Fantasy review

Rodallega: 15 points

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The Premier League title race had already been intriguingly poised ahead of the weekend but it was blown even more wide open as defending champions Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.

Rafa Benitez's Reds would have fallen 10 points off the pace if they had lost Sunday's clash at Anfield, but instead they managed to stay in touch with the leading pack after an inspired performance.

Arsenal and Manchester City were held to 2-2 draws by West Ham and Fulham respectively after surrendering two-goal leads, while fellow high-flyers Aston Villa dropped points against Wolves and Stoke shocked Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

As well as Liverpool, the big winners were Chelsea, who moved two points clear at the summit courtesy of an emphatic 5-0 success over Blackburn at Stamford Bridge.

It was also a good weekend for Chelsea's players in Fantasy Football as Frank Lampard walked away with nine points for two goals, Didier Drogba scored one and made one to collect eight points and Michael Ballack bagged two assists.

Michael Essien also broke his duck for the season and Joe Cole celebrated his first Premier League start since January with the Man of the Match award, while Chelsea's goalkeeper and defenders claimed five points for a clean sheet.

Unfortunately for skysports.com, the one Blues player we had recommended in last week's Fantasy Preview was left-back Ashley Cole, who missed the match due to an injury and therefore did not pick up any points.

One of our other tips fared little better as Carlos Tevez managed nothing more than a solitary appearance point despite an energetic display in Man City's draw with Fulham.

At least the third member of our trio, Burnley midfielder Robbie Blake, made a more significant contribution by setting up Steven Fletcher's early goal in the 3-1 defeat to Wigan at Turf Moor.

Star man

When Fletcher turned home Blake's cross after just four minutes it looked like the Clarets would go on to secure their fifth consecutive home win of the season but they had reckoned without Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega, the weekend's leading player with an impressive 15 points.

Rodallega was gifted an equaliser when Brian Jensen picked up an injury trying to rush off his line, but the Wigan forward did not need any help for his second goal as he drove a stunning shot in off the post from outside the area.

He then delivered the corner that was flicked on for Emmerson Boyce's goal and was rewarded with the Man of the Match prize to leave him four points ahead of his nearest rival.

Carlton Cole emerged with 11 points for his weekend's work after helping West Ham mount an unlikely comeback against Arsenal that may kick-start their season.

Cole headed home in the 74th minute to give the Hammers hope before being felled by Alex Song for the penalty that was converted by Alessandro Diamanti, while he was also recognised as the Man of the Match.

Diamanti picked up eight points for a goal and an assist and his tally was equalled by Robin van Persie of Arsenal, who had tapped home the opener at Upton Park before setting up William Gallas with a pinpoint corner.

Goalkeeping pair Steve Simonsen of Stoke and Boaz Myhill of Hull City also enjoyed profitable weekends with eight points each, while Damien Duff turned out to be another good option after sparking Fulham's revival at Eastlands.

Fernando Torres was the only other player to earn eight points after breaking the deadlock in typically clinical fashion in the big game at Anfield and being named as the Man of the Match.

Dropped points

While Torres took the plaudits, Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic and Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano were both experiencing a sense of déjà vu after being sent off in the closing stages.

Vidic had been dismissed in his two previous games against Liverpool, while Mascherano saw red at Old Trafford in March 2008. Both men dropped two points for being given their marching orders and must now serve suspensions.

West Ham's Scott Parker was another player to be sent off, while it was a bad weekend for the Blackburn defenders who conceded five goals to Chelsea and lost three points each.

The Premier League returns with nine games on Saturday and Birmingham versus Man City the following day, and we will be back with more hints and tips ahead of the action.