A cracking week in the Prem and plenty to talk about once more as well as plenty of upsets... it still remains unpredictable and exciting! Fantastic! And before you ask, no you haven't missed out on Week 11, I did it last week but failed to mention it in the blog title.
ARS vs MNU (2-1) An absolutely massive game for Wenger and a must-win for the team. Not only to dispel media hype surrounding Arsenal's recent form and lack of transfer spend but more importantly to show the league that this Gunners team is still in the title challenge. Wenger set out with a 4-5-1 formation but Arsenal's fluid football normally doesn’t follow such rigid structure as both Nasri and Walcott were given creative licence on the wings. I was glad to see Diaby employed further up the pitch as he has some amazing ability with the ball at his feet and a stunning strike. I think Fergie seemed quite confident with his starting line-up as he went for an attacking 4-4-2 formation with Berbatov and Rooney starting together up top for the 2nd week running and Park and Ronaldo on the flanks. Wenger welcomed Sagna back to the 1st team and I believe he's a massive player for them and a big boost defensively. Arsene said before the game it was time for his team to prove what they can do... It started as it meant to go on with some excellent football from both sides and unfortunately for United a bundle of missed opportunities. It might have been a different story had the Red Devils frontline been more composed; and I don't think there was anything in the United penalty claims. The first goal came from a good Arsenal move but was nothing compared to the Arsenal second. A sublime finish from Nasri for his 1st league brace and Theo deserves credit for luring the defence onto his crafty run, proving that you don't need to have the ball to cause fear. Fergie can at least be proud of Anderson who played well for them; I think he is a strong, hard-working midfielder with great passing ability. I don't think Carrick deserved his yellow card; he had every right to go for the ball. Arsenal should have made it 3-0 in the last 5-10 minutes but Man U scored a good late goal through the impressive Rafael which led to a nervy 6 minutes of extra time. Great character by Arsenal to hold on and a massive testament to an improved defence. WHM vs EVE (1-3) A typical Smash 'N' Grab by the Toffees as the Hammers had a lot of the play all game and fully deserved the good goal young Jack Collison curled into the net. I can't believe Zola persists with Faubert at right back, I think the French winger was at fault for both goals; he certainly isn't staking a claim as a full back. I said before goals will be important for West Ham and whilst Sears and Collison are good prospects they aren't good for regular goals. Likewise I don't feel Bellamy will take up the mantle, his shoulders just aren't big enough. LIV vs WBA (3-0) Top club goal scorer Dirk Kuyt played up front again and for the 1st sixty minutes at least seemed capable as he was involved in a lot of Liverpool moves. West Brom were brave with the starting line-up but ultimately paid the price of not taking chances in the 1st 10 minutes when Liverpool still seemed asleep. This Reds defence is looking really tight right now and with only 2 goals conceded in the last 4, none conceded at home they are looking good for 3rd place at the moment. I was pleased for Keane he got his goals, both typically finished coolly. SUN vs POR (1-2) I predicted a draw in this one and it should have been really as I thought Sunderland were undone by the rub of the green! Tony Adams won't be pleased with Pompey's first half defending which is why he needs someone like Martin Keown coming in to work with the team. They were lucky to go into the break only a goal down but at least they came out to the 2nd half a different side. Belhadj continued his lively form and bagged an equaliser he can be proud of. Defoe was enthusiastic and deserved his penalty goal. Although Keane won't be pleased with Diouf's challenge so close to the end of the game this is another decision I thought needed some common sense. The letter of the law applied it was a penalty but I think both teams would have been satisfied had a free kick on the edge of the area been given and would have led to a fairer result. HUL vs BOL (0-1) Taylor's goal crept in and Bolton were good enough for the draw. City were unlucky as they had most of the efforts on goal but they will learn from this. The Prem's toughest lesson: all the possession and effort in the world doesn't always get you the result. Man-Of-the-Match Jussi Jaaskelainen was simply fantastic and his current form puts him at best in the League right now. WIG vs STO (0-0) Wigan deserved this one I think and Latics boss Steve Bruce was rightly disappointed after the game. Another solid goalkeeping display, this time from Stoke City's Thomas Sorenson ensured it stayed 0-0 but at least Wigan can be pleased de Ridder returned mid-week. Zaki still shows signs of being dangerous but seems to have lost some energy, has he gone off the boil already? Without his goals, Wigan may struggle. BLA vs CHE (0-2) How does Anelka keep scoring, he is now the Premiership's top goalscorer but from what I see he is missing bundles and the ones he does score are dubious at best. Imagine what a Van Nistlerooy type poacher could do at Chelsea right now. To his testament at least he is there to put them away when he does. Paul Ince rung lots of changes to his side but this was balanced up by terrible conditions which suited Rovers' style. In the end though Chelsea's footballing ability was too much and Scolari can be justly proud of taking his team back to the top of the Prem. AST vs MID (1-2) Middlesbrough have strung some results together recently and this was a great scalp for them, I wasn't sure what side was going to turn up but with players like Tuncay, Alves and the returning Mido Boro will always be a threat. This game was more about the mistakes