10 things we’ve learned from this weekend’s football……..
1) Premier League defenders need to learn how to defend again. It was a Premier League record with 36 goals and no goalless draws, but it was evident at some games that people do not know how to defend as not one side kept a clean sheet.
2) Dimitar Berbatov is awesome, when he can be bothered. He may be criticised as lazy from some quarters, but when he does turn up the Bulgarian is one of the best forwards in the Premier League. He had not scored since his hat-trick against Liverpool on September 19th, but went on to equal the Premier League record with five goals in one game.
3) While Berbatov (7/2 to be top Premier League goalscorer) will get all the headlines, it has to be noted that Wayne Rooney was also impressive. He set up the Bulgarian early on, set up Park Ji-sung and also scared Pascal Chimbonda witless, which resulted in him producing the awful backpass that presented Berbatov with his third. Sir Alex Ferguson described Rooney and Berbatov as “a good combination” and if they continue to click like this then Chelsea’s hold on the title may not last long (United 7/4 to win title).
4) Sol Campbell has not lost it and is still a very good defender – who knew? He may be 36 and seen as somewhat of a mercenary by a section of fans, but he performed heroics against Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka with tackles, blocks and near-perfect positioning. Chris Hughton could not wish for any more from him.
5) Mick McCarthy will not let his side’s give up (Wolves 10/11 to stay up). Firstly, he must have been delighted to not see his side concede in the first minute like they have twice recently, and their spirited fightback in a classic game against Sunderland showed a side that are going to fight until the last ball of the season is kicked. You would expect nothing less from a team managed the brash Yorkshire man.
6) Bolton are an adjusted side now who are capable of finishing in the Premier League top four – that is according to Zat Knight. It is true that Bolton (33/1 to finish in top four) have gone four games unbeaten, but now face a huge challenge of their top credentials when they face Manchester City next weekend. We will wait and see if Knight’s bold predictions are correct but I can imagine most football fans had to hide a smirk when hearing what the defender had to say.
7) Avram Grant seems safe for another week after the win over Wigan, but Paolo Di Canio was watching from the stands on the “Save Our Season” day and has spoken about wanting some involvement in the club.
FA Cup miracles still seem to exist. FC United had performed miracles to overcome Rochdale in the last round and led Brighton (600/1 to win FA Cup) for a long period. But it looked like their story would be over for this season as they went down to 10 men on 69 minutes, conceded with five minutes to go and then conceded a stoppage-time penalty. But Sam Ashton pulled out a wonder save to keep them in the FA Cup – where they will play last year’s FA Cup finalists Portsmouth in the third round if they can win the replay.
9) Foreign officials are not as bad as everyone feared. No major catastrophes or controversies in any of the Scottish games refereed by imported replacements. Though I bet many were not prepared for the weather when they agreed to stand in.
10) Fans will still turn up and shovel snow off the pitch just as long as they are given a warm drink and a bacon roll. It is tradition to see fans down the football ladder desperately clearing pitches and one that should never end!
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