Hey folks, all games are covered over the break..

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Sunderland v Newcastle 1-1

I expected Sunderland to come flying out the blocks this year, but they’ve been a  disappointment. MON’s team remain hard to beat but attacking wise they’ve been very poor. Indeed their goal came courtesy of Ba’s OG (he’s now Sunderland’s 2nd top goalscorer). Sessegnon remains a shadow of last year’s version. McLean continues to tell the world how good he is without backing it up with performances. Johnson is still finding his feet. Fletcher gets pass marks for an excellent scoring record despite feeding off scraps all season.

Cabaye got Newcastle’s opener before Tiote got himself sent-off. Coloccini played an absolute blinder until the 80th minute when cramp and then Steven Taylor took over.

Ameobi started ahead of the labouring Cisse but was sacrificed after Tiotes red card. Ben Arfa lasted till 83mins when Obertan came on for him. Rose started for Sunderland after a torrid week while Bardsley nears fitness, making the bench. Saha came on for Sessegnon after 64mins.

QPR v Everton 1-1

Just like the previous game there was a red card and an OG. Julio Cesar the unfortunate scorer and Piennar also rather unfortunate to receive a soft red card.

QPR were decent for a lot of the game with Taarabt and Hoilett (the goalscorer) the pick of the bunch. Cisse was benched until replacing Zamora on 71mins, Ferdinand came on for the cramping Nelsen on 83mins while Mackie and SWP spent the day bench warming. Moyes line-up was quite attacking with Anichebe, Mirallas and Jelavic all starting. Naismith came on for Anichebe after 52mins while Heitinga came on to shut up shop, replacing Jelavic (who might have been awarded a penalty) on 83mins.

Everton have a Merseyside derby to look forward to next week while bottom of the table QPR have an ominous-looking trip to a smarting Arsenal.

Swansea v Wigan 2-1

The biggest story of this game must surely be Danny Graham getting dropped and Michu taking his place as the lone striker. He made it count as well scoring for the second week in a row and he now has six for the season. Pablo Hernandez scored his first for the Swans while the effective Routledge had some assist action, Dyer – the odd man out again. De Guzman was also impressive.

For Wigan, Maloney was busy while Boyce eventually thanked his owners with Wigan’s consolation. Kone had a goal  ruled out and Al Habsi ,yes, Al-Habsi, nearly scored with a glorious 95th min header.

That was Swansea’s first win in six and they needed it with their horror-run of games coming up.

Norwich v Arsenal 1-0

Norwich have taken a few heavy beatings and were tipped for more of the same here. It didn’t work out that way though and it has to be said Arsenal were poor.

Mannone continued to fill in for the injured Szcecny and was culpable for the goal. Santos replaced the injured Gibbs while Ramsey - who had a competition with Gareth Bale to see who could throw himself to the ground the most against Scotland last weekend – again took his starting place. Oxlade-Chamberlain came off the bench for 10mins before getting injured. Sagna and Wilshere are realistic chances for game-time next week.

Grant Holt has refound his scoring touch with three goals in three games. Snodgrass was again benched as was Morison.

Fulham v Villa 1-0

Fulham were made to wait in a game that they were tipped to win at a canter. Baird scoring a rare goal from a Riise corner. Nonetheless, it was an attacking line-up with Rodallega, Petric and Berbatov all starting. Petric came off after 64mins replaced by Diarra while Kacaniklic spent the full match on the bench.

Villa didn’t create much although Bent was recalled to the starting line-up, as was Ireland who had recovered from injury.

It’s a strong squad though that can afford to have Albrighton, Bannan, Benteke and N’Zogbia on the bench. If it wasn’t for Big Eck’s disasterous tenure last year then Lambert would surely find himself under more pressure. The games don’t get any easier in the short-term either.

Liverpool v Reading 1-0

Sterling was the main player here scoring the winner before receiving a standing ovation as he was substituted with 5mins to go. Johnson also played well and it must surely just be a matter of time before he breaks his duck this season. Wisdom continued at RB. Suarez created but couldn’t hit the net. It remains slim-pickings for Reading who on recent performances are destined for the drop.

West Ham v Southampton 4-1

West Ham’s clean sheets at home have dried up thankfully Nolan’s goals haven’t…he also grabbed himself an assist. Noble got off the mark with a fortuitous FK and a penalty. Maiga climbed off the bench to replace Carroll and then netted an excellent goal to complete the scoring.

Lallana continues to impress getting Southampton’s goal. Lambert started on the bench, while Saints 3rd goalie Artur Boruc played in this one. Saints have now conceded 24 goals in 8 games.

Man Utd v Stoke 4-2

Rooney was the star here despite his OG. Two goals and an assist serving notice that he’s still a force to be reckoned with. RVP got a goal and an assist. Welbeck also scored.

De Gea was the keeper of choice while Valencia started and got an assist. Nani came on for him at 74mins. The defence continues to look shaky at OT though.

Apart from Rooney’s OG, Kightly also scored for Stoke and after a horrendous run of games the fixture list now smiles kindly on the Potters.

Spurs v Chelsea 2-4

Bale and Dembele were missing so Huddlestone and Sigurdsson came into the starting line-up. Caulker started again while Naughton was on the bench as was Lloris, Livermore and Adebayor. Defoe was on the scoresheet again while Gallas scored a rare goal. Ramires started for Chelsea while Lampard was rested until the 90th min. Cahill in for the suspended Terry was the only other change from Chelsea’s default team.

Mata was again superb and scored his first brace for Chelsea, Cahill with a peach and substitute Sturridge were the other scorers. An excellent result for Chelsea as they enter a run of crucial games.

WBA v Man City 1-2

Richards started again for City while their bench contained Zabaleta, Kolarov and Aguero. David Silva was missing through injury. Dzeko climbed off the bench with 10mins to go to win the game for City. Milner was red-carded while Balotelli did his best for a red too before Aguero replaced him.

West Brom were unlucky with sub Lukaku having a couple of opportunities  to win the game. Long was the goalscorer with Dorrans, Morrison and Fortune all included in the starting line-up. Ridgewell and McAuley started with Popov on the bench. A tough game at Newcastle awaits next week for the Baggies.