Cechmate? Not so, as teams settle for Stalemate at Stamford Bridge
Saturday's match was a quasi-must win for Tottenham (looking to regain third spot) and Chelsea (looking to take fourth spot). Unfortunately for both teams neither could deliver a knock out blow to outdo the other and in turn has allowed fourth spot to remain up for grabs.
Gunbelievable!
Arsenal's good form persisted as they recorded their seventh league win in a row. Gibbs scored his first goal for Arsenal who opened up the floodgates for Walcott and Arteta to also get on the score sheet against Aston Villa. All this without Van Persie scoring a goal for a second consecutive match.
Have you had your "Wheaterbix"?
Bolton did Owen Coyle and Fabrice Muamba proud as they defeated Blackburn and moved out of the relegation zone. Both of their goals came from David Wheater. The victory was Bolton's eighth of the league season and shows that Rovers still have plenty of work to do from now to the end of the seaon.
The Malaysian-born Scotsman silences The Kop.
Shaun Maloney's erratic Wigan career revived itself as he scored a crucial penalty that led to Wigan's shock away win at Anfield. This was a miserable result for Liverpool who lost 2-3 to QPR in their last match and has left Kenny Dalgish with many questions to answer.
Woeful Wolves "Holted" by Canaries
Wolves slumped to their fourth consecutive league defeat in a row. Jarvis's goal was in vain as Holt scored twice (and was later sent off) to outdo Wolves. They remain only four points away from escape to safety, though in a nihilistic sense they have readied themselves for the inevitability of relegation.
Does it really take Taiwo to Tango?
QPR visited the Stadium of Light in the hope of replicating their sensational victory against Liverpool during the week. However goals from Sessegnon, McClean and Bendtner saw the Black Cats home and dry instead. QPR's only reply was a goal from defender/dead-ball specialist Taiwo as his teammates failed to find the back of the net.
Sweet Toffee at The Liberty
Everton ended a two match losing streak as they defeated on-form Swansea. New signing Jelavic continued to flourish with his goal scoring contribution as did their defensive rock Leighton Baines. The result leaves both teams 10+ points away from a Europa League spot and ensures that they must settle for mid-table boredom.
"Crouch"-ing Tiger Hidden Dragon!
Man City's title challenge was dealt another blow as they failed to gain victory at the Britannia Stadium. Yaya Toure got them on the scoresheet, yet it was route-one football that prevailed. Stoke's long ball style of play was rewarded as Begovic's long goal kick went to Crouch, then to Pennant and back to Crouch for a sensational volley (and arguably the goal of the season).
Magpies given 'Arfa chance for Champions League qualification
Newcastle continued to remain unbeaten on Sundays this season courtesy of all goals and assists from Ben Arfa and Cisse v West Brom. The former is proving to be a fantastic impact player and the latter highlighting himself as another quality Pardew signing. It means Newcastle amazingly remain in the hunt for fourth place after results went their way in other matches.
Saturday's match was a quasi-must win for Tottenham (looking to regain third spot) and Chelsea (looking to take fourth spot). Unfortunately for both teams neither could deliver a knock out blow to outdo the other and in turn has allowed fourth spot to remain up for grabs.
Gunbelievable!
Arsenal's good form persisted as they recorded their seventh league win in a row. Gibbs scored his first goal for Arsenal who opened up the floodgates for Walcott and Arteta to also get on the score sheet against Aston Villa. All this without Van Persie scoring a goal for a second consecutive match.
Have you had your "Wheaterbix"?
Bolton did Owen Coyle and Fabrice Muamba proud as they defeated Blackburn and moved out of the relegation zone. Both of their goals came from David Wheater. The victory was Bolton's eighth of the league season and shows that Rovers still have plenty of work to do from now to the end of the seaon.
The Malaysian-born Scotsman silences The Kop.
Shaun Maloney's erratic Wigan career revived itself as he scored a crucial penalty that led to Wigan's shock away win at Anfield. This was a miserable result for Liverpool who lost 2-3 to QPR in their last match and has left Kenny Dalgish with many questions to answer.
Woeful Wolves "Holted" by Canaries
Wolves slumped to their fourth consecutive league defeat in a row. Jarvis's goal was in vain as Holt scored twice (and was later sent off) to outdo Wolves. They remain only four points away from escape to safety, though in a nihilistic sense they have readied themselves for the inevitability of relegation.
Does it really take Taiwo to Tango?
QPR visited the Stadium of Light in the hope of replicating their sensational victory against Liverpool during the week. However goals from Sessegnon, McClean and Bendtner saw the Black Cats home and dry instead. QPR's only reply was a goal from defender/dead-ball specialist Taiwo as his teammates failed to find the back of the net.
Sweet Toffee at The Liberty
Everton ended a two match losing streak as they defeated on-form Swansea. New signing Jelavic continued to flourish with his goal scoring contribution as did their defensive rock Leighton Baines. The result leaves both teams 10+ points away from a Europa League spot and ensures that they must settle for mid-table boredom.
"Crouch"-ing Tiger Hidden Dragon!
Man City's title challenge was dealt another blow as they failed to gain victory at the Britannia Stadium. Yaya Toure got them on the scoresheet, yet it was route-one football that prevailed. Stoke's long ball style of play was rewarded as Begovic's long goal kick went to Crouch, then to Pennant and back to Crouch for a sensational volley (and arguably the goal of the season).
Magpies given 'Arfa chance for Champions League qualification
Newcastle continued to remain unbeaten on Sundays this season courtesy of all goals and assists from Ben Arfa and Cisse v West Brom. The former is proving to be a fantastic impact player and the latter highlighting himself as another quality Pardew signing. It means Newcastle amazingly remain in the hunt for fourth place after results went their way in other matches.
Plucky Fulham Roo missed chances against triumphant United
High flying Man United may have been free scoring of late, but they were restricted to only one goal by a resilient Fulham at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney scored the only goal of the game. Had Fulham not been denied a controversial non-penalty decision that went against them they could have ended the match with even honours. The narrow victory ensures that United extend their lead over City.
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I have to say folks that I had a fantastic GW, though with a couple of hiccups to boot. Let me get the drawbacks out of the way first. The GW didn't start to well for me after my subs Ekotto and Friedel kept a surprising defensive clean sheet versus Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This proved to be problematic for me after my first team choices of Reina and Enrique conceded two goals and only managed two points between them at home to relegation bound Wigan. A net 10 point defensive loss. However, all this was forgotten after my recommended player for GW 30, Kieran Gibbs, bagged a goal and a clean sheet.
Gibbs's success was supplemented nicely by an assist and clean sheet from Jonny Evans and a goal from my GW captain Wayne Rooney. Thus ensuring that I scored 60+ points during a GW with a low average score. It ensures that my blog team has successfully entered into the Global 500 of FPL's overall rankings. Looking to GW 31 I intend to maintain my run of form with a possible change or two. Following Scholes being benched I may consider replacing him with Bolton's Miyaichi. Moreover, with Liverpool's woes I could choose to replace Reina with De Gea. All this requires more thought. In the meantime, feel free to also follow FPL Hints on Twitter. Until next time, ciao!
