Welcome to what should be a fairly interesting day in the Premier League, starting with the Merseyside derby at 12.45. We’ll be back shortly for the day’s key questions but, in the meantime, here’s an interesting piece in the Guardian on how the Everton-Liverpool match has been overtaken by Manchester as the Premier League’s most high-placed derby.

The big news of the week was, of course, Carlos Tevez’s refusal to play against Bayern Munich. In many ways, the incident played into Roberto Mancini’s hands. A player he was barely using offered a very handy smokescreen after his team had been eviscerated by a bona fide Champions League team.

In any case, though, where do you stand on the matter?

Today’s team news.

The big ones: Everton actually start with a striker in Louis Saha. While Dalglish goes with Carroll and Kuyt beside Suarez but still doesn’t start Gerrard.

Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Fellaini, Rodwell, Osman, Cahill, Saha
Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Jose Enrique, Kuyt, Lucas, Adam, Downing, Suarez, Carroll

Today’s key questions

Everton v Liverpool

Will money talk? Davied Moyes has spent the last few days bemoaning the amount Liverpool have spent in contrast to Everton. In that, the game is a mismatch. Although it also provides Moyes with the perfect motivational speech.

In saying that, few understand a Merseyside derby like Kenny Dalglish. The question is whether he’s transmitted that to Liverpool’s new core of players in time for today?

Will the real Liverpool stand up? It’s been an odd season for the Anfield club in that we still don’t know how good they are. Impressive and underwhelming in relatively equal pressure. Against an Everton team that will keep things very tight and force a few emotional responses, this should prove a test of how far Liverpool have come. It is, after all, the kind of intense fixture that accentuates a team’s exact abilities.

Can Liverpool keep a cleansheet? The only team they’ve done that against this season: Arsenal.

Aston Villa v Wigan

Can Alex McLeish actually open out and answer a few critics today? It has, after all, been an odd season for Villa. They may be unbeaten but there’s general disgruntlement about the style of football played (not to mention the Birmingham connection). Villa have only scored in patches. And, by right, today should be a purple one for them. Wigan can be a dangerous team but they’re also a very open one. At home, can Villa take advantage?

And, in that, will Roberto Martinez be made to rue not taking the job in the summer?

Against Wigan’s high, pressing style, can Gabriel Agbonlahor’s pace take advantage of their advanced line? Could be a day for him today?

Wigan, however, have won at this stadium before in better times for Villa. Given their courage, can they exploit Villa’s current sense of uncertainty?

Blackburn v Manchester City

Will there be any fall-out from City’s midweek troubles?

Can Blackburn repeat their feat against Blackburn and, despite their troubles, overturn a team in turmoil?

Or does the whole Tevez issue provide Roberto Mancini with a perfect rallying call?

Will Mancini make good on his Tuesday decision to drop Edin Dzeko?

Or will Dzeko be eager to make it up to his manager? Will this be his day?

Manchester United v Norwich

After two successive draws, can Manchester United get back to winning ways against a Norwich team that haven’t exactly been pushovers this season?

Can United actually keep a cleansheet? Norwich have been an adventurous side this year and may fancy their chances against an unusually flux defence.

Sunderland v West Brom

Will this be anything other than a draw? Sunderland have been notoriously inconsistent this year. West Brom are consistently tight.

Sunderland have, however, shown themselves prone to be influenced by outside events. Will Titus Brambles troubles have an effect on the team?

Wolves v Newcastle

Will Newcastle’s unbeaten run give? They are, at the least, up against a team that haven’t won in three?

How difficult will Wolves find it to pierce Newcastle’s defence? Alan Pardew’s side have by far the best record in the Premier League this season, having only conceded three goals in six games.

And we’re off at Goodison Park!

Early danger from Everton in typical fashion. Reina almost drops a corner under heavy pressure.

Lots of tackles and grit so far. Not too open.

Chance for Liverpool! Kuyt sends in an inviting cross for Suarez but the Uruguayan can only head it down at Howard. Should have scored!

And, straight up the other end, Cahill forces a brilliant save from Howard with a fine header!

Is Tim Cahill the best header of a ball in world football today?

