Things We Learned in the Premier League This Week: 11.04.07

By: Daryl | November 4th, 2007

Arsenal two Man Utd two

Gallas’ late equalizer kept things square at the top of the Premiership, while Chelsea sailed up to third and Liverpool’s title bid slipped a little further despite drawing 0-0 with Blackburn being a decent result. At the other end, Fulham found their scoring touch again, Boro and Bolton managed not to lose while Wigan continued to plummet.

Here’s what we learned from watching the Premiership this week:

The only technology needed in the Premiership is a Darren Cann cloning machine.
Making a mocker of the calls for goalline technology, Cann was decisive and (most importantly) correct to raise his flag when William Gallas’ late effort crossed the line.

Arsenal got the better end of the Ashely Cole transfer
William Gallas plus £5million in exchange for Ashley Cole. At the time it seemed Arsene Wenger had been ripped off, but now with Cole acting all Charlie Big Potatoes off the field and either being inconsistent or picking up some niggling injury on the field, it seems that Arsene really does know. Gael Clichy has replaced Cole at left back, while William Gallas is playing like the central defender Arsenal needed and wearing the armband.

Comedy defending is back at St. James’ Park
It was like Boumsong and Bramble all over again as Newcastle conceded three goals in the first eleven minutes at home to Portsmouth. New central defensive signing Cacapa was the comedian today, getting in a tangle with Benjani (and bizarrely holding hands with the Portsmouth striker for one brief but brilliant moment) that allowed the Zimbabwean to score, and getting muscled off the ball by John Utaka two minutes later with the same result. Cacapa was finally put out of his misery when Big Sam subbed him out for David Rozehnal after just 18 minutes of play. Ouchy.

Every time Shaun Wright-Phillips is linked with a move, he has a great game for Chelsea
This week he was linked with a return to Man City and answered with two assist in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Wigan. SWP burst down the right wing to set up Frank Lampard’s opener, and later made an incredible sliding back heel to prevent the ball going out of bounds and guide it to Belletti, who strode forward and buried a sweet shot.

Jamie Carragher is still immune to penalties
Another week, another instance of the Liverpool defender getting lucky. This week Blackburn’s André Ooijer struck a shot that hit Carragher’s arm, only for the ref to wave play on.

Sammy Lee was mental
Sammy Lee dropped Kevin Nolan, Bolton kept losing. Gary Megson picks Kevin Nolan. Kevin Nolan scores for Bolton, Bolton don’t lose.

Right backs are proper footballers too
Right back has long been the least glamorous position on the pitch, particularly in English football. Gary Neville plays there, for example. But this weekend no less than three right backs scored absolutely stunning goals. Juliano Belletti for Chelsea, Luke Young for Middlesbrough and Noe Pamarot for Portsmouth all struck sweet shots on behalf of right backs everywhere. Except Gary Neville.