
BPL Heroes and Zeroes 24
Two strikers, who are at the top of their game, are the undisputed Heroes of the Week.
By Eugene YS Han
HEROES
WAYNE ROONEY & DIDIER DROGBA
Sheer brute strength hides their deceptively skilled poise in front of goal. If you put Wayne Rooney in a boxing ring against the massive Didier Drogba, it would be a very close fight. While Rooney has been touted as one of the best players in the world right now, Drogba won't be far behind. Rooney notched his 25th and 26th goals of a phenomenal season against West Ham while Drogba reached the 25-goal tally after a brace against Wolves. Rooney has been receiving the right plaudits for his exploits but don't rule out the Ivory Coast striker too.
EVERTON
Few clubs can lay claim to beating both Manchester United and Chelsea in a single season but Everton showed that they can upset the best on their day, David Moyes' side shocked the country when they defeated Chelsea last week and then they followed that up with a 3-1 win over the champions Man United. What a way to clinch their 150th Premier League win at Goodison! If the Toffees continue their sticky form - Moyes could make his Champions League qualifications dream come true this season.
TOTTENHAM
Roman Pavlyuchenko's non-move to Lokomotiv Moscow could be Harry Redknapp's best transfer move this season. With a quarter of the season to go, Totttenham will need a late boost to secure that coveted fourth spot. Pavlyuchenko could provide that, especially if Aaron Lennon continues to be ruled out.
ASTON VILLA
Martin O'Neill's side warmed up nicely for the Carling Cup Final by thumping Burnley 5-2. Villa are one of the few clubs in the Premier League who use true wingers. Stewart Downing is beginning to thrive while Ashley Young is starting to develop into the fearsome winger he was meant to be. Although it needed a MON hairdryer at half-time, Villa are proving they can last the pace of a season this time. The spotlight may be on Liverpool and Manchester City but don't rule out Villa for the fourth spot this season.
STOKE
Unbeaten in 2010 and hailed as the new 'Bolton' for their unblushingly direct and physical play, Stoke have modelled themselves as the team nobody wants to meet in the league this season.
ZEROES
LIVERPOOL & MAN CITY
For all the attacking talent on display (and on the bench) and the rewards that three points could bring, both Manchester City and Liverpool played out a bore-fest at the City of Manchester. Roberto Mancini and Rafael Benitez should have their heads examining after they let a reasonably good chance of putting one over their rivals slip them by. City, while playing at home, had the initiative to go on the attack against Liverpool and extend their lead over them in fourth place with a game in hand. But Mancini played it safe. Liverpool for all their on and off field problems are still within reach of the fourth Champions League qualification spot, but Benitez chose to play not to lose - just he did in the previous away game at Arsenal. Both managers may think a point would be satisfying but with the race to fourth so fiercely contested this season, gaining one point here may not be enough in the long run.
ASHLEY COLE
Dumped by his wife and punished by his club Chelsea for his scandals, Ashley Cole still had the temerity to air his displeasure at being fined, calling it 'an injustice' and wanting to leave the club. Compared that to John Terry who did not threatened to quit the England squad after he was sacked as England captain, Cole should show some class, swallow his pride and accept his punishment. Arsenal fans must be laughing themselves silly to the bank.
SUNDERLAND
Sunderland are free-falling at the moment and they are now winless in their last 13 league matches - that's relegation form. The only bright spot for the Black Cats is that there are other teams much worse than Steve Bruce's side. They have yet to record an away win since the opening day of the season. Sunderland are 16th in the table but they are just three points away from the drop zone. Much has been expected from Sunderland after they spent more than £25million on new players at the start of the season. The new players have not contributed as much as expected and doubts over Bruce's managerial qualities have been raised. If Sunderland go down this season, Bruce's managerial career could go the similar way.
BURNLEY
Burnley have now lost six of their last seven league games and look increasingly likely to join Portsmouth in the Championship next season.
PORTSMOUTH
A disgrace on and off the field. They could become the first-ever Premier League club to go into administration. Hope this serves as a lesson to the other clubs.
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