Even Ryan Giggs’ 607th league appearance for The Red Devils wasn’t big enough for Liverpool, their arch rivals, to bow down before the Master and let him run the show. King Kenny’s troops at Anfield rose to the occasion and tamed the league leaders in exquisite style. Later, when the King was asked about his team’s ambition in the league, he clearly stated that they don’t play to win the league; their only objective is to get the better of United every season. One hell of a revelation there! In the middle of all the excitement, as Ian Rush rubbed his hands in anticipation, the costliest Englishman ever made his debut in Liverpool colors. Andy Carroll.
Move of the Weekend – The New Number 7
Luis Suarez, the Uruguayan who used mostly his hands for scoring goals during the previous World Cup, dribbled past a plethora of United defenders inside their half and set up Dirk Kuyt for a ‘Nistelrooy’ tap in. The move involved brilliant ball control and nifty footwork by the new Liverpool signing which has led to his legendary status amongst the Kops already! The previous two legends to wear that coveted Jersey ‘Seven’ was Kevin Keegan and the current Kop Manager Dalglish.
Goal of the Weekend – Defoe is Special
There were many contenders for the Goal of the Weekend as 35 ‘spectacular’ goals were scored and English Media was involved praising about how good Defoe is and how he could have given the great Pele a run for his money and status if the Englishman played during the 70s.
Defoe against Wolves – The Englishman collected the ball just outside the box and curled home a cracker to bring his team into level terms at The Molineux. It was Defoe’s first goal for Spurs in the league since the Heysel’s Stadium Disaster way back in time. He went on to score another spectacular goal for his team bringing his goal tally up to 99 for the ‘lesser’ North London club.
Match of the Weekend – Spurs and Goal Feasts: Inseparable
A brace each from Defoe and Doyle helped their team to score three goals each in a mouth-watering clash at the home of the once mighty Wolves. The English Press had declared Wolves as the ‘Champions of the World’ in 1960 after their superior show against European opponents and they didn’t disappoint this time too playing at home against “European Opponents” who got a measure of the mighty Milan a fortnight back. Many missed chances, woodwork hits and controversies later the match ended 3-3 with Wolves now sitting with 29 points from as many games.
Biggest Controversies of the Weekend – Phil Dowd – “I don’t like getting dirty”
The biggest controversy of the weekend would probably be how Jamie Carragher, after trying to ‘shawcross’ Luis Nani’s leg, stayed on the pitch. As both teams got into a nasty brawl, Phil Dowd, folded his arms and stood his ground as if he was ordered by FA to do so! Jamie Carragher, a Kop hero was just left with a caution and the United players were clearly consoled by the ref that ‘Jamie was not that kind of a guy’.
The incident was given a funny stature as Nani, who was viciously injured, got up on his feet, ran to the referee and fell down again crying like a beautiful new born baby. The Anfield faithful echoed the voice of Axl Rose…
Don’t you cry tonight…
There’s a heaven above you baby…
And don’t you cry tonight…
A day earlier, Titus ‘The Kingkong’ Bramble bowed before Andrei Arshavin’s brutal honesty as the latter didn’t topple over when the Frenchman clearly pushed Arshavin from behind in the penalty box. That was not the only thing to which the linesman from Manchester (Please note!) kept a blind eye, he adjudged the Russian offside when the crafty Arsenal forward scored a goal for the Gunners. Television replays and common sense clearly showed he was onside.
In a week of calamitous refereeing decisions, Mark Halsey didn’t want to fall behind in erroneous verdicts as he wrongfully disallowed a Stearman ‘clean header goal’ which could have given Wolves a crucial home victory. In a world of beautiful people, that decision was the closest analogical equivalent to Marco Materazzi.
Run for the Golden Boot
- Dimitar Berbatov – Manchester United – 19
- Carlos Tevez – Manchester City – 18
- Darren Bent – Aston Villa – 11
- Andrew Carroll – Liverpool – 11
- Kevin Nolan – Newcastle – 11
Run for the Top Assists
- Luis Nani – Manchester United – 15
- Andrey Arshavin – Arsenal – 11
- Wayne Rooney – Manchester United – 11
- Leighton Baines – Everton – 10
- Chris Brunt – West Brom – 10
To get a look at the Premiership table, visit here.
Team of the Weekend – (Manager – Kenny Dalglish)
Results of the Weekend
Manchester City 1 – 0 Wigan
Arsenal 0 – 0 Sunderland
Bolton 3 – 2 Aston Villa
Newcastle 1 -2 Everton
Fulham 3 – 2 Blackburn
West Ham 3 – 0 Stoke
Birmingham 1 – 3 West Brom
Wolves 3 – 3 Spurs
Liverpool 3 – 1 Manchester United
Chelsea 3 – 1 Blackpool
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