The winners and losers from the weekend's Premier League action

Ger McCarthy

FRANK LAMPARD took his recent frustrations out on an abject Bolton, Roberto Mancini raised two fists in the direction of Carlos Tevez’s last known whereabouts and Andy Carroll raised a pint glass at his detractors on a weekend of redemption in the Barclays Premier League.


WINNERS
Frank Lampard
WHAT a difference a week makes. Seven days ago Frank Lampard was an unused and clearly unhappy substitute in Chelsea’s 4-1 win at home to Swansea. A midweek goal in the Champions League draw with Valencia followed by a hat-trick in Sunday’s 5-1 demolition of Bolton and Lampard is once again the media darling of Stamford Bridge. Andre Villas-Boas stated after the game that although he has never doubted the 33-year-old’s ability the England international must accept he cannot start every game during the Portuguese manager’s tenure. Lampard’s reaction to this decision should make for compelling viewing in the months ahead.


Roberto Mancini
THE Italian drew a line under the Carlos Tevez affair engulfing his club since Wednesday night with a comprehensive 4-0 drubbing of Blackburn at Ewood Park. Even Mancini’s brooding protégé Mario Balotelli scored and managed a smile to end a difficult week on a positive note. Mancini’s decision to leave Edin Dzeko on the bench reminded the other millionaire egos in City’s squad that his word is final. As long as City keep pace with United, Mancini will enjoy the backing of his mega-rich club owners.

Andy Carroll
THE £35m signing has come in for plenty of criticism for his off field antics since arriving at Anfield in the summer. The Geordie giant paid back some of his transfer fee with a clinical finish and robust display in the 2-0 Merseyside derby win. If Carroll turns into the world-class striker Kenny Dalglish believes he can become then Liverpool will finally have a forward pairing capable of firing the reds back into Champions League.

 
Fulham
Fulham were the only Premier League club without a victory until Sunday’s 6-0 drubbing of QPR at Craven Cottage. Rumours of player unrest with Martin Jol’s tactics were quickly dispelled with a terrific team display to see off their London rivals. Fulham’s inability to turn four previous draws into victories hampered the Cottagers campaign but Sunday’s win and upcoming games against Wigan and Stoke should see Jol’s side move up the standings.

 

Paul Lambert
DESPITE the expected 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday afternoon Norwich City proved for long stretches that the Carrow Road club belongs in the Premier League. Paul Lambert has produced a side that plays attractive, attacking football without having to resort to big money transfers during the close season. The Canaries are capable of a mid-table finish and can become and established top-flight club as long as Lambert remains at the helm.


LOSERS
Martin Atkinson
QUITE how the match official for Saturday’s Merseyside derby decided Jack Rodwell’s challenge on Luis Suarez was a red card offence is anyone’s guess. The referee was standing five feet away from the Everton midfielder’s sliding tackle in which Rodwell initially connected with the ball before catching Luis Suarez with his trailing leg. David Moyes was quick to voice his displeasure at the decision to appoint Atkinson to such an important fixture having been charged by the FA following a run-in with the same referee following Everton’s 3-3 draw with Man United back in September.

Mark Halsey and assistant
WOLVES manager Mick McCarthy had every right to feel aggrieved at the match officials following his side’s 2-1 loss at home to Newcastle. Halsey failed to award the home side a penalty when Jamie O’Hara was fouled inside the box and then his assistant (wearing a cap) ruled out an injury-time equaliser adjudging the ball had crossed the end line.

Bolton Wanderers
SUNDAY’S 5-1 humiliation at home to Chelsea marked the worst league start in 109 years for an abject Bolton Wanders. Owen Coyle could only look on in horror from the sideline as reserve goalkeeper Adam Bogdan’s handling errors gifted Chelsea two simple goals. Chairman Phil Gartside cut a worried looking figure in the Directors Box with the Bolton fans quick to voice their displeasure at another timid performance. The only caveat for Gartside and Coyle is an upcoming fixture-list of ‘winnable’ games against Wigan, Sunderland, Swansea and Stoke. Results from these four games could decide Coyle’s fate.

Follow Ger on Twitter: @offcentrecircle

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/6fBaMCtPUWA/post.aspx

Florida Conservation Pakistan cricket betting scandal Egypt Botswana Sir Michael Lyons