Thoughts on Louis Saha? To a certain degree, he’s one of the great unfulfilled talents. In 2006, it looked like Alex Ferguson could make him into another Dwight Yorke: a player from a moderate Premier League side who was able to lift his game to Champions League level. And, for a time, that’s exactly what he did. Saha was superb has United reclaimed the title in 2007 and reached the European semi-finals. But, thereafter, it was as if he lost his bottle. Too easily troubled by injuries.

What a turn from Distin in the Liverpool box! A centre-half of his style shouldn’t be able to do that! Took two players out of the game before driving just over.

That gilt-edged Suarez chance aside, this has been a great spell for Everton.

After a tight start, this has been helter-skelter for the last few minutes. Still 0-0

Saha shoots just wide. It’s been open. A goal surely on its way soon.

After that Distin turn, what other examples are there of players doing unlikely things for their position? John O’Shea nonchalantly chipping the ball over Jens Lehmann maybe

We’ve not seen too much from Andy Carroll so far. He was better last week, but still feel he needs a big statement.

A common defence of Carroll’s price tag is that it was always going to be Torres – £15m. But who exactly agreed to that deal? After all, because of injuries they didn’t even really use him last season so they didn’t desperately need him?

RED CARD! Jack Rodwell with a strong challenge on Suarez. His feet were in the air to be fair.

On the replay, that looks harsh. One of his legs was planted on the ground and both of his studs were facing the ground. That actually looks very harsh.

24 mins one: Everton 0-0 Liverpool

One caveat: Moyes is usually one of the better managers at adapting to 1-0 men

That’s nine red cards in the last 11 derbies at Goodison, with eight of them given to Everton players.

The worst thing about that red card was that referee Atkinson could not have been in a better position. As @DamianSpellman tweets “so it’s official, tackling is no longer allowed in football”

In saying that though, we’ve probably seen more tackles than actual football so far.

There’s Gerrard looking pensive on the bench. No doubt praying that this will be 0-0 by the time he comes on so he can hit 10 wayward passes and then rocket one into the top corner to win it. Selfless.

A rare outbreak of football there as Dirk Kuyt launches one for Carroll but Howard easily collects.

Once again Liverpool falling into the trap of hitting Carroll too often. Team have to shake themselves out of that.

Suarez sold that. But Atkinson bought it.

Much debate on Twitter about the appointment of Atkinson to this. In a fixture that has seen more red cards per game than any other in the Premier League, why appoint one of the most card-happy refs in the division?

For anyone that’s missed it, here’s the Rodwell ‘red’:

jack-rodwell-red-card-liverpool-15491510

Adam drives a free-kick straight into the wall.

Not to pick on him, but this is a fine tweet here from the @KaiWayne account…

Rodwell sent off, so it’s now 10 against 10, because Andy Carroll hasn’t actually moved yet. He’s showing the mobility of a young Peter Kay.

Suarez getting booed every time he receives the ball now.

Penalty Liverpool!

Jagielka rashly running out and Suarez easily turns him at the edge of box. That is the definition of “winning a penalty”. Adjusted his body well.

WHAT a save from Howard!

Kuyt hit low and far to the right – although it must be said, softly – but Howard reached across to tip it wide.

And that interrupts both Kuyt’s excellent scoring record against Everton and his usual impeccable penalty ratio.

According to @optajoe, Tim Howard has now saved four of his last seven penalties.

Yet it wasn’t Howard but the crossbar that saved Everton there! Adam smashes the bar from outside the box.

That was a peach of an effort from Adam.

Half-time: EVERTON 0-0 LIVERPOOL

It had been the kind of open game where Distin saw fit to perform a turn in Liverpool’s box. Distin. Yet, with the harsh sending-off of Rodwell, it’s turned into a messy enough affair. Liverpool have had the better since then but couldn’t take advantage as Kuyt missed a penalty.

Luis Suarez’s red card against Ghana is being brought up a lot now. I wouldn’t blame him for that. It’s the 90th minute and your team is about to go out of a World Cup? I’d do it every time.

And the second half is off… no changes.

Royston Drenthe warming up though… only a matter of time.

What’s up with Howard’s goalkeeper’s kit by the way? Is he on a black ops mission?

Liverpool on top at moment but struggling to make anything count.

