Weekend debate

Have your say on the latest round of Premier League action

Last updated: 22nd March 2009  

Weekend debate

Seeing red: Paul Scholes

Also see

Sky Sports wants to hear your views on the Premier League after astonishing twists and turns at both ends of the table.

Manchester United suffered a shock 2-0 defeat at the hands of Fulham as they saw Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney dismissed. Are Sir Alex Ferguson's men feeling the pressure in their quintuple bid?

Chelsea missed the chance to close to within a point of the league leaders as they went down 1-0 to London rivals Tottenham in a thrilling clash at White Hart Lane. Are the Blues' title hopes now over? Can Spurs push for a shock place in Europe?

Chelsea may not have taken their opportunity but Liverpool certainly did on Sunday with a 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa. Is the momentum now with the Reds in the title race? Can Villa recover from such a setback?

Newcastle have plunged into the bottom three after a 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Arsenal. Can the Magpies climb away from the relegation places? Are the Gunners set to claim the fourth UEFA Champions League berth?

Stoke secured three priceless points as Ryan Shawcross nodded home Rory Delap's long throw to sink struggling Middlesbrough. Are Boro bound for the drop? Will teams ever learn to defend against Delap's delivery?

Portsmouth gave their survival hopes a shot in the arm as Peter Crouch's double secured a 2-1 home success over Everton. Is Paul Hart the right man to lead Pompey long term? Can David Moyes' men still push for a top-four finish.

West Brom remain bottom of the table after Gary Megson returned to his former club with Bolton and took a point from a 1-1 draw. Is the game up for the brave Baggies? Will Megson ever win over all of the Trotters faithful?

Blackburn and West Ham were forced to settle for a share of the spoils following their 1-1 draw at Ewood Park. Can Sam Allardyce ensure that Rovers beat the drop? How much of a boost for Gianfranco Zola is Kieron Dyer's return?

Manchester City followed up their Uefa Cup susses in midweek with a 1-0 victory over Sunderland. What will Mark Hughes' men be looking to accomplish in the league now? How concerning is Robinho's goal drought? Is Ricky Sbragia beginning to feel the strain?

How much danger are Hull City in following their 1-0 defeat to Wigan. Can the Latics maintain their European challenge? Do they need to be scoring more freely?

Comments (68)

Dane James-parsons says...

At Sky Sports News you love statistics so how about this one. Aston Villa results this season before Emile Heskey was bought against Aston Villa results this season since Emile heskey arrived. Yes I'm a villa fan but not a bluenose reject carthorse fan.

Posted 05:40 24th March 2009

Chris White says...

Once again the FA bottles it! Finally we have a ref that was prepared to stand up to the poor behaviour of Rooney and how does the FA support him? By doing nothing!!! The message to Rooney and all the kids watching is if you dont like the decision yell abuse at the ref and carry on like a spoilt child..no wonder other refs are afraid to take action when players like Rooney, Ronaldo, Ferdinand, Terry,Cole, etc verbally abuse them and commit acts of petulance like kicking other players (Ronaldo!)..the FA really are a joke...as is the respect campaign...

Posted 05:04 24th March 2009

Matt Jack (Manchester United fan) says...

Congrats Liverpool. Amazing wins. Hysteria aside though, Liverpool have been awarded 4 penalties and a further 4 goals have come from hopeful punts down field. Fortune and refs have certainly favoured them this week. Breaking down teams that sit deep and don't push forward will be Liverpool's undoing.

Posted 02:56 24th March 2009

Matt Bowman (Everton fan) says...

I travelled all the way home from Portsmouth at the weekend listening to Manchester united fans (who couldn't make it to the game) blaming the referee for the sendings off, the penalties etc, well all i can say is, "welcome to the world of the the other 19 premiership teams". Ok the so called big 4 get the rub of the green on many occasions but nothing compares to the decisions they have had over the years. Even being a massive evertonian it was refreshing to see liverpool get a few decisions on the day, which were all the correct ones aswell. But how can you possibly defend the scholes incident and hot head rooneys actions? Im stunned the FA havent taken it further. This respect campaign, does that not apply to our over-rated England international? throwing the ball towards the ref? punching a harmless corner flag? where is the respect in that? Manchester utd have been brought down to earth in the past 2 weeks and may i add long may that continue at wembley. Good luck to liverpool, they have rocked the boat, and they can seriously jump aboard and rob the title from under their noses, they have proved in recent weeks how strong they can be, and dont bet against Everton ruining their chances of the FA cup, we rocked them at goodison and our spirit is 100 times better than most, dont bet against man utd parading the just the milk cup at the end of the season.

Posted 23:33 23rd March 2009

Ian Hopkins (Liverpool fan) says...

