Ger McCarthy
ROBIN van PERSIE underlined his undoubted importance to Arsenal and added a few zeros to his upcoming contract demands on the same weekend Ryan Giggs' reputation took a nose-dive both on and off the pitch. Manchester City swaggered their way to the summit of the Premier League and even Bolton won a match.
WINNERS
Man City
ROBERTO Mancini's expensively assembled squad are top of the Premier League having ended Aston Villa's undefeated record with another swashbuckling display. According to Opta, City’s 27 goals scored represent a record for any club after eight Premier League matches underlining their phenomenal attacking threat.
The defensive shackles that blighted much of last season's campaign have been cast off by Roberto Mancini in favour of a more attacking approach this term. City are certainly reaping the benefits and even more impressive is the fact they blew Villa away without strikers Aguero, Dzeko or Tevez in the starting line-up.
Robin Van Persie
ARSENAL supporters have watched Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas leave the Emirates, increasing the importance of signing Robin Van Persie to a long term contract. The Gunners stuttering campaign was give in a much needed shot in the arm on Sunday with Van Persie netting a sublime brace (that’s 28 in 34 games) to see off a dogged Sunderland.
Securing Van Persie to a long term deal is the most vital issue facing Arsene Wenger this summer.
Owen Coyle
OWEN COYLE was in the running to be the first Premier League managerial casualty of the season until Wanderers 3-1 victory at the DW Stadium ended a run of six consecutive defeats. Bolton have been simply awful this year but the much-needed win over Wigan lifted Bolton off the bottom of the table and Coyle's upcoming fixture list includes winnable games against Sunderland and Swansea.
Jon Walters
THE Republic of Ireland international continued his impressive start to the season with Stoke City by scoring the opening goal in a 2-0 defeat of Fulham. Walters made an immediate impact in the substitute appearance against Armenia and if the former Ipswich player can maintain his current form then a starting berth in the Republic of Ireland attack is attainable with the enforced absence of regular starters Kevin Doyle (suspended) and Robbie Keane (injured).
Shane Long
LONG didn't score in the 2-0 derby win over Wolves but produced another stellar performance and led the West Brom attack magnificently throughout. Even the MoTD2 pundits took time out to praise Long's display and the former Cork City striker is certainly enjoying a rich vein of form. Anyone care to explain why Giovanni Trapattoni doesn't share the same sentiments?
Anthony Pilkington
THE Norwich City striker fluffed his lines when presented with a glorious goal-scoring opportunity in the Canaries' narrow loss at Old Trafford last time out. Yet Pilkington made up for that glaring miss on Saturday afternoon with two goals in the 3-1 home win over Swansea. Paul Lambert's promoted side continue to defy the odds and ascend the table with the confidence of a seasoned Premier League team. Previously unknown players such as Anthony Pilkington, Bradley Johnson and Russell Martin are beginning to make a name for themselves as Norwich City move further away from the relegation zone.
Newcastle United
ALAN PARDEW's Newcastle maintained their unbeaten record and stayed in the Champions League contention (for now) with a gutsy display at home to Tottenham. The Magpies twice had to come from behind to earn a 2-2 draw but have become hard to beat, organised in defence and dangerous on the counter-attack since Pardew took over. A top six finish is achievable if Newcastle can carry their early season form into the New Year.
LOSERS
Ryan Giggs
ON a heartbreaking weekend for the Welsh national rugby team Ryan Giggs did little to lift the nation's mood with more tabloid revelations about his private life and a poor individual performance at Anfield. Giggs decision to break from a defensive wall and meekly twist his body away from a Steven Gerrard shot allowed the Liverpool midfielders' free-kick to arrow directly into the Manchester United net.
Wolves
MICK McCarthy's grey hair is turning snowy white with the former Republic of Ireland manager overseeing a fifth consecutive Premier League loss. Worse still, a rejuvenated West Brom inflicted the 2-0 defeat at the Hawthorns following an entertaining derby. Wolves look a pale shadow of the team that racked up seven points from their opening three matches and their alarming slide down the table makes next weekend's clash with Swansea a must-win game.
Everton
A third straight Premier League defeat for cash-strapped Everton leaves the Merseysiders just one point above the relegation zone. David Moyes has performed miracles on a shoestring budget since taking over at Goodison Park but his current side's malaise has all the hallmarks of a season-long relegation battle rather than expected mid-table finish.
*Follow Ger on Twitter: @offcentrecircle
Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/u7XhPIfhlxM/post.aspx
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