Best of the weekend

By James Dall   Last updated: 22nd November 2009  

Team of the week

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Best of the weekend

Spurs: On cloud nine

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Game of the weekend

Hull City 3 West Ham 3

Blimey, what a cracker. Saturday's encounter at the KC Stadium exploded into life after just five minutes when Guillermo Franco put the Hammers in front. And Gianfranco Zola's men doubled their lead just six minutes later as Jack Collison's looping header found its way over Matt Duke. But an own goal from Carlton Cole handed the home side a lifeline before Kamil Zayatte levelled matters. And in the 45th minute Jimmy Bullard crashed home from the penalty spot after Julien Faubert had been somewhat harshly penalised. The drama continued to unfold and on 54 minutes Bernard Mendy was given his marching orders for bringing down Scott Parker when he was the last man. And in the latter stages Manuel Da Costa salvaged a huge point for West Ham against the 10-man Tigers.

Player of the weekend

Jermain Defoe

But who else? Defoe scored an incredible five goals to help Tottenham demolish Wigan. Defoe's first of the game came early in the second half when he received an Aaron Lennon pass and fired home past Chris Kirkland. And just a few minutes later Defoe was at it again, this time slotting into the far corner. The England international completed his seven-minute hat-trick as he volleyed with aplomb via another Lennon assist. And Defoe recorded a personal milestone as he bagged a fourth in a 90-minute game for the first time in his senior career. Then, in the dying stages, Defoe again showed off his predatory instincts to score his fifth, and join Alan Shearer and Andy Cole as the only players to net five in a Premier League game.

Performance of the weekend

Tottenham

Spurs found them themselves in dreamland as they hit nine (yes, nine) goals past sorry Wigan at White Hart Lane - just remarkable. The aforementioned Defoe fired home five while Peter Crouch, Niko Kranjcar and Aaron Lennon also got in on the scoring act. Chris Kirkland was also victim of an unfortunate own goal after he parried a David Bentley free-kick on the bar and saw the ball rebound into the net off his back, on a nightmare afternoon for Wigan. The day for Harry Redknapp's Tottenham, however, was a joyous one.

Goal of the weekend

Darren Fletcher

This was an absolute peach. Manchester United were well in control of their clash against Everton at Old Trafford, but were struggling to break the deadlock. However, on 35 minutes the Premier League champions took the lead. Antonio Valencia was involved as he nodded back into the path of Fletcher from a Patrice Evra cross. The ball bounced towards Fletcher, who adjusted his body before directing a stunning strike into the top left-hand corner, the shot clipping the woodwork on its route past a helpless Tim Howard.

Controversy of the weekend

Penalty appeals

It was impossible to render one penalty claim more controversial than another. So, in this section we will just take each appeal one by one. First, Arsenal forward Carlos Vela appeared to have a strong call for a spot-kick when he was caught in the area by Sunderland's Fraizer Campbell. And then to the KC Stadium, where no less than three controversial matters took place. Scott Parker felt he was impeded when looking to burst through, while Faubert was harshly penalised for what referee Mark Clattenburg deemed to be a foul on Craig Fagan. Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink also felt aggrieved when Matthew Upson challenged him strongly in the box in the dying stages. And, while this is not a penalty appeal, a nudge in the direction of Wigan player Paul Scharner's apparent handball that allowed him to score a consolation against Tottenham. Meanwhile at Anfield, there were claims that Stephen Ireland had strayed into an offside position before notching Manchester City's second goal against Liverpool.

Save of the weekend

Shay Given

Manchester City goalkeeper Given just pips his Chelsea counterpart Petr Cech for this accolade. First, a description of the runner-up's stop. Cech demonstrated that he remained a focused individual throughout the Blues' clash with Wolves, despite his side cruising to three points at Stamford Bridge. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake must have thought he was set to score a memorable goal in West London as he diverted a low header goalwards. But Cech reacted expertly to get down and palm away from danger. A class save. And now to Given. Martin Skrtel was the man to call Given into action when the Liverpool defender connected with a Steven Gerrard free-kick. The ball was headed across towards the far, top corner but was clawed out brilliantly by Given in acrobatic circumstances.

