Premier League Ladders

In a week that saw Barcelona reinvent the tern 'good performance' it was great to see a member of Barca-lite stepping up to score goals that would grace the Camp Nou. It is fair to say that everybody accepts Arsenal play the best football in the Premier League, however, the sneering established media feel the need to find fault, to look at the club as though it has no backbone. Maybe there is a deep-rooted suspicion of the fact that this is a very 'French revolution' that holds back the praise that is due. Lets state it clearly here that if Wayne Rooney had scored the goals that Samir Nasri did on Saturday - they would be played and replayed with gusto. Never mind Wayne Rooney - Nasri looked like George Best against Fulham. Genius. League leaders in more ways than one.

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* As far away from what Nasri was doing on Saturday was the sight of Rory Delap's 'long throw vest'. Stoke are doing the business but it is for this type of thing that it all seems very depressing.

* How Chelsea were awarded a penalty against Everton on Saturday can be put down to the pressure that referees are under at the rich clubs. If the referee truly believed in his decision then a red card would have followed. Quite what pressure many memebers of the media are under to explain the decision away is another matter.

* Carlos Tevez may have just proved once and for all why Alex Ferguson felt compelled to hesitate in signing him. He may be the best striker in the Premier League - but it is clear he does not help a club in transition which is just what both United and City are.

* Almost as much of a tribute to the late Jack Walker as the Premier League title was in 1995 is the fact that Blackburn Rovers represent a quality that is lacking in so many other clubs... they are like steel when they play at Ewood.

* Liverpool welcome back Gerard Houllier on Monday night. He was mocked when he left the club by the new manager and looked something of a failure when they snared the European Cup a year later. It was Houllier who built that side and maybe deserves a little more respect.