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Both Arsenal and Marseille wasted chances to consolidate top spot in the group, finishing level at 0-0, meaning Arsenal remain a point clear of the french side.

Genk earned a heroic point against Chelsea, drawing 1-1.

Apoel snatched a late victory over Porto. Hulk scored an 89th minute penalty but only seconds later Manduca sent the home fans into hysterics as Apoel won 2-1.

Milan’s first half goal was spoilt by a penalty decision handing Borisov a point.

Dortmund earned their first win of the tournament at home to Olympiakos, 1-0.

Messi continued to be the down right goal scoring freak that he is, scoring yet another hat trick and new signing Fabregas added a fourth as Barcelona thrashed Plzen away.

Valencia had a strong second half to knock off Leverkusen 3-1.

Zenit beat Shakhtar 1-0 with a first half injury time goal.

Gareth Bale ripped in a double at White Hart Lane as Tottenham dominated QPR to draw level with Chelsea with a game in hand.

Newcastle remained one of two undefeated teams, easily putting away Stoke City 3-1 at the Britannia, a very promising result.

Manchester United had the unenviable task of heading to the hostile arena that is Goodison Park, less than a week after their stunning annihilation at the hands of their noisy neighbours Manchester City at Old Trafford. In what was a game lacking nearly all of the excitement of the previous week, a typical Javier Hernandez tap in separated the two sides, although Everton may feel they were unfairly denied a penalty in injury time.

Arsenal demolished Chelsea 5-3 in what was a truly incredible game of ascendancy and attacking flair. For a full review of that amazing game see below this article.

Liverpool got their Top 4 aspirations back on track with a 2-0 win away to West Brom, who fall into the lower half of the table.

Manchester City were not at their best but knocked off Wolves 3-1, including a fine strike from Adam Johnson who would start for any other team in England and most teams around the world, yet cannot find a starting place at Eastlands.

Norwich and Blackburn played out an entertaining 3-3 draw.

Sunderland and Aston Villa were left to share a point in perhaps a battle for the title of ‘best of the rest’.

Swansea City continued their impressive start, downing lowly Bolton 3-1. It looks as though Bolton’s stellar run in the top flight may be come to an end this season.

Fulham moved away from danger, sending Wigan to the bottom of the table with a 2-0 win.

London is Red.

In what was one of the most incredible games of football I have ever seen (I have said that way too many times this year, at least this time Arsenal are on the right end).

Arsenal embarked on the formidable task of heading to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea, in the midst of a rocky start to their Premier League campaign to say the very least.

Chelsea blew Arsenal off the park early, finding it all too easy to beat Arsenal’s fullbacks Djourou and Santos, and could have been 2 or 3 goals up inside 10 minutes. Arsenal then pushed back and could have scored 2 goals themselves but Theo Walcott’s inch perfect crosses were wasted by both Gervinho and van Persie.

It didn’t take long for Chelsea to respond, breaking down Arsenal’s typical woeful defending as Juan Mata delivered a cross for Frank Lampard to head home before the 20th minute. Arsenal responded some 15 minutes later as Ramsey played a gorgeous ball through the heart of Chelsea’s defense to Gervinho who unselfishly played in his captain for Arsenal’s equaliser. Arsenal looked to take the game level into half time, but again embarrassed themselves with a lacklustre piece of defending off a set piece, allowing John Terry to attempt to bury a difficult week with a goal.

Arsenal trudged off the park at half time clearly frustrated, but the best was yet to come.

Arsenal clearly came out the better side in the second half and got forward early through Walcott, Gervinho and Santos. The latter made a fabulous overlapping run and beat Cech to level the scores at 2-2, restoring hope for Arsenal to earn a point. Not long after Theo Walcott continued his recent dominance over Ca$hely Cole as he incredibly dribbled through the defense and fired a dipping bullet past Cech to send the Arsenal fans and players into hysterics as they claimed a rare lead at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal had half an hour to survive the Chelsea onslaught as Jenkinson and Vermaelen came on to sure up the defense. Juan Mata ensured Chelsea would still be in it with a stunning floating goal with around 10 minutes to go, despite Santos clearly being fouled by Lukaku as Mata took possession. It promised a dramatic final 10 minutes, but no one expected what happened next.

Malouda, a second half substitution laid a simple back pass to John Terry, which was not on target and Terry reacted angrily, costing himself position and eventually his footing. Terry slipped over and that left Robin van Persie one on one with Cech, who he simply rounded and played in his second of the day and restored Arsenal’s lead.

Chelsea pushed on for a winner and Arsenal fought with all their might to deny the West Londoners. Chelsea committed nearly everyone forward, and Arsenal managed to escape an attack and set out on a 4-2 overlap. In typical Arsenal fashion they moved the ball amongst the four counter attackers at speed, eventually finding van Persie who smashed a swerving effort past Cech for his second career hat trick and ensured all 3 points went back to the Emirates.

The game was one of incredible ebbs and flows, one of consistent lead and possession changes, one of contrasting periods of dominance. It was the most lively high profile showdown for some time. Both teams abandoned a conservative approach in an effort to go out and score goals. When a team did sit back they were broken apart, as the 8 goal game suggested.

