Premier League Heroes and Villains: Toon hit six and Sterling shines
Published:Lee Gormley | October 19, 2015
Matchweek nine Heroes and Villains
It was an enthralling returning weekend for the Premier League, with plenty of goals being struck and many top-flight stars stealing the headlines for their club efforts, following the international break.
After what was a truly exciting matchweek nine, Coral bring you our Heroes and Villains from the latest set of top tier fixtures featuring those who enjoyed their weekend, and those who will want to forget it.
Heroes
Newcastle United
Steve McClaren’s reign as Magpies boss hasn’t got off to the smoothest of starts, but on Sunday, the St James’ Park faithful finally witnessed a win to celebrate, after Newcastle rallied to an emphatic 6-2 triumph over Norwich City.
Star of the show was Dutch midfield maestro Georginio Wijnaldum, with the former PSV skipper bagging an incredible four-goal haul to help the Toon get back to winning ways this season and they are now 13/8 to face relegation.
The Netherlands international became the first Magpies player to score more than three times in a league game since Coral ambassador Alan Shearer, and the seventh Dutchman to ever hit a hat-trick in the division.
Among the Toon’s key performers was also Moussa Sissoko, who excelled in midfield, while Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez were able to add to the scoresheet during a jubilant Sunday on Tyneside.
Wayne Rooney
England’s all-time scorer finally overturned his poor club from with a clinical finish during a 3-0 win over Everton, as Manchester United saw their captain return to form in front of goal.
Rooney had previously not scored at Goodison Park since 2007 and had failed to bag an away league goal since last November, but his clinical effort saw him end his recent drought to keep the Red Devils within touching distance of leaders Manchester City.
Raheem Sterling
With City having missed Sergio Aguero through injury, summer signing Sterling stepped up and enjoyed a dazzling man of the match performance, as he blasted in his first career hat-trick in a comfortable 5-1 Bournemouth trouncing. The former Liverpool man is proving wrong any doubts that were cast over him since departing Anfield!
Villains
Klopp’s boring bow
All of the early focus this weekend was on White Hart Lane and Jurgen Klopp, but the German’s debut as Liverpool boss left fans a little dissatisfied, with Spurs holding on to a goalless draw on home soil.
It was the only 0-0 stalemate in the top-flight on match week nine and couldn’t have been further away from the free-flowing, goal-fest everyone was expecting.
Norwich’s naive Neill
After being promoted from the Championship, Canaries coach Alex Neil opted not to sign any new centre backs for their top-flight return, and it was a naïve decision that haunted his side this weekend.
Being outgunned completely by a misfiring Newcastle has dragged Norwich down to 16th position, as tension begins to build around Carrow Road ahead of what could end up being a long campaign. Neil has the chance in January to address such worrying defensive issues, though.
Aston Villa
Despite guiding Villa to Premier League safety last term, as well as an FA Cup final appearance at Wembley, pressure is mounting on Tim Sherwood after a stuttering start to his first full term as boss.
Chelsea weren’t at their best again against the Villans but still managed to earn a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge, as a faltering Villa outfit continue to struggle second from bottom and are now 5/4 to stay up this season.
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