Did anyone have a better weekend than Harry Redknapp? Man City have been enjoying their time out of the spotlight while United and Liverpool must get back to football...
Last Updated: 13/02/12 at 12:29 Post Comment
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Winners
Harry Redknapp
Probably the greatest week in the career of the England manager-elect, Harry Redknapp dad-danced his way from his acquittal to overseeing Spurs' rampant victory over Newcastle. The ball is firmly in 'Arry's court; the FA want him, he's the darling of Fleet Street and whether you like him or not, he deserves a shot at the top, top job. Tottenham will not let him go without a fight, however, and as Nick Miller asked, why would Redknapp want to leave? Even for a manager who commands such collective fawning from the press, the England role could prove a poison chalice.
'Arry's preference will be to stay with Spurs, lead England to the Euros in the summer and take it from there. But will either party be satisfied with part-time commitment? There's plenty of questions and not many answers as we wait for Bernstein, Bevington and Brooking to make their move, which will happen as soon as they've drawn straws to see who'll face Daniel Levy in negotiations.
Manchester City
Sunday's win against Aston Villa was without sparkle, but at the end of a weekend when the major talking points occurred elsewhere, City are still sitting pretty. Manchester United's ready acceptance of Liverpool's apologies (were they even the intended recipients?) and expressive desire to 'move on' points to an advantage City have held in recent weeks. Although far from their best, they have not been scrutinised in applicable detail because of the sh*tstorm down the road.
Indeed, Sir Alex Ferguson's suggestion that Liverpool is his team's most significant derby cannot have helped the media circus surrounding the Suarez/Evra affair.
The spotlight has a habit of causing clamminess and fatigue, and City must surely be relieved at their spell in the shade. A hard-fought win over Villa, a relatively resolute defensive performance and their main rivals distracted by handshakes; the only thing that could've gone better for the league leaders was if United had dropped points. Someone remind Roberto Mancini he'd be best resisting the temptation to recall Carlos Tevez.
Arsene Knows
After being derided by fans for his decision to withdraw Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the FA Cup match with Aston Villa, Wenger's key changes against Sunderland showed why he can still be trusted. The three substitutes - Ramsey (equaliser), Arshavin (assist) and Henry (winner) - changed the game for the Gunners as they earned maximum points from one of the league's toughest fixtures at this stage.
Arsenal
A vital victory on a day when Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle all lost.
With a total of nine, Arsenal have snatched more points from losing positions away from home than any other team this season. So much for that missing mental strength.
Tottenham
The nucleus of a brilliant team, Spurs' real challenge now is to perform at their highest level against the other teams in the top four. No inhibitions now fellas, you're one of the big boys.
To consider that Jose Mourinho is one of the suggested candidates to replace Harry Redknapp, should he get the England job, is a measure of how far they've come.
First-Half Blackburn Rovers
Inspired by the return of loveable chubster Yakubu, Rovers were in buoyant mood during the first 45 minutes against QPR. Considering his mass, the Yak's turn for the first goal was as remarkable as it was exceptional, while his attempted chip that bounced back off the crossbar was as exceptional as it was remarkable. The striker has the best shots-to-goals conversion rate of any frequent starter in the Premier League, and with him in the side Blackburn look like survivors.
An imperative three points gained from a domineering first-half display, the 7-1 hammering by Arsenal is as good as forgotten. The belated sneak out of the relegation zone following Wolves' heavy defeat confirms Rovers as the weekend winners from the Premier League's sorry bunch.
Wayne Rooney
Two exquisite finishes, more goals (17) this season than Liverpool's starting XI on Saturday and a whole load of sense spoken - it's not often he sets such an example.
Still yet to receive a booking this season, Rooney is looking like England captain material.
Manchester United
A victory gained from the gums of a distracted bore draw. There weren't many winners at Old Trafford and given the club's statement on Sunday, it looks as though Kenny and Luis aren't the only ones to have been given a talking-to by the powers-that-be.
Sir Alex Ferguson explained Patrice Evra's foolish celebrations by claiming the United captain had been whipped up into a frenzy. But to excuse someone on these grounds requires you to retain a certain level of composure yourself, whereas Ferguson's handshake hyperbole only added more soundbite to an already explosive situation.
The points were secured and the apology accepted. It's time to get back to that title race.
Grant Holt
If loving him is a crime, then lock me up and throw away the key.
3pm Kick-Offs
21 goals - it meets the threshold for the obligatory 'Aren't 3pm kick-offs great?' comment.
West Brom
It wouldn't be a surprise to see season ticket sales at The Hawthorns plummet for the next campaign, while the demand for away matches increases.
Louis Saha
Two goals in 20 appearances for Everton this season, two in two for Tottenham. Saha owes Emmanuel 'second to David Silva in PL assists' Adebayor a shandy for providing the opportunity to show he can still finish.
Jonny Evans
If this is Evans' last-chance saloon, he's sat at the bar with his feet up sipping a large scotch.
The Manchester United defender has been vastly improved this season, epitomised by his composed performance against Liverpool. Evans has risen to the challenge of increased competition for places and his continued form could be crucial in the title run-in.
