Gameweek 23 provides us with a really super Sunday. We have the Second City, Tyne-Wear and Merseyside derbies to look forward to and if that’s not enough there is Man Utd’s visit to Tottenham to cap it all off. A day of goals, drama, high emotion and controversy is on the cards.

Aston Villa’s short trip to St Andrews looks to be a close encounter, and it could be at the back where the points are to be had. Ben Foster(5.2) is having an impressive season which has seen him notch 89 points so far. Birmingham’s uncompromising Liam Ridgewell(5.8) could be worth a run out. It’s a game that could be decided by a set play and Ridgewell will be right in the mix. Villa find themselves well and truly in the relegation battle and will be willing skipper Stylian Petrov(5.1) to recapture his inspirational form. Gerrard Houllier’s men need a boost fast, and their fit again Captain could be the man to provide it.

The only thing on Steve Bruce’s mind will be revenge come Sunday. Sunderland’s mauling at the hands of their rivals is still fresh in the memory. Phil Bardsley(4.7) will be hoping that goals are like buses after scoring his first goal for the club last gameweek and Mackem’s Goal-machine Darren Bent(8.6) must fancy his chances of getting on the scoresheet. In the absence of Andy Carroll the Magpies main threat will come from the engine room, in the form of Kevin Nolan(6.1) and Football’s Mr Popular Joey Barton(4.7), love him or hate him at 4.7 million with 76 points Barton is value for money.

King Kenny is back on the throne at Anfield. He is two matches into his reign and it is clear he has a job on his hands. Confidence is the main issue, if Fernando Torres(11.9) start’s banging the goals in on a regular basis, confidence will begin to spread throughout the side. Rivals Everton just can’t seem to decide what sort of season they are going to have and they must now cope without Asian Cup bound Tim Cahill. Extra pressure in Cahill’s absence falls upon string-puller Mikel Arteta(8.0). If you’re feeling brave then why not throw Luis Saha(7.6) into the mix, he may have porcelain hamstrings but he’s scored two goals in his last two games and who knows he might be on the start of a goal-scoring run.

If Tottenham are to be considered genuine title challengers then Sunday’s game is must win for them. Stand up Rafael Van Der Vaart(8.8), Gareth Bale(7.4) and Luka Modric(7.2), whoever can control the midfield in this one should come out with all three points. Dimitar Berbatov(9.4) will be desperate to spoil the party for the club he sulked his way out of and Nani(9.5) will also pose a threat to a side which tend to try and outscore their opponents. The clash at White Hart Lane has all the ingredients of a classic in the making.

And finally, if you feel the need to freshen up your attack, Robbie Keane is on the brink of signing for Birmingham City. Keane’s lack of action has seen his price drop to a very tempting 4.8 million.

That’s your lot this week. If you feel like joining in the fun then join the EPL League by visiting: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ the code you need to join is 13413-5300

Just as the Premier League begins to stretch it’s legs into a stride, the ill-timed, oft-hated and much maligned international break emerges like some disease spread upon the world footballing community. I don’t necessarily dislike the break as some do, but do I look forward to it’s oddly timed, momentum sucking arrival as club football bows to the international slop? No.

This summer taught me that international football is far from what it used to be (dead? does anyone really care anymore?). Gone are the days of commitment in attack, a stage big enough to display the brightest stars or even a reason to get excited about your country or adopted footballing nation. Here to stay: caution, defensive tactics, caution, glitzy commercials, hype, controversy, the Gods of football dead as a Ghanaian team carrying the hopes of a continent slashed at the end by some trickery and treachery, and enough cautious tactics to make one pluck out their eye in protest.

Did I mention caution?

As an England fan, I somehow convince myself to stay optimistic. Surely the Three Lions won’t muck Euro 2012 qualification up the way they did for the tournament in 2008. No, qualification isn’t what bothers me this time. Capello will likely get enough out of the boys for the ticket to be punched for 2012.

A few glaring concerns I do have though, one of which is squad selection, the other tactics. The ‘England problem’ won’t likely be solved for the next 15-20 years. So, in the meantime, who will England fans get to see take up the call? I’m not in the class of delusional England fans who think a major tournament is some ‘in arms reach realism’ likely to come before my 40′s. But where I’m drawn in this time, where my interest is acutely peaked is Fabio Capello’s squad selection and tactical formation.

