Premier League Review - November Blues again for Chelsea

The Barclays Premier League always serves up thrills that only a few leagues can dream of. On Saturday, with the international break looming large, managers were keen to build some momentum. Some will welcome the international break with open arms while others will curse it. Six matches were played on Saturday. Here is a review of all the action

ASTON VILLA 2—- 0 CARDIFF CITY

And finally! The Villains have been terrible at Villa Park, winning only ten times in the last 43 matches at their home stadium . However, Cardiff City found themselves in the receiving end of a late salvo from Aston Villa. 450 minutes had elapsed since Villa last scored and we were treated to a wonderful goal when Leandro Bacuna shot past David Marshall. The goal seemed to energise the midlands side who then added a second goal through Libor Kozak.

Owner Vincent Tan’s interference in team matters had left Cardiff manager Malky Mackay very frustrated towards late October. However a win last week over bitter rivals Swansea had been encouraging. Time to go back to the boardroom and face more pressure. What are the odds of Mackay quitting before the Premier League resumes after the break?

Man Of The Match - Leandro Bacuna. He was fouled by Gary Medel but he picked himself up , dusted himself down and curled in a beautiful free kick.

CHELSEA 2—- 2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION

So much for the ‘Special One’ , even he cannot seem to prevent the November spirit that seems to haunt Chelsea. Carlo Ancelotti, Roberto Di Matteo and Andre Villas Boas have all suffered in November and Mourinho , in his second spell, has picked just 1 point out of a possible six. The worst part was perhaps that it could have been worse had it not been for Ramires’ dive in stoppage time that earned Chelsea a penalty. Eden Hazard equalised from the penalty to preserve Mourinho’s unbeaten record at Stamford Bridge but in very few games have Chelsea been as undeserving as this.

First, it seemed too ominous when Samuel Eto’o tapped in to put Chelsea ahead. The striker scored his third goal of the week after his Champions League brace against Schalke. However , Shane Long and Stephane Sessengon shook Stamford Bridge (just like they did to Old Trafford) by putting West Brom ahead. The dive and the penalty followed in stoppage time and Chelsea earned a point . They must be praying that Manchester United beat Arsenal , or else it could be a very long way before they win the title this season.

Man Of The Match - Stephane Sessengon - The tricky forward troubled Chelsea and scored too.

CRYSTAL PALACE 0—- 0 EVERTON

Palace won’t survive if they do this every game , however, this is a start. Talk had been rife about Crystal Palace possibly being the worst ever Premier League side. Bookies were lowering odds on them not getting Derby County’s all time low tally. However , Palace dug in and held repelled an in form Everton to come away with a well earned point. Karisho Dikgacoi and Jerome Thomas could have made it much better had they converted their chances.

Everton, for all the talk about them not being in "negative Moyes mode" anymore, struggled to break Palace down. They came closest when Phil Jagielka, their central defender, headed against the crossbar. As the game wore on, Everton’s winner seemed imminent , but to their credit Palace held on and even created a couple of their own attacks. Everton need to find that extra bit of finesse if they are to mount a serious European challenge.

Man Of The Match - Danny Gabbidon. The former West Ham man handled the threat of Romelu Lukaku very well.

LIVERPOOL 4—- 0 FULHAM

Performances and results like these will make more and more people notice Liverpool as an actual threat. For all their vigour in the second half against Manchester United last week, Fulham were back to sleepwalking mode. Fernando Amorebieta in particular scored an own goal and was then at fault for Martin Skrtel’s goal which doubled Liverpool’s lead. Why Aaron Hughes is being dropped in favour of the Venezuelan , only Martin Jol knows. Luis Suarez then added a couple to join his team mate Daniel Sturridge at the top of the Premier League’s goalscoring charts.

We might have well seen the last of Martin Jol. The likeable Dutchman needs to go as he doesn’t seem to have the mojo that he once had. What Fulham need is a safe pair of hands (like their ex manager Roy Hodgson) who can restore midtable comfort. Liverpool meanwhile could have had six or seven if not for Daniel Sturridge’s desire to get his name on the scoresheet

Man Of The Match - Luis Suarez - the whole Liverpool team as a collective performed well, Glen Johnson marauded down the right. But the mercurial Uruguayan once again stole the show

SOUTHAMPTON 4—- 1 HULL CITY

Well, we need to get used to the sight of seeing Southampton as one of the sides of the top six. Many scoffed when Mauricio Pochettino suggested earlier in the season that they were aiming for a European spot. A third of the season gone and it doesn’t seem funny anymore. Adam Lallana , the Southampton Captain , played like a man possessed ahead of his England game. Roy Hodgson would surely have taken note and the winger might even start for England. Rickie Lambert caused devastation among the Hull back line. Morgan Schneiderlin put the Saints ahead and then Rickie Lambert put them 2-0 up from the spot. The big striker has now netted all 33 of his taken professional penalties. Laser.

And then Lallana put them 3-0 up before the break. Yanick Sagbo scored for Hull ten minutes after the restart . Any hopes of a comeback were smothered by Southampton’s high pressing. And then Steven Davis rounded off a great game by restoring Southampton’s three goal lead. Nice and easy. Nearly one year on and the decision to sack Nigel Adkins doesn’t seem so bad anymore

Man Of The Match - Adam Lallana. What a terrific player . Three Southampton players in the England team, who would have thought!

NORWICH CITY 3—- 1 WEST HAM UNITED

When Ravel Morrison put Sam Allardyce’s striker-less West Ham ahead, it seemed all too familiar a tale for Norwich. Chris Hughton’s side, on the back of a 7 goal hammering from Manchester City were now behind at home to a team struggling for goals. The away fans were singing "You’re getting sacked in the morning" aimed at Hughton. But after the break came Norwich’s moment. Jussi Jaskaleinen , West Ham’s ever trustable goalkeeper conceded a soft penalty to Gary Hooper who picked himself up to convert it.

More set piece woe followed for West Ham when Robert Snodgrass curled in a free kick to put Norwich City ahead. Delirium in Carrow Road and Lerory Fer drove home to ensure the win in stoppage time. Big Sam bemoaned the penalty decision but Norwich’s players probably saved their manager’s job .

Man Of The Match - Gary Hooper. It hasn’t been easy for the striker since his transfer from Celtic but he kept his nerve to equalise from the spot