Man United v Wigan
With Phil Jones and Smalling both out, SAF decided to drop Valencia back to right back and switch Nani from the left (where hes been so impressive recently) to the right to take up Valencias normal position. Park came in at left-mid and scored one and assisted one as did Valencia. Jonny Evans was subbed off at half time with a slight calf strain which meant Carrick and Evra were the centre-backs for the second half.
Rooney and Welbeck were benched, Rooney came on in midfield for Giggs and let Berbatov take a penalty to get his hat-trick.
De Gea was again rested. A 5-0 win that means very little if you had the likes of De Gea, Evans, Jones, Nani and Rooney.<!--more-->
WBA v Man City 0-0
Richards sat out again with his troublesome calf injury while Lescott dropped to the bench for the second time in three games and there must now be a big question mark over his starting place in the short term. Especially since both games resulted in clean sheets. Toure - wholl be going to the African Cup of Nations in January - was his replacement. Barry and Dzeko also started on the bench. It was a game of few clear-cut chances as WBA continued their decent form in recent games while City failed to score for the first time this season.
Liverpool v Blackburn 1-1
Kuyt and Bellamy started on the bench as did captain Gerrard who is returning from injury. Gerrard came on in 68mins to replace Blackburn goalscorer Charlie Adam. Maxi scored for Liverpool with a Skrtel assist. Carrol started and will most likely start against his old club Newcastle on Friday. Suarez is suspended for one game after giving the Fulham supporters the finger. It was a spirited performance from Blackburn especially with their injury nightmare. Liverpool have now drawn six of their nine home games.
Chelsea v Fulham 1-1
Torres made his first league start since October and finished the game with an assist for Mata. The impressive Ruiz assisted Fulhams goal for Dempsey.
Zamora and Johnson both missed out with injury so Orlando Sa played up on his own. Ramires was suspended so Lampard regained his starting place but found himself subbed off on 61mins after a poor game. Sturridge had a quieter than normal game and was subbed off after 70mins for Drogba.
AVBs team still fails to convince, while Schwarzers replacement Stockdale had an excellent game.
Arsenal v Wolves
Ramsey was rested ... or possibly dropped. While Walcott missed the game completely with injury. So Rosicky and Benayoun started. Benayoun assisted Gervinhos goal and only the heroics of Hennesey robbed RVP of a handful. Fletcher continues to score against the big teams. Stephen Hunt with the assist. Milijas picked up a harsh red and will miss three.
Wolves, who have OHara out with a hernia, picked up their first point away from home since August. 1-1
Norwich v Spurs
De Laet came back in for Norwich and lasted 64mins before being subbed. Morison and Holt both started again. VDV recovered in time to take his place in the starting line-up. Bale who has had some niggling injuries of late seems to have completely shrugged them off as he tore Norwich apart, scoring both goals.
With Lennon injured, Redknapp decided to give Modric, VDV and Bale license to roam and it worked a treat. With Defoe most likely to be fit at the weekend they have options. Impressive stuff from Spurs.
Swansea v QPR
James Mackie scored for the second consecutive game to deny Swansea another home clean-sheet. Taylor was missing while Rangel went off injured on 57mins. Routledge who set up Danny Grahams sixth goal of the season was subbed off for Dyer on 56mins.
SWP spent the whole match warming the bench while Taarabt played the full game. Swansea have won only once in their last eight games. 1-1
Sunderland v Everton
Sessegnon grabbed another assist with Colback scoring. Baines, who was excellent, scored a penalty for Everton. Osman who had scored in his last two games had the assist after getting "fouled". In reality he actually tripped himself up. Crazy stuff!
Cahill came back in after being dropped but the drought continues. Drenthe took his place again while Rodwell again missed out.
Bramble and Bardsley went off injured for Sunderland. 1-1
Bolton v Newcastle
Another goal for Ba, set up by Obertan as well as a goal by sub Ben Arfa assisted by Ryan Taylor. Santons injury meant a recall for Taylor and he played well so might well have reclaimed his place in the side.
Ngog started with Kevin Davies again on the bench, Eagles whose mistake led to Newcastles first goal also started on the bench. Bolton have now let in 41 goals, more than any other team, have lost six of their last seven games and have lost eight of their nine home games. With Cahill a certainty to leave for Chelsea (if reports are to be believed) they are in real strife.
Stoke v Villa
Etherington came back in as expected but it was to no avail in a poor game of few chances. Huth had a couple of opportunities with headers.
Villa who still had Bent out again, started with NZogbia and Albrighton, while Heskey came off injured. Villa will take any points that come their way at the moment.
Runci's Top Corner: EPL GW 18 review
Discussion in 'Blog' started by Goonfaither, Dec 29, 2011.
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Discussion in 'Blog' started by Goonfaither, Dec 29, 2011.