Will his 4-4-2 ever give way to the new continental brand of 4-2-3-1 where the English aren’t outnumbered in midfield?

As the golden generation of English football slowly creaks and cracks into international retirement, the buoyant optimism of young, fresh faces emerging through the England ranks invigorate this England supporter enough to lend a watchful eye to their unassuming potential.

Are the old guard good enough players to get England to Euro 2012? Likely yes. Are they good enough to win it? Likely no. So out of interest and maybe just a little bit of fun, can we have a glimpse of what the younger English talent look like in meaningful matches? The optimist says we already have and Capello himself seems to say yes.

Whether by choice or lack of other viable options due to injury, Capello has included the likes of Adam Johnson, Theo Walcott, James Milner, Joe Hart, Kieran Gibbs, Ashley Young and Carlton Cole in his most recent installment of the BBC hit drama known as the England team.

Odd though, no Germans, Dutch, Brazilians or Spaniards in the mix to represent mother England in this new world of global football. Wait-, should we even go there? You knew it was coming.

Mikel Arteta, the handsome, enigmatic midfielder from Merseyside, yet to speak (in English or Spanish) concerning his international involvement in this international incident continues to pull the strings for under-acheiving Everton as the club languish towards the basement of the Premier League.

Is this Mr. Arteta good enough for England? He certainly looks the part, but what does his potential inclusion to the England squad say about the state of current England players? One part of me says little, the other half screams a lot.

First off, England have a player named Paul Scholes who is all things Mikel Arteta but better, yet refuses to take part in the play. Secondly, is Mikel Arteta really better than Frank Lampard, the man he’d likely be replacing? No. It’s really not even worth pointing out stats, goals scored, etc. over the past few years, Lampard wins all of them in a landslide. Not to mention the Champions League and international experience Lampard has tucked neatly under his belt while Arteta has played a small handful of UEFA Cup matches and obviously, or we wouldn’t be discussing this matter, appeared no where near the Spanish national team in recent years. Does some covert proof exist that Mikel Arteta is the answer for England?

So what of the debate that Lampard and Co rarely perform well on the international stage? A solid and well taken point that is backed up by years of proof, so where do we turn, what to do? Does a tournament finally approach wherein England aren’t expected to win it in a glorious fashion thus allowing football to return home? What will be the expectations this time around? Will a new look, fresh smelling England squad be enough to hold back the rabid haters and tabloid clowns?

An American telling the English to play a Spaniard in place of an Englishman dare not be uttered. Regardless of your stance on the debate or deaf to what Capello or Arteta themselves eventually say on the matter, my recommendation, until I’ve made up my mind, is to look at home first for what you’ve lost along the way, to nurture, and to somehow get into the mentality of the now tainted mind of the English footballer. The idea of my brain being able to work out whether or not a Spanish midfielder should pull the strings in the England set up is an idea too intricate, too complex to want to fathom. Where do we go once that can of worms have spilled upon our plates? 

Until this seemingly impossible feat is achieved, that of calming the intellects of the England internationals, England fans can expect more of the same from an England team that so miserably underwhelmed this summer at the World Cup. At least this time around, we’ll have a new batch of untested internationals to blame.

• Champions find a comfortable spot while potential Champions book Wembley
• Goodbye Landon (maybe)

There were four Premier League matches this weekend with one Monday night and another two set for Tuesday. Damn FA Cup always causing problems! I’ll apologize in advance for any supporters of Portsmouth, Birmingham City or Sunderland, those matches take place on Tuesday (with Bolton thrown in the Tuesday mix who were involved in a win at West Ham on Saturday) and subsequently won’t be viewed for this column. Better luck next time chaps.

Manchester United reached the Premier League summit with a grind it out performance at Wolves while potential party crashers Chelsea hold a game in hand while they booked a Cup semi appearance at Wembley. Arsenal (or BPG’s) continued their pursuit of some form of silverware, they’ll take anything at this point, with Theo Walcott looking like he just might reach that form we’ve seen in the past, and Everton push on with their fantastic home form (6 or so in a row anyone?).