The structural problems in their attack being revealed again.

And here comes Drenthe for Everton. Scored in his last home game. Pace will be good outlet with 10 men.

Coleman the one who makes way for Drenthe. He was industrious without ever being incisive.

60 mins: Everton 0-0 Liverpool

The whole Suarez issue opens the question of what is worse? Aggressive tackles that “let strikers know you’re there” or diving? Both equal in my view. Both attempt to con the referee. Yet more made of diving.

Gerrard about to come on for Liverpool. He’ll have wanted this. 0-0. Chance to be a hero.

Everton have defended exceptionally well with two banks of four, just like last week.

The question: do Liverpool have an Aguero to make the space and a Balotelli to exploit it?

Charlie Adam going off for Gerrard after 66 minutes.

Gerrard’s first real contribution. Sends over good set-piece but Suarez heads it over from eight yards. For the second time in the game, Suarez might have done better with a header.

So that’s one – rare – flaw in Suarez’s game: heading.

Phil Neville comes on for Leon Osman.

GOAL! Everton 0-1 Liverpool

Andy Carroll gets a big goal for Liverpool and his career!

Bellamy and Enrique combined wonderfully on the wing with two great balls each and Carroll finished well… but why did Baines stop tracking him?

Credit to Craig Bellamy there. A frequent problem with Liverpool this season has been that their players have been too eager to hit Carroll too early and too high, playing the kind of balls he’s not suited to. Bellamy had the idea to use his pace, keep it on the deck and hey presto

Thirteen minutes left and Everton forced to come out of the traps. At present, just hitting balls into the box though.

Young striker Vellios going on for Hibbert. Moyes has no option but to go for this.

80 mins: Everton 0-1 Liverpool

GOAL! Everton 0-2 Liverpool

Awful defending from Everton, as Suarez tied them in knots to eventually finish easuly.

Distin and Baines – for a second time – made a hames of that, Distin striking it at the left-back’s body.

Drenthe creates space wonderfully on the left for Everton but Saha is a touch to slow to properly exploit the space from the ball across and then blazes over.

Carroll just bundles Howard into the net. Perhaps he finally has the confidence to properly use that frame!

Jordan Henderson on for Lucas.

Craig Bellamy taking a corner and getting objects thrown at him.

And Gerrard flashes a piledriver wide.

A coin thrown at Suarez as he waits to take a corner, the Uruguayan picking it up and showing the referee.

FULL-TIME: Everton 0-2 Liverpool

Everton 0-2 Liverpool review:

So Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez both score in a Merseyside derby win. Exactly what Liverpool fans were hoping for when they signed the two strikers in January.

And there was a notable surge in Carroll’s confidence once he opened his account for the season. He finally used his frame to send Tim Howard flying and had the swagger to attempt a few flicks. His goal was also excellently taken, Carroll doing well to keep the ball down.

In truth, though, this still wasn’t quite a riposte to all of the reservations about the striker partnership. Because, for the majority of the game, Liverpool still tried to hit with futile long balls that just didn’t come off.

It was only when Craig Bellamy got the ball on the left midway through the second half that someone had the foresight to keep it on the deck. In the same position, so many other players would have just attempted to hit Carroll again.

Instead, Bellamy used his pace, playing a fine through ball for Jose Enrique who then did the same himself for Carroll. It was a change of style and, as such, a change of perception for Carroll. But, as much credit as the striker deserves, it’s Bellamy who should get the lion’s share.

Ultimately, though, the question will remain whether that would have been the case had Everton kept 11 men on the pitch. Would there have been the same space?

Because, quite simply, Rodwell did not deserve to go for his tackle on Suarez. It was an incorrect decision. Yet it kept up a trend. But, here, another question must be asked. Why, in the fixture with the highest amount of red cards in Premier League history, did the league pick the most card happy referee to officiate?

It had been the sort of open game where a centre-half Sylvain Distin saw fit to attempt a turn in the Liverpool box. It ended with him kicking the ball against Leighton Baines to set up Suarez as Everton vainly tried to stem the tide. And that was all down to Atkinson. Not Suarez or Rodwell.

