Skysports.com looks at the best and worst moments from the latest round of top-flight fixtures.
Team of the week
Goal(s) of the Day
Rafael van der Vaart
After three rewrites from Dimitar Berbatov's opener for Manchester United against Sunderland, to Van der Vaart's first goal in Tottenham's evening victory over Aston Villa, we arrive at the Spurs forward's second goal at Villa Park. Gareth Bale tore forward on a counter-attack, passed to Aaron Lennon and the England international teed up Van der Vaart for an excellent finish. 'We've only got 10 men', chanted Spurs fans (see Controversy of the Day). As mentioned above, Spurs' opener was not bad either; an exquisite, low, long-range pass from Luka Modric, advancing right-back Alan Hutton the welcome recipient and crosser, and Van der Vaart the scorer. Also a good shout for Game of the Day, but as it is the Christmas period we thought we would spread around the awards...
Game of the Day
Newcastle 1 Manchester City 3
It is unlikely that Boxing Day 2010 will live in the memory as a day of footballing classics, but the meeting at St James' Park between Newcastle and Manchester City was of some entertainment value. Roberto Mancini's City found themselves two goals in front inside the opening five minutes courtesy of a mistake from Tim Krul, of which more later, and a goal from Carlos Tevez, who earlier in December withdrew a transfer request. Newcastle cleared their heads and pulled a goal back through star striker Andy Carroll in what was an end-to-end second half. But they were then undone for a third time as Tevez scored with the help of a significant deflection off Fabricio Coloccini to ensure City kept pace with leaders Manchester United, while Alan Pardew suffered his first defeat as Newcastle boss.
Miss of the Day
Peter Odemwingie
West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo will have been hugely frustrated with his side's 2-0 defeat to Bolton at the Reebok Stadium. Odemwingie got himself in a terrible mess for the majority of the match. In the first half, the West Brom man broke the offside trap, but got his feet in a muddle, panicked and sliced an effort past the post. To make matters worse, Odemwingie went on to drag wide another glaring chance in the second half.
Save of the Day
Ali Al Habsi
On this evidence, it is easy to see why goalkeeper Al Habsi, on loan from Bolton, has apparently been attracting interest from some of the Premier League's big boys. The Oman international produced a superb moment of improvisation in the last 10 minutes of the first half of Wigan's 2-1 victory over Wolves. With momentum carrying Al Habsi in the natural direction of Nenad Milijas' free-kick, the shot-stopper managed to summon just enough balance to stick out a leg, get a toe to the ball and deflect away the danger.
Controversy of the Day
Jermain Defoe
Just four minutes after Van der Vaart's brilliant opening goal, Spurs were reduced to 10 men against Villa when Defoe was shown a straight red card. Referee Martin Atkinson and his assistants apparently adjudged the Spurs striker to have intentionally thrown an elbow into the face of Villa defender James Collins when competing for an aerial ball. Replays explained the look of disbelief on the face of Defoe.
Gaffe of the Day
Tim Krul
With only two minutes on the clock at St James' Park, Newcastle's goalkeeper made a horrible mess of dealing with a back-pass and gifted City an opening goal in an eventual 3-1 defeat. Krul could only timidly poke the ball to Tevez and the Argentine promptly set up Gareth Barry to finish through the legs of the young Dutchman.
Celebration of the Day
Carlo Tevez
City enjoyed a dream start at Newcastle and when Tevez scored his club's second goal the striker produced a baby pacifier from his sock and put it in his mouth. Whether the routine had anything to do with the recent U-turn on his City future or, more likely, a reference to his family, you decide. Tevez then repeated the act when wrapping up the points and the scoring his second at St James' Park.
Pass of the Day
Anderson
It continues to appear that, having arrived in 2007, Anderson is finally growing into life at Manchester United. The Brazilian's disguised pass in his team's win over Sunderland held all the hallmarks of compatriot Ronaldinho. Looking in one direction and passing in the other, the 22-year-old played a clever assisting role in the build-up to Berbatov's deflected second goal at Old Trafford. Another mention also goes to Modric.
Head on the block of the Day
Mark Hughes
Courtesy of some amateurish, adrift defending from Dickson Etuhu, Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes, Fulham chucked away the lead to suffer a shocking 3-1 defeat to relegation rivals West Ham at Craven Cottage in the London derby lunchtime kick-off. It was the Hammers' first away league win since the opening day of last season and moved the formerly rock-bottom visitors level with their hosts on 16 points to significantly boost survival hopes. But for Fulham boss Mark Hughes the chances of avoiding the drop are beginning to look bleak... and so are his job prospects. Sack speculation for the Welshman already existed and suggestions he is set for the chop will only increase after a run of one win in 14 league matches.
