Five talking points from the Premier League weekend - Game Week 11

Have Manchester United finally solved their center half problems?

Whilst it might come as a surprise to some, one of Manchester United’s top priorities next summer is the acquisition of a center half. On the face of it, with Vidic, Ferdinand, Evans, Jones and Smalling all vying for the two available spots, it seems like there is no need for another one. But with Vidic and Ferdinand in their advanced years and looking like they might not be able to play too regularly, there is a need for some stable head at the back.

On the evidence of Sunday’s performance against Arsenal, they might just have found that player. Jonny Evans has been a player who has looked most likely to usurp the Ferdinand-Vidic partnership and it was he, along with Jones who was at the heart of a commanding defensive display by United against Arsenal. The duo, along with Smalling was impressive, not just in their ability to hold their shape, but also to counter anything that was thrown at them. The trio look like they have what it takes to take over the reins, fitness permitting for a long time indeed.

City unable to break the Sunderland jinx

Pellegrini came into the game against Sunderland knowing fully well that their record at the Stadium of Light in the recent past was far from impressive. Having said that, City came into this fixture, full of confidence, having scored 12 goals in their previous two games, including seven, in their previous league game, against Norwich City. On paper, this wasn’t a contest at all. But unfortunately for Pellegrini, football is not won on paper and City slipped to their fourth away defeat of the season.

Gus Poyet’s team did just what was required, scored a goal and then soaked up wave after wave of City’s attack, which, for all the possession, didn’t really create too many clear cut openings. The win meant that Poyet had won his third home game on the bounce and things are starting to looking up for the Black Cats. For City on the other hand, they must cure their travel sickness soon or might end up in a hole, from which they can’t possibly hope to recover from.

Spurs dealt a Krul blow, whilst Chelsea get lucky

At the end of Sunday’s game at White Hart Lane, AVB left the stadium amidst a chorus of boos, which was perhaps slightly unjustified. After all, Spurs created plenty of chances and on any other day, would have ended up with at least a couple of goals to show for their efforts. But, instead, they didn’t even manage one, thanks to the excellence of Tim Krul, who saved a whopping 14 shots, the most of any keeper this season.

Whilst Tottenham didn’t get anything out of their game, Chelsea managed it, but only just did it, thanks to a soft penalty in stoppage time, which was converted by Hazard. It looked as though West Brom were going to become the first team to beat Mourinho’s Chelsea at home, but their spirited performance which warranted a win, only resulted in a draw. One that meant that Chelsea lost some ground in the title challenge.

Norwich and Sunderland win to heap more pressure on Jol

Sunderland’s now habitual 1-0 home win over City coupled with Norwich’s 3-1 victory over West Ham at home, meant that Fulham now occupy the last relegation spot and heaped even more pressure on Martin Jol. After a hammering at the hands of City, Hughton would have expected some sort of response from his team and got just what he was looking for as the Canaries cruised past the Hammers, whose lack of strikers hurt them yet again.

Fulham themselves would have hoped to get things back on track after their first half humiliation at the hands of Manchester United last weekend. And unfortunately for them, it was more of the same as Suarez and co. decimated the Fulham back-line yet again. It was a second successive submissive defeat in the space of two weeks and Jol is looking increasingly likely to follow the path of Ian Holloway and Paolo Di Canio and be out of a job before too long.

Southampton and Liverpool continue their ascent

Losses to Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and draws for Everton and Chelsea meant that, along with Manchester United, Southampton and Liverpool were the two big winners from the weekend’s fixtures, as both of them were able to close the gap on league-leading Arsenal. Liverpool and Southampton both made easy work of Fulham and Hull respectively and have continued their impressive start to the season.

Whilst Liverpool had their striking duo of Sturridge and Suarez to thank for the win, the Saints had their very own special player in Adam Lallana, who is becoming one of the bright young talents that Roy Hodgson should take notice of. Some of Southampton’s attacking play against Hull was just a joy to behold and although the goal they conceded was one that could have been avoided, the Saints look like they are there to stay.