Tweet
Phillips: Rolled back the years
Game of the weekend
Burnley 2 West Ham 1 This was a cracking match full of drama. The game burst into life after just 14 minutes when debutant Daniel Fox
launched forward a long ball that allowed David Nugent to dart in behind the Hammers' defence and clip over goalkeeper Robert Green. West Ham's new signing Benni McCarthy then looked poised to restore parity only for Leon Cort to make a fantastic goal-line clearance. Fox then grabbed further headlines when he curled in an absolute peach of a free-kick. With nine minutes left on the clock, another new boy, Ilan, pulled a goal back for the visitors to set up a tense finale. And West Ham so very nearly came away with a point when January signing Mido saw a stabbed effort come back out off the post. The victory for Burnley marked manager Brian Laws' first in charge of the club. Player of the weekend
Kevin Phillips Oh, come on, just how often is Phillips going to win this award? Indeed, Didier Drogba was world class for Chelsea against Arsenal, but is that not now a prerequisite when he plays against the Gunners? The Ivorian netted a brilliant brace at Stamford Bridge, but he was not the only striker to score two Premier League goals on Sunday. No, Phillips was a man who managed said feat after entering the St Andrews turf in the 67th minute. At the time, Birmingham were trailing their Midlands rivals 1-0. But with just 10 minutes left on the clock, the 36-year-old volleyed in from close range to make it 1-1. And, with five minutes left on the clock, Phillips was again in the right place at the right time as he converted from a Stephen Carr cross.
Goal of the weekend
Daniel Fox If he meant this, which this scribe reckons he did, then this was some goal, and more than worthy of this weekend's prize. First of all though, let us touch upon the runners-up. Hull City midfielder George Boateng fired in a wonderful volley that zipped home, leaving Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given with not a prayer. Also, Mohamed Diame's first goal for Wigan was an absolute peach as he hit a thunderbolt against Sunderland. And finally, Drogba's second versus Arsenal was an example of his devastating power and precision. Onto the winner, Fox, who took up free-kick duty when Burnley won a deadball situation on the right channel. The left-back proceeded to fire in a splendid effort that curled beautifully over everyone and it dropped into far, top corner.
Pass of the weekend
Cesc Fabregas Albeit being on the losing side on Sunday, Arsenal's skipper still managed to shine. The Spanish schemer was at his creative best in the first half when he got his head up before dinking a long ball perfectly at Andrey Arshavin, who then saw his strike at goal saved by Petr Cech.
The pass deserved better. Elsewhere, Manchester United attacker Dimitar Berbatov showed off a real flash of genius when he scooped up a pass over the Portsmouth defence that fell into the feet of Antonio Valencia, who then failed to dispatch the chance. Controversy of the weekend
Kevin Davies
'goal' This incident was arguably the most controversial of the weekend, but there were others - which will also be discussed. Bolton looked to have grabbed a massive three-point haul when Davies headed in a Lee Chung yong free-kick at the death. However, referee Mark Clattenburg ruled out the effort for an alleged push on Brede Hangeland. Elsewhere, with just four minutes remaining at White Hart Lane, Stiliyan Petrov appeared to fell Jermain Defoe in the penalty area, only for the referee to wave away appeals for a spot-kick. Lastly, there were many talking points in the physical affair that was this weekend's Merseyside derby, including Pienaar's crude tackle on Javier Mascherano and the clash involving Marouane Fellaini and the sent off Sotirios Kyrgiakos. Save of the weekend
Brian Jensen This was a brilliant stop by 'the beast'. The Hammers' Scott Parker
pulled the trigger from inside the area and his low strike looked destined to nestle home. But Jensen got down quickly to hang out a big hand and parry the ball around the post. Elsewhere, Villa's Brad Friedel made a fine stop against Tottenham while Petr Cech's save from a Fabregas free-kick was also top-drawer. Miss of the weekend
Dimitar Berbatov Firstly, Bolton's Johan Elmander does not escape criticism for his glaring miss against Fulham - he should have done far better with the chance presented to him by Kevin Davies. Berbatov, though, was guilty of squandering even more of a sitter - and remember, the Bulgarian cost around £30million. After bright work from Antonio Valencia and Gary Neville down the right channel, Berbatov seemingly had to score when he was passed to inside the area and only a few yards from goal. But the attacker somehow managed to divert his strike wide of the post. Poor.
Gaffe of the weekend
Marc Wilson own goal Perhaps this is a tad harsh to brand this a gaffe as such, more an example of 'gaffe' is probably Arsenal's defending. Nonetheless, a humorous (if you are not a Portsmouth fan) own goal usually goes down well. United have been assisted by own goals on several an-occasion this term and after Anthony Vanden Borre had given the Red Devils their second goal, Wilson compounded Pompey's misery with a fifth concession. Patrice Evra crossed from the left and as Wilson stretched in an attempt to clear he managed to flick the ball powerfully past keeper David James, who remained rooted to the spot.