Leon Best – Newcastle
A dream week for Newcastle. The Magpies manager Alan Pardew admitted that Best has been pestering him in recent weeks for an opportunity, and boy did he take it. He netted a superb hat-trick to become only the second Irish player to score a treble in the Premier League.
His first two goals were a case of being in the right place and the right time, while his third involved some creative movement to get space followed by a clever finish. The watching Alan Sherear would have been very impressed.
What a way to mark his first Premier League appearance.
Seamus Coleman – Everton
Another vital goal for the Killybegs man which earned Everton a vital three points against a Spurs team that were bang in form.
Showed great speed and tenacity to get his head to a rebound to put Everton 2-1 up. Besides the winning goal, Coleman was terrific throughout. Terrorised Benoit Assou Ekotto throughout the game and has proved that he certainly has a Premier League future as a right winger rather than a right back.
Refreshingly Coleman showed in his after match comments that his feet are firmly on the ground.
Stephen Hunt – Wolves
A constant menace throughout the game and never stopped running for a second. Excellent individual performance in what was a tremendous performance from Wolves.
His in-swinging corner caused serious problems for Cech and resulted in Bosingwa putting into his own net to give Wolves the vital goal. Hunt will have really enjoyed this performance, particularly as he has been on the receiving end of a lot of abuse from Chelsea fans since his collision with Petr Cech in 2006.
Kevin Foley, who was captain again for Wolves was fantastic in the middle of the park.
Kevin Doyle was a surprise starter, having recovered from injury. Won many balls in the air and never let the Chelsea defence settle.
Stephen Ward, the hero from Anfield came on in the second half to replace the shattered Doyle.
Darron Gibson – Manchester United
Given another opportunity in the Manchester United engine room alongside Darren Fletcher. Looked desperate to score early on with a number of efforts at goal. Tidy passing throughout the game though he was quiet in the second half. Should keep his position for this weekend’s FA Cup tie against Liverpool.
For Stoke Marc Wilson was one of their few bright spots on a poor night. Tried his best throughout before being replaced by Jon Walters with 20 minutes left. Walters saw little of the ball.
Rory Delap was very poor throughout and offered next to nothing besides his long throw.
Dreadful news for Irish fans in Sunderland’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa. David Meyler, who has just recovered from a cruciate injury, went down in agony after half an hour and at this moment in time it appears that he has again ruptured his cruciate.
Richard Dunne will have been unhappy to have given away the free kick that resulted in the only goal of the game for Sunderland. Ciaran Clark got another 90 minutes under his belt.
Damien Duff finally appears to have go this form back as he impressed in Fulham’s 3-0 victory over West Brom.
Keith Fahey and Carr started for Birmingham in their 2-1 victory. Fahey will have been disappointed to have been taken off early in the second half.
Michael Maher wites at Greenscene
