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Redknapp - "Show me the money!"

Crazy Weekend in the EPL

There are many people who will tell you that the English Premier League is extremely predictable and at times a bit boring but events of this weekend will have given football fans all over England and further afield, reason to question this opinion.

Building up to this round of fixtures all eyes were turning towards the battle of the top two at Stamford Bridge but by kick-off time, it had slipped off the radar for many people but more of that later.

The Unbeaten Demolished
The unbeaten teams at the top of the table were clashing with a lot on the line with many predicting a draw which would preserve both teams strong start to the season.

Liverpool hadn't lost a match all season but Chelsea hadn't lost at home in a long, long time in a run that doesn't only stretch back seasons, it stretches back managers. Avram Grant and Jose Mourinho never tasted defeat meaning Phil Scolari was aiming to preserve a record that had stood since the days of Claudio Ranieri.

In the end, Liverpool were 1-0 winners and although the goal was fortuitous, Alonso netting with a deflected effort, Liverpool were worthy winners with the one goal margin being scant reward for dominating their opponents.

23 points after 9 games is definitely title winning form and the victory was all the more noteworthy considering Fernando Torres was absent from the Liverpool line-up. Doubts still remain about Rafa Benitez having the ability to carry his team all the way to the title but Liverpool look better equipped to stage a title fight than they have done in decades.

Chelsea face ‘shock of the season so far’ Hull on Wednesday and then Sunderland at the weekend. Liverpool welcome Portsmouth to Anfield on Wednesday night and then square off against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Saturday. And it has been events at White Hart Lane this weekend that overtook the battle of the big two.

Money Talks for Harry Redknapp
After just two points from eight games, the patience finally ran out and late on Saturday night, Juande Ramos and the back room staff at Spurs were let go and Harry Redknapp walked out on Portsmouth for a second time to move back to London.

Redknapp talks of Pompey needing the money and of the challenges that lie ahead at a big club but money has always talked for Redknapp and it was no surprise to see that once again, his word meant nothing as he walked out on a club he had promised he would retire at.

It’s one thing to question the morals of Harry Redknapp but his management skills stand up to stronger scrutiny and he had an immediate impact at White Hart Lane as Spurs beat Bolton 2-0 to see the team move up to five points.

In less than 24 hours, Redknapp had earned more points than Ramos had gained between August and October and it would not be unreasonable to believe that Spurs will move out of the relegation zone in the coming months. Spurs have invested heavily in recent years and especially this summer but Redknapp likes to wheel and deal in the transfer market so do not be surprised if a lot of money gets bunged in and out of White Hart Lane come January.

Tottenham’s next match is away to bitter rivals Arsenal and then the afore mentioned Liverpool match and if Redknapp can get Spurs through they two matches unscathed then he will really have earned his wages.

The Incredible Hull
It’s been such a crazy weekend in the Premier League that its only now you get the chance to reflect on the fact that Hull City are in third place, three points off league leaders Liverpool and level on points with Chelsea.

They also lie a point ahead of Arsenal and five points ahead of Manchester United, although United have a game in hand. A 3-0 score line away to West Brom suggests that the Tigers mauled their opponents but the balance of the game was a lot closer than the result indicates but Hull City fans wont care about that.

It’s been an outstanding start from Hull and they are already over halfway to the expected amount of points required for safety. It’s likely that the management and playing staff at Hull City will insist that their aim remains avoiding relegation but this impressive start has given them every opportunity to try and grab a top half spot.

Mind you, their next two matches are against Chelsea and Manchester United so there is every chance they will remain on twenty points after 11 games but that is still a remarkable record. And given they have already defeated four London teams already this season, perhaps Hull have a few more surprises in store. Regardless of what happens in the next week, Hull City have been a revelation in their opening exchanges in the league.

United Yet to Hit Top Form
Manchester United still haven't found top form and they dropped another two points away to an Everton side that have been struggling of late. United were cruising in the first half but only had one goal to show for their dominance.

Dimitar Berbatov proved in the Champions League that he is clinical when he is standing in an offside position but he was less successful when not being helped by weak assistant referees. In the end, Everton will consider themselves unlikely not to nab all three points as Yakubu struck the base of the post after a Rio Ferdinand slip.

Tottenham Hotspur and Everton have possibly earned the result that changes their season around but Newcastle United are still struggling to get a victory and are experiencing the sort of results that would cause an interim manager to swear in frustration, mind you, its not as if Joe Kinnear requires an excuse to let rip with a bunch of expletives.

Toon Army Torture
The pain and torment of the Geordies will have been made even worse by the fact that they were beaten by close rivals Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. The result was bad for the Geordies but the fact they were comprehensively outplayed by the Mackems will surely cause greater mental pain to the Toon Army, who regardless of facts and points on the board, will still insist they are one of the top clubs in the country. The current owner is still looking to sell the club but at the moment, the team can’t even buy a victory to kick-start their season.

The rest of the EPL is pretty much as to be expected but with the league still just shy of being a quarter through, the time for panic is not quite yet. Hull City fans shouldn't be looking out their passports just yet, Spurs fans may be starting to think they'll survive easily enough and Liverpool fans shouldn't consider buying the champagne just yet but this weekend has saw all three clubs gain substantial victories that may play a significant role in where they end up in May.

by Andrew Reilly

for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk

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