SAS Reloaded

As Arsenal have continued to set the pace at the top, Manchester City and Chelsea are staying with the Gunners, now will we see a new challenge from Merseyside? Everton have performed superbly this season under Roberto Martinez, with only 1 home defeat all season and some excellent away displays, particularly at Arsenal and Manchester United. But, it's the men from Anfield who will look to hunt down top spot, they've disappointed recently against the 'big teams' yet put the rest to the slaughter. So with Luis Suarez still on fire, the reunited partnership of Suarez and Sturridge will be a haunting sight for all the top 4 hopefuls as Liverpool prepare to restart their push for UEFA Champions League. 

As this past weekend, Rodgers' Reds headed to a ground they've failed to win at in the Barclays Premier League, so with the news Daniel Sturridge was on the bench and Steven Gerrard was fit to start, they must've fancied their chances. Stoke under Mark Hughes have not been shy to play their football on the deck this year more often, yet still look vulnerable away from home. But, the Brittania has become a place to be feared again this season. Manchester City, Everton and Chelsea have all failed to win there this year and with the goal scoring form of ex-scouser Charlie Adam, Stoke may fancy their's as well, as did I. Yet in 10 minutes, that seemed irrelevant, a deflected Aly Cissokho goal and a tenacious Luis Suarez effort got them 2-0 up. But Liverpool's defence has got worse the longer the season has gone and at half-time, their lead was gone. Two ex-Reds, Peter Crouch and a worldie from Adam got the Potters in level at the break. The second half was very even, full of end-to-end action, Stoke's attack of Arnautovic, Adam, Walters and Crouch was causing Liverpool all kinds of problems. But it was Liverpool's Raheem Sterling that was the main threat of Liverpool's firing squad, as his superb running and pressure, helped with a debatable control of the arm, Sterling was one on one with Erik Pieters, a seemingly slip-up from Sterling got a penalty. It was a very harsh call, but Gerrard wasn't the first to stop and argue, he converted cooly for them to lead once more. Then the return Liverpool had waited for, Daniel Sturridge was back! Immediately he was involved as if he never left, setting up Suarez incredibly then finishing with a plom to wrap up the game for Liverpool. Johnny Walters got one more back, but it was too little, Liverpool picked up a vital 5-3 win. I think if the SAS are back in unity for Rodgers, Liverpool will definitely be no pushovers in the fight for the top 4, even the title?

Best of the Rest
Aston Villa 1-2 Arsenal- Two goals in 17 seconds got Arsenal a hard fought victory at Villa Park. A wonderful team goal finished by Jack Wilshere then a composed finish from Olivier Giroud, brilliantly set up by Wilshere stunned Villa. A late bombardment from Villa got them a consolation and an end to Christian Benteke's 11 game drought. He should've had a second but he planted his effort straight at Woijiech Szczesny, Arsenal's away form has been superb this year as the Gunners step up their bid for a first title in 10 years. 
Fulham 1-4 Sunderland- Rene Meulensteen may have made Fulham more exciting, but their form is no different. A shocking thumping at home to bottom of the table Sunderland is a new low. Despite the return of Clint Dempsey, he made no change to Fulham's abysmal form. A scintillating Adam Johnson display got Gus Poyet a well earned win, as he notched a hat-trick as well as providing for a super team goal finished by Sung-Yong Ki.

The Rest
Cardiff City 0-2 West Ham
Everton 2-0 Norwich City
Hull City 0-2 Chelsea
Manchester United 2-0 Swansea City
Newcastle 0-2 Manchester City
Southampton 1-0 West Brom
Spurs 2-0 Crystal Palace

Transfer Headlines

Hull tie up Jelavic and Long
McGeady swaps Moscow for Merseyside
Chelsea bring back an old face in Nemanja Matic
Lambert loans away as Bertrand and Holt arrive
De Bruyne departs for German Wolves
Spurs sell legend as Defoe swaps Tottenham for Toronto
Stoke seal an Ireland
Norwich loan a 'Jonas' brother