Premier League: Ups and Downs
Iain Hepburn | September 4, 2012
Our weekly guide to who has seen their English Premier League stock rise… and whose is dropping faster than Facebook’s share price…
GOING UP
Andy Carroll, West Ham
The previously out-of-form Liverpool striker looked rejuvenated in his first start on loan at West Ham. He caused havoc in the air, helped by a team playing to his strengths, as Fulham were beaten 3-0. Shame he picked up an injury.
Manchester strikers
A superb weekend for both sides of the city as Carlos Tevez had a hand in all three goals in City’s 3-1 win over QPR, scoring one and assisting two, while Robin van Persie’s hat-trick against Southampton made up for his earlier penalty miss in a thrilling win.
Nigel Adkins, Southampton
Rumours his job is on the line are ludicrous, given that Adkins has led his promoted side to two brilliant displays against last season’s top two – Manchester’s City and United – losing both by a single goal.
GOING DOWN
Andre Villas-Boas, Tottenham Hotspur
The Portuguese manager must be getting a bout of deja vu. For Chelsea last season, read Spurs this. Big turnover of players, attempt to stamp his style on his new team, winless start to the campaign.
Swansea defenders
Swansea’s backline was breached twice by Sunderland. The main culprit was Chico, below, at fault for a goal and sent off for trying to scalp Louis Saha. Spare a thought too for Neil Taylor. A star of 2011/12, he is out for the season with a broken ankle.
Marouane Fellaini, Everton
What a difference a week makes in football. Dominant in his first two games of the season, the Belgian missed a golden chance at West Bromwich Albion with the score at 0-0. Moments later, Shane Long netted and West Brom won 2-0.
