Premier League Winners and Losers: Yakubu, Newcastle and Martin O'Neill

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Premier League gameweek 14 came and went, and it looks like the table is finally starting to settle.

It's now clear who the relegation contenders are, who the mid table clubs are, and who the title challengers are. There was plenty of action this weekend, with brilliant individual performances as well as fine team performances all over the Premiership. 

Here are this weekend's Premier League winners and losers...

Winner: Chelsea

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Chelsea made sure their 3-0 win against Wolves last weekend wasn't just a one-off, enjoying another 3-0 on Saturday, this time against Newcastle at the SportsDirect Area (just doesn't sound right).

The Blues' strikers finally proved themselves, with forwards Daniel Sturridge, Didier Drogba, and Salomon Kalou all getting on the scoresheet. 

These three points will ease the pressure off of Andre Villas-Boas, but he's certainly not in the clear yet. Chelsea face a vital Champions League tie against Valencia at home in midweek, where a loss will mean the London outfit are out of the Champions League. We all know how much Roman Abramovich would like that...

After that, Chelsea have a mouthwatering fixture against Manchester City in the Premier League, so it's certainly make it or break it this week for the Blues.

Winner: Arsenal

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Arsenal made sure the setback of a 1-0 loss midweek in the Carling Cup wouldn't affect their league form with a whopping 4-0 win away to Wigan on Saturday.

It was a vital three points for Arsenal, as they've got a bad history at the DW Stadium and anything less than a win could've started a trend of bad form. However, the Gunners made sure there was no nonsense, putting the game out of Wigan's hands long before the final whistle.

Looking at the scorers, this win was a relief to Arsenal fans as well. The North London outfit have been labelled a "one-man team" in recent weeks due to Robin Van Persie being the main source of goals, but seeing Arteta, Gervinho, and Vermaelen score is music to Gooners' ears.

Winner: Manchester City

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Manchester City put their goal tally for the season up to 48 with a whopping 5-1 win at home to Norwich.

This victory continues the Citizens' absolutely outstanding domestic form; however, this form has failed to translate into the Champions League. Roberto Mancini's dreams of winning Europe's greatest club competition with the Manchester outfit are all but over, needing a win over Bayern Munich and hoping that Napoli lose to Villarreal. 

It may not be looking good there, but at gameweek 14 it already looks like City have the title wrapped up...

Winner: Balotelli's Shoulder

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Why always me?

Because you're hilarious, Mario.

Mario Balotelli got as cheeky as a footballer can get after he scored a goal with his shoulder, ensuring himself as the most entertaining man in the universe.

Winner: Yakubu!

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

The Yak is back. 

Yakubu is in the form of his life with Blackburn, scoring a whopping 4 goals against Swansea on Saturday and providing the Rovers with just their second win of the campaign. With 9 goals so far this season, Yakubu could be a surprise contender for the Golden Boot if he keeps this up.

Loser: Newcastle

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

It's sad to say that Newcastle's dream start to the Premier League seems to be over.

After a 3-0 loss to Chelsea they've slipped down into 6th place, as well as receiving the unfortunate news that Ryan Taylor will be out for the season. 

Nonetheless, the Toon are still quite a long way off from mid table and can certainly challenge for a Europa League spot this season.

Loser: Wigan

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Wigan failed to make one of their signature dramatic comebacks against Arsenal on Saturday, instead suffering a crushing 4-0 defeat at the DW Stadium. 

This was the Lactics 9th defeat of the season, and the pressure is surely growing on Roberto Martinez. Although he seems to be an expert of pulling Wigan out of the relegation zone late in the season (late as in on survival Sunday), he's seen his side already fall to rock bottom in the Premier League, and rather than hoping for a comfortable mid table spot he must now focus his campaign on keeping his side in England's top flight.

If Wigan don't start getting some points on the board soon, it's only a matter of time before Roberto Martinez gets the axe.

Loser: Martin O'Neill

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Martin O'Neill started off his tenure as the Sunderland manager with a controversial 2-1 loss to Wolves, and the Irishman will be looking to find the right formula for winning before he starts coming under pressure right from the get go.

It's not that I'm judging him just from his first match. It's just that he would've wanted to get his career at Sunderland off to a positive start rather than already deepening the Black Cats' worries.

If Sunderland don't beat Blackburn at the Stadium of Light next weekend, Martin O'Neill could be in real trouble.

Loser: Penalties

Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Out of the 45 penalties awarded so far this season, 16 have been missed.

Compared to the 21 missed out of 105 awarded last season, 16 is quite a high number. I'm not really sure why people can't score them these days, but the statistics speak for themselves and it's an odd, random phenomenon.

Even Frank Lampard couldn't score one this weekend!