The List | 10 Things We Learnt From The Weekend - 16/12/2013
The List | Ten Things We Learnt From The Weekend
Goals galore and managerial sackings a plenty, the top talking points from the around Europe's domestic leagues this weekend. 
Another dramatic weekend of football in the Premier League finished with North London's two clubs as the big losers, while Chelsea and Liverpool made up vital ground in the title race. A certain forward also stepped up and enhanced his already ridiculous reputation.
More managers edged closer to the exit with some already having been pushed, Manchester United actually won a game, and Manchester City, despite their midweek mathematical issues, thrashed Arsenal and some teams are getting into deeper and deeper relegation trouble. Here are the ten things we learnt from the action this weekend. 
Daniel Levy finally ran out of patience - It was always a matter of when, not if. After Tottenham were humiliated at home losing 5-0 to Liverpool, the Spurs chairman was left no choice but to sack Andres Villas-Boas. Where the Portugese manager will go from here and who will replace him remains to be seen.
Suarez is sensational - Super skipper Suarez. The forward led both the line and the team against Spurs and was once again sensational. Everything good about Liverpool goes through the Uruguayan and it seems that if he is not scoring, he is setting them up. If the Reds keep their star man, nothing is off the table this season. 
Are the wheels are coming off? Arsenal have lost to Manchester United, Chelsea and now been thrashed by Manchester City. The highlights do not do City justice, but the defending from Arsenal has to come under some scrutiny. Can they beat the big teams or are the wheels set to fall off? By next Monday evening, we may well have an answer to that. 
When they are good, they are very, very good - Manchester City at home are about as unstoppable as anyone. They looked like they were able to score at will against Arsenal, and those pundits who claimed whoever finishes above Pellegrini s men will win the title look like being right. The problem is when they are bad, they are awful. 
It is time to bring Hart back - Costel Pantilimon is a decent keeper. That is all. After his shaky performance against Arsenal, there are becoming fewer reasons to keep Hart on the bench than ever before. Unless City plan on bringing in a new keeper this winter, the England International has to regain his shirt. If not, it is time to move on. 
One horse race in the Bundesliga - This season, Bayern Munich are literally running away with the title. It is good news for the Bavarians and frees them up to focus on other competitions, but a weak league is no good for anyone. Whilst we are on that point, BVB may have topped their Champions League group, but in the league they're really struggling for form. 
Atletico Madrid deserve all the plaudits they are getting - The club from Madrid are joint top of La Liga and are in the knockout phase of the Champions League. Their manager is top class, and is building a force to be reckoned with. Losing Ramadel Falcao could well be the best thing that happened to the club. Diego Costa is a super star and Koke et al aren t too shabby either. 
The managerial sackings are in full swing - Today's news from White Hart Lane might not have been much of a surpise but Saturday's sacking of Steve Clarke was. The Scotsman steered Albion to 8th place in the Premier league last season, their highest finish since 1981 and with their biggest ever points tally. But have a bad run of games and it appears nobody's job is safe. Who's next for the chop? 
Sergio Ramos, king of red cards - It is 18 now for the man from Madrid and his sending off put Real Madrid under serious pressure during their difficult trip to Pamplona. Real dropped two points meaning they're even further off the top and anyone who was watching Ramos yet again will know that he is so easy to wind up and at times, an utter liability. 
A good weekend for Benitez - His side may have dropped into the Europa League - which Benitez will probably be looking forward to defending - but given the fact they managed to beat his former side Inter Milan 4-2 means Benitez will have slept well last night. Juventus notched up another mammoth victory and putting one over his former side won t go a miss.
Let us know what you thought of this weekend's football? 
