What do Lukas Podolski, Edin Dzeko and Victor Moses have in common? They all came on as subs on Boxing Day. They are attacking players.
While Podolski and Dzeko are class as previously proven, however, Moses will never ever hit the heights needed to make Liverpool stronger.
The Anfield club play some fantastic football but when Victor Moses is your go to man from the bench, all the fantasy football comes to nought.
And my oh my, the Manchester City versus Liverpool game was simply breathless at times. Not the headlong push and tumble kind but pure class in imagination and skills. The best of the season so far?
It was most certainly the best to date. The tempo, passing and movement of both teams certainly was on a different level from the rest of the league, Arsenal included.
The Boring One continues to bore and in typical fashion blames all and sundry.
It is also a relief to see Manchester United playing the "United Way" and not the " Moyes Way". Up and at 'em!
At White Hart Lane, Emmanuel Adebayor could not trap a bag of cement, let alone, play a decent pass to a teammate.
Also, the Roberto "truly false number nine" Soldado conundrum continues, thus continuing the long tradition of fast-fading Spanish strikers in the English game.
The Etihad faithful will be hoping their Spanish striker continues to plunder. The outrageous outside of the foot chipped attempt for Manchester City's winning goal is no slight on Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal. Alvaro Negredo meant it although the execution was slightly awry.
Over at the Boleyn Ground, the Gunners turned up eventually against West Ham United. The gulf in class was never more so apparent and one can expect Big Sam to dish out the excuses.
Surely, more can be done on the training pitch? Or is the best being left on the training pitch? Maybe, some fresh ideas and fresh faces are needed from among the coaching staff?
The Hammers sometimes looked hammered. Not of the intoxicating kind, mind you.
It looked like that there was no stopping Everton. Then up steps the "10% of football's unforeseen circumstances" that decides results. The referee blunders, Tim Howard is off and Sunderland nick all three points. Will this result impact on Everton's great form and football? Not!
Is this the result that will be the catalyst for Sunderland to rescue their season? Not!
The weekend will prove pivotal for the Black Cats, however, as they visit Cardiff City. Another three points on the road can and will propel Sunderland to have some hope in the battle to avoid relegation. The Bluebirds, meanwhile, simply cannot afford to lose at home again. Period.
The place to be will be in the city of Birmingham as the Villans and Paul Lambert run the gauntlet.
There is no place to hide anymore as the team and their manager face the wrath of the fans. A couple of wise old heads in the team could be a big help. Or is it too late now? Three points and the manager gets January to bring in much needed experience and guidance.
It seems too easy a pun, but here goes, will Manchester City shatter the Crystal Palace? Logic says so but Tony Pulis will not go down without a fight. The right attitude, as has been displayed by Manchester City, will ultimately prove to be the winner.
Up in the north east, the Magpies fly high and as was always said by yours truly, teamwork is the way forward and the Newcastle United bunch certainly have sacrificed personal egos for team ethics. But isn't Yohan Cabaye going to PSG in January? See what I mean?
They have other concerns in the meantime as they entertain current league leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
And then it is to Stamford Bridge where Jose "the boring one" Mourinho needs to put on a show of attacking, flair-filled football to match Liverpool. Yes, Chelsea need to make a footballing statement. And will Luis Suarez forgive Branislav Ivanovic for offering him a bite?
Phew, am breathless already! – December 28, 2013.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.
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