Premier League Review- The Manchester clubs back with a vengeance

Gameweek number 10 of the Premier League was one which reminded us why we love the Premier League so much. The Champions of the last three seasons - Manchester City and Manchester United - after being written off mercilessly last week, were back with a vengeance. Arsenal solidified their title credentials and Newcastle stunned favourites Chelsea. Here is a review of all the action.

NEWCASTLE UNITED 2—- 0 CHELSEA

Who saw that coming? Well, not many that is for sure. Alan Pardew’s men have endured a mixed start to their season and last week they lost to a Sunderland team who were rock bottom. Chelsea, who had a perfect record in October was perhaps the last team Alan Pardew wanted to face but his side shocked the world and overcame Jose Mourinho’s in form team.

Whispers about Fernando Torres being back were proved, for the umpteenth time , to be utterly false. The Spaniard ran around energetically but Chelsea struggled to create anything of note. Pardew’s men hung on with John Terry’s header rattling the crossbar and one other effort being cleared off the line. It got even better for Pardew as Gouffran headed in a Yohan Cabeye freekick. As Chelsea hunted for an equaliser, Obertan’s pass found Loic Remy who tapped in gleefully. Full marks to the French striker. The pressure mounting on Pardew eased.

Man Of The Match - Loic Remy. With all the talk about Torres, the Frenchman was brilliant with his centre forward play and was rewarded with a goal.

FULHAM 1—- 3 MANCHESTER UNITED

When Wayne Rooney tapped in the third goal in the twenty third minute, Manchester United began packing their bags for Spain . The midweek Champions League game and some injuries forced Moyes into substitutions that made the second half from Manchester United underwhelming. But no mistake about it, they were rampant in the first half. Valencia, Rooney and Van Persie put them three goals up in 23 minutes and then the tapping about began. The first half was interrupted by many injuries and knocks.

To Fulham’s credit, they came out fighting in the second half. A deflected shot which went in denied David De Gea a cleansheet. It might seem insignificant but this second half probably saved Martin Jol’s job. If Fulham had taken a beating (say six or seven goals), Jol would have been gone by the time of writing this.

Man Of The Match - Wayne Rooney. As usual in the Moyes era, it was Rooney who symbolified everything good about United. His unselfish play for the first goal set the mood

MANCHESTER CITY 7—- 0 NORWICH CITY

All the talk in town was about Joe Hart being dropped. But on Saturday, Manuel Pellegrini could have played in goal and it wouldn’t have made any difference. Poor Norwich City were beaten, squashed and thrown out of Manchester. The Citizens were brutal. Sir Alex Ferguson always used to say that even the greatest teams have set backs but it’s how they react to it that makes them different. A reaction to the Chelsea defeat was what was seen here from City.

Seven goals, seven different scorers (including a Norwich player) - An own goal from Bradley Johnson, Silva , Nastasic, Aguero, Negredo, Toure and Dzeko were all on mark on Saturday and it dented Norwich’s goal difference. The Canaries are in the drop zone and the vultures have begun circling over Chris Hughton’s head. Get your bets out, he is surely the next man to go.

Man Of The Match - David Silva - The Spaniard is slowly getting back to his best after a dry spell and was brilliant with his touch and vision.

HULL CITY 1—- 0 SUNDERLAND

Just like Fernando Torres’ latest reported revival, the reports of Sunderland’s revival were proved a bit too premature. They lost to a tired Hull City side in what was a very feisty game punctuated by an own goal from Carlos Cuellar, two red cards and an injured goalkeeper. . Steve Bruce got his revenge over Sunderland , their former manager put out a decent side but it was pretty much implosion from Sunderland.

First , Captain Lee Cattermole, then Andrea Dossena both got their marching orders , leaving Sunderland down a goal and down to nine men. Gus Poyet maintained his bravery and didn’t take off Fabio Borini but it ultimately proved nothing as Steve Bruce’s side gladly took the three points that were gifted to them.

