EPL: Five Talking Points From The Weekend – Same Old Liverpool, Hapless Moyes, Sunderland Is Gus

Yet another tumultuous weekend in the excruciating Premier League has come to a conclusion with only the blockbuster clash between Manchester City and Chelsea remains to be played at my time of writing. It has been quite a weekend starting with the Tyneside Derby, in which Sunderland defied all odds to beat Newcastle by a 3-0 margin, Stoke City won too but it was against Manchester United, who are now further down in the table. Both Liverpool and Tottenham drew, while Southampton steamrolled past a hapless Fulham side by pummelling three goals at Craven Cottage. However the biggest gainers this weekend were certainly Everton and Arsenal. Here are the five talking points.

Is David Moyes-iah the real deal:

Mark Hughes tactical reshuffle of a 4-5-1 system changing rapidly to a more attacking 4-3-3 meant Stoke City defying all the odds to beat defending Champions Manchester United at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. Charlie Adam scored both goals in front of the vociferous home faithful as David Moyes could barely watch his star studded side sink in ignominy.

The Red Devils could hardly bear the might of Stoke’s pressing and surprisingly United’s defence wilted under pressure. Stoke City’s first league win over Manchester United since Boxing Day 1984 and dealt further blow to United’s top four credentials. David Moyes’ side currently lie seventh in the table, seven points adrift of fourth placed Liverpool and are in danger of missing out Champions League action come next season. Are Januzaj, Mata, Rooney and Van Persie listening?

Same Old Liverpool:

Kolo Toure’s howler meant Liverpool could leave the Hawthorns with just a point in their kitty to lay claim to their Champions League aspirations for next season. For The Reds, this draw will hurt them badly. After thrashing their rivals 4-0 at Anfield last week, failing to pick up all three points against a modest West Brom team is certainly not a Champions League chasing side would do.

With Manchester United losing at Stoke, Tottenham managing only a point and Everton winning, Brendan Rodgers’ side could ill afford to drop points against Pepe Mel’s men.  Liverpool should have buried this game much before Victor Anichebe’s equaliser thanks from Toure’s unpardonable mistake, but might just rue these two points come at the end of the season.

Sunderland is Gus or Poyet has wielded his pen:

At the final whistle, Alan Pardew’s face bore the grim of an old man who could barely watch, smile or even cry. The Magpies crashed to their third successive derby humiliation at the hands of Sunderland, whose resurgence in the past weeks has been nothing short of a miracle. Gus Poyet has done an immaculate job of motivating his boys and has got the best out of his squad and the Black Cats are currently 14^th in the table well above the relegation fight. Well done Gus!!! You are the ‘poyet’.

Arsenal: Can they beat anyone:

 Sometimes in football, a rhythmic process is perhaps too good to be true, isn’t it? Arsene Wenger has insisted his Arsenal side can win their first Premier League title in a decade after watching them secure a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace. These are the type of games which the Gunners must do away with clear professionalism and with a enviable tenth clean sheet in eleven home games, the Gunners’ defence is providing the unexpected foundation for their title challenge.

“Our defensive stability doesn’t create unrest in the team and allows us to continue the way we want to play, even if we don’t score early goals,” Wenger said.

We shall see, French Professor, won’t we?

Titbits and others, Not so Sherwood but its Roberto:

Fulham’s defensive woes continued as they conceded three goals against Southampton at home while Hull City managed to get a point from Champions League action aspiring Spurs. West Ham finally won against Swansea while Everton were perhaps the biggest winners against Aston Villa after going a goal down at Goodison Park. Roberto Martinez’s side have played some immaculate and sublime football over the course of the season and remain in contention for the much fancied Champions League spot.