Premier League team news:

Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Petrov, Ireland, Bannan, Delph, Agbonlahor, Bent
Wigan: Al Habsi, Stam, Caldwell, Figueroa, Van Aanholt, Moses, McCarthy, Boyce, Watson, Diame, Di Santo

Blackburn: Robinson, Lowe, Samba, Dann, Givet, Petrovic, Nzonzi, Pedersen, Goodwillie, Yakubu, Hoilett. Subs: Bunn, Formica, Slew, Rochina, Vukcevic, Roberts, Hanley.
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Kolarov, Milner, Toure Yaya, Silva, Johnson, Aguero, Balotelli

The big news: Dzeko doesn’t start as Mancini makes good on Tuesday’s promise No Nasri either as Johnson comes in.

Man Utd: Lindegaard, Valencia, Jones, Evans, Evra, Park, Fletcher, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez
Norwich: Ruddy, Naughton, Russell Martin, Barnett, Tierney, Bennett, Hoolahan, Fox, Pilkington, Morison, Johnson

The big news: both Rooney and Hernandez start, with Valencia at right-back again. There may be concerns over that central defence though with Jones and Evans so young. Young is completely rested though.

Sunderland: Mignolet, O’Shea, Brown, Turner, Richardson, Elmohamady, Gardner, Cattermole, Larsson, Sessegnon, Bendtner
West Brom: Foster, Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Shorey, Brunt, Mulumbu, Dorrans, Morrison, Odemwingie, Long

Wolverhampton: Hennessey, Stearman, Johnson, Berra, Ward, Hunt, Henry, O’Hara, Jarvis, Doyle, Fletcher. Subs: De Vries, Edwards, Vokes, Hammill, Zubar, Doherty, Guedioura.
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Obertan, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez, Best, Ba

At Ewood Park, there’s a lot of chanting from the Man City fans in support for Mancini. The Italian, by the by, has made good on his promise to drop Dzeko after Tuesday’s theatrics.

Kenny Dalglish on the red card. Not so insistent on talking about refereeing decisions today:

“I’ve not seen it and I don’t intend to watch it – I’m going to enjoy the two weeks off. Everton will be disappointed to lose but Moysey can’t be disappointed with the attitude of his players.”

We’re off.

Norwich knocking it about nicely but Phil Jones rudely breaks up that, surges forward and feeds Rooney who hits a strike at Ruddy.

Comedy moment there as Lindegaard – standing in for De Gea – slips and hits it at Johnson. But the Norwich didn’t quite lob him. The ball didn’t leave the ground.

As has been customary with United this season, coughing up chances here. Lots of open space as Norwich carve them open.

GOAL! Sunderland 0-1 West Brom

James Morison with that one but…

GOAL! Sunderland 0-2 West Brom

Shane Long this time!

That is not good craic for Steve Bruce as Sunderland find themselves 2-0 down within five minutes.

For the first goal, Morrison beat Brown to Chris Brunts header to head home.

For the second, a fine finish from Shane Long but he was completely unmarked!

Steve Bruce is under pressure at Sunderland. But, given that they allowed himto build a new team in the summer, would it not be madness to not try and let him bed it in?

Man City should be ahead against Blackburn, Silva forcing a fine save from Robinson but Balotelli squandering the follow-up

And Darren Bent blazes over for Villa. Not been his season so far.

Tepid enough by United at Old Trafford. Only a few flashes of ingenuity so far, mostly Rooney and Nani

GOAL! Wolves 0-1 Newcastle United

Demba Ba gets his fourth of the season.

The striker is first to a corner and heads past Hennessy

Norwich, meanwhile, have been very impressive at Old Trafford.

Steve Morrison is giving Jones and Evans more than a few problems.

At Ewood Park, Balotelli and Johnson appear to have broken up the fluidity of City’s front four.

GOAL! Sunderland 1-2 West Brom

let’s not write those parting shots for Bruce just yet. Nicklas Bendtner has pulled one back for his new manager.

United beginning to up the tempo against Norwich.

GOAL! Sunderland 2-2 West Brom

Now that’s a response! Elmohamady silences the critics!

Aguero gone off injured for City, possible groin strain. Nasri on.

Bendtner set up Elmohamady, who finished with a diving header. That’s a goal and an assist today for the oft-maligned Dane.

