Super Sunday - 22/01/2012

In this writer's opinion, the Barclay's Premier League has missed the draw of 'Grand Slam Sunday', a day in which the supposed 'Big 4' of the league would do battle on the same day, usually providing enthralling football, debate, controversy and more often than not, a swell of goals.

The landscape of the Premier League has received somewhat of a shake up in recent years, the main contributor being Manchester City's emergence as a force to be reckoned with as a result of the Middle East investment that has morphed them into title contenders due to their ability to pay often unfathomable fee's and blow their rivals financially out of the water. But then there are succinct factors, that are somewhat dwarfed by the goings on at The Etihad. Obviously Tottenham Hotspur have benefited from Harry Redknapp's tenure, Chelsea have shown the door to numerous managers due to Roman Abramovich's insatiable thirst for success, Liverpool have had a managerial turnaround and are now trying to resume their dominance over the English game, Arsene Wenger's youth policy at Arsenal has caused many a debate and whilst this has gone on around them, Manchester United have accrued their historic 19th Premier League title, cementing the legacy of Sir Alex Ferguson even further.

As all this has gone on, the concept of 'Grand Slam Sunday' has fallen by the wayside as the once big four have now been subjected to a reform.

Which brings us to Sunday the 22nd of January. The closest we've probably come to a Grand Slam Sunday in a while, as Manchester City entertained Spurs at The Etihad and the league leaders closest rivals both in the league and geographically, Manchester United faced a testing trip to The Emirates Stadium to face an Arsenal side that had lost their last 2 Premier League games.

On paper, we were promised an epic afternoon of football, and in this writers opinion, the Barclay's Premier League once again delivered.

The action commenced at The Etihad, a game that's build up had been somewhat overshadowed by Roberto Mancini and Harry Redknapp's public fallings out, this game had the potential to be a cracker and after the first half, a somewhat tame affair where the best chances fell to the hosts and their inspirational Argentine, Sergio Aguero, fans, pundits and neutral's alike were praying the game would come to life in the second 45.

It did. And how!

A majestic through ball from David Silva sent Samir Nasri through on goal and he emphatically sent the Citizen's into the lead, sending the City fans into raptures. This bordered upon delirium only a matter of minutes later as a corner from the left met the head of Edin Dzeko whose flick on was bundled home somewhat fortuitously by Joleon Lescott. Spurs were stunned and City were cantering to a 6 point lead at the summit.

It's been said that City have looked unconvincing in the absence of skipper and centre back Vincent Kompany, and his replacement, Stefan Savic, contributed to this notion further when his mistimed and mishit backwards header fell some way short of Joe Hart, allowing Jermaine Defoe to steal in, round the England number 1 and confidentally slide in a quick reply. Game on.

Then came the goal of the game. Benoit Assou Ekotto's ball from the left was met by the somewhat previously subdued Gareth Bale, who underlined his talent by curling a delightful left footed effort into the top corner leaving Hart helpless and Spurs with their tails up.

4 goals in 9 second half minutes and this game well and truly came to life.

(thought I'd knock this up...got a bit to do to finish it but am a bit busy, feedback thus far??)

The landscape paragraph near the start needs a couple of commas inserting. There are a couple of single figure numbers that you need to change to the written version i.e. 'one' instead of '1'.

Only had time for a very quick read, but looks good.