Premier League winners and losers

 Ger McCarthy

WINNERS
Dimitar Berbatov
FORMER Bulgarian international Dimitar Berbatov reminded his manager of his exceptional talent with a hat-trick in the 5-0 hammering of Wigan. United's fourth choice striker has the languid appearance of a player who couldn't care less but remains a deadly finisher in front of goal and could yet prove pivotal to the Old Trafford club's hopes of retaining the title. Berbatov's goals have been a welcome Christmas present for Alex Ferguson with Wayne Rooney rested and Javier Hernandez still recovering from injury.

Fulham
MARTIN Jol was rewarded for his adventurous and attacking line-up as Fulham fought back from a goal down to earn a merited 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. The Cottagers were under severe pressure in the closing stages but held out for a share of the spoils thanks to the brilliance of goalkeeper David Stockdale and the work-rate of Clint Dempsey, Danny Murphy and Moussa Dembele. Jol's side bounced back from a humiliating 5-0 loss at home to Manchester United only five days earlier and moved five points clear of the relegation zone to put a smile on the Fulham supporters faces heading into the New Year.

Sunderland
MARTIN O'Neill's arrival at the Stadium of Light has resulted in an impressive seven points from a possible twelve for a side previously heading towards the Championship. Sunderland are a more compact unit and difficult to break down since O'Neill assumed command and all signs currently point to the Black Cats avoiding relegation this season. The former Leicester City manager has a proven track-record for getting the best out of his players and the new found spirit engendered in the Sunderland dressing room is being converted into points which has seen the Northern club move four points away from the drop zone.

Mark Bunn
STEVE Kean's decision to select Mark Bunn as Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper for the relegation threatened club's trip to Anfield proved an inspired choice. Bunn pulled off a string of marvellous saves during a wonderful individual display to earn his side a point and ease the pressure on his under-fire manager. In a week Blackburn fans protested outside the club's training facility Bunn's determination motivated his team mates to earn a deserved draw and raise hopes of potentially avoiding the drop. If Steve Kean can get his players to produce similar performances in the second half of the campaign then Blackburn supporter's torrent of abuse should turn into one giant apology for the undignified attacks on the Rovers manager.

Demba Ba
THE Senegalese born striker signed by Newcastle United to replace the departed Geordie favourite Andy Carroll continued his magnificent run of form with a fourteenth Premier League goal of the season away to Bolton. The former West Ham United and TSG Hoffenheim player has proven a revelation since his transfer to St. James' Park and Ba's goals have helped the Magpies keep pace with the top six ranked clubs raising hopes of European qualification before the end of the campaign. The Toon army are set to lose Ba to Senegal and the African Cup of Nations next month and will no doubt miss his ability in front of goal.

LOSERS
Manchester City
THE Premier League leaders' failure to score for the first time this season resulted in Manchester United joining Roberto Mancini's side at the summit of the table. West Brom are a decent side on their home patch but any club harbouring serious title aspirations needs to be capable of picking up three points from their trip to the Hawthorns. It will be fascinating to see how Mancini and City handle the pressure of a title run-in especially with such an experienced Manchester United squad likely to be there every step of the way until the end of the season.

Wigan
CRAZY sending off aside, Wigan offered little if any resistance during their 5-0 hammering at Old Trafford. United began with Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia in their back four yet Wigan rarely worried the home side's makeshift defence. Roberts Martinez talks a good game in his after match interviews but the suave Spaniard's team were simply awful and similar gutless displays will result in certain relegation. Wigan have shown signs of life in recent weeks but their complete lack of ambition at Old Trafford demonstrated a team lacking confidence

Phil Dowd
REFEREE Phil Dowd's decision to send off Wigan's Connor Sammon for an innocuous coming together with Michael Carrick was absolutely ridiculous. The match official was only 35 yards away when Sammon's hand appeared to slap Carrick on the side of the midfielder's head. Dowd issued a straight red card much to the surprise of everyone in the ground even though similar collisions occur every weekend in the Premier League. Dowd's horrendous mistake capped off a poor year for officiating at the highest level and calls for a fourth TV official grow louder with each passing week.

Howard Webb
IF Phil Dowd's red card error during the Manchester United and Wigan encounter was poor then Howard Webb's decision to award Everton a penalty in the 1-1 draw with Sunderland was downright hilarious. Replays clearly showed Leon Osman kicked the ground whilst attempting to unleash a shot inside the Sunderland penalty area. Webb thought differently however and immediately pointed to the spot from which Leighton Baines earned Everton a draw. If Webb is classified as the best referee in England then God help English football.

Follow Ger on Twitter: @offcentrecircle

Source: http://feeds.examiner.ie/~r/iesportsblog/~3/KGibLSb1k1U/post.aspx

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