S1-2A by fasthighlights

Sunderland has always been a tough side to crack and yesterday was no different on a horrible pitch at the Stadium of Blight. The first half was marked by the usual spectacle of Arsenal bossing the ball with little to show. Sunderland known for its strong defending did just that but their counterattacking was laboured.

By Chris Wright

Given the current penchant for the two-footed Exocet-style challenge as favoured by Glen Johnson among others, here is Pies' pick of the XI worst, shin-splintering, sinew-shredding, ligament-twanging, bone-flaking tackles to ever take place on a Premier League pitch (that we could find corresponding videos for).

It seems like ages since I tickled the malnourished belly of the SPL with a wildly inaccurate prediction post.
I think the last time I Nostradamus-ed the weekend action Rangers had won the title and Motherwell were about to take the Champion's League by storm.
What a difference an eight point swing makes.

Darren Bent's first return to Wearside since his switch to Aston Villa has dominated the headlines, but Steve Bruce will more concerned with trying to find what would only be his third home win of 2011.

Alex McLeish is coming off the back of two losses; one far from unexpected, the other extremely disappointing.

By Chris Wright

For no other reason than that it's currently stair-rodding it down outside my window, here's an 18-strong photographic agglomeration of football being played out in the driving rain...

◄ Back Next ► Picture 1 of 18

Scotland's Phil Bardsley gets a soaking as he heads the ball clear against Denmark at Hampden Park, 2011

Suggested further viewing for fans of adverse weather.

After two great seasons in the United first team squad, Jonny Evans' form dropped dramatically last season, with him repeatedly being shrugged off and outjumped by opponents.

In more recent times, whilst the likes of Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea have had long stints in the first team following poor form, the likes of Kieran Richardson and Phil Bardsley weren't so lucky.

Match facts, team news and quotes ahead of the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Sunderlandat the Emirates Stadium.

TEAM NEWS

Bacary Sagna's ankle injury sustained against Tottenham means he has joined Jack Wilshere, Abou Diaby and Thomas Vermaelenon the injury list, but defenders Laurent Koscielny and Sebastien Squillaci and goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny are available.

Image: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe.

Oh, we do love a twofer, here at Kickette. Ladies and gents, please enjoy yet more footballer dejection that we can devour, courtesy of Scotland's Barry Bannan and Phil Bardsley.

Image: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe.

Thinking about it, Phil's short tent situ makes it more of a 'threefer', no?

Liechtenstein vs Scotland Highlights Video 2011 Mackail Smith Goal is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter

Liechtenstein vs Scotland Highlights Video 2011 Mackail Smith Goal is a post from Soccer Blogger. Follow Soccer Blogger on Twitter Liechtenstein vs Scotland 2011 Final score and result:- Liechtenstein vs Scotland 0-1 ( Craig Mackail-Smith) Rheinpark Stadion, Vaduz- 8 October, 2011 Craig Mackail-Smith's goal from Phil Bardsley's cross keeps Scotland's Euro 2012 qualification hopes alive [.

Sunderland defender Phillip Bardsley has been charged with violent conduct by the FA after his stamp on Juan Mata during the Black Cats 2-1 loss to Chelsea on Saturday. Sunderland have confirmed they will not appeal the four game ban which will see the defender miss games with Stoke, Norwich, West Brom and Arsenal respectively.

A walk in the proverbial park. The boys mixed it up well for the most part at the Stadium of Light against a Sunderland side well, let's be fair here that was shit. Asamoah Gyan off to the oil fields, too? Steve Bruce. Man, the guy's in trouble.

Making a point

Improvement.

Not being Irish, I don't really understand the whole "second team" malarky. When Robbie Keane signed for Liverpool, claiming they were his boyhood team, before signing for Celtic, and claiming the same, he was ridiculed on this blog. I, like many, didn't and don't understand how you can support two teams.

It is being reported that Darron Gibson has agreed a move to Sunderland after Manchester United accepted a bid for him last week. Wes Brown and John O'Shea were also a part of that offer, although it is understood Wes is more interested in a move to Everton.

Gibson had hoped to secure a first team place this season but has failed to impress when given the opportunity.

Robbie Keane's 49th international goal saw Ireland claim the inaugural Carling Nations Cup with a 1-0 win over Scotland.
Keane grabbed the winner midway through the first half after running 30 yards and firing low under Allan McGregor.
The skipper's place in the history books in international goals scored owes much to the work of the much-maligned Paul McShane.

English Premier League side Sunderland AFC have launched their 2011/12 away kit. The Black Cats unveiled their Umbro 11/12 road strip on Friday via their website and Facebook page featuring modeling from players Titus Bramble, Phil Bardsley and Michael Turner. The launch follows the March release of the Sunderland Umbro 2011/12 home kit.

Steve Bruce has again reiterated his desire to sign Danny Welbeck on a permanent deal but believes it is almost impossible.

Kieran Richardson, Phil Bardsley and Frazier Campbell have all made the move from United after progressing through our academy and will certainly be promoting the positives of leaving United for a club he could play for every week.

Steve Bruce has made no secret of the fact he would love on loan striker, Danny Welbeck, to remain at Sunderland on a permanent deal. The lad from Longsight has done well in the North East and has obviously benefited with playing week in week out.

However, at United, he would still be fourth in pecking order, which has meant he's less than certain about his return to United next season.

Bring em' out!

In our last Premier League encounter, I wrote that the demons had finally been lifted and it looked as though the famous CFC were beginning to find their sea legs once more. It might have been pre-emptive, and it could easily have been considered a classic case of drinking the proverbial kool-aid.

Aston Villa have pulled £18million out of a magic hat to put a bid in for Sunderland's Darren Bent. He's scored 36 goals in 63 appearances since his £10million move from Spurs but has now handed in a transfer request.

This raises several questions for football fans today. Where have Villa got this money from?

By Ollie Irish

Manchester City's Carlos Tevez scores his side's fourth goal of the game against Wolves at Eastlands.

Blackburn Rovers' Mame Diouf and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic battle for the ball.

Arsenal's Robin van Persie scores his team's third goal againt West Ham, from the penalty spot.

Even though full-back Rafael was sent off but 10-man Manchester United still kept their unbeaten record as they went back to the top of the Barclays Premier League on goal difference after a 0-0 draw against Spurs.

Wayne Rooney brought a couple of smart saves from Tottenham goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and Rafael van der Vaart also went close on two occasions for Tottenham.

Gameweek 23 provides us with a really super Sunday. We have the Second City, Tyne-Wear and Merseyside derbies to look forward to and if that's not enough there is Man Utd's visit to Tottenham to cap it all off. A day of goals, drama, high emotion and controversy is on the cards.

Aston Villa's short trip to St Andrews looks to be a close encounter, and it could be at the back where the points are to be had.

Gameweek 23 provides us with a really super Sunday. We have the Second City, Tyne-Wear and Merseyside derbies to look forward to and if that's not enough there is Man Utd's visit to Tottenham to cap it all off. A day of goals, drama, high emotion and controversy is on the cards.

Aston Villa's short trip to St Andrews looks to be a close encounter, and it could be at the back where the points are to be had.