Premier League Review

Simon Sparrowhawk

A tale of bad tackles, great goals, poor refereeing and endless controversy - just another week in the Barclays Premier League!

Manchester United end the weekend with a seven point advantage at the top of the table after Liverpool slipped up at home to Manchester City. The Red Devils looked vulnerable at times and their stunning run of 14 consecutive clean sheets came to an end as Roque Santa Cruz cancelled out Wayne Rooney's early goal. Nerves and frustration were getting the better of United until World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo sent Old Trafford into raptures with a trademark free-kick that bemused and confused Paul Robinson. Referee Howard Webb had a poor afternoon as he disallowed a perfectly good Jonny Evans header before controversially denying Rovers a penalty.

The result from Old Trafford put the pressure back on Liverpool and, not for the first time this season, Rafa Benitez and his side blinked as Manchester City left Anfield with a point. Former Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy returned to haunt his former club with the opening goal before Dirk Kuyt restored order with a late equaliser. However, the Reds could not force a winner and there was more bad news to come as rumours emerged that Benitez had turned down yet another contract.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Everton failed to break down ten man Newcastle United at St. James' Park after Kevin Nolan had been dismissed for a truly awful tackle on Victor Anichebe. Perhaps more concerning for Toffees fans was the departure of Mikel Arteta who is awaiting the results of a scan on a potentially serious knee injury. While in the lunchtime kick-off, Fulham dispatched West Brom with consumate ease as the Baggies once again proved impotent on the road. They even allowed Bobby Zamora to score the opening goal in 2-0 Cottagers cruise, the former West Ham striker hadn't found the net since September.

Guus Hiddink got off to the perfect start as Caretaker boss of Chelsea (how long that will last is debatable) with a priceless 1-0 victory over Champions League qualification rivals Aston Villa at Villa Park. Nicolas Anelka grabbed the only goal, although the men from Stamford Bridge rode their luck as Martin O'Neill's side forced them onto the backfoot.

Chelsea fellow Londoners West Ham United somehow failed to take at least a point from a trip to Bolton where they dominated throughout the game but two early lapses cost them dear as the Trotters held out for a 2-1 win to collect three vital points.

It was draws a plenty on Saturday in the Premier League though as Arsenal, with new signing Andrei Arshavin on show, failed to break down Sunderland at the Emirates while Middlesbrough's appalling run of form continued with a 0-0 draw at home to Wigan. The Teesiders are now 14 games without a win and Gareth Southgate's men are in a real battle for survival.

The game at the Brittania Stadium was forgettable for 75 minutes as Portsmouth and Stoke battered the ball into submission, until Niko Kranjcar fired the South Coast side ahead. Tony Pulis' side are made of stern stuff though and James Beattie capitalised on a shocking penalty award to equalise before firing the hosts ahead with ten minutes to go. However, with the clock ticking down Ryan Shawcross diverted the ball into his own net and the sides had to share the spoils.

So, is the title race over? Are West Brom on their way out? Can Boro' turn around their fortunes? What do you think?