Gameweek 14 was the kind of weekend where Premier League fans witnessed some all too familiar results (loses from Wolves, West Ham, Wigan and Fulham) yet had plenty of interesting, eye-lifting, head-turning moments to suit those who believe England's top flight to be exciting, yet predictable in nature.
English Premier League Week 14 Review: Brilliant Bolton, Terrific Tottenham And Magnificent Manchester City All Win
The Barclay’s Premier League still witnesses Chelsea on top but Manchester United are now level on points. Bolton Wanderers are playing some brilliant football while Manchester City seem to have woken up, at least for the weekend. The North London derby didn’t disappoint while a few of the league’s bottom dwellers continue to, well, dwell at the bottom.
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One such moment of fitba self-realization was Tottenham's epic moment of epic epic-ness when they overcame a large 0-2 hole (once thought of as too large to climb out of) away to Arsenal to scratch, claw and fight their way to a now famous 2-3 win - their first at the Emirates. And while the Harry Redknapp detractors are silenced now, at least for a few days, Mr. Redknapp, in all his tactical dexterity, continues to prove those attempting to expose him as fraudulent, quite decisively wrong. If only Spurs can find that bit of consistency needed to compete in both Europe and the Premier League, those pesky North London neighbors may then be forced to get used to the losing end of 2-3 score-lines.
With the win, Spurs stay there or thereabouts while any idea of a meaningful title challenge still seems a bridge too far because of the aforementioned consistency issues in the league coupled with that of their other extracurricular activities.
For the Gunners, the year after year feeling supporters have become all too familiar with - one of disdain for Spurs, but more importantly, one that points to a mysterious hole in their squad that needs sorting before a piece of silverware may be attained, still looms in the foreground of the Emirates faithful. It was a frustrating day for Arsenal, but the water bottle slamming Monsieur Wenger will fix the problems that currently plague Arsenal’s back line. Supporters trust him but remain frustrated themselves as Arsenal’s once young squad matures into a side still lacking title credentials. Whether the fix comes in time for Arsenal to seriously challenge for the title or before Cesc Fabregas demands a move back to Spain proves to be a riddle too elusive to elucidate at the moment.
While 'title pretenders' suits both North London clubs better than contenders would, the Premier League's most likely to conquer remains either one of the two who've lifted the damn thing for the past six years. While naught really expected the title to have been decided by December, a few participants usually emerge with a hand raised high by Thanksgiving. Whether it's by default or precedence, Manchester United and Chelsea, now joint top on 28 points, realistically remain the only two with a decent shot. Sure, United remain unbeaten in all competitions, but they've done so while Old Trafford sets Guinness World records for just how quite a football stadium can be during the full 90. If United were somehow able to win this season's title based on current form, they'd surely go down as not bad Champions, but boring ones.
United walked their way to a 2-0 home win as once hero, now (still) hero Wayne Rooney made his prodigal son-esque return to Old Trafford. Lackluster in all areas of the pitch except the back-line, United resemble themselves in late November of every year - close to the top without being dominant while they look poised to make an all too familiar run at the title in 2011.
For the reigning champs, a much different storyline looms as they fell to defeat away to Birmingham City 0-1 on Saturday. Seemingly unable to stop scoring in the early part of the season, Chelsea have now scored one goal in their last four matches and have lost three of those four. Injuries have definitely played their part, but have also helped to shine light on and expose what many football fans already knew during all those six-nils and four-nils - Chelsea lack depth.
The Blues should be thankful for the past, they started the season so brightly and opened up a lead that has now vanished, but it was the kind of cushion a team with so little depth needed to stay in contention when injuries were sure to set in. Obviously accepting of the fact that Manchester United have drawn so many games, Chelsea's terrible run of form through November is met by an equally difficult December - matches against Newcastle, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United will challenge Chelsea who remain thin.
While Chelsea's form has been a disappointment, the in form Bolton Wanderers have been a breath of fresh Premier League air for football fans to inhale this season. Currently fifth, but fourth for a day over the weekend, Owen Coyle's high-flying Bolton hit Newcastle for five at home in what was a brilliant team effort in the 5-1 win. A brace each from Kevin Davies and the sensational Johan Elmander, Bolton embody a side who work for each other and have bought into Coyle's tactics. Tireless in central midfield and on the wing, Stuart Holden and Chung-Yong Lee have both impressed as Bolton continue their search for European football this season.
The Weekend’s Other Matches
Manchester City disposed of Fulham quite easily at the Cottage 1-4 with goals from Carlos Tevez (2), Pablo Zabaleta and Yaya Toure. Tevez was man of the match for City while David Silva continues to enjoy himself as he settles brilliantly into life as a Premier League footballer. City finally produced the kind of performance fans have been wanting as too many draws and scoreless affairs have played out at Eastlands. Roberto Mancini was backed by the traveling City supporters during Sunday's win while the three points gained sees City back in fourth three clear of Bolton and Tottenham who are level. Fulham need help. Still level with Wigan on 14 points, only goal differential keeps them out of the relegation zone as Mark Hughes searches for answers.
Liverpool disposed of bottom of the table West Ham quite easily 3-0 at home with goals from Glen Johnson, Maxi Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt. Roy Hodgson's men rebounded after their loss away to Stoke City last weekend but Liverpool fans will want more of the same before they believe Hodgson is the answer. Fernando Torres seems to be reaching full fitness just as Steven Gerrard looks to miss the next few games for the Reds.
Stoke City won their third straight after beating West Brom at the Hawthorns 0-3. Two penalties and a late Jon Walters strike were enough to see off West Brom who have now lost four of their last five in the Premier League after a decent start.
Blackpool beat Wolves 2-1 at home with a couple of first half goals being enough to see off Mick McCarthy's men. Luke Varney struck early and Marlon Harewood netted Blackpool's second before Kevin Doyle scored a late consolation for the away side. Brave and determined football can only be lauded so much until Wolves fans get tired of the results and demand better performances that will pull Wolves out of the relegation zone. Blackpool's Ian Holloway continues to lead the Seasiders effectively in their first ever season in the top flight. Looking for survival of any kind, Blackpool currently sit 12th in the table.
Lastly, Aston Villa succumbed to their injury woes away to Blackburn. Two Morten Gamst Pedersen goals were enough to see off another young Villa side who are struggling under Gerard Houllier in 13th position.
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