Absence makes the heart grow fonder and the Premier League returned this weekend with its typical mix of controversy, goals and entertainment.
This week we look at the midfielders who have made key contributions to their team’s fortunes over the weekend since 15 of the 34 goals scored came from midfield (without counting David Bentley’s free-kick that went down as an own goal); whilst Jermain Defoe again showed his natural ability in front of goal by bagging five in the destruction of Wigan.
SPURS DEMOLISH SORRY WIGAN
White Hart Lane witnessed a mammoth 9-1 goal fest with Spurs putting Wigan to the sword with a scintillating attacking display in which Jermain Defoe produced a finishing master-class with five clinical strikes.
Aaron Lennon was impressive down the right and Tom Huddlestone looked agile in midfield but Niko Kranjcar stood out with some glorious passes in a game where Wigan ‘keeper Chris Kirkland kept the scores respectable as the away team crumbled.
DUNN GIVES BIG SAM SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT
David Dunn scored a wonderful goal as Blackburn left the Reebok Stadium with all three points in a two nil victory over a Bolton side on the slide.
With Sam Allardyce awaiting heart surgery, Blackburn, and Dunn in particular, took the game to Bolton, with the midfielder doing his England chances no harm in the process.
STOKE STEEL STOPS POMPEY CHARGE
Portsmouth found out just how unforgiving The Britannia can be as they went down one nil to a well-organised Stoke team. The visitors will rue the penalty Kevin Prince-Boateng missed while the game was goalless, as Stoke grabbed the points through Ricardo Fuller’s goal.
Stoke are now up to ninth as Portsmouth remain rooted to the bottom of the table.
BULLARD & PARKER AT HEART OF SIX-GOAL THRILLER
In recent weeks, Hull and West Ham have thrown leads away as well as salvaged points with late goals, so it was no surprise that this game turned out to be one of those dramatic goal-fests where the spoils where shared in a 3-3 draw.
The return of Jimmy Bullard has been the spur behind Hull’s recent good form and once again the midfield ace drove his team to a well deserved point. It may seem far-fetched to see Bullard in the England World Cup squad but having been named in the squad before perhaps he could be a surprise addition. On this sort of form, where his eye for a pass and constant probing are on show, he has every chance.
Another player on rich form is Scott Parker who keeps driving West Ham forward and was on hand again to snatch a draw after the Hammers had given away a two-goal lead.
CHELSEA SEND WOLVES PACKING
Despite a host of top stars missing from the team, the league-leaders continued their impressive form with another comprehensive victory as Wolverhampton Wanderers succumbed to Chelsea’s might.
It could have been different if Sylvain Ebanks-Blake’s header had found the net but instead Petr Cech produced an outstanding save low down to his left to deny Wolves an early lead.
Michael Essien scored two and could have had four as his energy drove Chelsea forward time and again. Fellow midfielders Florent Malouda and Joe Cole added their names to the score sheet, with the England player’s return to form particularly encouraging ahead of the World Cup.
The Blues supremacy afforded them the chance to give controversial youngster Gael Kakuta his debut, and the teenage midfielder showed some glorious touches that hint at his potential.
HESKEY TO THE RESCUE
Steven Caldwell’s ninth minute goal looked to be enough to give Burnley victory until Emile Heskey struck back with a late goal to snatch a point for Villa.
Yet to be considered worthy of a starting place, the England forward came off the bench to send a timely reminder to club and country with a much-needed goal.
The first appearance of Stewart Downing since his summer move from Boro’ provided further optimism as Villa ended the weekend in the crucial fourth place.
LIVERPOOL CLAW A DRAW
Both clubs remain best resourced to finish in fourth yet the 2-2 result would have helped neither in the quest for Champions League football.
In a poor first half Liverpool were forced into two changes with Ryan Babel and Daniel Agger, both making rare starts, coming off the pitch and joining the Reds growing injury list. City may have benefited from a more attacking line-up but Mark Hughes went for a 4-5-1 that restricted chances for both sides.
All four goals came in a better second period with the defensive frailties of both teams largely to blame for all the goals as Liverpool continue to stumble whilst City make it six draws on the trot.
BOWYER KEEPS FULHAM AT BAY
Birmingham hung on for all three points after former England midfielder Lee Bowyer scored after sixteen minutes to sink Fulham.
The Londoners looked the more likely to score in the second half but found Joe Hart in imperious form in a performance that is likely to increase his shout for a place on the plane to South Africa next summer.
BENT SENDS ARSENAL TUMBLING
Arsenal plodded and probed against a dogged Sunderland – at times wanting to walk the ball into the net rather than shoot to score.
Arsenal’s problems of last season resurfaced and Steve Bruce’s men are starting to make a name for themselves when it comes to holding their own against the top four. Once Darren Bent put Sunderland a goal up they held out Arsenal comfortably to secure a famous victory and become the only team to stop the Gunners scoring this season.
The positives for Arsene Wenger will come from the performance of Alex Song, who is maturing into a fine midfielder capable of driving this young team to great things.
FLETCHER PROVIDES MISSING QUALITY
The Champions pinned Everton into their own half for much of the game and produced a good display in securing a comfortable 3-0 win over Everton.
With their rivals goal tally far superior, United will be pleased with the score line with the pick of the strikes coming from Darren Fletcher. The Scotsman swivelled beautifully to meet Antonio Valencia’s knock down on the edge of the box with a half-volley into the top corner.
GOAL OF THE WEEK
Step forward Darren Fletcher – what a strike!
The goals from Ricardo Fuller, David Dunn and Florent Malouda all deserve a mention.
WORST DECISION OF THE WEEK
Mark Clattenburg – Craig Fagan backs into West Ham’s Julien Faubert and the ref awards Hull a penalty after everyone else thought the Frenchman was just holding his ground.
FINAL THOUGHTS
With England putting out a second-string team against Brazil, and the Gerrard/Lampard conundrum yet to be resolved, it was good seeing so many England midfielders on form this weekend. Injury to either player may force Capello to look beyond his current crop, and if Defoe remains this lethal in the run-up to the Finals his place in the team must depend on the players behind him providing the supply.
Encouraging the likes of Bullard, Parker, Dunn and Huddlestone to bring their came up to international calibre can only be good for the National game, not to mention their clubs.