A brief look at the winners and losers after the weekend's Premier League action, with one man at least shining in a Sunderland shirt.

WINNERS

Kieran Richardson - 'There's only one Kieran Richardson' - the new song on the terraces of the Stadium of Light after he continued his stunning comeback from injury with two goals against Portsmouth. The midfielder could even have had a hat-trick: he struck the bar and swept another chance just over the top. Dare we suggest that his £5 million fee may have been worth it? Let's just hope his gobby cousin Charley Uchea does not make a comeback of her own.

Ashley Young - The England international showed just why Steve McClaren showed faith enough to bring him on in the 'crucial' friendly against Austria by creating two goals for Aston Villa from set-pieces against Reading - making him the Premier League player with the most assists.

Chelsea - Our readers believe that Chelsea are the team most likely to be affected by African Cup of Nations call-ups - see the link underneath the photograph - but with Nicolas Anelka looking good after his introduction and attacking full-back Juliano Belletti smashing a sensational strike into the top corner at the weekend, who needs the Drog?

Title race - Many people seem to have written Chelsea off in the race for the title for the reason mentioned above. However after the 2-0 win against Spurs and draws for Liverpool and Arsenal they lurk only four points behind the Gunners and Manchester United, with the Anfield club a full eight points behind them. Also any team down to West Ham in 10th has a shout of reaching the fourth Champions League spot...

LOSERS

Newcastle - 6-0: need we say more? No sooner have the Toon got rid of Sam Allardyce but they visit Old Trafford, of all places - and are put to the sword by a fantastic second-half performance containing all six strikes. Think England and Svennis: you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. Let the Big Sam plaudits roll on in!

David Nugent - 'Nuge' was woeful as Pompey went down to the Black Cats, leading to speculation that Harry Redknapp will move for Jermain Defoe this month. He has equalled our record low of points in Flops of the Week. Remember this though: it was Redknapp that signed him for £6m. No wonder Newcastle wanted him as boss.

Danny Mills, Robbie Savage, Hossam Ghaly, Laurent Robert and Emanuel Villa - Derby manager Paul Jewell cannot buy a win since joining the club and was not helped by his slew of January signings at home to Wigan. He has now lost seven and drawn two - Antoine Sibierski scored his first goal since August with his first touch after coming on as a sub. Isn't it always the way?

Fantasy managers without Cristiano Ronaldo - The man known to his friends as C-Ron racked up an astonishing 44.5 points in our fantasy game after smashing a hat-trick against Newcastle, so if you don't have him in your team - put that L on your forehead to signal that you are a big fat LOSER!!

To vote in our poll on clubs affected by the African Cup of Nations, scroll down the football homepage.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport