Rate it!

0 votes

WINNERS

Rafa Benitez

At the start of the week Benitez was a dead man walking. Two wins and eight goals later he is looking a whole lot safer. Arguably the victories were less important than the remarkable outpouring of support from the Liverpool players and fans. Amazing for a man who has guided an excellent squad to fifth, third and third in the Premier League. Shows what a Champions League win can do for you.

Alex McLeish

'Big Eck' (whatever that means) had to ride his luck but picked up maximum points in his first match with Birmingham, beating Tottenham 3-2. Yes, they were given a lucky penalty. Yes, Robbie Keane's red card was ridiculous and, yes, you can't rely on a Sebastian Larsson goal of the season every week. But the former Scotland man should enjoy his honeymoon period while it lasts.

Free laser eye treatment

It might be rather childish, but wasn't the shining of a laser pen into Didier Drogba's eyes by West Ham fans quite funny? Sure, the 'you could have someone's eye out with that' brigade will point out the mortal danger to Drogba's retinas, but surely it is no more dangerous than being bombarded by flares, coins and sheep's heads in some obscure Champions League outpost?

Arsenal old boys

A great weekend for former products of the Highbury youth system, proving that Arsene Wenger's player judgment isn't always spot on. David Bentley scored two crackers for Blackburn - how good would he be on the Gunners' right flank? - and Sebastian Larsson crashed in that extraordinary winner for Birmingham. Even Anthony Stokes got in on the act, hooking in Sunderland's injury-time goal against Derby.

LOSERS

Arsenal old boys

Not such a good time was had by some other former residents of leafy north London. Nicolas Anelka produced one of the worst misses of all time as Bolton were thrashed by Liverpool, while Luis Boa Morte went loco against Chelsea, putting his thumb in John Terry's mouth. And as for Jeremie 'The new Bergkamp' Aliadiere? Well, he is just rubbish.

Phil Dowd

Whether the decision to send off Robbie Keane was Dowd's or fourth official Uriah Rennie's, it was a stinker. It takes a lot to elicit sympathy for Spurs, but Keane's tackle was barely a foul, let alone a straight red. Expect to see Dowd at such prestigious locations as Layer Road and KitKat Crescent in the coming weeks.

Titus Bramble

Poor old Titus Bramble. Once upon a time he was one of the brightest prospects in English football, now he is little more than a punchline. Sure, those millions of pounds, luxury motors and spacious homes will soften the blow a little, but it can't be much fun being the most ridiculed player in the division. Saturday's mega-gaffe against Manchester City was pretty hilarious, though.

Reading

The Royals' success last season was built on collective strength and an indomitable team spirit. Based on the fracas between Marcus Hahnemann and Ibrahima Sonko on Saturday, that unity is being tested. The pair were at each other's throats after a mix-up in the draw against Middlesbrough and had to be separated by team-mates. No wonder they look set for a battle against the drop.

Alex Chick / Eurosport