Peter Fraser casts an eye over this weekend's goal-crazy Premier League and picks out the highlights.
Game of the Weekend
Saying fixtures between these two clubs always result in goals has become as obvious as pointing out night follows day but they served up another cracking fixture on Saturday lunchtime. Steven Gerrard scored his 100th Premier League goal when converting from the penalty spot after Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa had been sent off, however, Liverpool were forced to settle for a point in an engrossing 2-2 draw against 10-man Newcastle. The hosts had taken the lead at St James' Park through Yohan Cabaye's excellent long-ranger before Liverpool equalised via Gerrard's spot-kick. Despite their numerical disadvantage in personnel, Newcastle again went in front in the second half through local lad Paul Dummett. Liverpool, though, came back once more as lethal strike partnership Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge combined again for the latter to head an equaliser.
Player of the Weekend
From Chelsea's Eden Hazard, Arsenal duo Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey, and heroic Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic - who was the reason his team managed to draw with West Bromwich Albion - there are several contenders for the star man of the weekend. But Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero deserves the most praise. The Argentine finished City's 3-1 win at West Ham United on Saturday evening with
two goals from five shots on target out of a total of six efforts. Aguero also assisted a goal for David Silva, who was another man who delivered a superb performance.
Goal of the Weekend
As with the Player of the Weekend, there is almost too much to choose from when picking the best goal. Oscar's strike in Chelsea's win over Cardiff City, Cabaye's effort from distance against Liverpool, and Jonathan de Guzman's eye-catcher in Swansea City's thrashing of lowly Sunderland all deserve a mention. But Jack Wilshere's opener in Arsenal's 4-1 win over Norwich City was the pick of the bunch. Arsenal's other goals, two from Ozil and one from the high-on-confidence Ramsey, were also contenders, however, Wilshere supplied the finish to a potential Goal of the Season. The Gunners built up from the edge of their own 18-yard area before one-touch interplay and flicks involving Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud outside the Norwich box saw the former apply a close-range finish to a stunning move.
Controversy of the Weekend
On any normal weekend, Jose Mourinho being sent to the stands after blowing his top at the amount of time taken on throw-ins would normally be a certainty for the biggest argument. But events on the field in Chelsea's 4-1 defeat of Cardiff created even greater controversy at Stamford Bridge. With the match officials deeming
Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall had dropped the ball, rather than bounced it, Samuel Eto'o was allowed to make a mockery of the rule book and pinch possession before Hazard eventually scored Chelsea's equaliser at 1-1. Mourinho did not seem to be complaining about what was and was not fair play after that particular incident. There should also be mention of Gareth Barry, who was fortunate to avoid a red card in Everton's 2-1 win over Hull City after reckless tackles on Danny Graham and Sone Aluko. From an offside position, Barry also seemed to deflect Kevin Mirallas' shot for Everton's disputed first goal. Meanwhile, Charlie Adam somehow avoided giving away a penalty in Stoke's 0-0 draw with West Brom despite blatantly tripping Youssouf Mulumbu.
Gaffe of the Weekend
Back to Stamford Bridge and David Luiz again did little to convince his doubters with his role in Cardiff opening the scoring in their eventual defeat by Chelsea. For reasons unknown, Luiz decided to leave Ramires' back-pass despite it clearly lacking the pace to roll back to Petr Cech. Cardiff's Jordon Mutch could not believe his luck and pounced on the loose ball to slot it past Cech, who was making his 300th Premier League appearance. Struggling Everton striker Arouna Kone can also not avoid shame as, with a first goal for his new club on a plate, he somehow managed to hit the frame of the goal from point-blank range against Hull.
One To Forget of the Weekend
As far as starts go, it could not have got much worse for Gus Poyet in his first game in charge of rock-bottom Sunderland. Swansea fans were chanting about Paolo Di Canio as they strolled to victory at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon. To make things all the more painful for Poyet, Sunderland saw both Steven Fletcher and Phil Bardsley score own goals.
Familiar Feeling of the Weekend
How David Moyes must wish he could escape to chugging around the Hebrides by boat with Sir Alex Ferguson. But away from the quirky tales of his predecessor's retirement activities, the Manchester United manager is under massive pressure. More dropped home points in Saturday's draw with Southampton, when Ferguson was in the stands at Old Trafford, have led to greater intensity in the questions about
Moyes' perceived negativity, questionable substitutions, use of Wayne Rooney, and decision-making in signing Marouane Fellaini. Adnan Januzaj is proving the only real positive for Moyes, who must be desperate for a break. It was never going to be an easy transition but following Ferguson is proving an even tougher task than expected. To make matters worse, with almost perverse timing, Ferguson's much-publicised new book is released next week.
Substitution of the Weekend
Just 10 seconds after coming off the bench in Everton's defeat of Hull, and with his first touch of the ball, Steven Pienaar scored what proved to be his team's winner. It was a moment to savour for the home fans at Goodison Park and further boosted the stock of Roberto Martinez, whose early success at Everton is being used as an extra stick for the critics with which to beat Moyes.
