Hello and welcome back to this Premier League Hot or Not column.
We start with congratulations to Matt Derbyshire on getting a start in the English Premier League. Sadly, it seems he can only score off the bench.
The writer would like to be serious for just a second and call on the referee’s association to drag every referee in the country in this week to watch the “It’s a penalty, made easy” DVD after another shocking weekend of dodgy decisions. The assistants could possibly practice offside.
But now for the fun as all four of England’s largest clubs played on a Saturday for a change.
HOT
Obviously we start this week with Hull City after their first ever win at Arsenal. Hull beat the log leaders 2-1 at the Emirates after going 1-0 down thanks to an own goal from Paul McShane. Oh we do love a true underdog story here on Hot or Not.
“I don’t know why the keeper’s diving, just admire it,” Alan Shearer said on Match of the Day when commenting on Giovanni’s fantastic equalizer against Arsenal. Hot or Not weren’t the only ones listening and I can inform you that Manchester City’s Joe Hart watches MOTD. The keeper was left standing by Antonio Valencia’s unstoppable opening goal in Wigan Athletic's 2-1.
Robbie Keane has come in for some fierce criticism since his £20m move to Liverpool but on Saturday he looked great alongside Fernando Torres. Even though it was Torres on the score sheet, he wouldn’t have had his goals without the involvement of a certain Irishman.
They may have been two of the easiest goals he’ll score all season, but Fernando Torres still deserves some credit.
Alan Shearer may have been calling for 'keepers just to stand still but luckily they don’t all listen as closely as Joe Hart. Thomas Sorensen has been in terrific form this season for Stoke City and kept Chelsea at bay for long periods a week after keeping Liverpool out. His close range save from Didier Drogba was the pick of the saves.
There will be no mention of Stewart Downing this week as Middlesbrough didn’t get a penalty. Okay so we’ve mentioned him so we may as well rub it in. Stewart, what you can’t do from 12 yards, Ashley Young can do from 20 odd. He can also cross, shoot, dribble and take a better penalty.
Hot or Not is sure Downing’s England place isn’t under threat though…
If there was an award for cheekiest goal of the week then it would have to go to John Carew for his nifty back heal against Sunderland. Well a mention on Hot or Not is as good as it’s going to get John.
A £30 million court order, their star striker is out as usual (this time Dean Ashton is out until the new year) but West Ham United win again. So what are Newcastle United moaning about?
Three more teams deserve a mention after clocking up impressive wins this week. West Bromwich Albion picked up three vital points on the road at Middlesbrough. Wigan Athletic
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3 months ago
"Joe Hart watches MOTD" LOL!
Also Rob Styles should have been in the hot section for catalysing Man Utd! :P
Nice recap as always!
from 3 months ago
thanks Dev. I wonder how many players watch match of the day?
from 3 months ago
Not many I hope! :P
3 months ago
It doesnt get better than Torres really. He's the finest Liverpool capture in Rafa's reign.
Im not sure what happened with Arsenal- a title contender shouldnt be losing to the likes of Hull and Fulham.. Good article as always, Andrew :)
from 3 months ago
Very true Zahi. Thanks for the comments.
from 3 months ago
Arsenal just underestimated Hull City and Hull City played some excellent football, especially in the midfield! Arsenal never quite got started in the match! Rather it was a dream performance by Hull City and we should just let it that! Thanks to Arsenal, now the real test of tigers in the big league will begin!
And one loss doesn't decide the season mate... I hope not for United's sake :P
3 months ago
Not Hot- Arsenal's 'defending' from set pieces!! Correct me if I'm wrong but out of the 4 goals conceded 3 were from headers
from 3 months ago
Thanks Maire. It's bad enough they lost to Hull I thought :P
from 3 months ago
True enough Andrew although if you put Gallas in the 'not hot' category Shyam would certainly agree with you, he's very angry with the Gunner captain right now.
from 3 months ago
lol Gallas gets enough coverage without me adding to it :P
3 months ago
Another nice recap, Andrew.
Hull is definitely hot and enjoying their view from sixth place in the table. Wow!
from 3 months ago
haha heavy heights:P They have been brilliant so far but how long can they keep it up is the question?
3 months ago
again good article andrew. i'm really liking this series, and i love your headlines. they're always very catchy.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Yoosof. The headlines are the bit I think about most and change them a hundred times lol
3 months ago
"does it show a lack of fight, or simply that Joey Barton and Chris Guthrie were suspended?"
his mother wont be pleased, thats DANNY Guthrie's mother of course, I'm sure Ms Barton is rarely pleased!
Well they say you have to hit rock bottom before you take off so hopefully Joe Kinnear can steer us into midtable until January when hopefully those Nigerians will have that 75 million ready!
It's dark days on Tyneside.
from 3 months ago
All fixed Chris ;)
Thanks for the comments Marc. It's a really sad situation but you might need that £75 million to pull you out of the relegation zone.
3 months ago
as always, great column and article. City was definatly not hot this week.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Thomas. It's always great to hear.
3 months ago
As always Andrew, I look forward to this column every week, Torres did very well, but the derby once again showed how rough the merseyside teams play against each other, 6 yellows and a red... at least Liverpool won, and of course go hull!
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the pick Myles and it's great to have a weekly readership as such :)
Liverpool are still oncourse for a championship challenge and you can't ask for anymore than that.
3 months ago
Amr Zaki and Jermain Defoe were pretty hot, good piece again - Andrew.
3 months ago
Thanks mate...need a few goals to get in to this lie up these days :P
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