Elsewhere, Bolton all-but secured their safety, Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough definitely both secured theirs, while the fight for that UEFA Cup spot will also go to the final day after Everton failed to get the point they needed at Arsenal yesterday.
Premier League Team of the Week (based on OPTA stats, Fantasypremierleague.com ratings and my own expert eye):
Keeper – Radek Cerny (immovable)
Defence – Aaron Hughes (everywhere), Gary Cahill (commanding), Chris Riggott (big return to Boro, and first goal for two years)
Midfield – Cristiano Ronaldo (he’s alright I guess), El-Hadji Diouf (head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch), Antonio Valencia (sweet brace), Michael Ballack (dynamo)
Up Top – Robbie Keane (superlative), Roque Santa Cruz (too good), Nikolas Bendtner (direct)
Weekly Awards:
Goal of the Week – Carlos Tevez for once overshadowed Ronaldo with this absolute pearler:
Nutmeg of the Week – Fernando Torres fired Liverpool to victory at Anfield with his eighth consecutive goal on the hallowed turd, via a rather large gap between Joe Hart’s legs:
Save of the Week – Maik Taylor earned his keep once again this season with a sublime low save from a Simon Davies drive, after the Welshman had been set-up by a smart Jimmy Bullard free-kick.
Skill of the Week – Diomansy Kamara danced past four defenders with some silky close-control as Fulham’s ambitions increased.
Miss of the Week – It took genuine talent from Ryan Babel to miss from 4 yards out after Torres had put it on a plate for him by skinning Richard Dunne and squaring to the free Dutchman.
Attempt of the Week – Dirk Kuyt was unlucky to see a textbook volley from about 15 yards palmed out by Joe Hart.
Brain Donor of the Week – Carlton Cole was due to be substituted on at half-time at Old Trafford but this had to be delayed by about ten minutes because he had, er, forgotten his shirt. Obviously footballers aren’t rocket scientists but surely getting dressed is about a third of their job?
Gaffe of the Week – Franck Quedrue did his former employers Fulham a favour by guiding his header straight into the path of Erik Nevland, who duly slotted away Fulham’s decisive second goal.
Acrobatics of the Week – Dean Ashton shows there’s still life in him with a cracking overhead kick at Old Trafford.
Hot Date of the Week – It was nice to see Reading owner John Madjeski treating Trevor MacDonald to a game on Saturday. Shame it was awful, but from what I hear, Trev still put out…
Embarrassment of the Week – Milan Baros. Just generally.
Route One of the Week – Kenny Miller latches onto an inch perfect 70 yard hoof from keeper Roy Carroll.
Malkovich-Malkovich of the Week – Man City fans get nostaligic about Sven already.
Broken Jinx of the Week – Chelsea won at Newcastle for the first time since 2001 to keep them in the title race. I guess Keegan’s pact with the Devil to make Newcastle competent has expired now?
Quote of the Week – Paul Jewell delivers a contender for understatement of the year after another defeat confirmed Derby’s unenviable title of the worst top flight side in history, sitting on 11 points with just a game to go: “We’ve been somewhat exposed in this league.”
Hero of the Week – Roy Hodgson for miraculously dragging Fulham to the cusp of safety, with plenty of help from Brian McBride, Diomansy Kamara and Jimmy Bullard to name just three.
Zero of the Week – Michael-Jackson-circa-Thriller-wannabe Nani takes this week’s prize for not only head-butting relaxed Aussie Lucas Neill, but also for then theatrically throwing himself on the floor afterwards to try and con the ref. It was a sniper-on-the-roof moment no diggidy.
Personal Highlight of the Week – Well for those of you that know me I should think that was pretty obvious!
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