The race for L4 actually cooled off this weekend because of the aforementioned FA Cup ties, while an out of sorts Liverpool were lackluster away to a brave Wigan (it was the Latics first ever victory against Liverpool, 1-0). Liverpool simply gifted possession to Wigan too much throughout the night, showed little invention and were even petulant at times with their behavior warranting some 5 yellow cards. Not good enough for me, and Liverpool seem to be running out of time to get things sorted in their pursuit of L4. “They can go to hell“, a Liverpool supporting friend of mine said over text. Maybe a little harsh, but fans patience starting to wear thin.

For the three of you still reading, I salute you.

Honorable Mention -

Paul Scholes, Manchester United – Can’t tackle, but he can score goals, really good goals and vitally important goals. In his side’s rather ugly 1-0 win at Wolves Saturday, Scholes led the team with the winner when United sorely missed Ryan Giggs’ creativity & class, and Wayne Rooney’s current brilliance at all things life related.

It was a goal that many would have rushed and sent screeching into row Zed. Not Scholes, perfection takes time, it takes a slight touch, it takes three bloody touches for that matter, it takes a turn, and picks it’s spot. “No rush, I’ve been here before“, Scholes whispers to himself before smashing United to top of the league. Clinical.

Premier League Footballer of the Week -

Mikel Arteta, Everton- It should have been 7 or 8 to Hull’s 1. Everton were by far the better side and Arteta was simply everywhere for the Toffees scoring 2 and directly causing an OG. You’ve heard it before, but it says something about the country of Spain and it’s ability to produce technically talented footballers when Arteta can’t even get a sniff in the Spanish National team.

Arteta’s first goal originated from a Yakubu long ball which saw Arteta catch the ball at the far post and flick-volley it down into the Hull goal. Arteta’s second, the finer of the two, was the finishing piece to a fantastic Everton move where Steven Pienaar found a streaking Arteta galloping into the box with a well timed back flick. Arteta slammed the well placed ball home in full stride and put the game of out Hull’s reach.

Arteta’s ultimately a great passer with a precise ability to spread the play in midfield in the mold of fellow countrymen Xabi Alonso and Xavi Hernandez. Arteta was also credited for an assist as he forced Hull City’s Richard Garcia to head into his own net when neither Garcia himself or keeper Boaz Myhill could deal with the floating ball. It was nice to see Arteta back to his best after struggling with injury for some time.

Everton won emphatically in what could have been Landon Donovan’s last game for the Toffees (the current loan spell is ending although MLS and the Players Union continue to fuss over the Collective Bargaining Agreement). I think it’s safe to say he’s enjoyed his time in England and this loan stint, unlike others, has been a success. Well done LD.

Jack Rodwell is one for the future for sure, if Everton can start a season at full strength, next year we’ll be looking at Moyes’ men battling in Europe while chasing a top four spot. Take a second to vote in the poll or leave a comment if you saw something we missed.

When Tim Duncan was a senior at Wake Forest University, his teammates often utilized a very basic strategy: 1.) get the ball to Duncan, and 2.) watch him play. A 7-footer can only do so much on a basketball court, however, and the lack of real help from Duncan’s teammates allowed opponents to double- and triple-team Duncan, decreasing his effectiveness. This kept Wake Forest from ever making the Final Four with the best player in that school’s history.

The moment Mikel Arteta stepped onto the Anfield pitch today, the exact same fate befell Everton.

In the 41st minute, Arteta replaced an injured Marouane Fellaini, who had to leave the match after a two-footed challenge from Liverpool defender Sotirios Kyrgiakos, who was sent off. Every time Arteta got the ball in midfield, however, the Toffees seemed content to sit back and watch him to try and create something. That creativity, even more so in football than in basketball, requires more than one player. Arteta’s play became severely limited by the lack movement from his teammates. As a result, Everton showed shockingly little scoring threat, despite having a man advantage for more than a half.

Of course, that’s only part of the reason that Liverpool secured a crucial 1-0 victory in this Merseyside Derby.

The Reds’ physical play set the tone for the first half, and Everton’s equally physical response seemed to take them out of their usual game. Steven Pienaar’s yellow card in the 30th minute took the spark out of his game and made him a non-factor.

