James Pearson takes a look at the winners and losers from the latest round of Premier League action.
James Pearson takes a look at the winners and losers from the latest round of Premier League action.
Manchester City breathed new life into their flagging title challenge with a crucial 2-1 success over league-leading
Chelsea.
Often this season City's stars have come up short when it matters, but they followed through against Carlo Ancelotti's troops.
It was difficult picking a Man of the Match, but Dutchman Nigel de Jong was the key performer with his all-action display winning a 9.
Shay Given's crucial second-half penalty save earned him an 8.7 from the public while they also enjoyed Carlos Tevez and Robinho's displays.
Germany ace Michael Ballack was the fall-guy for Chelsea's defeat with our man dishing out a 4 while the public vote was not far behind.
Manchester United are improving every week and they brushed aside
West Ham on Saturday with a 4-0 success at Upton Park.
However, a defensive crisis is proving an unwanted headache for Sir Alex Ferguson, although their makeshift backline kept out The Hammers.
Veteran Ryan Giggs' (9) impressive display saw him claim the Man of the Match award. Like a fine wine the Welsh wizard gets better with age.
Wayne Rooney seems to have rediscovered his scoring touch and he earned an 8 from the viewing public for adding the icing on the cake of United's performance.
West Ham fans had nothing to write home about on an otherwise forgettable display. Junior Stanislas was their worst performer, mustering only a 3.5.
Arsenal maintained their title challenge with a fine 2-0 success over
Stoke, although it could well have been more had it not been for Thomas Sorensen.
The Danish keeper (8) was in superb form at the Emirates and without him The Potters could have been facing a London thrashing.
As it transpires Andrey Arshavin's first half goal after Cesc Fabregas missed from the penalty spot proved to be the match-winning goal.
Although the Russia striker (8) should have scored more he was still the best player on the park while Arsenal's other scorer Aaron Ramsey claimed a 7.
It might not have been a classic at Fratton Park, but
Portsmouth fans fear not as Avram Grant's side claimed the points against away strugglers
Burnley.
No one really stood out as relegation-threatened Pompey secured a vital 2-0 success, although there were plenty of fine performers for both teams.
Aruna Dindane might have missed from the penalty spot, but he atoned late on to seal the all-important victory and earn himself a 6.
Those who watched the match felt Asmir Begovic was the key player with an impressive 8 while substitute Kanu was not far behind with a 7.7
Our reporter felt Burnley's full-back Tyrone Mears and Stephen Jordan both impressed with 7s, although the public did not feel they deserved 6s.
Wolves gave their survival prospects a shot in the arm with a fine 2-1 win over relegation rivals
Bolton at Molineux.
Nenad Milijas proved his worth with a superb long-range goal in the game that effectively secured the three points for Mick McCarthy's side.
The Serbian's performance was noted by all with our man at the game dishing out a 9 while the public went one better and gave him a 9.2
Jody Craddock's immense performance at the back and Stephen Ward's lively outing saw them both collects 8s.
Bolton's fans had little to cheer in the Midlands and midfielder Gavin McCann bore the brunt of their frustration by handing him a lowly 2.8.
There was excitement aplenty on Sunday as
Spurs threw away victory at
Everton after being held to a 2-2 draw.
Leading from goals from Jermain Defoe (5.6) and Michael Dawson (6.1) Spurs should have seen the game out, but substitute Louis Saha (7.8) and Tim Cahill (7.3) levelled matters.
Defoe saw his last-gasp penalty saved by Tim Howard (8.5) that would have secured the points as Everton held on for a deserved share of the spoils.
Birmingham continue to defy the odds by picking up points and their form continued with a fine 3-2 away win over inconsistent
Wigan.
The likes of Stephen Carr, Lee Bowyer, Sebastian Larsson, Joe Hart and Scott Dann all got 8 and above. Larsson's brace meant he was the pick of the bunch with a lofty 9.3 rating.
Charles N'Zogbia (8) emerged from the game with some credit, but it proved a horror show for most of Roberto Martinez's men.
Chris Kirkland (who was off injury early), Emmerson Boyce, Mario Melchiot, Hugo Rodallega and Jason Scotland all failed to achieve four or more from the public.
Aston Villa were back on song against improved
Hull City with a comfortable enough 3-0 success over Phil Brown's men.
James Milner (8) was utilised in the middle of the pitch, although he still impressed and capped a fine display with Villa's second of the game.
Richard Dunne has proved an astute signing for Martin O'Neill while Ashley Young is hitting his stride following a below-par opening and both secured 8s.
The Tigers' defence proved their undoing and Matt Duke, Andy Dawson, Andy Dawson and Paul McShane were all given lowly marks with Duke (3.3) faring the worst.
It comes as little surprise that defenders were the pick of the bunch in
Blackburn's goalless draw with
Liverpool at Ewood Park.
Chris Samba topped Rovers' performance charts with a 9, although New Zealand international Ryan Nelson was not far behind.
Reds summer signing Glen Johnson (8) was Liverpool's stand-out performer while winger Albert Riera (4) was anonymous.
Bobby Zamora and Mark Schwarzer were
Fulham's star performers as
Sunderland's poor away form continued at Craven Cottage.
Zamora (7.4) scored the only goal of the game early on to help silence his critics while Schwarzer (7.8) kept out everything The Black Cats threw at him.