made in defence however as Villa gave away sloppy goals. None-the-less Tuncay was on hand to score them and Boro deserved the 3 points. With Arca back in the midfield and Huth set to return soon this side may well start to show some stability. If they can pick up points off the mid-table teams around them over the next few weeks they'll have a productive season. FUL vs NEW (2-1) I pegged this one down as a tight game and it was just that. A thrilling game which saw Danny Murphy score a long overdue goal to seal the victory for a Fulham side needing a win. AJ led the line well and deserved his goal, good to see him back in confident form. Another confidence lad, Shola Ameobi scored a goal which appeared offside, it was certainly tight but the Cottagers held on and Hodgson has worked wonders... easily their best signing in recent seasons. One last thing, Gera seems to miss more and more scoring opportunities each week, how much longer will we see this carry on before he's finally taken out the starting line-up. MCY vs TOT (1-2) I thought City at home was going to be enough to slow the Tottenham band wagon but Harry managed another coup against a struggling Manchester City on Sunday. I'm not quite sure how it happened but Bent now lays joint top of the scoring charts with 11 and he single-handedly won this tie for Spurs. City have their work cut out now as they need to turn around some recent bad form and Hughes more than anyone will hope this happens sooner or later as a hungry board can well afford to not be patient. I said it before, is Hughes the one to take this City side into the upper echelons of the Premiership Elite or will the Abu Dhabi Group be looking to bring in a big name? Mourinho has already been mentioned and whilst I don't think this is a reality there are plenty of big name managers they can afford and one ex-Barcelona coach in particular remains unemployed at the moment.
This week we saw some League Cup action with the media attention focusing on two events at very opposite ends of the spectrum. Massive congratulations to Arsenals young guns, I won't highlight individuals as I thought it was a magnificent team performance, as they smashed a full strength Wigan side 3-0 and with style too. With United stumbling with a 1-0 Tevez spot kick against an average QPR side, Liverpool and Chelsea crashing out and a certain 1-5 result to revenge Arsenals aspiring hopefuls will be thinking they are in with a really good chance to take home some silverware. Wenger thinks they are the best young players he's ever worked with; now they must prove it. I just hope we're drawn at home in the next round! The other talking point was that of Didier Drogba's return to the Chelsea limelight and unfortunately for all the wrong reasons, whilst he scored, Chelsea had a bad night that got worse as Ade's equaliser and Burnley’s penalty win turned to nightmare for Scolari as the FA and police stated they would investigate the coin throwing incident. I must say however that I have some feelings for Didier here as it was retaliation to disgusting crowd behaviour that cost him. I've said it before and I'll say it again; this problem is not going away until a governing body passes crowd behaviour responsibilities to clubs and backs it up with suitable crowd banning punishment. That way, all clubs will have the onus to install CCTV at their games to discourage this sort of behaviour and pick out the minority offenders.
Next Weeks Predictions: BOL vs LIV - I love this Bolton team, some good players that remind me of the sort of side you don't expect to pull off something spectacular before the end of the season. Liverpool’s reserves were poor in the Cup and the lack of decent squad depth convinced me even more Liverpool may not have the legs this season. However, with a good defensive record, Keane hitting form and Torres back this will be difficult for Wanderers. MNU vs STO - Surely a home win, Vidic and Ferdinand have made some mistakes this season but none in the air. Rooney will be looking to get back in the scoring charts having just got over a drought and Berbatov is settling in. 2-0 United. WBA vs CHE - Chelsea should get all 3 points here and have proven that they can win the tough away battles by beating Blackburn last week. West Brom might nab a goal in front of the home crowd I'm just not sure they'll be good enough to hold a Blues side itching to prove the Cup exit a minor set back... FUL vs TOT - Another tough one to predict, I want to say Tottenham as they are just flying but I really like this Fulham side Hodgson has put together and in form Andrew Johnson is always capable of bundling in a goal. ARS vs AST - Arsenal are in great form and after beating United all of a sudden they are back in with a shout but this really will be tough as Carew will no doubt be back for Villa (major doubt my ass) and O'Neil doesn't like losing consecutively. A draw would be a good result for him and I suspect that will prove tough for Arsenals diminished frontline to break down. WHM vs POR - Both teams have been poor and will desperately want the win... Hammers to pip this one though as I think they're due. I don't want to say it but is Adams the right man for the Pompey job? BLA vs SUN - In my opinion a home win, Ince got a good away result against them in the week and this should play a factor. Same result probably... NEW vs WIG - Wigan are licking their wounds and Newcastle have been playing well albeit losing away to Fulham last weekend. I think whoever scores first here may go on to win it. I'd tip Newcastle on recent form and if Zaki is going to get his dream move he'll need to find scoring form again fast. HUL vs MCY - Another fixture with both sides reeling from defeat but I think Hull will take this one, City really are low on confidence and Hull are the complete opposite no matter what form they are in. I think this extra bit of belief will be the difference. EVE vs MID - Maybe a draw... who knows! See you all in a week :)