Premier League Weekend in 20 Pictures: Managerial Pressure and Suarez the Hero
From managers getting sacked to star strikers signing new deals—it has been a week of ups and downs across the Premier League.
Over the following slides, we revisit all the key moments from the last two days of top-flight action and deliver it to you in picture form.
There are red cards, goals, boardroom unrest and more. Read on to see 20 of the best images from the weekend!
Suarez Sends Liverpool Top
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Christmas came early for Liverpool fans this week when Luis Suarez signed an extension to his current Anfield deal.
The prolific Uruguayan added to the Reds' joy by netting two goals in their 3-1 win against Cardiff City, taking his tally to 19 so far this season.
Bluebirds Back Malky Mackay
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Cardiff fans show their support for Malky Mackay following Saturday's trip to Anfield. Mackay has been under increasing pressure from chairman Vincent Tan, who told the manager that he must "resign or face the sack" this week, as reported by The Guardian's Rob Cole.
Tan Go
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Fans of Cardiff gathered together this week to protest against Vincent Tan. After changing the club's kit from blue to red, firing former head of recruitment Iain Moody and delivering an ultimatum to current manager Malky Mackay, it's fair to say that Tan is not going to feature on many Christmas card lists in South Wales this year.
Rodgers 'Astonished' at Mackay Situation
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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers offers some words and an embrace to Malky Mackay after Saturday's Anfield tie. The pair worked together at Watford, and Rodgers, who also used to manage Cardiff's Welsh rivals Swansea City, told BBC Sport this week that he was "astonished" at the criticism Mackay was receiving from the club's owner.
Potters Unbeaten in Four
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Stoke City are now unbeaten in four games following Saturday's 2-1 win against Aston Villa. Charlie Adam opened the scoring in the 50th minute before Villa's Libor Kozak bagged an equaliser for the visiting side. Peter Crouch scored with Stoke's second shot on target during the entire course of the game, sealing the win against his former club.
Villa have now been beaten in their last three Premier League fixtures.
Manchester City Win at Craven Cottage
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A Fulham fan, doing his best to look like club owner Shahid Khan, looks on as his side take on Manchester City at Craven Cottage. Despite finding the back of the net twice through a Vincent Kompany own goal and a strike from Kieran Richardson, the home side were beaten 4-2.
Two: Kompany
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Vincent Kompany scored at both ends in Saturday's trip to Craven Cottage, with Manchester City's second in the 43rd minute and an own goal seven minutes later.
The Citizens are now unbeaten in six Premier League games and have scored a whopping 23 goals in their last six top-flight fixtures.
Eagles vs. Magpies
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Newcastle United's Yoan Gouffran escapes a challenge from Crystal Palace's Mile Jedinak in Saturday's encounter at Selhurst Park.
The Magpies stole all three points with a 3-0 win, giving them their ninth victory of the season.
Yohan Waving Cabaye to Newcastle?
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Yohan Cabaye scored his fourth goal of the season in Saturday's 3-0 win against Crystal Palace—celebrating with a Gareth Bale-esque gesture (we hope it's trademarked).
Earlier in the week, manager Alan Pardew said he is remaining hopeful of keeping the Frenchman beyond the January transfer window, as reported by The Independent.
Hull City Take on Managerless West Brom
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West Bromwich Albion's Billy Jones attempts to leapfrog Hull City striker Yannick Sagbo. At least, that's what we think he was trying to do.
The game ended with the spoils even at 1-1, thanks to goals from Jake Livermore and Matej Vydra.
Peace and Little Harmony
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West Bromwich Albion chairman Jeremy Peace cut a controversial figure at the Hawthorns this week following his decision to sack manager Steve Clarke. The Baggies are yet to name their new boss.
Januzaj—Diver?
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David Moyes has said that he will be talking to Adnan Januzaj about diving following Manchester United's 3-1 win against West Ham. The 18-year-old went to ground with what appeared like no contact from Hammers defender James Collins. Moyes told the Daily Mail's Adam Crafton:
"I think that he was expecting a challenge from Collins. If you look at the last two games and the amount of tackles that this boy has had to take. He has had more than any other player. We'll talk to him about it but you may be picking on the wrong tackle today.
"
Ashley Young: Two in Two
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Ashley Young scored his second goal in two games when Manchester United hosted West Ham on Saturday. This was his first Old Trafford strike since May 2012.
Earlier this week, the winger bagged a goal against Stoke City in the Capital One Cup.
No Win in Four for Big Sam's Hammers
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Sam Allardyce did not look amused following West Ham's 3-1 loss against Manchester United.
Perhaps Carlton Cole's 81st-minute goal offered some consolation—it was the first time the Hammers have scored at Old Trafford in six seasons.
Feeling the Pressure
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Norwich City manager Chris Hughton and Sunderland boss Gus Poyet each took a point from the weekend's 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light.
The pair are under pressure in their respective jobs, with only four goals scored between them in their last three outings.
With 10 points, Sunderland remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table, and the Canaries currently sit in 14th, with 19.
Brown's Red Adds to Black Cats' Woes
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To heap further misery on Sunderland, Wes Brown was sent off in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Norwich for a reckless challenge on Ricky van Wolfswinkel.
The defender, who has been one of the Black Cats' best performers of late, will now be banned for the side's next three fixtures.
Giaccherini—Dwarfed by Johnson?
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Sunderland's Emanuele Giaccherini tries to manoeuvre the ball past Norwich's Bradley Johnson. Impossible, as with this perspective, the Italian looks about four feet shorter than the Canaries man.
Joy for Spurs as Adebayor Strikes Twice
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Emmanuel Adebayor was twice on the score sheet as Tottenham Hotspur beat Southampton 3-2 on Sunday.
Going into the game, the striker had appeared just once in the Premier League this season, yet he justified his selection with goals in the 25th and 64th minutes.
Tim Sherwood—Spurs Manager?
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All eyes were on Tim Sherwood following Spurs' Sunday win. The former White Hart Lane midfielder has been acting as interim manager this week following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.
Sherwood could potentially be named as the side's new manager. This weekend, he told the Mirror's Alex Richards:
"I never said I did or did not want the job.
I need to speak to the chairman about how they want to take the club forward.
That'll happen sooner rather than later I hope, as these guys need a manager. Will I be in charge on Boxing Day? I don't know.
I don't want it for 10 minutes, I want it for long-term or not at all.
"
Everton's Run Continues
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Beaten just once in the Premier League all season, it's easy to see why Everton manager Roberto Martinez looks so delighted.
At the time of writing, the Toffees sit in fourth place with yet more winnable games against Sunderland, Southampton and Stoke coming up over the festive period.
On Sunday, we saw Everton record their ninth win of the season with a 2-1 away victory against Swansea City.
For fans of both Merseyside clubs, it looks like being a very enjoyable Christmas.
