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Nimble-Footed Nasri Sends Arsenal Top – For Now
Published by Ian John on December 6, 2010
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The weekend’s fixtures saw most of the English league calendar decimated by snow. However, most Premier League games went ahead with only Blackpool’s home tie against Manchester United falling foul of the conditions.
In hindsight, it may have been an ideal weekend to miss out. Frosty conditions made most pitches a lot firmer than normal and in the blizzard conditions, Blackpool would have fancied their chances much more against their rivals from Old Trafford and as it was, several of United’s rivals failed to fully capitalise on them sitting out this weekend’s action.
Chelsea were held at home by Everton, the fifth time the Goodison Park outfit have earned a point from their visit to Stamford Bridge in the past five years. It could have been much worse for Chelsea as despite Drogba’s penalty, Everton pummelled Carlo Ancelotti’s men in the second half and could and should have emerged with the three points. So worrying is Chelsea’s form at present that manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted he is having a few sleepless nights at present.
Insomnia may not be Harry Redknapp’s problem but frustration may certainly be. His Tottenham team once again did well to defeat Liverpool last weekend but could not follow that up with victory against Birmingham City at St. Andrews. Nikola Zigic coming off the bench to cause havoc in the Spurs defence and set up Craig Gardners equaliser. A strange one that, as with having Peter Crouch training against them every day of the week, you’d think the Spurs defenders should be the best drilled at dealing with an unusually tall striker.
Manchester City did win, narrowly against Bolton. While an unremarkable game in many respects it was notable for Carlos Tevez who netted his 33rd goal in 50 appearances for Manchester City and then had a hissy fit on the sideline at Mancini when he was substituted in the second half. The win keeps City just three points behind the new league leaders, one back of Chelsea and two behind their city rivals United, who do have a game in hand.
The new leaders however are Arsenal who defeated a plucky Fulham 2-1 at the Emirates. Or rather more, who had Samir Nasri on their team who inspired them to victory with two superbly taken goals. Nasri is certainly in fine form at the moment and his brace at the weekend were superbly taken, but I do get a little annoyed with the pundits waxing lyrical about the Frenchman. Nasri is certainly in great form but some commentators need to get a bit of perspective. I’ve heard such nonsense reported about Nasri’s magnificence this weekend that it is making me bilious.
There’s been some interesting transfer talk too. Liverpool are being linked with selling Daniel Agger to buy either Gary Cahill or Joleon Lescott. Man City could let Lescott and several other Mark Hughes signings, namely Roque Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge, Craig Bellamy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Shay Given leave the club in January permanently. Chelsea are set to turn down a move for Benfica defender David Luiz, because the Portuguese side want too much. My favourite rumour of the week was when I read Man City are to make a £60m bid for Gareth Bale. I laughed so hard at that that tears now stain my desktop.
Tonight sees Liverpool welcome ex-manager Gerard Houllier back to Anfield. He will get a warm welcome, but his Aston Villa team should not. It is freezing cold and while Liverpool’s undersoil heating will ensure the game goes ahead, it will be a tough battle for an out of sorts Villa side against a Liverpool team that has looked much better in recent weeks.
Be sure to tune in later for that one, it should be a decent encounter.
Image Courtesy of ***1bola*** on Photobucket.com
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