Coral’s Heroes and Villains from latest Premier League round

We’re into December and although it’s season for pantomime villains, Coral are still proceeding with their very own Heroes and Villains feature.

Heroes

Roberto Soldado
Was rewarded for his patience and persistence, Spurs’ Spaniard Soldado, finally hit the back of the net, sending Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard the wrong way, to score his first Premier League goal of the season, as the north London side ran out 2-1 winners over Everton at White Hart Lane. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are 6/1 with Coral to finish in the Premier League top four this term.

Frank Lampard
Manchester City’s veteran midfielder, at the age of 36 showed he still has it. Rolling back the years, he could quite easily have been 26 again as he dispatched a Lampard-esque shot into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area. Running onto a lay-off from James Milner, he was calm and composed as he scored City’s second in their 3-0 win over Southampton.

Glen Johnson
Deserves to be hailed as a hero, after putting his body on the line and emerging with a bloodied face as he connected with his head to send the ball over the line. His solitary goal won the match for Liverpool, who beat Stoke at Anfield, handing them a valuable three points. The Reds are odds-on at 8/13 to secure a top six finish this season.

Villains

Eliaquim Mangala
Two needless challenges earned the French centre back a yellow card apiece for this troubles, resulting in a dismissal early in the second half. Although manager Manuel Pellegrini responded by bringing on Martin Demichellis to plug the gap, their new summer signing still clearly needs to learn.

Diego Costa
So many times he has been in the heroes category this term, Costa picked up a ban for his fifth yellow card of the season, and failed to find the net against Sunderland, as Chelsea recorded a goalless draw.

Jonjo Shelvey
Had the ex-Liverpool midfielder not felled Marouane Chamakh in the area, Swansea may have emerged with three points. However, Mile Jedinak converted from the spot for Crystal Palace, who salvaged a point for the Eagles.