Its great reading comments by some United fans, and can't you tell that the pressure is on and getting to them. United are still fully expected to win the premiership title, but that adds to the pressure and they have it ALL to lose. Liverpool on the other hand have absolutely nothing to lose and are going out without shackles to win every match. Dont be surprised if theres further twists and turns to come. As for the champions league, Liverpool are the best team in europe rite now and over the past 5 years, just look at UEFA's stats. Barcelona have been dispatched before as have milan, inter, chelsea, juventus..................who would bet against liverpool making it to Rome?? a brave man.

Posted 22:30 23rd March 2009

Jason Harrison (Manchester United fan) says...

Another great weekend of footie. Extremley dissapointed we lost to Fulham but was delighted to see Chelsea slip up. Liverpool have had a good couple of weeks but that won't last much longer i still believe Chelsea are a bigger threat to us than Liverpool because they have the experience of winning the league title Liverpool don't. At the start of the season if you said to a Liverpool fan they would still be within reach of the team who are top of the league at this stage they would have bit your hand off most usual seasons they would be at least 13pts behind by now. Credit must go to them for putting up a challenge but i do feel the league title will still be heading for where it belongs Old Trafford.

Posted 22:27 23rd March 2009

Mohammad Hussain (Manchester United fan) says...

Did anyone realise that Liverpool had at least one penalty in each of their last three games. Whilst Man united had players sent off in the last two defeats. So Liverpool should not get carried away, United to win both the league and Champions league.

Posted 16:19 23rd March 2009

Dan Chan (Liverpool fan) says...

All these Utd fans say Liverpool are cracking and Benitez will never win the league etc... FACT 1: Liverpool have never in the last 5 years since Benitez has been in charge been expected to win the league, with Abramovich spending his millions and the Glazers posting blank cheques through fergie's letter box. FACT 2: The last 5 years have arguably been Liverpool's most successful yrs since we last won the league, bar the treble season with GH. With gradule improvement in closing the gap on MU and Chelsea in terms of the league, while along the way winning the European Cup and FA cup. FACT 3: Am chuffed with Benitez signing a 5 yr contract as it shows with other successful managers that long term is the best way forward, look at fergie, wenger. FACT 4: All these united fan's gettin abit edgy now because United are obviously showing nerves because LFC are on there tails, If i was a united fan i would keep the gob shut and HOPE u hang on. Players like Anderson 18mil?... Nani 17mil? Match winners? Carrick 18mil? I dont think so... If Rafa had signed them everyone would highlight it like it was the end of Liverpool, but no its fergie, gets away with it agen... FACT 5 AM proud of how Liverpool have performed this season, even if we dont win it this season there is somehting to look forward to next season, No DOUBT! with the owners sounding there backing for Rafa, which will led to more money = More quality players, it can only help Rafa bring the league trophy back to anfield for years to come. FACT 6: 0800 414141, hotline for all united fans. YNWA, Liverpool till I Die!

Posted 14:51 23rd March 2009

Greg Schwartz says...

Liverpool fans must understand that by celebrating United's losses could be a serious mistake and are going to feel even worse IF United win the title. Rather sit back watch the events unfold than make predictions that are completely unpredictable. The same goes for United fans of course! If we were going to make predictions on past events such as United's bad form of late...United would still be predicted as Champions of England! Liverpool's gut will really be tested this season, if they don't come out on top, I would seriously reconsider whether Rafa's new contract was a good idea ...UNITED WE LOVE YOU!

Posted 13:08 23rd March 2009

Darion Turner (Liverpool fan) says...

Firstly, I am a Celtic fan, with a strong support for Liverpool. Things are panning out pretty nicely for Celtic at the moment and as a Liverpool fan, the last two weeks couldn't have gone any better for me - teaching a footballing masterclass to three top, top teams. I was worried about Villa, as that seemed to be the most difficult game we had remaining, making the result even more impressive. Manchester United are, of course, still top, but people forget that they still have to win that game in hand. That, coupled with the fact that United still have to play a very in-form Arsenal in the penultimate match of the season, means that the run-in should be very interesting. I've thought for weeks now that the unpunished petulence shown by Manchester United's players was astonishing - particularly Ronaldo, who thinks he can kick out at whomever he feels, which is nothing short of disgusting. I only hope that, after Rooney's insolence, referees are now taking heed and stamping down accordingly. Overall, I think that if Liverpool keep the weight firmly on Manchester United's shoulders, their indiscpline when frustrated will cost them dearly.

Posted 12:41 23rd March 2009

Jeremy Healy (Manchester United fan) says...

United are still in the driving seat being a point clear with a game in hand. A few weeks ago liverpool fans wanted benitez out. Benitez will crack under the pressure of being in a position he has never ever been in. It was evident at the start of the season that the man can't handle pressure with that ridiculous outburst. United will definetly be champions at the end of the season. Liverpool are living in dreamland. Bring them on in the champions league final, thats in the unlikely prospect that they get past barcelona in the semis. UNITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 11:47 23rd March 2009

Rich Dundas (Liverpool fan) says...

