Premier League review: Terrific Tevez and canny Nani

Premier League review: Terrific Tevez and canny Nani, sport

Referee Stuat Attwell was again at the centre of controversy

Giles Lucas reviews the latest Premier League weekend

The Good

Feliz Cumple Mami was the message inscribed on Carlos Tevezs undershirt. The words, revealed by the Argentine after scoring his stunning goal for Manchester City against Chelsea on Saturday, roughly translate as Happy Birthday mum.

Chelsea still remain top with the same points as the number of those Argentine letters, but Tevez can also frolic with his own figures. Hes now scored six goals in five league games against Chelsea. So it was certainly a happy Saturday for the Tevez family.

Meanwhile, a few hundred miles down South, supporters of West Bromwich Albion must have been clashing their pint glasses together during an evening of celebration. For their side had just deposed Arsenal on their own turf for the first time in the league since 1983.

We deserved it, said Baggies manager, Roberto di Matteo, after his teams historic triumph.

The Bad

Unhappiness has taken up residence at Anfield. A cloud of uncertainty hangs above the clubs board room and the side are performing fairly insipid on the field. And their latest 2-2 draw with Sunderland hardly inspired confidence.

Roy Hodgson must be given time, but his teams record will make supporters shiver: played six, won one, drawn three, lost two means Liverpool are languishing in 16th place.

Meanwhile, Arsenals Manuel Almunia had a weekend to forget. A facet of his frailties was evinced on Saturday during his sides 3-2 loss to West Brom, as his sloppy spill of Gonzalo Jaras strike seeped into the net. Arsene Wengers faith in his goalkeepers must now be fading completely.

The b! est goal

Tevezs solo strike took the breath and three Chelsea points away, but for this observer Nanis goal was the finest of the weekend. Running at Bolton with three defenders closing in, Nani beautifully slid the ball low into the bottom left-hand corner.

The Bizarre

The feeling of farce sprawled through Sunderlands own half on Saturday. And it was sparked by referee Stuart Attwell.

When Sunderlands Michael Turner lightly passed the ball back, the referee adjudged the movement as the start of his assigned free-kick. And Fernando Torres chased after the tapped pass and squared to Dirk Kuyt who scored for Liverpool.

However, Turners intention was merely to spirit possession back to goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, so that he could take the set-piece. But the passage of play stood to send Steve Bruce into meltdown.

Absolute joke, fumed Sunderlands manager of the controversial goal. When you come here, you need a fair crack of the whip. And it [the refereeing] was a little bit wayward. He added: Everyone in the ground knew Turner had not taken the free-kick.

The most incompetent referee in the history of football? asked one fan on an online Sunderland forum. Indeed its hard to envisage Atwell referring another Premier League game any time soon.


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