Frank Lampard Brings Up 100 with Chelsea on Fire, but Liverpool Were Dire

This was a weekend that will probably be best remembered in Britain as the weekend another British World Champion was crowned and not for football at all. Lewis Hamilton is the youngest ever Formula One World Champion after pipping Brazilian Felipe Massa to the title.

It wasn’t the only time the Brits were getting the better of a Brazilian, with Robinho being out-manoeuvred by the physical Bolton Wanderers defence at the same time that Hamilton was spoiling a potentially huge Brazilian party.

HOT

What a week it’s been for Tottenham Hotspur. They weren’t expected to get a draw with Arsenal never mind climb off the bottom of the table with a 2-1 win over Liverpool, but that’s what they did.

Hot or Not couldn’t believe it when we read a post by a Liverpool fan on an internet message board claiming that Dirk Kuyt was lazy. Kuyt is one of the hardest working players in the league and scored Liverpool‘s only goal at Spurs. Hot or Not’s conclusion, what the ****!

Heurelho Gomes may, in Hot or Not’s humble opinion, be utterly out of his depth but in all fairness he did produce the save of the week from Steven Gerrard’s deflected effort. Penalty or no penalty, it is irrelevant, what a save. Portsmouth’s David James was amongst a few other 'keepers coming in a close second. The English No. 1 saved with his head from Wigan midfielder Antonio Valencia's chip.

It’s time for the Delap of honour (thanks to Gary Lineker for that one). The Stoke City midfielder set up both goals in their magnificent 2-0 victory over Arsenal with his famous long throws. Or should that be infamous?

Was it his head? More importantly, was it his arm? Nope it was Sevi Olofinjana’s chest, twice. It was probably the most unorthodox goal of the season but he doesn’t care. After all, a goal’s a goal and a win is a win.

As for Arsenal, they have now lost to two promoted sides and are looking forward to the Hawthorns we imagine.

The fairytale that is Hull City shows no sign of letting up, even when they lose. The Tigers going down 4-3 to Manchester United at Old Trafford is let’s face it, highly commendable.

One thing that isn’t so commendable is Dimitar Berbatov’s attitude. His performances for United show one thing and one thing only. He was going through the motions at Tottenham and getting paid a fortune for it. Spurs are well shot of him and good luck to United when Real Madrid come calling.

Hot or Not did say that Daniel Cousin likes the big occasions and another goal, this time at Old Trafford proves that theory. He goes through most games like he is hungover on a public park pitch on a Sunday morning. In comparison, the Gabon international looks like he’s on Vodka and Red Bull when the big occasions come around.

Then there was Bernard Mendy, the former Bolton Wanderers man made quite the splash after appearing off the bench for Hull, and looked far more like the player he was in his days at the Reebok.

Last week we praised Liverpool for their determination and ability to grind out results but what a difference a week makes. Liverpool lost 2-1 to Spurs while Chelsea hammered Sunderland 5-0. As a result, Chelsea now look in a really strong position at the top of the league with a goal difference that betters Liverpool by a massive 16 goals after just 11 games.

To think, Chelsea have basically done all this without star striker Didier Drogba. Instead they have been relying on a well travelled Frenchman called Nicolas Anelka. Eight goals in eleven appearances this season have certainly impressed us here at Hot or Not but then again even Ade Akinbyi could score with the Chelsea midfield providing chance after chance.

Two players who have certainly scored a few are Frank Lampard and Emile Heskey, who both celebrated 100 league goals this weekend. Congratulations to them.

And congratulations to Mike Jones (a relatively new top flight referee) who awarded a penalty to West Bromwich Albion in 2-2 draw with Blackburn Rovers for shirt pulling. About time we say.

Finally we have goal of the weekend and it may come as a surprise to some but it goes to West Broom’s Ishmael Miller. The big striker saved a point for WBA with a great turn a low drive into the corner.

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So Heurelho Gomes made the save of the week but it is unlikely to save his Spurs career.

What about Liverpool then, from hero to zero as they say and the 'Pool suddenly look leagues behind Chelsea.

How does any team with Amdy Faye in the starting XI beat the mighty Arsenal? It shows Arsenal can certainly be booted off the park by bigger sides despite Arsenal’s quick flowing football. Where is the heart?

That “heart” was summed up by the coward that is Robin van Persie. The Dutchman stuck the boot into Stoke 'keeper Thomas Sorenson for absolutely no reason (well, because he can’t lose like a man).

Roy Keane said last week that Craig Gordon wouldn’t be guaranteed a start at Sunderland when he returns from injury. Erm…sorry Roy but I think we all know he will.

Keane also showed a weakness as a top class manager by dropping his best player after one poor performance. Why wouldn’t you go with your top striker against Chelsea unless you’d already given up all three points?

For years we have watched bumbling Titus Bramble give away penalties but we had never seen him win one and with a dive to boot. Maybe he is not as dumb as we think.

Another sad point of the proceedings this weekend was the crowd at Middlesbrough. Yes it was only West Ham but come on, Leeds United get bigger crowds.

The only thing more disappointing than the crowd was the West Ham United wall for Mido’s goal. The Egyptian firing low through the wall to give the hosts a point.

We must admit we had a good laugh at Wayne Rooney’s expense this week. He was ugly before but he looks more like Shrek than ever before after his recent haircut.

So Brazil may export 1000 players a year with better haircuts but there is only one F1 world champion and he’s British. It’s not often but for this week at least, Britain can laud it over Brazil.