The Norwich fans, by the by, having been singing “We’ve come for our scarves” at Old Trafford.

30 mins…

Aston Villa 0-0 Wigan

Blackburn 0-0 Man City

Everton 0-2 Liverpool (full-time)

Manchester United 0-0 Norwich

Sunderland 2-2 West Brom

Wolves 0-1 Newcastle

Oh and Al-Habsi makes a fine save from Bent in the Villa-Wigan game, the striker bursting into life there.

The good play seems to have gone to Norwich’s heads. Pilkington attempts a spectacular strike from distance which ends up at the Trafford Centre.

Rooney should have made it 1-0 to United there. Did well to leap above the defence for a corner but sent his header wide from four yards.

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Wigan

We should have put our money on. What did we say earlier about Agbonlahor and Wigan’s high line? The striker runs at Caldwell before striking the ball into the top corner.

GOAL! Wolves 0-2 Newcastle

Jonas Guttierez with a corker of a strike after a fine run.

That really was a beautiful goal from Jonas.  Bursts past three players to finish intot he corner.

It’s games like this where you think, maybe United should have splurged for Sneijder. Finding it very difficult to open up Norwich’s two banks of four.

HALF-TIME: Manchester United 0-0 Norwich

HALF-TIME: Aston Villa 1-0 Wigan

Villa well on top

HALF-TIME: Blackburn 0-0 Man City

City on top but struggling to fashion too much with Balotelli wayward and Aguero having gone off.

HALF-TIME: Wolves 0-2 Newcastle

Newcastle full value for their lead but Wolves might have had a penalty.

Interesting piece here from Dan McDonnell on Roy Keane’s latest movements.

And the second halves are under way…

In Scotland it’s East Fife 3 Forfar 2

I’ve already tried to say East Fife 5 Forfar 4… it’s worse than She sells seashells etc

Silva starting to offer something different for City. But he’s not got much support.

BRILLIANT from Phil Jones! Looked like a break from Norwich but an absolutely superb sliding block from Jones and he takes the ball too

Pilkington! Could well have been 1-0 Norwich. United break, Jones slips and the midfielder shoots. But it deflects up into Lindergaard’s hands. But he’s still fortunate that Evra didn’t head the parry back over him.

Balotelli smashes the post for City at Blackburn, having taken the ball down superbly on his chest

Jones is so proactive. More than any other United midfielder at present. Another tackle and surge forward there.

GOAL! Blackburn 0-1 Manchester City

Adam Johnson scores one of his typical curlers.As it stands, they’re going back top of the table on their own.

Park tries a shot from distance and deflects wide.

Good as he is, odd that Park is still on. United need ingenuity now, not industry.

60 mins…

Aston Villa 1-0 Wigan

Blackburn 0-1 Man City

Everton 0-2 Liverpool (FT)

Man United 0-0 Norwich

Sunderland 2-2 West Brom

Wolves 0-2 Newcastle

GOAL! Blackburn 0-2 Man City

Balotelli follows last week’s goal with a fantastic strike after a fine ball from Nasri.

Wes Hoolahan goes for goal but catches his strike poorly.

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-0 Wigan

Darren Bent scores gets his first goal in front of the Holte End, tapping in a cross from Agbonlahor amid dreadful marking.

United bring on Giggs for Nani, 64 minutes.

WHAT A MISS! Pilkington should have punished United there! One on one with the keeper, all he had to was slide it in and he put it WELL wide.

That is a let-off for United and Valencia, who was caught in possession.

Giggs just played a nice cross into the Norwich box there but it was two against six. They’ve been so well set up, Norwich

This a startling stat from @tomEurosport:

Samir Nasri now has five assists in five games for Manchester City. He had seven in his entire Arsenal career.

GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Norwich

That miss seemed to galvanise United. A corner comes across box, Rooney heads it over to Anderson who nods home from close range.

Norwich poked the bear with that miss.

@sboc23 has just tweeted me this divine pun.