Everton
Three wins in four (including victories over Man City and Chelsea), the return of Steven Pienaar, and Stracq-attack learning where the back of the net is; Everton would be bigger winners if the story of their season wasn't all too predictable.
James McClean
Call him up, Trap.
Thierry Henry
FA Cup progression, three Premier League points and three goals - the legacy lives on.
Jamie Mackie
The striker could be seen bemoaning Blackburn's third goal from the bench and came on to change the game. His first strike was perfect attacking predation, the second an absolute belter into the top corner. Mackie banished the bad memories of his horrible leg-break at Ewood Park 13 months ago.
Second-Half QPR
It must have been one hell of a half-time b*llocking. QPR had more shots (29) than any other team over the weekend, with the second half consisting of one-way traffic against Blackburn.
As Mark Hughes said after the match, it gives them a little bit of encouragement.
Michael Vorm
As much as I hate the word, I can't think of any other definition than 'ridonculous' for his save from Kyle Naughton.
Losers
Steven Pienaar
You have an admirer. It's Phil Neville.
Gary Lineker
His intonation and attempts at gravitas rile me more than they probably should. And I'm not sure why Alan Hansen was squirming so much before being asked about Luis Suarez, surely he knows by now that Gary Lineker is never going to dish out a Geoff Shreeves-style grilling.
Danny Graham's Goal Celebration
The most sickening sight of the weekend. I'd rather Luis Suarez never shook another hand again than see a repeat of Graham's gawkish face.
Second-Half Steve Kean
For half-time odds of 50-1 to be so bloody tempting shows the absurd vulnerability of this Blackburn team. They have conceded more points from winning positions than anyone else in the league and almost made a royal balls-up of their 3-0 advantage.
If Steve Kean doesn't know how to make substitutions that will see a game out after 53 matches as manager, he never will. Bringing on an extra striker was odd, but putting a teenage left-back on the right wing was inexplicable, especially to Montenegrin international Simon Vukcevic, who was left on the bench despite it being his natural position.
First-Half QPR
They don't do honeymoon periods.
Davide Santon
The left-back has outstanding pedigree, but is yet to convince in the step-up from Serie A to the Premier League. Emmanuel Adebayor isn't renowned for his willingness to run into the channels - usually preferring to receive the ball in the centre - but was given encouragement by Santon's susceptibility. Adebayor should never be beating the young Italian for pace, so it's a question of desire and confidence as to why Santon was repeatedly bullied into mistakes.
Alan Pardew
The ironic 'Pardew for England' chants from Spurs fans can't have been any fun.
Tony Pulis
Life's not fair, Tony.
Chelsea
Any team can have an occasional off-day, but Chelsea are having far too many this season. The defeat at Goodison was typified by a worryingly careless immaturity. Sloppy passes, sloppy positioning; they may have given up on the title, but unless they want to miss out on Champions League qualification as well, the Blues had better buck up their ideas.
David Luiz's flat refusal to defend Ashley Cole's suicidal pass was embarrassing. It's that sort of attitude that has seen Chelsea muster their lowest points total after 25 games since the 2000/01 season.
Andre Villas-Boas
Goaded by his own fans with chants of 'You don't know what you're doing', Villas-Boas now has a huge task on his hands to convince the doubters that he's the right man for the job.
The Chelsea manager's future is increasingly resting on the outcome of the Champions League tie against Napoli. What's more likely; that Roman Abramovich will wipe off a full season or €15million?
Aston Villa
Now on their longest run of Premier League home matches (7) without a win and a thoroughly joyless team to watch.
Aston Villa Protestors
100 people! Is that all?
Owen Coyle
He's started to show a Steve Kean level of optimism. Focusing on Bolton's second-half improvement was expected, but Coyle is fooling no one - his team are abysmal at the moment. The need to make three early substitutions points to a poor initial selection and time is running out for Coyle to get it right. And Mick McCarthy's exit piles on more pressure - nothing makes a chairman's trigger finger twitchier than other bosses getting the sack.
Liverpool FC
According to F365's Paul Little, there's an old saying in politics and PR - if you're explaining, you're losing.
An apology of sorts, but Saturday brought another defeat and insipid performance. For top four to remain a legitimate target, it really is important that the club concentrates on football matters.
Kenny Dalglish
The game changed in his absence.
Mick McCarthy
If Steve Morgan was making his feelings known in the dressing room after the 3-0 home defeat to Liverpool, what must his reaction have been to the 5-1 pummelling by West Brom?
Wolves should have been buoyed by the massive three points they bagged at QPR but were completely outplayed by a team who were on the cusp of being fellow strugglers. McCarthy ensured his team capitalised on Djibril Cisse's sending-off last time out; it was his responsibility to gain further advantage from that result on Sunday.
He's now paid the ultimate price. Well, maybe not the ultimate price.
Luis Suarez
He lied to Kenny Dalglish. Is there a greater sin?
The Premier League
Happy to talk about a 39th game but conspicuous in absence of position on the recent events that are damaging their product. "All that's happened in the last few weeks has been dealt with," Richard Scudamore was reported as saying in The Daily Mail on January 12. Wakey wakey!
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