The List | 10 Things We Learnt From This Weekend's Football - 2/12/2013
The List | Ten Things We Learnt From The Weekend's Football
The teams, players and managers that have everyone talking. 
Whilst the Gunners fly, the chasing pack are struggling to keep up in the Premier League. This may well be one of the tightest races in EPL history, for both the European spots and the biggest prize of all - the title of Premier League Champions, and it only looks set to get better.
Now the festive period is upon us, the European leagues are getting ready for their last few fixtures before the winter break. In England however, sides are hoping to rack up as many points as they can before the fixture congestion begins and it is almost a game every other day. Here is what we learnt this weekend round Europe. 
The Premier League is tight - a good run of form sees you in European spots. Just take Newcastle; it was not so long ago that their summer transfer policy was being lamented, the derby result against Sunderland did not help and calls for heads to roll were rife. Now look at the Magpies. A superb run of form, including victories against Chelsea and Spurs has seen them skyrocket up the table. They re now fifth and are talking about Europe.
Koke is one hell of a player - Much talk has been about Diego Costa in Spain, and rightly so. The forward is not lucky, he is class. There are a couple of other stars in Madrid however and Manchester United target Koke is heading up the list. Another superb performance and a goal has cemented his rising star status even further. 
Rooney is the man - Pretty lucky for England really, if Roo is on form in Rio they could be in with a chance of at least the quarter finals. Chelsea must be lamenting letting him stay at Old Trafford with former Everton manager David Moyes bringing the Rooney of old out. He literally ran the game against Spurs, everything good went through the star man. 
All those big money singings and it's an old boy who shines for Spurs - Under fire AVB has come out fighting, and despite the impressive summer spending, it was Kyle Walker who rivalled Rooney as Man of the Match award against United. Yes, Sandro scored a cracker but Walker was at the heart of everything for Spurs, an England place could well be on the cards this summer. 
Pushing Paulinho up the field works - AVB decided to push his midfielder a little bit further forward in the crunch game this weekend at home to United and it worked. The Brazilian looked bright and a goal threat. Spurs have the players and if AVB can get his tinkering right, they will have the team as well. All is not as bad as it seems for the Lilywhites. 
Arsenal must be laughing - Whilst the rest of the league continue to drop points, the Gunners are shooting down everyone in their wake. Other title contenders have struggled away to Cardiff, but Arsenal had no problem. The league leaders are setting the pace and whilst the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Mesut Ozil continue in this vein, the chasing pack can only hope to keep up. 
Cristiano who? - The world s most expensive player added to his growing credentials with Real Madrid this weekend, inspiring their win in the absence of Crisitano Ronaldo. Proving he can score, assist and fit in with the Real Madrid side, this was a weekend to remember for Bale. Angel Di Maria also impressed, and needs to continue to do so if he wants to secure a decent move away from the Bernabeu in the winter. 
Some managers are in big trouble - Martin Jol has become a victim of the sack at Fulham and given their results of late, who can blame the club? AVB also has a little bit of work to do, but Spurs will take heart from the point against United. Sam Allardyce is always under the cosh, with certain sections of the Hammers fans always waiting to pounce. A forward is a must for the club. 
Kaka has found himself again - The midfielder must be wishing his spell at Real Madrid never happened. Since moving back to his beloved AC Milan, the Brazilian has been back to something like his best. His form keeps improving and this weekend he was the inspiration behind the club s comeback against Catania. Never say never to seeing him star in Brazil this summer. 
Everton will finish above Liverpool this season - Pretty big prediction, but one people may not be prepared to make. Liverpool suffered a huge blow losing to Hull, but the main reason for this prediction is the form of Everton. The Toffees have a better all-round team than Liverpool, a manager who will do well for them and are playing decent football. Would Everton fans take Moyes back now? Not on your life.
Let us know what you thought of this weekend's football?
