TEAMtalk

TEAMtalk's Premier League Picks

Saturday 03-December-2011 16:29

On Saturday evenings throughout the 2011/12 season, TEAMtalk's writers are presenting 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'll be watching all the action unfold on the live TV feeds which are piped into TEAMtalk Towers from grounds up and down the country.

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

Fortune smiles on Blues - this time

Chelsea may have kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since January, but their shutout at the Sports Direct (are you watching Mike Ashley? Please send discount vouchers to TEAMtalk.com, Leeds) was arguably more by luck than design.

Clearly, referee Mike Dean blundered by choosing not to send off David Luiz for a professional foul very early on, and Demba Ba, Shola Ameobi and Didier Drogba all hit the woodwork for the hosts (Drogba, of course, narrowly avoided netting an own goal).

There's no denying the Blues again looked shaky at the back, but in a way they were helped when Luiz narrowly avoided being sent off - they defended deeper and Oriol Romeu did a fine job protecting his backline.

Undoubtedly, Chelsea shone going forward - Daniel Sturridge was one of the game's star performers and although some may label him wasteful, Tim Krul was worked repeatedly before the young England striker finally tucked home at the death. The absence of Jonas Gutierrez through suspension allowed Sturridge to really attack Ryan Taylor, who was given limited protection.

Ramires and Juan Mata also impressed for the visitors, while Newcastle's defence - so solid for most of this season - badly missed Fabrizio Coloccini when he had to go off injured in the first half.

Having taken only one point from their triple-header against the Manchester clubs and Chelsea, Newcastle now have four 'kinder' looking fixtures - away to Norwich, then home to Swansea and West Brom, before a Boxing Day encounter at Bolton. They look in good shape to bounce straight back.

Chelsea can take heart from this win ahead of Tuesday night's massive Champions League clash at home to Valencia, but Los Che will fancy they can get at Luiz and co - and so will Man City, who are next up at the Bridge in the league a week on Monday. Jon Holmes

Trotters in a Stu as Cahill sees red

Owen Coyle was rightly furious and Harry Redknapp admitted his surprise as referee Stuart Attwell was at the centre of controversy again for showing red to Gary Cahill in Bolton's 3-0 loss at Tottenham on Saturday.

Cahill was dismissed for a challenge on Scott Parker around 45 yards from goal out by the left touchline. I fully expected the yellow to come out but Attwell must have deemed Cahill to be the last man and flashed red instead, getting his decision badly wrong in my opinion.

The England defender, a target for Spurs throughout the summer, was having a decent game up until that point and although the home side were already 1-0 up Attwell's bizarre decision ultimately cost them a chance of getting anything from White Hart Lane.

As for Spurs that's 10 wins in 11 Premier League games now, and were it not for Manchester City's equalling stunning form they could easily be riding high at the top of the table. Bolton, however, are in deep trouble and on this form face a real struggle to stay in the top flight. Rob McCarthy

Three Amigos just get better and better

They may be collectively smaller than former TEAMtalk Towers beanpole John Boston, but what David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri lack in height, they make up for in star quality by the bucketloads.

Branded the Three Amigos, the trio were at their irresistible best as Norwich were cut to ribbons 5-1 at the Etihad Stadium. I picked Silva out as a possible Player of the Year contender way back in early September in this column and he's just gone from strength to strength as City continue to blaze a trail in this season's title race.

However, the outrageous moment in this match came (once again) from Towers favourite Mario Balotelli, who scored (rather uniquely) with his shoulder (Soccer's AM's Showboat anyone>?) from a yard out. Classic Mario and a wonderful end to another wonderful City display. James Marshment

Keep feeding the Yak

Ayegbeni Yakubu netted four times as Blackburn earned a much-needed 4-2 Premier League win against Swansea to move off the bottom of the table.

Yakubu's four-goal salvo eased the pressure on boss Steve Kean and Rovers' survival chances could come down to whether Yakubu can maintain his form in front of goal for the rest of the season. If the Nigerian striker can keep scoring and Rovers tighten up at the back, then Blackburn have a chance. But Kean will need a few more victories before the fans are won over. Despite Blackburn enjoying a vital win, a small section of fans stayed on after the final whistle at Ewood Park to call for Kean to leave. Come on Rovers fans - change the record! Sam Nightingale

United solid but still lacking sparkle

Manchester United were victors at Aston Villa in Saturday evening's late game as Sir Alex Ferguson's side claimed a third straight 1-0 away win in the Premier League.

The hard-fought success means United have already matched last season's disappointing total of five league wins on their travels - but for me, they still lack a certain sparkle and have struggled to find their usual ver-ver-voom in recent weeks.

You contrast that to their noisy neighbours, who have already banged in an astonishing 48 goals this season and it's easy to assume that on current form, it's Manchester City who will end the season as champions.

But United's run of 1-0 wins on the road - especially when they're not at their fluent best - will stand Fergie's men in good stead and I'm certain City will face a wobble in the coming weeks and months. JM