EPL Hits and Misses: The quick one after the Suzuki Cup exit
Man City get the result of the weekend by downing high-flying Southampton while Sunderland earn some praise for being the first team to stop Chelsea from scoring. It's time for EPL Hits and Misses...
HITS
Manchester City
Comfortable winners in their top of the table clash with Southampton despite Eliaquim Mangala's sending off. The only major downer for Manuel Pellegrini would have to be seeing Vincent Kompany hobble off the pitch injured.
Sunderland
Their league position and indifferent form suggested that Chelsea were in for an easy three points at the Stadium of Light. Instead, the Black Cats turned in an impressive display of guts to prevent the free-scoring Blues from hitting the back of the net. Santiago Vergini, who scored one of the best own goals you'll see in October, even rattled the cross bar.
Lee Cattermole
He might have a reputation for persistent fouling and brainless red cards, but Cattermole showed what he is capable of against Chelsea when he injects some discipline into his performances.
Tottenham Hotspur
The 2-1 scoreline is fast becoming a fixture for Spurs fans. But they surely won't mind if Mauricio Pochettino continues to deliver the wins after notching their first back-to-back league victories since August.
Robin van Persie
Following criticism over his listless performances for Manchester United, the out-of-sorts Dutchman came back with a bang thanks to his volley against Hull that he admitted that he very much needed.
Arsene Wenger and Danny Welbeck
Not terribly unlike van Persie's situation, both Arsenal manager and man needed that goal.
Liverpool
It's been a rough few weeks for Brendan Rodgers and his men, but Glen Johnson's brave winner should give them some much-needed confidence to build on for the weeks ahead.
Charlie Austin
Now the joint-top scoring Englishman in the EPL along with Saido Berahino after his strike against Leicester to help QPR lift themselves off the foot of the table.
MISSES
Southampton
It might sound a little harsh after their amazing start to the season, but you can't help but feel that the Saints were put back in their place after losing 3-0 to 10-men City.
Everton
Given Tottenham's woes at home as well as their erratic form, the Toffees might feel that they should have taken something from their visit to White Hart Lane.
Steve Bruce
I expected much bigger things for Hull City after their impressive transfer dealings in the summer. However, the Tigers are now battling for their lives and gave a limp account of themselves at Old Trafford.
Stoke City
There might not be much shame in losing to Liverpool at Anfield, but their general form is so erratic, you really can't guess how they'll perform in their next match.
Aston Villa
That's nine games without a win now. It's hard to see where their next win will come from if they could not dispatch Burnley.
Leicester
5-2 conquerors of Manchester United in September, bottom of the table by December. The mighty have truly fallen.
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