“Imagine United signed Michel Vorm from Swansea on loan and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar on a four-year-deal. At the press conference Ferguson might say Vorm is temporary, Klaas is permanent”

73 mins…

Aston Villa 2-0 Wigan

Blackburn 0-2 Man City

Everton 0-2 Liverpool (full-time)

Man United 1-0 Norwich

Wolves 0-2 Newcastle

And another let-off for United! Pilkington again with a shot from the edge of the box, takes a wicked deflection and bounces off the post into Lindegaard’s arms.

GOAL! Blackburn 0-3 Man City

Samir Nasri completes an ultimately easy win for City.

Odd sub here for United as Rio Ferdinand comes on after 75 minutes for Anderson. Jones moves into right-back and Valencia to midfield.

Ferdinand’s already brought something to the game: a cap for Lindegaard.

Should have been game over for United. A quality cross from the right from Jones that skipped across the six-yard box but substitute Welbeck couldn’t get that crucial touch.

Evra has been appalling today. Just watched a header rather than challenge for it there.

And that should have been another from United. An absolutely glorious 40-yard ball from Giggs finds Rooney who cuts outside before flashing just wide. Lovely stuff.

It was David Silva that set up that Nasri goal, for those of you looking at FF assists. Nice one-two in the box but a hint of offside.

United breaking there but Rooney squanders it with a very soft chip. Ignored Welbeck’s run.

There’s only two Premier League games still in the balance at the moment: United 1-0 Norwich and Sunderland 2-2 West Brom

And Norwich easily open up United again with a simple one two that seemed to leave Morrison with another one-on-one. Ferdinand just managed to get back though as the striker scuffed his shot.

It’s East Fife 4 Forfar 3

GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Norwich

Park cuts across the box for Welbeck to slide in and finish.

Very magnanimous tweet there from Joey Barton:

Delighted for the Toon, they are flying. Well done boys keep it up……

GOAL! Blackburn 0-4 Manchester City

Savic unmarked form a corner to head home his first goal for the club.

Another assist for Nasri there, who took the corner.

GOAL! Wolves 1-2 Newcastle

Fletcher, so impressive at Anfield last week, arrows one in.

Rooney really wants that chip. Clean through on goal and tries to loft it again. Looks great but it’s also over the bar.

That was self-indulgent from Rooney really.

FULL-TIME: Manchester United 2-0 Norwich

United, however, have set a new club record with 19 home league wins in a row.

FULL-TIME: Blackburn Rovers 0-4 Manchester City

FULL-TIME: Sunderland 2-2 West Brom

FULL-TIME: Aston Villa 2-0 Wigan

OH! And Wolves have goal disallowed against Newcastle

And that’s full-time everywhere:

Aston Villa 2-0 Wigan

Blackburn 0-4 Man City

Everton 0-2 Liverpool

Man United 2-0 Norwich

Sunderland 2-2 West Brom

Wolves 1-2 Newcastle

Parting shots

A game of inches… or, in Pilkington’s case, yards

And that, really, is the difference.

With 66 minutes gone of Norwich’s trip to Old Trafford, Paul Lambert’s side were congested and content. An admirable 0-0 draw seemed a good bet. Then Andy Pilkington was put clean through on goal and sent the ball a shameful amount of yards wide.

The bear, however, had been poked. United promptly won a corner and effectively forced it home with a series of headers. And, although the game remained in the balance until Danny Welbeck’s clincher, the damage had been done.

It should be emphasised, however, that we’re not castigating Norwich for throwing caution to the wind with Pilkington’s chance. They should be commended for their approach and look well-equipped to finish mid-table let alone stay up.

But we are castigating them for the miss. Essentially, Pilkington bottled it. And you can’t do that against a side of United’s calibre. No matter how badly they’re performing on the day.

On that note, though, this performance did shed further light on a few growing concerns for United.

Granted, we wouldn’t criticise them too much on account of the amount of goals they had previously scored and the amount of injuries they suffered. But there was an awful flatness to their play. A complete lack of invention – no real link between Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez and the central midfielder.

And that does perhaps show why, in the long-term – if not quite against recently promoted sides – Ferguson may rue not signing Wesley Sneijder. Other than Cleverley they lack a payer that combines movement with a wide range of passing in the middle. Indeed, the youngster was key to the early season fluency. And it’s no coincidence that it’s started to fade without him.