Defensively, 10-man Liverpool did well to limit Everton’s movement as much as than Everton themselves did. For example, the Reds showed a great deal of respect for Landon Donovan’s pace. Every time the American got the ball on the wing, two defenders stepped up to meet him, leaving him with no option but to kick the ball back to Phil Neville. Donovan looked better against Liverpool today than he did in a Bayer Leverkusen jersey five years ago, but Liverpool’s defense did very well to limit his play.

In addition, the Reds knew going into the 2nd half that their best chance for scoring would be from set plays, and they did well to win them. Sure enough, an inswinging corner kick from Steven Gerrard found Dirk Kuyt, who held Tim Howard off well and headed it in for the game’s only goal. Howard should have done better on that play.

That was true for everyone in blue today, though. Everton played as if they didn’t even realize they had a man advantage, and with so little movement and creativity, they squandered a golden opportunity to win their first game in Anfield in the 21st century. Liverpool, meanwhile, moved back into 4th place for the moment, and once again, we’re left to wonder if this is the game that will inspire Liverpool to separate itself from the pack and reclaim its Champions League status.

Well the next two days will be most interesting viewing. The time has come and gone for words, the threats and promises manager and player alike have made now have to turn into results. That doesn’t mean we can’t look at what is being said ahead of the Champions League to come.

The big war of words is a return bout between Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho. Mourinho is quick to remind everyone of 2004, quicker to say he’ll do it again. In a return to the Mourinho everyone in England remembered so fondly, Jose claims he does not fear United. In fact, Mourinho is gloating that he should get all the credit for turning Manchester United into what they are now.

Sir Alex has been a bit restrained in his comeback, going out of his way to goad Mourinho into a bit of comfort…saying Jose is one of the best. I can understand that, as he’s more worried about who will be in defense as he sweats the fitness of John O’Shea and Jonny Evans, knowing Rafael Da Silva didn’t make the trip and Vidic is suspended.

Jose and Fergie have different ideas on how this tie will go. Jose thinks nothing will be decided in Milan, Fergie thinks there is plenty on the line at the San Siro. James Lawton of the Independent feels that Sir Alex will win the war, despite Jose’s best attempts at winning the battle. Tomorrow night, we’ll find out.

The other Premier League club in action tomorrow is Arsenal as they host Roma. Wenger isn’t in too much of a good mood about the fact Andrei Arshavin is not eligible to play. I understand his beef, but hell rules are rules. But instead of dwelling on it too much, Wenger is just happy to be back playing Champions League football, football he says is more positive in its approach. Does Wenger not realize it’s Roma he’s playing tomorrow? I guess when Wenger’s spent some time dealing with Ferguson’s latest remarks about his side, maybe not.

John Arne Riise is looking forward to facing Arsenal, but Francesco Totti and Cicinho are facing late fitness tests. With those two out, Roma could be in serious trouble.

Other News
Mikel Arteta’s season is over. Not what Everton need as they push for a European place for next season. No word yet on how long Victor Anichebe will be out.

Petr Cech continues the campaign that there has been no unrest in the Chelsea dressing room. I wonder if David Blaine’s magic has fixed all of Chelsea’s problem.

Wilfred Bouma is getting closer to making a return with Aston Villa. It looks like his first game will be a reserve match against Chelsea on March 2.

The last thing Middlesbrough needs is an injury to a key player. Well Didier Digard will be out of action for the next twelve weeks thanks partial rupture of his quad. Ouch!

And finally, bookies forgot to take Weymouth’s fixture against Rushden & Diamonds off the board after the first team walked out. The result, they had to pay out over a million quid.

You would think Rafa Benitez would have already learned his lesson. Instead Rafa is left to choke on more words, and a title dream lost.

Before Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City, Rafa reacted to Arsene Wenger’s comments that Manchester United were untouchable. “I can only talk of my team but I don’t think they are untouchable. In football now every game is tough so anything can happen. We have reduced the gap very well and want to reduce it more. It will be difficult but if we’re in the same position going to Old Trafford maybe that could be important”, came the words of Rafa Benitez. Now the gap is seven and even winning at Old Trafford guarantees nothing for Rafa.

Why Rafa took the bait on what was such an innocent comment from Wenger defies belief. Instead of focusing on what Rafa was going to do without Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres in the lineup to get three points at home against a Manchester City side that had not done much away from Eastlands this year, or even worrying about signing a new contract, Rafa decides that his vendetta against Sir Alex Ferguson is just that more important.

