Here’s a look back at the good, the bad, and the ugly from week twelve of the Premier League.
Note: Readers can follow Matt @thehackreport
Cheers
1. Micah Richards: Richards continued his season long campaign to be called the best right back in the league.
2. Rio Ferdinand: The veteran defender put in a resurgent performance for United.
3. Glen Johnson: He provided the game winner against Chelsea in a strong return to Stamford Bridge.
4. Maxi Rodriguez: A surprise starter for this fixture, Rodriguez opened the scoring for Liverpool and provided excellent width for the majority of the match.
5. Robin van Persie: There’s not really that much more that can be said about him. Van Persie is simply the best player in the Premier League at the moment.
6. Arsenal: The Gunner’s revival continues.
7. Leighton Baines: The left back provided an outstanding free kick cross that lead to the first goal, and then completed a penalty for Everton’s second.
8. Heidar Helguson: His brace helped put Queens Park Rangers back on the winning track.
9. Shane Long: The West Brom striker was reinserted into the line up and produced a goal and gave Bolton trouble all day with his tempo.
10. Aiyegbeni Yakubu: His goal in the opening minutes gave Blackburn an early lead. He also sent home a penalty late in the match that secured a point for his side.
11. Victor Moses: He supplied impressive speed down the flanks for Wigan.
12. Gareth Bale: The Welsh international was threat the entire match against Aston Villa. The visitors had no answer for his pace and his ability to cross the ball into the box.
13. Emmanuel Adebayor: The Spurs striker came through with two goals and almost had a third in Totten’s victory against Villa.
Jeers
1. Ryan Taylor: Struggled all match against Manchester City and had a pretty obvious hand ball which lead to the first goal.
2. Angel Rangel: His mix up on the ball lead to United’s goal.
3. Scott Sinclair: The Swansea winger had a wide-open opportunity in the first half, but completely whiffed on the shot.
4. John Obi Mikel: Senselessly dispossessed by Charlie Adam, which led to him being subbed at half time.
5. Andre Villas-Boas: His defensive tactics do not seem applicable to the players that are currently on the squad. Will this eventually cost him his job?
6. Per Mertesacker: The Arsenal defender’s lack of awareness lead directly to Norwich’s first goal.
7. Wolverhampton: They built an early lead on the road, but in the end, the final result was similar to many that the Wolves have suffered through this season.
8. Tony Pulis: Stoke continued its disappointing run as their skipper can’t find the right combination of players to turn things around.
9. Fulham/Sunderland: Two of the most goal challenged clubs hooked up in what turned into, not shockingly, a monotonous scoreless affair.
10. David Wheater: Should have been given a penalty after his sloppy defending when he brought down Shane Long in the box.
11. David Dunn: The swiftness of Wigan gave him trouble all match. Dunn’s day ended in the forty-eighth minute after a foolish challenge and he received his second yellow.
12. Andre Mariner: The referee for the Blackburn/Wigan fixture struggled all match. There were controversial cards and penalties handed out and he completely missed the illegal corner that resulted in a goal.
13. Carlos Cuellar: He could not handle Bale and was replaced an hour into the match.
