Mid-Week Premiership

This week we were treated to a mid-week schedule of Barclay's Premier League action full it's usual good, bad and ugly sides to the beautiful game. Only two games took place Tuesday while the rest had a day extra to concentrate on their opponents. In most cases the games took a while to warm up in the cold November weather and the first game between Tottenham and Sunderland was no exception. With no goals in the first half, the deadlock was broken by Rafael Van Der Vaart after 64 minutes. However Tottenham's lead lasted only three minutes when Sunderland's record signing Asamoah Gyan struck goal again.

The other Tuesday fixture was at the Britannia stadium where Stoke hosted Birmingham. The only goal in the first half came in the minute before half-time via Robert Huth for Stoke. Ricardo Fuller then doubled Stoke's lead after 71 minutes before substitute Keith Fahey pulled one back for Birmingham. Birmingham were level after 76 minutes when Cameron Jerome equalised but Stoke weren't to be denied three points as Liam Lawrence won the game five minutes from time.

After beating Arsenal at the week-end, Newcastle then went onto lose to Blackburn at St. James' Park. Morten Gamst Pedersen scored his second goal in as many games to put Blackburn ahead after just three minutes. Destined for an England call-up, Andy Carroll scored yet again for Newcastle to equalise two minutes after half-time. Jason Roberts won the game for Blackburn eight minutes from time but the main talking point overall was Joey Barton. Behind the referee's back he punched Pedersen in the abdomen but escaped without punishment. However the FA rightly looked into it and given him a minimum three match ban.

Liverpool looked to carry on their momentum from their win over Chelsea when Torres scored again after seven minutes to give them the lead away to Wigan. However they couldn't hold on to it and Hugo Rodallega earned Wigan a point seven minutes into the second half.

Michael Essien had an eventful game for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Fulham were the visitors yesterday and lost the game to a solitary Essien goal after half an hour. But Essien was sent off in second half injury time after a terrible two footed lunge. Arsenal didn't lose any more ground to Chelsea as they also managed to win away to Wolves. Chamakh scored the quickest goal of the season after just thirty seconds before winning the game for Arsenal in second half injury time.

Everton and Bolton was another game with a dull first half but all the action took place in the second half. Ivan Klasnic opened the scoring for Bolton with eleven minutes to play, it got worse for Everton when Fellaini was shown a straight red card four minutes from time. However the ten-men battled back and got an injury time equaliser courtesy of Jermaine Beckford.

The game of the night failed to live up to expectation at The City of Manchester Stadium. It was supposed the biggest derby for a long time in terms of league positions, but neither team played positively enough to threaten as United managed to keep their unbeaten streak with this 0-0 bore draw.

Two penalties were awarded in the game between West Ham and West Brom at Upton Park. The first of which was given to West Brom which Peter Odemwingie converted after 38 minutes. Scott Parker equalised for the Hammers with a screamer two minutes from half time. West Ham were then awarded a penalty five minutes into the second half which was also converted, this time from Frederic Piquionne. West Brom managed to earn a point when Pablo Ibanez equalised after 71 minutes.

The final game took place at Villa Park as Villa hosted Blackpool. Ian Holloway was under threat after making ten changes to his side from the weekend, he did nearly manage to silence the critics before losing in the final minute of normal time and now threatens to quit if the FA charge him. Villa took the lead two minutes before the half hour with a goal from Stewart Downing however it was cancelled out just before half time by former Villa striker Marlon Harewood. Villa then re-took the lead on the hour mark thanks to Nathan Delfouneso but it was again cancelled out, this time via a deflected DJ Campbell goal three minutes from time. Blackpool thought they had earned a point until James Collins got that last minute winner for Houllier's side.