With Real Madrid hitting a bit of form, Liverpool have a bigger fight on their hands in the round of sixteen of the Champions League than even I expected a month ago. Should Liverpool not advance out of the Champions League, will their season truly be over with before March tenth?

Rafa may have finally admitted that the title race has slipped away from Liverpool, but it’s too late for that. He may have seen these tricks work when he managed at Valencia, but Rafa can’t fool the man who let’s the football do the talking first…then the man.

One person I never expected to come out with an almighty rant would be Tony Mowbray. The manager who’s side has been rooted at the bottom for a good portion of this season decides that before West Brom’s visit to Fulham to take a swipe at, of all things, Match of the Day. Not the show itself, just those ‘sofa pundits’ on it.

“I’ve got the world telling me I’m doing this wrong and that wrong, and playing the wrong formation. But I will stay single-minded and focused on what I believe in.

‘If the experts sitting on the sofas were good enough, they would all be doing this job themselves. Even when you get teams winning 10 games on the bounce, there are still people telling you that you are not doing something right.”

Mowbray’s West Brom then proceeded to see Fulham tear them apart in a match where 2-0 was too kind a scoreline. When that happens, those sofa pundits look like absolute geniuses. In the Championship, you can get away with single-minded tactics and thinking. In the Premier League, single-minded tactics and thinking see you relegated and begging for your job.

While I’m on the subject Mowbray, shouldn’t you be taking a little responsibility for how pathetic your teams have played? Shouldn’t you be putting the pressure on the players in private to up their standard instead of lashing out on pundits who are paid to do so (and seemingly doing a better job at pointing fingers than you are)?

There are winnable games in West Brom’s future, and now it’s the time for Tony Mowbray to show that he can adapt and be flexible. Single-minded football has been a losing proposition for West Brom so far, and sitting at the bottom of the table is not the time to be stubborn with what brought you up in the first place.

Other Stories
While not a Premier League story, credit has to go Joe Prodomo for keeping Weymouth from losing by 10 or more goals.

So Bolton Wanderers are denying rumors that Gary Megson will be sacked at the end of the season and replaced by Owen Coyle, Burnley manager. Okay I was alright up until the name Owen Coyle appeared. So Bolton want to replace a guy who currently is guiding Bolton into a mid-table finish with a guy who, while has Burnley in the playoff fight, has been proven nothing more than a cup specialist. Good going there Bolton management.

The last thing Everton needed was to see Mikel Arteta injured on Sunday.

Claudio Ranieri admitted that he fell asleep while watching Chelsea play Aston Villa ahead of Juve’s Champions League clash.

And Richard Scudamore has rejected the idea of a salary cap in the Premier League. All together now…WHAT A SHOCK!

After accepting a sordid envelope with £20m for “Lass” Diarra, Portsmouth rejected shrewd dealer Harry Redknapp’s £30m overture for Jermain Defoe, Glen Johnson and Peter Crouch.  Pompey then lessened Defoe’s value markedly, by announcing they would sell him for a fair price.

“It looks like Jermain wants to go,” Portsmouth executive chairman Peter Storrie said.  “If Jermain goes it will be at our price and if there is an offer which appeals.”

Spurs remain favorites to sign the striker.

West Ham, contrary to previous statements, confirmed the club’s inevitable fire sale this winter.  Icelandic chairman Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson was severely crunched by the collapse of an Icelandic bank.  Manager Gianfranco Zola will “not be compelled” to sell anyone, but the club will listen to any offer for any player, probably ones he’d want to keep such as Craig Bellamy and Matthew Upson.

Arsenal may flout tradition by making a £12m bid for ready-made Everton man Mikel Arteta.  The Spanish midfielder would be Arsenal’s ideal signing.  He’s an experienced 26, plying his trade in the Premier League the past few seasons.  Arteta can provide a credible Fabregas facsimile in the middle for the next few months.  He can also fill in on the wings when Fabregas returns.

Arteta would be a perfect fit for Arsenal, so expect Arsene to balk at an extra £2m for him and sign a 19-year-old raw French African.

