Álvaro mars Porto’s prominence as City win first leg

Super-sub Sergio Agüero gives the thumbs-up after his winner puts City in a healthy position for the second leg at The Etihad

Thursday 16th February 2012
FC Porto 1 – Varela 27′
Manchester City 2 – Pereira (O.G.) 55′, Agüero 84′
Estádio do Dragão

Manchester City came from a goal down to make sure Porto suffered their first competitive home defeat in just under a year.

By Connor Whitmore (see poll at bottom)

City’s sceptics have gone through the motions so far this season.

Having been elated at the sight of a Tom Cleverly-inspired Manchester United two-goal turnaround in the Community Shield last August, they were then starved dry of any such joy as City – under the influence of the meticulous David Silva – dropped just two league points until late November.

Liverpool Luis, but it’s not all bad for Suárez

Suárez was booed and victimised by the United faithful throughout. He did score, however

Saturday 11th February 2012
Manchester United 2 – Rooney 46′, 50′
Liverpool 1 – Suárez 80′
Old Trafford

Two Wayne Rooney goals made sure Manchester United saw off Liverpool, in a match full of rekindled controversy.

By Connor Whitmore (see poll at bottom)

One would think that after four months of completely altered views and opinions on a certain subject that, in anticipation of the next affair between those who spurred the tension, to forget its occurrence would be the most gentlemanly thing.

But this was Manchester United against Liverpool.

Ruddy good performance from John keeps out Chelsea

Ruddy's sterling performance kept out the likes of Torres throughout

Saturday 21st January 2012
Norwich City 0
Chelsea 0
Carrow Road

Spurned chances made sure Chelsea didn’t come away with three points from Carrow Road, after a battling Norwich side kept their first league clean sheet this season.

By Connor Whitmore (see poll at bottom)

The importance of maintaining squad players through the years of success and failure has risen over previous decades.

One should observe Sir Alex Ferguson, who has built title-winning sides in effortless succession at Manchester United to supplement the expansive careers of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

Cahill capture looks to create colossal pairing for club and country

John Terry (left) and Gary Cahill in Chelsea training earlier this week

Chelsea’s signing of Gary Cahill should see the blossoming of a promising centre-back pairing – at both ends of the football spectrum.

By Connor Whitmore (see poll at bottom)

Reminiscing is difficult in football – wanting to remark on the slightest details to make points has faded as a way of description but remains very effective.

Not much thought is needed, however, when flicking back through this year’s Premier League archive to remember David Luiz’s horrific defending in Chelsea’s 1-3 home loss to Aston Villa last month.

MOM performance raises Demba’s Ba to whole new level

United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard watches Demba Ba's inch-perfect opener sail over into the net

Wednesday 4th January 2012
Newcastle United 3 – Ba 33′, Cabaye 47′, Jones (O.G.) 90′
Manchester United 0
Sports Direct Arena

Manchester United suffered their second successive defeat at the hands of an overwhelming Newcastle side at the SDA.

By Connor Whitmore (see poll at bottom)

As 89 minutes and 41 seconds had passed on the clock at the Sports Direct Arena, Phil Jones had a look of unparalleled despair across his face.

Having converted a woeful own-goal that cried of his inexperience as an uprising centre-half, the young Englishman took the few steps back towards the centre circle with an expression more bewildered than that of his manager Sir Alex Ferguson.