Gaffe of the weekend

Bolton own goal

No contest here. This moment of play is the definition of 'gaffe'. With Blackburn leading by one goal at the Reebok Stadium, there always remained a chance that Bolton could salvage a much-needed point versus their relegation rivals. However, with 17 minutes remaining the result was put beyond doubt. There appeared to be little danger when Brett Emerton arrowed a deep ball towards Jussi Jaaskelainen's goal. Out charged the Finnish goalkeeper as he looked to claim possession. But Jaaskelainen's team-mate Sam Ricketts had other ideas as he looked to nod casually back to his own goalkeeper. And the lack of communication proved costly as Ricketts' header caught out the onrushing Jaaskelainen, who could only watch on helplessly as the ball bounced home into an empty net for an own goal.

Pass of the weekend

Jimmy Bullard

Bullard's return to fitness has been hugely welcomed by Hull, and the former Fulham midfielder demonstrated his class on Saturday with a stunning pass. Bullard got his head up before arrowing a pin-point ball towards the far, right-hand corner. The ball fell straight to Mendy, who powered in from the wing. Also, much deserved praise for James McFadden, after the Birmingham midfielder's gorgeous through ball assisted Lee Bowyer against Fulham.

Comments (13)

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Paul Davison (Hull City fan) says...

the goals in the spurs game were stunning. what a player defoe is at the moment. be nice to see him like this in sa. our game was quality too. nice to see hull playing a bit after an iffy spell of a year. bullard is key for us, but we need to sign at the back.

Posted 12:17 23rd November 2009

Gregory Martis (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

9-1 and it could have been more. 3-3 for the neutral maybe but not for us Spurs Fans - cannot wait for next week!

Posted 09:05 23rd November 2009

Steve S (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Got to agree with the Game of the Weekend. While some Tottenham fans obviously think their game deserves this title, and although watching Wigan go down 9-1 was, for a sulking Bolton fan like myself, quite the pick-me-up, you just couldn't beat the Hull - West Ham game for entertainment this weekend. I'm even starting to see the funny side of Rickett's OG now...

Posted 07:56 23rd November 2009

Andy E (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

You could put the Spurs game for just about everything - but I probly agree that a 3-3 is more entertaining to watch, but 9 goals in a half of football is rediculous. Lennon's ball to Crouch for the first was sensational and a contender for pass of the week, and in the first half I thought Chris Kirkland kept them Wigan in the game til half time - 3 great saves against Lennon from a reboud, then to tip Defoe's effort onto the bar and a brilliant save from Palacios's long range effort.

Posted 07:51 23rd November 2009

Frank Smithson (Bristol City fan) says...

I agree with Daniel Holt. An entertaining 3-3 over a one-sided 9-1 due to terrible defending.

Posted 07:38 23rd November 2009

Sean Martyn (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

how is there only two spurs players in the team of the week?? thats one of the best premier league performances since the league began!!! Kranjcar was brilliant and so was Crouch and the midfield dominated. It should also be the game of the week in fairness because fans will be lucky to see a performance like that again in the next ten years.

Posted 02:17 23rd November 2009

Paul Collins says...

haroon lone does it matter? it didnt get game of the weekend as it was one sided of at which least 5 or 6 of the goals came from wigans awful defending. the right game got game of the weekend as both teams were competitive. spurs will get humbled again next week by someone

Posted 01:52 23rd November 2009

Sizar Doski (Chelsea fan) says...

There should be a section of New Talent Of The Week, if this was the case Gael Kakuta would Definantly be up there.

Posted 23:05 22nd November 2009

Adam Searby (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Wow 9-1 spurs victory and you guys pick the Hull Westham game unreal the referee had a nightmare game but Jimmy Bullard had a great game on his return and his passing was spot on so i do agree with that decision

Posted 21:17 22nd November 2009

Daniel Holt (Leicester City fan) says...

Give me an entertaining 3-3 over a one sided 9-1 any day of the week.

Posted 21:10 22nd November 2009

Shane Le clezio (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I for one, won't be asking for the match to be replayed because of Wigan's handball. Come on you Spurs.

Posted 20:44 22nd November 2009

Marc Stamp says...

Hull vs West ham was a good contest while Tottenham just steam-rolled wigan, is every week's controversy going to be on about penalties?

Posted 20:39 22nd November 2009

Haroon Lone (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

Your joking?we win 9 - 1 and you pick Hull - West Ham? how many ten goal games do you see these days..shocking decision! But agree with goal of the week and pass, bullard was millimetre perfect!

Posted 19:33 22nd November 2009
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