The main talking point of the weekend was as ever at Old Trafford, for the most recognised fixture in English football, Manchester United vs Liverpool. I was very much looking forward to this game, it always is good to watch, heated encounters, wonderful goals and a lot of controversy. In the league, United are having what seems their worst season for a decade and Liverpool having their best, with Brendan Rodgers' philosophy very much clicking into place and with what has been named the best attack in the country in the SAS and co. Despite David Moyes having a well proven attacking squad in Robin Van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Adnan Januzaj. However, it seems the Spaniard doesn't fit into United's system. As said many times when he arrived, I can't see where he fits in with Rooney on a new deal and Van Persie seemingly following suit, Mata's preferred role is in the hole, yet both Rooney and Van Persie cannot play if Mata is put there. So he's shoved out wide, constantly cutting inside as he does instinctively, meaning there's no width, it certainly is troubling for Moyes. Heading into this clash, after a season of embarrassing home displays, could it get worse? The answer, in a word, yes.
It was by far, the worst performance I've seen of a United side in a very long time, they looked lost, clueless and lacked fight. Speaking of Juan Mata, that game proved how unsuited he is to Manchester United and when needed to track back, he is weak and careless. Januzaj can be given some sympathy. In his first season, only 18 years old, he's being looked upon to deliver in games of this stature week in and week out in his first season, he shouldn't be expected to produce moments that can save his side with his age and lack of experience. As for Van Persie, it makes me glad to see United fans now calling for him to leave a year after he was the 'best striker in the country'. He's been complaining about other players 'getting in his way', well even if he had the whole pitch to himself he'd still complain. Now they know what he was like for 6 years at the Emirates for us; injured, inconsistent and moaning. It was a master class though from Rodgers, all out attack, attacked the wings with Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge, with Henderson and Gerrard bossing the midfield and Luis Suarez constantly on the move. It was a tale of three penalties in the end, two scored and one missed. Steven Gerrad converted and was a post's width away from a famous hat-trick of penalties at Old Trafford. Nemanja Vidic saw red again against Liverpool, this would be his last against the famous rivals. Rafael somehow was not sent off for deliberate handball for the first spot kick, with Phil Jones at fault for the second. A well executed dive from Sturridge was the action in which Vidic went, but Gerrard struck the post. Suarez got a deserved goal after a Sturridge miss hit. It finished 3-0 but Liverpool could easily of had at least another 2 penalties, it was embarrassing and Moyes' darkest day at the helm. With the Reds facing two of their tile rivals at Anfield from now till May, surely they are in with a chance of lifting their first crown for over 20 years. Captain Steven Gerrard has won it all in his career, there is a very good chance of him completing the collection, if Liverpool keep winning, it could be theirs to lose.
Then, there was a mere matter of the game which I look to as soon as the fixture lists are out, Spurs vs Arsenal at White Hart Lane. After beating them twice already this season with considerable ease, I knew this was not going to be easy at all. Arsenal had just been knocked out of the UEFA Champions League valiantly in Germany but booked a place at Wembley with a FA Cup win over Everton. Spurs had been thrashed 4-0 at Chelsea at humiliated in the Europa League in the same week by Benfica at home. Tim Sherwood gave his side a reality check after their capitulation last week. I was tense, nervous and extremely worried as all form goes out the window when it comes to North London Derbies. As it proved, it was backs against the wall, withstanding a lot of Spurs attacks and trying to counter which was the game plan. It took just over a minute for the nerves to settle, as a wonder goal from Tomas Rosicky fired us into the lead after miss-control from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Chamberlain had a great chance to make it two but what seemed to be a shot floated wide. After that Spurs stepped it up but Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertersacker, as for most of the season, were reliable and solid. Spurs kept coming but didn't really test Woijiech Szczesny, until a mistake from Szczesny led to Spurs' best chance of the game through Nacer Chadli. After latching to a dropped catch from the keeper, he struck towards goal, only to see Koscielny block the ball away off the line. After that it was pressure with no real end result and Arsenal hung on. It as third straight win over the Spuds and was the third time this season Spurs have failed to score against Arsenal. After a spend of over £110 million, you'd think that Spurs could manage a goal against Arsenal. It seems that none of the players that have been bought have made a change to the squad, Spurs are still where they were before, 5th. New men Paulinho and Roberto Soldado were on the bench for there biggest game of the season whilst they played one man up top as apposed to two in a game they needed to win. Now Spurs lie 9 points off the Gunners and Arsenal have moved 4 points off the top with a game in hand. With this win, can Arsenal's title chase really be back on?
Best Of The Rest
Aston Villa 1-0 Chelsea: A frustrating game for Jose Mourinho and Chelsea as they saw three sent off, including Jose. A second yellow for Willian and a straight red for a shocking lunge by Ramires was compounded by a beautiful flick from Fabian Delph as Mourinho continues his winless record at Villa Park.
Everton 2-1 Cardiff: A battling display from Cardiff was undone by a mishit winner from Seamus Coleman. It was a gutsy and tough performance from the Welsh as they had keeper David Marshall to thank, not for the first time, for keeping them in the game with a string of stunning saves. Juan Cala equalised after Gerard Deulofeu's opener. It looked to be a massive point for Cardiff, till a stroke luck went Coleman's way as it looped in for 2-1.
Stoke City 3-1 West Ham: A big battle between two sides still reaching for safety was always going to be messy and physical. The two sides with the fewest number of headed goals this season, inevitably opened the scoring with a header, from West Ham's Andy Carroll. Yet, Mark Hughes' influence on Stoke proved as they passed West Ham to death and out played the Hammers on the deck, with goals coming from Marko Arnautovic and a double for Peter Odemwingie, doubling his tally for the season.
The Rest
Hull 0-2 Manchester City
Fulham 1-0 Newcastle
Southampton 4-2 Norwich
Sunderland 0-0 Crystal Palace
Swansea 1-2 West Brom
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