The Observatory: Week 6 in the BPL

photo by tibchris	via PhotoRee

o Chelsea 2 - Arsenal 1: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger took a big risk by benching Per Mertesacker and starting Laurent Koscielny in central defense against Chelsea this past weekend, but was handsomely rewarded for his bold decision. Koscielny returned a goal and an assist during his terror-inducing minutes on the pitch. Now all Le Professor has to do is point out that it's the other net Koscielny should be aiming at....

o Manchester City 2- Fulham 1 : Has Vincent Kompany let success go to his (extra large) head? The Belgian looks a completely different player than last season -- and not for the better. Giving away cheap fouls and letting his temper get the best of him, Kompany also looks a step shy of the player who was the best defender in the English League last season and a major contributor to City's title run.

o Liverpool 5 - Norwich City 2: Congratulations to Chris Hughton for accomplishing something no other Manager has been able to this season: turning Luis Suarez into an accurate shooter and shaking Liverpool out of their torpid state. In a related development, don't be surprised when Hughton's Norwich City squad become the first team to be relegated this season.

o Aston Villa 1 - West Brom 1: It was quite a match schedule provided by the League on Saturday, but it was still a serious stretch to call any match featuring Aston Villa vs West Bromwich Albion "Super Sunday...."

o Everton 3 - Southampton 1: Do Everton have a surplus of strikers this season, or what? Exit Victor Anichebe, enter Nikica Jelavic... His brace and Everton's win make the Serb our Player of the Week.

o Reading 2 - Newcastle 2: Demba Ba just can't stop scoring. And having learned his technique this week from Diego Maradona, the Senegalese hitman in rounding into unstoppable form -- just prior to the Magpies' meeting with Manchester United next week.... And I'm fairly certain most United fans remember what Ba did to them last January....

o Kudos the the league's referees for the uptick in yellow cards for simulation. Even if it occasionally means that a player is incorrectly carded, it's better than the alternative: Luis Suarez flopping every single time he's in the box.

This is farlieonfootie saying "Rabbit Rabbit for October 1.