The Gunners may also sell defender Kolo Toure in January, after he handed in a subsequently rejected transfer request.  The defender, not surprisingly, has struggled to regain fitness after a bout of malaria in the summer.  He and William Gallas also hate each other, though why you would choose Toure over Gallas is unclear.  Out of the squad for much of the season, Toure’s potential £10m fee from Manchester City could give Arsenal funds to strengthen the midfield.

Manchester City have a £60m transfer budget for six players to help them avoid relegation.  Hughes has made a £10m offer to Chelsea for left-back Wayne Bridge.  They may bid over £20m for Craig Bellamy and Scott Parker from West Ham and throw in £17m to Blackburn for Roque Santa Cruz, just for shits and giggles.

Finally, Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant may join Hull City after rejecting an overture from Real Madrid, in what would undoubtedly the first time that statement could be made.  The Tigers would like Pennant “at the right price,” but will face off with Wigan, who view Pennant as a replacement for Luis Antonio Valencia, possibly on his way to Real Madrid.

Berbatov pads stats

Against weaker opponents

Bad news for Reading
West Ham shocked Manchester United 2-1 at Upton Park.  It was West Ham’s third consecutive victory over United in the League.  The result was a bit unfair to Man U, who controlled much of the match.  They had a chance to seal the victory foiled when Ronaldo shanked his penalty (One suspects we won’t be seeing him wink or kiss the ball anytime soon).  The last two goals were from set pieces, which were simply poor marking and poor concentration.  Man U have no one to blame but themselves.

Brace yourselves for the thundering sound of the more corpulent members of the English Press hurling themselves off the bandwagon.

Everton dishearteningly lost to Arsenal 4-1 at home.  The Toffees looked set to take this one, bringing a 1-0 lead to the half-way point.  They dictated the play and possession, the crowd was up for it and the rain was pooring down.  Arsenal looked dead and dusted.

However, Everton flat-lined in the second-half, allowing Arsenal to climb back into it, after two spectacular finishes from Eduardo.  Adebayor and Rosicky came on late to poor salt on their wounds, and Arsenal escaped with a victory to vault them back on top of the table.

Eduardo thrived when finally given a league start, and, hopefully, Wenger will wisen up and give him a decent run of games to find his form.  He may just be the mythical fox in the box for which Gooners have been pining.

Nicklas Bendtner, however, had a horrendous outing in his first league start.  The normally precocious youth was hesitant and a step off the pace for the entire match.  He punctuated his piss poor performance by getting sent off for a second booking just as Wenger attempted to substitute him.

The rivalry between the Spanish Internationals also injected a bit of spice to the match, with Arteta being sent off for elbowing Fabregas in the face.  Cesc may have made the most of it, but it was an easy call and a stupid move by Arteta.  He now faces a three match ban and, as Everton’s best player, his absence could very well cost Everton a chance to compete for the Champions ‘ League places.

Chelsea weasled a home win against Newcastle 2-1.  Big Sam’s Boys deserved at least a draw from this match, as they dominated much of the second half.  They were burned on Kalou’s entirely offside goal.  You could have driven a truck between Kalou and the last defender.  Allardyce will be vindicated on The Right Result but that won’t help him stave off uber-qualified Angel of the North from taking his job.

Grant’s substitutions would undoubtedly have earned more scrutiny, if Chelsea had not been fortunate and come away with a victory.  Why remove arguably your best attacking player on the field in Joe Cole, particularly with an unfit Michael Ballack huffing and puffing but not blowing any houses down in midfield?  Let alone for Pizarro, who is completely worthless.

Also the announcer described Ballack as being an expert at timing late runs.  He’s not timing late runs it just takes him that long to finally get forward.  He doesn’t get forward.  He doesn’t get back in defend.  He can’t tackle.  He doesn’t pass real well.  What exactly does he do?  And why the captain’s armband over Essien?

Tottenham beat out Reading in a prolific 6-4 encounater at White Hart Lane.  Spurs play sub-par opposition and, surprise, Dimitar Berbatov pops up like a randy groundhog to score four before scurrying back underground in preparation for a top half of the table side.

It seems like these type of games always involve Reading on the losing end, which is not exactly a good thing.  Reading’s defense is shit, and it is an area Steve Coppel needs to shore up, to assure Reading staying in the Premier League.

Juande Ramos should quit football and start his own diet business.