Another frenetic finish to the Tyne and Wearside Derby at the weekend saw Sunderland prevail yet again over their black and white rivals.  Amongst the better players was Lee Cattermole and after winning numerous awards recently that wasn’t a surprise, nor was him picking up his customary yellow card.

Liverpool made a last gasp goal count against Arsenal and that has made for a very congested Premier League table at the moment – especially below the top 4.  The Gunners must have though that they were home and hosed against 10 men.  With teams such as West Ham being higher up the table at Christmas Arsenal fans continue to (justifiably) complain about paying the highest ticket prices not only in England but Europe. Perhaps the German Bundesliga model really is the way forward at the Emirates to keep the prices affordable.

Meanwhile, down the road, Tottenham’s Citizen Kane is becoming a real revelation – An English centre forward who can’t stop scoring. They’re wild about Harry at White Hart Lane and at 21 a big future awaits.  That has taken quite a bit of pressure off of his manager in the annual sack race, as did Martin Skertl’s goal for Liverpool.

But when a manager has a sustained period of bad times it generally signals the end.  Those leading the charge include Leicester City’s Nigel Pearson and Hull’s Steve Bruce after the Tigers failed yet again to pick up points at home.

Now we prepare for a feast of football in the coming weeks.  Can’t wait.