Man Of The Match - Jake Livermore. The young English midfielder on loan from Tottenham controlled the game and rattled the woodwork. His push for a spot in the England team needs more performances like this.

STOKE CITY 1—- 1 SOUTHAMPTON

This match erupted into life just after 13 seconds. The ball was passed to Asmir Begovic from kick off and the goalkeeper hoofed it downfield. The wind carried it past opposite number Arthur Boruc and into the net. Welcome to Stoke, Saints. Southampton therefore began the game in the backfoot that knocked the wind out of their sails a bit (excuse the irony). But this season has seen Southampton actually dictate most of the games that they play and that pattern soon emerged. Just before the break, Jay Rodriguez equalised for the Saints.

The managers , Hughes in particular , seemed pretty satisfied with a point. Begovic didn’t celebrate his goal despite being only the fifth premier league goalkeeper after Peter Schmeichel, Brad Freidel, Paul Robinson and Tim Howard to net in the Premier League.

Man Of The Match - Jay Rodriguez. Southampton’s goalscorer offered a real menace when he dropped into those pockets of space behind the strikers and looked to create openings.

WEST HAM UNITED 0—- 0 ASTON VILLA

Dear, Oh dear. The stands in East London will soon be simmering with anger. This is West Ham’s second consecutive goalless draw and their fourth in the season already. They are trudging along like snails taking a point a game. Aston Villa were on the receiving end of a typical dodgy Fulham performance as the Hammers laid out their cards on the table and defended

But Villa had only themselves to blame. Weimann in particular had many chances including the one when he broke through clear on goal only for Ravel Morrison to catch up with him and nick the ball. Villa claimed it was a penalty but it didn’t look like one. Both sides will take the point because a loss would have been disastrous.

Man Of The Match - Jussi Jaaskelainen. The Israeli stopper was at his best and earned West Ham this point. His stand out save was an effort from Christian Benteke.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2—- 0 CRYSTAL PALACE

It has been a Jerkyll and Hyde season for West Brom but Jerkyll is slowly begin to win over. After their Anfield no show, the Baggies grabbed the initiative here, albeit against bottom of the pile Crystal Palace. Palace have looked well short of Premier League quality since their promotion and looked disjointed from the off. The caretaker manager Keith Millen had nothing to shout about when Bera Hino, the ever impressive youngster (who already has goals at Old Trafford and against Arsenal) , struck again, this time from the edge of the area.

Gareth McAuley made it two . "A bit of a deja Vu" reflected Keith Millen and deja vu it was. Till a new manager arrives at least, Palace look doomed. The Derby County story all over again.

Man Of The Match - Bera Hino. The youngster will soon be in the radar of the big clubs. He shone again and West Brom notched a good win to climb up a very conjested table.

ARSENAL 2—- 0 LIVERPOOL

Luis who? The Suarez transfer saga may have dominated the back pages in the summer but Welsh wonder Aaron Ramsey stole the headlines with his majestic finish from outside the box. Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool fans have been making a lot of noise about Suarez and Sturridge lately but it was Olivier Giroud who rather proved to be the menace on the night. Liverpool went with a 3-5-2 , never a good idea in the big games and young John Flannagan was in place of the injured Glen Johnson on the right side. Arsenal , without Jack Wilshere, took the lead when Santil Cazorla slotted past Mignolet after a game of pinball with the post.

Just when Liverpool shifted their tactics and looked to be building up , Arsene Wenger’s men were ahead by two goals. Aaron Ramsey volleyed past Mignolet in wonderful fashion. The Welshman’s brilliant season continues. Arsenal , with Chelsea’s defeat , put daylight between them and the chasing pack ahead of their visit to Borussia Dortmund and then Old Trafford.

Man Of The Match - Aaron Ramsey - The Welsh wonder notches up yet another goal. It was an assured display from him after midweek troubles against Chelsea