10 Things We Learned in the Premier League: You Stay Classy Ashley Cole

By: Daryl | December 17th, 2007

You stay classy Ashley Cole It was the weekend of Super Duper Sunday. Carlos Tevez scored again, Rafa Benitez made more excuses, William Gallas got his revenge and Ashley Cole lost his cool. At the other end Fulham continued the long slide to oblivion while Steve Bruce showed signs that he may actually be a decent manager.

Here are 10 Things We Learned in the Premier League…

1. A hat-trick doesn’t guarantee a win
Poor Roque Santa Cruz scored three great goals for Blackburn (especially his first) but his Blackburn teammates didn’t offer much support as they went down 5-3 to Steve Bruce’s Wigan, who claimed their first win in 13 games.

2. It’s not all about the big four
The less glamorous Premier League encounters are often the most entertaining. Total goals in Man City vs Bolton + Wigan vs Blackburn = 14. Total goals in Liverpool vs Manchester United + Arsenal vs Chelsea = 2.

3. Arsenal fans are committed booers
We knew they were going to boo Ashley Cole, but we didn’t know it would be so relentless. Cashley didn’t have a bad game under pressure, but lost his cool at the end with a girly swipe at Cesc Fabregas and a hand gesture to the crowd (see above) that could get Mr. Tweedy in trouble.

4. Swapping Ashley Cole + cash for William Gallas now looks like a bargain
The Frenchman scored the winner against his old team and now captains the league leaders. Still needs a proper haircut though.

5. Someone should part Mark Clattenburg from his whistle
The ref who recently handed Liverpool the Merseyside derby (by allowing Steven Gerrard to make his decisions for him) and angered Sir Alex Ferguson enough to get the Knight of the Realm a touchline ban was at it again this weekend, sending off Brett Emerton for basically walking into a Wigan player.

6. Eastlands is a tough place to visit
Sven’s Man City have played nine games at home so far, and won all nine. Even Darius Vassell scored there this weekend.

7. Rafa Benitez talks a good game
After goal from Carlitos and another win for Man Utd. It looked like Rafa’s gaffer status at Liverpool could be under threat, but Benitez, Rick Parry and Liverpool’s American money men all emerged from three hour discussions with nothing but good things to say about each other.

8. Craig Gardner doesn’t care for the elderly
Aston Villa’s young midfielder damn near put his foot straight through the middle of Sunderland old-timer Dwight Yorke on Saturday and can consider himself lucky to only get a yellow.

9. Elliot Omozusi will never forget his 19th birthday
With a duller than dull game looking destined for the goalless draw duldrums, Fulham’s Elliot Omozusi celebrated his 19th birthday by making a clumsyish challenge on Newcastle’s Alan Smith in the box. Joey Barton put away the penalty in injury team and Lawrie Sanchez finds himself in the bottom three.

10. Jens Lehmann can be quiet now
Manuel Almunia made several fine saves to keep Arsenal’s clean sheet against Chelsea, meaning Lehmann can look forward to some Carling Cup action or possibly a January move. Either way, no one wants to hear him complain anymore.