Premier League, Week 11: Dzeko gives City late winner vs. Spurs

Chelsea’s John Terry started the day wonderfully with a set piece header goal to put the Blues in the lead early. It ended rather badly in the 36th minute as he was stretchered off after a violent collision between himself and Luis Suarez. Before you go trying to condemn Suarez, he was shoved in the back by Ramires and made contact with Terry’s right knee, which was in a locked position. Terry’s shout of pain at the point of contact was audible on the match broadcast.

Terry was able to help the medical staff get himself on to the stretcher, but he was in obvious pain as he was examined by the Chelsea physios. We’ll have to wait and see what the extent of the damage is, but it looked like the kind of contact that can cause ligament damage. Whatever happened, it was a scary injury.

And there was suddenly a real edge to the game as well, as the City players began losing their cool and embroiling themselves in shouting matches with their Spurs counterparts. The clash between Paulo Zabaleta and Adebayor was particularly contentious, and Huddlestone opted, perhaps unwisely, to show support for his teammate by barging the Argentinian right back over in the penalty box. Again, the penalty shouts were waved away.

Aguero managed to waste a golden opportunity to draw City back on level terms immediately after the break, falling over while trying to take down a pass in acres of space. Perhaps the striker’s maladroitness was the universe enforcing immediate justice for the blown offside call that had led to him being clear on goal in the first place.

Chelsea injuries and suspensions

Liverpool injuries and suspensions

Manchester City injuries and suspensions

Tottenham injuries and suspensions

All of that effort could have been for nothing had he not picked out the perfect pass. But the 21-year-old did just that, setting up Weimann for an unstoppable shot from the top of the box. The ball was past David de Gea in an instant, and Villa had a surprise lead.

This was a match that left the neutral hopeful that both sides would be relegated. 0-0 at the Majedski Stadium, and boy did this game deserve that scoreline. No, I’m not writing any more than that. Awful.

And so the match finished 2-1. It was a reasonably competent display from Wigan, but it wasn’t quite good enough against a West Brom side who really are at the top of the game right now. You can’t imagine them seeing out the season in the top five, but it’s fun times for now at the Hawthorns.

Everton again left it late, but goals from Marouane Fellaini and Nikica Jelavic gave the Toffees the full three points as Martin O’Neill and Sunderland were left wondering what happened. Adam Johnson had put the Black Cats in front right before halftime with a highlight reel worth short-range volley strike.

Infused with confidence, Everton wasted no time taking the lead as Nikica Jelavic got behind the Sunderland defense two minutes later and beat Mignolet again to put the Toffees ahead. Jelavic beat Gardner, getting on the end of a clever back heel pass from Fellaini.

How would the visitors respond to going 2-0 down? With a goal, actually. The Cottagers managed to win a corner and then exploited a defensive error when Sagna mis-timed his jump, presenting Berbatov with a gift of a header at the top of the six-yard box. The Bulgarian made no mistake.

And then, ten minutes later, Fulham were level. Berbatov was the catalyst, making a superb, untrackable run down the right and finding himself entirely clear of the Arsenal back line. Rather than attempt to score himself, Berbatov opted to cut the ball back onto the penalty spot, where Kacaniklic lurked. There wasn’t a lot of power on the cross or subsequent header, but the placement was perfect and Mannone found himself picking the ball out of the back of the net once more.

It was a frustrating end to the game for Southampton, who had worked hard to put themselves in the lead before throwing away the points. They simply cannot go on defending in the manner they have been if they are to escape the relegation zone, particularly since their attack has hardly been irresistible either. Swansea, meanwhile, were lucky to get a draw, having been lacklustre for much of the game. If it wasn’t already, the honeymoon period for Michael Laudrup is well and truly over.

Steven Naismith, who joined Everton from Rangers in the summer, replaced Mirallas in the lineup. While the Scottish forward is a serviceable player, he lacks Mirallas creative flair and ability to stretch and challenge a defense.

Everton and Sunderland remain scoreless with less than ten minutes until halftime.

United have a few injury problems which will keep their team from being too settled, but with the attacking capability they have, Villa will face an uphill task in improving their rotten record against the Red Devils - they have won just one of their last 31 league games against them.

Aston Villa injuries and suspensions

Emirates Stadium; Saturday, 15:00 GMT/10:00 AM ET

Pick: Arsenal, 2-1