Sorry folks, got this one up a bit later than I was hoping. Part of the reason was due to meeting up with some of the TS heavy artillery at Lagerfield on Monday night. And isn’t it great to see that Walesy won himself a few bob on the night (if I’d known that at the time, I might have changed my order to a pint of Glenfiddich instead. Ah well, there’s always next time!). It does make my solitary $5 bet on Jobe to win outright a little pale in comparison, but a win is a win is a win. Right?

Talking of winning makes for a seamless transition over to FEPL, where I can categorically state with complete confidence that I’ve been doing SFA in the way of winning. In fact, I’ve truly sucked the last coupla weeks and my WC will be played. It’s great to see some cracking rankings amongst the TS faithful though, keep up the good work folks! Over the break  Ill have the round review...<!--more-->

Swansea v Everton 0-3

Apart from 10mins after HT, Everton absolutely dominated this game. The injured Jelavic was not needed. Pienaar was again excellent while Anichebe and especially Fellaini absolutely monstered the Swansea back-line. Everton had 19 shots on target and Moyes said his team were “exceptional”. They were and with a nice run of fixtures on the horizon, and the excellent form of Fellaini and Pienaar, there doesn’t appear to be any reason why they can’t continue to pick up these types of results.

The impressive Miralles scored as did Anichebe and Fellaini. Baines had an assist as did Fellaini and Pienaar.

Hernandez started for Swansea with Dyer dropping to the bench. That only lasted until HT when Hernandez got hooked. Dyer came on but only lasted 13mins before getting red-carded. This can only be good news for Routledge owners. As for Swansea, this was a wake-up call as they suffered their second poor result and performance in a row.

Chelsea v Stoke 1-0

Chelsea were a bit flat, RDM dropped Terry and Lampard to the bench apparently believing they weren’t up to another 90mins following on from their midweek UCL game.

It was, however, the first time we got the chance to see Mata, Oscar and Hazard start with Mata suitably rested he played well and set up Ashley Cole’s goal. His first goal in two years.

Ivanovic spent a good chunk of the game throwing himself to the ground while Oscar got booked for diving. This prompted the joke du jour about an Oscar for Oscar. Moses replaced Hazard after 62mins while there was a slightly surreal moment in the 89th min when Mata got subbed off for John Terry. Lampard came on for the last 10mins. Luiz should’ve seen red instead of yellow for a potential leg-breaker on Walters. Chelsea have now only lost 9 of their last 161 home games.

Stoke were just about worth a point. They had their chances. Owen had a 30min run-out, while utility player Geoff Cameron covered Wilkinson’s suspension at RB.

Liverpool v Man Utd 1-2

The ref had a shocker in this one with all the big calls and pretty much all the 50/50s going the way of Man Utd. A Shelvey red card that shouldn’t have been, or if it should then Evans should’ve walked too. A very soft penalty to Utd and RVP incredibly staying on the park after a shocking challenge that was way worse than Shelvey’s. On top of this Agger and Kelly went down with serious looking injuries and Liverpool got nothing out of a game that they deserved at least a point.

After the week that’s been, it was no surprise that Gerrard got on the score sheet. Rafael – who went off after rolling his ankle – scored an excellent goal, with the otherwise ineffectual Kagawa setting him up. RVP scoing the winner from the penalty spot after Valencia went down in installments.

Utd’s form will be of concern to SAF as they were fortunate to get a result from a poor performance. Kagawa has lost his way a bit after an excellent first couple of games. Nani was replaced at HT and his only reprieve will be from Young’s injury and now possibly Valencia having to drop back to RB to cover Rafael if he is indeed injured. While Vidic was incredibly left out and he apparently continues his rehab from injury. Yeah ok then.

Allen and Gerrard along with the attack-minded Johnson were Liverpool’s best performers.

*Vidic has just had surgery that will see him out for 8wks.

Man City v Arsenal 1-1

Szcezny, Vermaelen, Tevez, Kolarov and Nasri were all out of the starting line-up for one reason or another. Tevez was on the bench as Aguero returned from injury. Yaya Toure played deep which is of concern, certainly when City had Rodwell and Barry both capable of filling that role, sitting on the bench.Lescott, who kept his place for the game, justified his inclusion with a goal from Silva’s corner. Mannone at fault as he was caught in a no-mans land.

Arsenal scored their well deserved equaliser from Koscielny. Ramsey had his best game in a long time and Arteta, Jenkinson and Cazorla were all impressive. Gervinho was poor as Walcott tries to talk his way into the CF position.

Spur v QPR 2-1

Spurs came back to win this after an impressive first half from QPR. A big part of that was due to Bale’s move upfield to the wing after starting the game at LB. Sigurdsson (again) was withdrawn and Caulker – so impressive for Swansea last year –  climbing up the pecking order to take his place at HT due to injuries to Kaboul and BAE (Vertonghen moving to full-back).

Zamora scored his third of the season while another ex-Spurs player Nelsen (3.9mil) continues to play at CH. Dyer incredibly played the game from the 3rd min, replacing Bosingwa.

Defoe continues to take his chance while Adebayor toils for fitness, scoring one while a Faurlin OG was their other goal. Friedel continues in goal which rather amusingly has the French choking incredulously on their lescargot. A confidence builder for Spurs, but they’re not yet convincing.

Wigan v Fulham

Rodallega has gone down in Wigan folk-lore and it’s no surprise he got on the scoresheet here as he returned to his old stomping ground. He’s possibly now found himself above Petric in the pecking order, as Petric spent the full game on the bench.

Berba assisted Rodallega’s goal. And Ruiz – who replaced Kacaniklic on 60mins – set up Duff for his goal.

Kone was assisted by sub McManama. A rare but very welcome away win for the Cottagers.

Newcastle v Norwich 1-0

Ben Arfa and Ba were again the main players for Newcastle. Indeed Ben Arfa set up Ba’s goal. Ba’s partner in crime Cisse continues to have a torrid time and  skied a penalty that was earned by Williamson. Harper continued in goals for the injured Krul. Norwich have now only scored twice in 5 games which resulted in Holt being benched for Morison until the 70th min.

Norwich face Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal in their next three.

WBA v Reading 1-0

Lukaku made his first start with Odemwingie suspended and Long dropped to the bench. He made it count as well scoring the winner as The Baggies claimed another clean sheet. That’s 8 in their last 10 home matches. Long, Fortune and Rosenberg were all on the bench.

Reading continue to struggle and are rooted to the bottom with 1pt. Pogrebnyak was poor and got substituted with 20mins remaining.

West Ham v Sunderland 1-1

Sunderland led for 80+ mins due to another goal from the impressive Feltcher with Larsson the supplier. Kevin Nolan saved the day for the Hammers though with Maiga the assist after the returning Jarvis did well to keep the ball in play. The game had the hallmarks of a low-scoring draw and so it turned out. Usual suspects Nolan, Fletcher, McLean all put in performances.

Southampton v Aston Villa  4-1

Ricky Lambert was the main story of the day with his brace and an assist. Clyne finally showed some attacking returns while a Clark OG finished off Saints scoring. Villa who led at the break  thanks to Bents goal capitulated in the second half. Ireland who had been impressive and assisted the goal was taken off with injury at HT.

Southampton dropped goalie Davis while new signing Ramirez was excellent, a welcome result that takes Saints off the bottom.