Weekly Summary - English Premier League

Last week I made a couple predictions. One that the Fox Soccer Channel games would produce some goals after a 4 game hiatus of the ball hitting the back of the net; two that Sunderland manager Roy Keane was headed for the “by mutual consent" path.

Before the weekend even started Keano decided to call it a day at Sunderland. Guess he didn’t fancy the probable mauling that he was in for as he faced the trip to Old Trafford for a kick-about at his old stomping ground. Maybe it wasn’t quite by mutual consent but Keane decided he could take the team no further and just became another stat on the EPL managerial casualty list. To be honest it did not surprise me at all. His team have been nothing short of appalling this year and, from the Sunderland games that I’ve seen this season, it was clear his players were no longer responding. By the way it should be noted, that would be the same players he spent about 80 million quid on in building this current squad of relegation contenders. He may be back in football one day, but right now his 27 month tenure is just another case for the argument that great players don’t make great managers – especially when they get a big transfer budget (Jim Magilton please take note).

Fox Soccer Channel delivered Arsenal’s home match against Wigan followed by Sunderland’s trip to Manchester. Should have been goals aplenty, but although there was a goal in each match, neither game was exactly what one might call a “barn-burner.” The recovery of the Goon Army sort of continued as they almost nervously ran out 1-0 winners over Wigan at the Emirates, courtesy of an Emmanuel Adebayor first-half strike - haven't heard from him in a while, but it was enough to end a 5 match unbeaten streak for Steve Bruce's men. The second game appeared certain to offer a few goals as Fergies boys looked to add to the pain of the Blackcats. But, although Sunderland rarely crossed the half-way line, it took United until injury time to break the deadlock and secure a drab 1-0 victory courtesy of a Vidic tap-in on 91 minutes.

Elsewhere, at the top Chelsea and Liverpool both secured victories by a two goal margin; the Blues winning comfortably 2-0 at Bolton and Liverpool racing past a poor Blackburn side at Ewood Park, 3-1 to stay top of the league. Talking of ex-players not making great managers, the old Gov'nor of Man U and England looks like he might be on a bit of a short lease as Blackburn continue to dwell in the relegation zone and play in front of a stadium filled well short of capacity. I'll give him another 2 or 3 weeks.

So, for the first time this season the top four spots in the EPL are filled by the usual candidates, known as the "Big Four." Aston Villa, however, stayed within striking distance at a point behind the Arse as they won the match of the week at Goodison 3-2, with Ashley Young scoring the winner in injury time, seconds after the Toffeemen had equalized. Hull came from behind to defeat Middlesbrough 2-1 at the KC to hold onto 6th place.

The general poor form of the bottom clubs continued as WBA managed a draw at home to Pompey while, as previously mentioned, Blackburn and Sunderland both lost. Despite a brace from Michael Owen that gave the Geordies a comfortable 2-0 lead at home, they couldn't withstand a furious comeback by Stoke and shared the spoils in an entertaining 2-2 draw. That result leaves Newcastle 4th bottom, 2 points behind Man City, Spurs, and West Ham. That is a whole lot of transfer notes tied up in 4 very under-achieving teams.

As the next round is almost upon us, we'll keep it brief this week, and although the top 4 look like business as usual, the EPL this year is still shaping up to be one of the most intriguing and tightly contested leagues that we have seen in a long while. 'Till next time...Cheers!