1. Caught Offside

Be a sheep. Whilst it is always good to locate the 'next big thing' and follow the trend of a cheap player hitting a strong patch of form, do not attempt to adhere to the theory that buying the most obvious players is pointless as everyone has them.

What an excellent day of football we all had yesterday, starting with the controversial Manchester United, Liverpool match at Old Trafford , and a result that went our way with Liverpool losing 2-1.

I am not so sure about all the Suarez, Evra hype though as it is obvious that there is bad blood between the two of them, but to the credit of Evra he was willing to shake Suarez's hand before the match, but Suarez refused.

Arsenal traveled north to face a Sunderland club that has seen a resurgence since installing Martin O'Neil as their manager and it took a two late goal by impact substitutes to come away with the three points. Keep reading for all the glorious heart-stopping action.

Arsene Wenger chose to start the same squad that demolished Blackburn last week with the exception of Francis Coquelin as Bacary Sagna was drafted in for his 2nd start since his broken leg.

Barclays Premier League

Saturday 11th February 3pm

Sunderland AFC v Arsenal

Founded in 1879 as Sunderland and District Teachers AFC, Sunderland joined the Football League in 1890 and went on to win the League the following season.

The Daily Mail, an English news outlet with a dubious record when it comes to sports related rumors, is reporting that Sunderland has Michael Farfan not only in for a trial, but is also trying to get him a work permit. Farfan will train with Sunderland for two weeks, ending on January 24.

Farfan was originally said to be training with the English Premier side yesterday, when Soccer By Ives revealed the midfielder was heading to Tyne and Wear.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is set to step up his pursuit of a new midfielder during the course of the January transfer window and has set his sights on Sunderland's Stephane Sessegnon, according to reports in The Metro.
Sessegnon has begun o play some of his best football for Sunderland since the arrival of new boss Martin O'Neil at the Stadium of Light.

Llegan las fechas navideñas y el fútbol parece hacer una pausa que nos deja un poco descolocados, nos cortan el suministro. Por suerte, en países como Escocia, Bélgica y sobre todo Inglaterra el fútbol no para, y es que es de sobra conocido el 'Boxing Day' en las islas británicas. Esos partidos en un 26 de Diciembre en el que mientras los pequeños abren sus regalos de Papa Noel la Premier nos hace su regalo especial con una jornada más de la que llevo considerando durante bastantes años la mejor liga del mundo.

After the defeat to Stoke at the Britannia Stadium recently, it was important for Spurs to get back to winning ways. White Hart Lane has been a fortress for us in recent seasons but the Martin O'Neil factor was always likely to threaten our chances last Sunday against Sunderland.

In the end a moment of magic from Dutchman Van der Vart and an emphatic finish from forgotten man Roman Pavlyuchenko secured the points.

Pat Fenlon finds himself in the Hibernian trenches for the first time this evening.
Another SPL Friday night experiment as Hibs take a trip to Motherwell.
Perhaps I'm guilty of misreading his intent but my impression was that Henry McLeish had suggested Friday night football as a way of reinvigorating the lower leagues.

Following on from the crushing defeats to both Manchester teams, Daniel Levy must surely be considering the position of Harry Redknapp at Tottenham.

United and City will probably be competing for the title this season, but the pathetic manner in which we capitulated in both fixtures demonstrates the difference in class and also highlights the lack of improvement over the last season.

I wish I could take credit for finding this video of Pia Sundhage playing the guitar and singing a Swedish Joan Armatrading-ish track. My archive isn't that deep, however. So we owe a big thank you to Jen O'Neil of She Kicks (via twitter @SheKicksdotnet) and also @DandalBs, who explained that this is a "happy revolutionary song from the 1970s" and shared the following translation (of the title?

Close by the front gate of the West Ham training ground stands a plum Rolls-Royce, writes Patrick Collins. The personalised numberplate declares it the property of David Gold, the club's co-owner. Gold is spotted through an office window, waving his arms and making a point. His website describes him as being 'blessed with a friendly, welcoming nature'.

Reina
Skrtel Carragher Wilson
Kelly Lucas Gerrard Johnson
Meireles
Kuyt Suarez
Goals:
Parker 22'
Ba 45'
Johnson 84'
C Cole 90+1'
Well, for the fifth-straight meeting between Liverpool and West Ham, the winning team's scored three goals.

West Ham 4 1 Burnley

By James Shaw

West Ham struck while the Iron was cold.

Opening the scoring a debutant German of old.

A trademark thurderbolt reministant of his villa days.

Fans in the stand celebrate, Avram Grant remains unphased.

West Ham chairman David Gold says the club have agreed a deal to sign Tottenham's Irish striker Robbie Keane on loan until the end of the season.
The Hammers have brought in the Ireland record goalscoring international with a view to making the deal permanent at the end of the campaign.

West Ham co-owner David Gold believes an attempt to bring Joe Cole back to Upton Park has 'run its course'.
The club's manager, Avram Grant, admitted last week that he would welcome a reunion with the Liverpool playmaker, who he worked with at former club Chelsea.
It has also been reported that Cole would be interested in a return to West Ham, where he began his career, having struggled since a Bosman move to Anfield in June.

Just when you thought Newcastle United had cornered the market in mishandling a managerial switch, West Ham's owners look set to give Mike Ashley a run for his money. For weeks Hammers' boss Avram Grant has been a dead man walking waiting for the axe to fall after securing just four wins all season, leaving the club languishing at the foot of the table.

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West Ham are reportedly ready to ditch current boss Avram Grant and replace him with former Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neil.

Sources have told Sky Sports News that Hammers boss Avram Grant will take charge of his last match at Upton Park in Saturday's late kick-off at home to third place Arsenal.