Anyone who thinks Paul Scholes didn't deserve to get sent off knows nothing about football. He clearly has his hand above his head and prevents the goal on the line, straight red. Unites lucky they didn't go down to 8 with ronaldo's pathetic attitude.

Posted 11:02 23rd March 2009

Anand Saha (Manchester United fan) says...

No point arguing that things have been unfair with ManU...Its true that ManUtd have not been playing according to their standards at all.But I am sure that the last 2 defeats will turn out to be an eye-opener for ManUtd.Dont dare to write off ManU at any point of time...At the end, its gonna be Manchester United and no one else at the top of the table...

Posted 10:24 23rd March 2009

Nigel Gadd (Aston Villa fan) says...

I would love to know what the referee's have been on this weekend with the amount of red cards flying about!! Freidel was unlucky to see red as he made no attempt to play the all and NRC was the covering defender, not that it would of made any difference to the scoreline. Villa were blown away and all credit to Liverpool, the best you can hope for Villa to do against Man Utd is a no score draw. Villas season has come crashing to an end and we are going to have a fight to stay in 5th now!

Posted 09:25 23rd March 2009

Rakesh/ rickygunner Ramakrishna (Arsenal fan) says...

The time for the Gunners has come indeed. I have personally seen this coming with all the key players coming back from injuries. Remember these performances are without Cesc, Eduarado, Ade, Rosicky and Theo (Partially). With the momentum with us now and this line up of players coming back i would say don't write us off just yet. This might be that elusive glory year in Europe and with the F.A. cup to make up for the dry spell of Silverware in the past 3 years. Also we have Liverpool, Chelsea and Man WHO... to play still. So we the Gunners will still have a major say in wherer the League trophy will be heading to(Even if it is not to be the Emirates).

Posted 07:31 23rd March 2009

Raden Ramdani (Manchester United fan) says...

I think it's quite apparent that the pressure is really getting on the nerves of manchester united players. Though they have great players there and never lack the experience, i think right now what manchester united really needs is a true calm leader/captain that can steady the ship. No dis-credit to what Ryan Giggs, Ferdinand and Gary Neville have done as captains of Manchester United. They are good leaders but i think they really need to step up another level in terms of leadership just like other previous great captains of Manchester United (eg Keane, Cantona, Bryan Robson) to get the team calm and going again. But I definitely have faith that they will sort things out and have a clean sweep of trophies.

Posted 01:01 23rd March 2009

Andrew Esdaile (Liverpool fan) says...

I am in complete shock Real, Man U and Villa getting pulverised in the space of two weeks is incredible and Benitez still belives they can do better. Amazing. And Man U and Chelsea crashing to defeat makes it even better. I am a firm believer that Liverpool can still win the title as the premier league proves that anything can happen (plus Man U have done this before) as for the bottom I think it's incredible, as I have strong allegiances towards Stoke, I'm glad to see them win and that they look to be safe now. My view on who is going down is that it will be West Brom, Middlesborough and I'm going to stick my neck out and say Blackburn will be relegated in a dramatic final day at both ends of the table

Posted 20:59 22nd March 2009

Carlo Sozzi (Liverpool fan) says...

Fantastic results this weekend. I am not going to get carried away, still a lot of work to be done and we also have to hope United can keep up this dreadul run of results. Hopefully Villa will turn things around and hold United to a draw at OT, I think thats the best we can hope for relistically. I feel though if Liverpool was to win all of our 8 games left, we wil be champions... a very big ask though.

Posted 20:42 22nd March 2009

Simon Millen (Manchester United fan) says...

Another bad weekend for Utd, luckily we had opened up a bit of a gap otherwise it could be even worse. You have to give credit to Liverpool they have hit some form at the right time but dont write us off just yet! Everyone is writting about our demise but come one we havent turned in to a bad team over night. We are still in pole position but will admit that we need to start picking up results again soon. Hopefully they will realise that they still have the possibility to win all 5 and get together and start winning again.

Posted 20:41 22nd March 2009

David Johnson says...

Sorry Shuja Ahmad but its Fans like you that give UTD a bad name. Did you actually watch the match?? Because if you did and knew the rules you would not be trying to defend Rooney and claiming that Scholes did not deserve to be sent off...reverse the situation and you'd be screaming for a red card!! Grow up and accept the defeat!! I am a United fan and feel we got what we deserved! But there is no panic..Liverpool wont beat Villa today and so it will be buisness as usual..4 point lead, game in hand..along with the title.

Posted 09:40 22nd March 2009

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private