Given that this is his first season, and given how badly Ferguson wants to catch Barcelona, it might have been a risk to rely so completely for fluency on his game.

But not, at least, in the league. There, United always seem to have enough. As Norwich realised today.

Carroll singing

So Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez both score in a Merseyside derby win. Exactly what Liverpool fans were hoping for when they signed the two strikers in January.

And there was a notable surge in Carroll’s confidence once he opened his account for the season. He finally used his frame to send Tim Howard flying and had the swagger to attempt a few flicks. His goal was also excellently taken, Carroll doing well to keep the ball down.

In truth, though, this still wasn’t quite a riposte to all of the reservations about the striker partnership. Because, for the majority of the game, Liverpool still tried to hit with futile long balls that just didn’t come off.

It was only when Craig Bellamy got the ball on the left midway through the second half that someone had the foresight to keep it on the deck. In the same position, so many other players would have just attempted to hit Carroll again.

Instead, Bellamy used his pace, playing a fine through ball for Jose Enrique who then did the same himself for Carroll. It was a change of style and, as such, a change of perception for Carroll. But, as much credit as the striker deserves, it’s Bellamy who should get the lion’s share.

Ultimately, though, the question will remain whether that would have been the case had Everton kept 11 men on the pitch. Would there have been the same space?

Because, quite simply, Rodwell did not deserve to go for his tackle on Suarez. It was an incorrect decision. Yet it kept up a trend. But, here, another question must be asked. Why, in the fixture with the highest amount of red cards in Premier League history, did the league pick the most card happy referee to officiate?

It had been the sort of open game where a centre-half Sylvain Distin saw fit to attempt a turn in the Liverpool box. It ended with him kicking the ball against Leighton Baines to set up Suarez as Everton vainly tried to stem the tide. And that was all down to Atkinson. Not Suarez or Rodwell.

City sprawl

At half-time, this trip to Blackburn threatened to be a bit of a wake-up call for City. With Carlos Tevez in disgrace, Edin Dzeko put in his place and Sergio Aguero having limped off with a groin strain, Steve Kean’s side were keeping Mancini’s at bay with a relative degree of comfort.

Then, however, the true extent of City’s options were revealed. Both Mario Balotelli and Samir Nasri stepped up in impressive fashion, the former with his second goal in two, the latter scoring and generally playing superbly. In one short month at City, Nasri has now equalled the seven assists he offered in his entire Arsenal career.

Of course, the key again, though, was David Silva. Whatever happens with Tevez and how many injuries Aguero suffers, it is imperative Mancini keeps this creator on the pitch.

Otherwise, City showed admirable grit.

A different Toon

It was this time last year that Chris Hughton was shamefully working in fear of his job every week. Yet, as unjustified as his sacking was, it simply cannot be denied that Mike Ashley has ensured an upgrade so far. Newcastle are currently in the Champions League places with the best defensive record in the division. Now that Demba has started scoring – as he did again today – their first XI suddenly has a fine balance.

Credit too to their French scout Graham Carr who unearthed such impressive performers in Cabaye and Tiote.

Bruce’s bonus

Steve Bruce will probably never be more than a mid-table manager and Sunderland will probably have exchange if they ever want to fully maximise the money they have at their disposal.

But, today, his team certainly played for him. At 2-0 after five minutes, he looked out of a job. Yet two of his better signings – Ahmed Elmohamady and, particularly, Nicklas Bendtner – saved the game and their boss. The Dane offered up an assist too.

And, despite the doubts over Bruce, given the outlay Sunderland allowed him over the summer and the extent of personnel change, it would feel harsh if they did not at least give him the opportunity to bed them in.

Angel Gabriel

Alex McLeish is notorious for creating tight but unimaginative teams and he’s so far conformed to type at Villa Park.

With one exception. And it’s not Charles N’Zogbia, Stephen Ireland or Darren Bent. It’s Gabby Agbonlahor. As the song goes, he’s fast and scores.

Agbonlahor’s sheer acceleration offers the team a different dimension that their formation otherwise doesn’t. In a team that only scores in patches, McLeish is going to be relying on an extended run of form from the striker. Luckily, at the moment he’s flying.

Keep it up and he could running out at Euro 2012 too.