League Ladders

A wild weekend in the Premier League has thrown up more questions than answers - yet again. Perhaps the most touching moment came on a cold winter's afternoon in Manchester as Old Trafford welcomed back its own version of 'An Idiot Abroad'.

The reception for Wayne Rooney was never going to be of great interest but it felt like we should all pay attention. Everybody knows the truth deep down. If he plays badly then he will be booed as a mercenary. If he plays well he is misunderstood. The great shame is that the question is even being asked about Wayne Rooney's ability. He used to grace any stage on which he performed as a matter of course. The Maradona of Merseyside has gradually become the Scouse Scholes.

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* Tottenham ploughed through Arsenal's defence and reputation in one frantic forty-five minutes. Whenever comebacks occur the world 'Istanbul' is never far away from being used. This time though it seemed that the self-congratulary bad habit that Arsene Wenger's team has at its heart laid them bare as it did Carlo Ancelotti's Milan all those years ago. Arsenal make you believe anything is possible. Good and bad.

* Manchester City strolled past Fulham with ease and showed they are ready to make a serious move to seize control of the league. Funny how journalists were quick to jump on any unrest at City even though they look the most stable club from the likely title contenders. Joe Hart, Yaya Toure and Carlos Tevez create the spine of a champion.

* Ancelotti may be ready to make his move as a result of interference from 'above'. Chelsea may be be in a terrible run of results by their high standards but lets not pretend that they didn't do enough to win three games against Birmingham. Maybe Ray Wilkins would describe the who thing as instant karma!

* It is clear that Bolton were too good for Newcastle on the day. How often was Howard Webb in the mix when the crucial moments took place?

* Liverpool got what they needed - an easy three points puts them back in the mix. The Hodgson haters won't like it - but they are one of the in-form teams in an out of sorts league.

* On the other side of things at Anfield we saw the worst of West Ham. Insipid on the field and bad humoured off it. Goading the manager in November and openly barracking their young Nigerian striker is going to help no-one. Gutless.

* Prince William in the stand and another win in the world's richest and most famous league - this is Blackpool!