the team. It’s a bad job but someones gotta do it