Howard Webb's gaffe, Berbatov's treble, deadly Demba Ba and Paul Scharner all feature as TEAMtalk reviews Boxing Day's Premier League games.

In a Boxing Day special, TEAMtalk's writers present their Premier League Picks - the special moments, star performers, stunning matches or shocking incidents from the day's action which we expect to dominate the headlines.

We watched all the action unfold on the live TV feeds which are piped into TEAMtalk Towers from grounds up and down the country - and have digested all the best incidents having only just digested our Christmas Day dinner.

Once you've read through our choices, let us know your opinions by adding a Comment below.

Life of Bryan is Jol-ly for Martin

There were quite a few raised eyebrows when Martin Jol paid over £10million to FC Twente for striker Bryan Ruiz in one of the last deals to go through in the summer transfer window. And that deal appeared to look even more like money badly spent when the Costa Rican failed to settle during his initial bedding-in period at the Cottage.

Fast forward 17 games, though, and the mercurial forward is finally starting to look like what we call in the Towers a real player . His Man of the Match turn against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day fully underlined his new-found form as his sublime bit of skill stitched Ashley Cole up like a kipper and delivered what could be a knock-out blow to Chelsea's Premier League hopes.

But it wasn't just his close control, range of passing and running off the ball which caught the eye, it was his seemingly new-found ability to track back and defend from the front. Impressive stuff. James Marshment

Wonder Ba will leave Toon lacking up front

To put it simply, Demba Ba has been brilliant this season. I was genuinely shocked there weren't more suitors for his signature in the summer given his impressive return for West Ham in the second half of last season. And his form for Newcastle all season long has certainly backed that up given his magnificent return of 14 goals so far for the Magpies.

Newcastle didn't have to be brilliant to pick up a first win in seven at The Reebok, but unlike Bolton, they were clinical in front of goal. And that was never better emphasised by the outstretched boot of Ba, who got on the end of Gabriel Obertan's cross to divert in Newcastle's second.

Ba leaves Newcastle for African Nations Cup duty next month and his absence will leave an irreplacable hole up front for Alan Pardew's side, especially given his strike partner at the Reebok, Leon Best, has just three goals to his name so far this term and hasn't hit the back of the net since September. JM

Making plans for Nigel

Nigel De Jong watched on from the bench as Manchester City failed to find the net in the Premier League for the first time this season on Boxing Day.

Roberto Mancini's men didn't pack their usual punch at The Hawthorns, where West Brom defended resolutely to pick up a point from a game in which they had their own chances for an unexpected victory.

David Silva has been the star of the City show so far this season, but Yaya Toure has also been a driving force for them and his powerful presence in midfield will be sorely missed by the title contenders when he departs for African Nations Cup duty in the new year.

His absence could open the door for de Jong to fill the defensive midfielder role - and with United moving level on points with City after walloping Wigan, the Dutch destroyer could be pivotal in City's title tilt over the coming weeks. Simon Wilkes

Scharner shining

West Brom looked like they might be sucked into the relegation battle after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Wigan at The Hawthorns a few weeks back.

Roberto Martinez's Latics are fighting for their top-flight lives and showed more desire than Albion, who lacked leadership on the pitch.

Paul Scharner had lost his place in the Baggies' first team - but ahead of a tricky trip to Ewood Park, he pointed out to boss Roy Hodgson that he'd been in the starting line-up whenever Albion had picked up three points.

Hodgson admitted he couldn't fault his logic, so drafted him back into the team and has been rewarded handsomely, with Scharner starring in away wins over Blackburn and Newcastle before helping his troops keep a clean sheet against Mancini's free-scoring City slickers.

Scharner is both eccentric and uber-confident - but he does seem to galvanise the Albion line-up, and gives them an aerial threat at set-pieces, as well as bringing the best out of midfield partner Youssouf Mulumbu.

The likes of Graham Dorrans and James Morrison are more technically gifted than Scharner - but points win prizes in this division and the Baggies have moved into the top 10 over the last three games, so he should be one of the first names on the team sheet for the rest of the season. SW

Bench beckons once more for three-goal Berba

Dimitar Berbatov's hat-trick was the highlight of Manchester United's thumping win over Wigan, but no-one should read too much into the Bulgarian's star turn.

Wigan offered little resistance prior to Conor Sammon's red card so the remaining 50 minutes were never going to be anything but a procession for the champions. The decision to walk Sammon was harsh, but the bulky Wigan forward certainly had a look for Michael Carrick before swinging his arm towards the makeshift centre-half's face. Reckless? Yes. Worthy of a red card? Probably not.

From that moment on, it was Berba time. United's fourth-choice striker revelled in the freedom of Old Trafford as Wigan's resistance disappeared with their dismissed striker. Roberto Martinez's men sat back in the hope of avoiding a more-embarrassing defeat, giving Berbatov enough time and space to adjust his smoking jacket and pour himself another Cognac between each silky touch.

Berbatov notched his first even before Sammon had reached the dressing room, prior to adding a classy second when allowed to turn unchallenged in the box. His hat-trick clinching strike came courtesy of typically-nonchalant penalty, but despite his three-goal haul, Berbatov taught Sir Alex Ferguson nothing today that the manager did not already know.

The £30million-man is a useful squad player for Ferguson to keep around, but unless the Red Devils' shocking luck with injuries spreads from midfield to attack, then Berbatov will remain nothing more than that. Ian Watson

This is Anfield?

Liverpool may be unbeaten at home this season but they have won just three and drawn six of their nine Premier League games on Merseyside.

Merely playing at Anfield used to strike fear into the opposition in years gone by but sadly that is no longer the case, especially given the Reds' current lack of goals.

Andy Carroll was unlucky to be denied by Mark Bunn late on but overall Kenny Dalglish's men again lacked a cutting edge in attack and the partnership of Luis Suarez and Carroll still doesn't convince.

If Liverpool are going to finish in the top four this season, they must drastically improve their home form and put the fear back into visiting teams. Sam Nightingale

Black Cats pay penalty

Howard Webb has refereed the biggest game in football - the World Cup final - but he dropped a clanger at the Stadium of Light.

Everton's Leon Osman went on a run into the Sunderland area and tumbled over after his striking foot hit the turf before the ball.

Osman still appealed for a penalty and Webb pointed to the spot. If ever there was a case for a video referee, this was it.SN