Arsenal Hot and On Top: Downing Not From the Spot

save from Rio Ferdinand was impressive but what exactly was Rio doing playing up front? That’s a good 60 yard sprint! He’s past Scholes, he’s past Fletcher, he’s going round the outside of Berbatov, he’s up alongside Rooney. Can he finish it off? No because he’s not a striker, where was the Bulgarian?

These are the days of blinkered managers and how refreshing it was to see Big Phil Scolari simply admit it wasn’t a penalty! When last did you hear a manager say that?

I’m sure you’ve all been wondering when the little Brazilian would get a mention. Well you don’t have to wait any longer as Robinho is here and he’s making quite an impact. The former Real Madrid man set Eastlands alight on Saturday with a world class performance including a goal and an assist. He’s well on his way to paying off that £32 million.

Robinho wasn’t the only one thrilling the crowd in Manchester on Sunday. Stephen Ireland and Shaun Wright-Phillips added to the show with terrific performances.

West Bromwich Albion’s James Morrison got a mention last week but another bright performance and another goal have earned the Scot a second mention this time out.

So what about goal of the week then? Hot or Not’s choice is unsung Hull City centreback Michael Turner for his powerful looping far post header against Everton.

Tim Cahill doesn’t half make an impact. Two games, two goals for the Aussie and he isn’t even match fit.

And finally this week we half Leon Osman. The Everton midfielder is one of the most underrated players in the English top flight.

 

NOT

I couldn’t start anywhere else but Anfield where Sky Sports tell me that Liverpool had 24 shots at home to Stoke City without scoring! Out of the 24 they managed six on target, but what Sky Sports didn’t mention was that the target was Thomas Sorensen.

Liverpool had 76% of the possession at Anfield and it’s rare to see a game so one sided these days.

West Ham still have no shirt sponsor but replaced last weeks sewn on square maroon fabric with big white square patches showing the players number. It was like watching an advert for the football pools.

Who says Arsenal don’t get decisions Mr Wenger? Emmanuel Eboue was 66cm offside for Arsenal’s equalizer. Thanks to BBC’s Match Of The Day for that tasty statistic.

Stewart Downing, oh dear, oh dear, who taught you to take a penalty? Downing was obviously aiming for three points when he hit the bar last week. We all thought he’d been trying to get it under the bar but this week he showed us just what he’s made of. His sky high penalty cost Middlesbrough three points and now he’s finally shown England’s rugby coach Martin Johnson that he’s the new Johnny Wilkinson, let’s hope he passes the penalty responsibility on next time.

7^th place isn’t even a European spot but it’s the best Manchester United can wish for with a win next week!

We’ve all missed a sitter or two over the years but Nicolas Anelka must still be red in the face after Sunday’s miss. He didn’t even make contact.

As a few of you may know you won’t get many positive words said about Younes Kaboul in this column and it’s not going to change this week. The Portsmouth defender drafted in to the side at Manchester City only to have a torrid time before being axed at half-time. He’ll be waiting a while for his next start.

David James, David James what a shocker. Six goals conceded and at least two had calamity written all over them.

A big thanks to Phil Neville and the Everton defence for their contender for own goal of the season. Three just doesn’t go into one. Unless that one is the back of the net of course.

Tottenham Hotspur have had their worst start to a season in 34 years. Sadly for Spurs fans that was before they drew again at home without scoring. Tough times at White Hart Lane

And we end with a tail of two Phil’s.

Earlier Scolari was mentioned for his objective opinion on a Chelsea penalty shout and just to prove the point we have Phil Brown (Hull manager) and his view that Tim Cahill hadn’t scored as there was inconclusive evidence as to whether the ball had crossed the line. The replay’s proved it was a goal and his defender Turner even admitted it. So what was the point in denying it Mr Brown?

Anyway that’s enough for this week as you’ve all been kept long enough.

 

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