It underlined something I wrote about earlier in the week, that Arsenal have really developed a new persona about them, a fighting persona. The Arsenal teams of the past would have been overwhelmed and intimidated out of such a game, especially after being down early and heartbreakingly at half time. Yet this new look Arsenal team, no doubt lower on quality but higher on character, continue to fight till the final whistle and that is the reason they are in the midst of a five game win streak. They are unbeaten since their loss away to Tottenham and are within 3 points of Chelsea after being in relegation positions only a month or so ago.

An incredible turn around from Arsenal who have ensured London remains red for the time being.

Meanwhile Chelsea appear to be the shadow of the team they once were, especially defensively, as they are still yet to record a Premier League clean sheet, something that was a given for the Chelsea team’s of the past half decade nearly every week. The fortress that was Stamford Bridge appears to be crumbling down, and the unrest between players, board members, the owner and the fans is starting to be seen clearly on the pitch.

Abramovich will likely throw money at the situation in an effort to resolve it, but this may be beyond anything cash can repair. As Arsenal march back into contention, Chelsea seem to be heading in the other way.

It is not an attribute that is commonly associated with this breed of Arsenal footballers, but it has become evident through the departures of several key squad members that the gunners have found a new mantra.

Known for their free flowing, beautiful football, Arsenal have somewhat ditched that approach this year, opting for a much more blue collar style.

Whilst they still experience tremendous periods of possession, swift attacks and incredible feats of skill, a backbone of strength seems to be forming underneath this seemingly fragile exterior and it has greatly aided the club ever since their horrific loss at Old Trafford.

Arsenal are undefeated in all competitions since their heartbreaking loss away to Tottenham, yet their wins have come in less characteristic styles. Several times the club has come from a goal behind, or equalising efforts to secure late wins, hard grinds and periods of severe defensive pressure.

Last season it was these games that eventually cost Arsenal a greater title threat, even with the greater talents of Cesc Fabregas and $amir Na$ri (couldn’t help myself). These players obviously pushed the team into greater presentations of footballing mastery, and perhaps the downgrade in class has assisted in the departure of this unequalled beauty in their style of play, but I think the effect of losing these two in particular has helped Arsenal to find a truer identity.

They have been so criticised through the past half decade for lacking will, lacking a foundation and lacking a spine. The team has been described as frail, mentally and physically weak and easily intimidated. Players like Na$ri and Fabregas hardly helped the argument for the North Londoners. However as they left, Arsenal brought in replacements that were clearly not as talented, but certainly had a lot more grit, a lot more will and a lot more of a spine. The players they brought in are respective captains, experienced leaders and players used to playing in a more competitive fashion, rather than the sometimes softness that Arsenal produce.

The most recent performances against Sunderland and Stoke City in the Premier League, and certainly Marseille in the Champions League have underlined to me that Arsenal have begun a journey down a new path. The team is no longer relying on it’s beautiful free flowing football to dominate every team they play and attempt to outscore their opponent rather than hold them scoreless, the focus now seems to tie the opposition down with their ever improving defense and play a more physical, direct approach when they are in possession.

The result is hardly as eye pleasing and certainly at times more frustrating, especially for the gooners who have such high expectations (and rightfully so), but in the end all that matters is winning and at the moment that is what Arsenal are doing.

Arsenal have quickly moved back up into 7th place in the Premier League, are in control of their Champions League group and are into the quarter finals of the Carling Cup.

That does not seem to be the club in crisis that everyone is making it out to be. The steadying influence of Arsene Wenger has again come out victorious and the greatness that is Arsenal FC will continue into the near and far future, despite what people might want to believe. With a few additions in January, the welcoming back of several key players and a commitment to consistency, there is no reason why Arsenal fans should expect anything less than a Top 4 finish, and if things go well they could still be in the hunt for a trophy.

As the speculation over England’s next manager continues, a consensus seems to be forming around candidates.

Whilst England have found some success under Fabio Capello, unless they are world champions they are unhappy. I believe even if they were world champions they would be unhappy.

The next manager is expected to be English and I personally feel it should be. A foreign manager does not understand the English game, the English passion and the English expectations half as much as an English manager.

It is as simple and as clear cut as that.

Big Sam Allardyce and Harry Redknapp appear to be two of the front runners, and both fantastic choices in my mind.

Gerrard agrees.

“For me it has to be the best manager, but I also do agree that there are very good English managers out there. Harry Redknapp’s name crops up a lot and I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves for what he’s done at Tottenham and there’s also maybe two or three other candidates along with Harry.

“I don’t see why we should have to look abroad if the English managers are good enough to do it and I believe they are, but for me it’s always a case of pick the best manager that can bring success for the country.”

There is one problem with all of this. Correct me if I’m wrong but Harry Redknapp has said in the past that managing England is the worst job in the world. Perhaps he said the worst job in football but I’m 99% sure it was him that made the claim.

If true, it’s unlikely he will be pried away from the Premier League to coach the most egotistical and demanding team in the world.

It is still hard to register what we saw last night at Old Trafford.

It was built as the biggest Manchester derby of all time, and given the league positions, the talent on the pitch and the off field power of the two clubs, few would argue that it wasn’t.

Both were undefeated heading into the game, and it seemed likely before kickoff that both teams would end the game undefeated.

That could not have been further from the truth.

Mario Balotelli continued his scoring form in the 22nd minute setting the game alight and is really beginning to establish himself in the Premier League and in world football. Everyone has been aware of his talent for many years, but the attitude that was always in question seems to be a thing of the past.

The most talked about moment was cerintaly Johnny Evans’ idiotic straight red card just two minutes into the second half changed the entire complexity of the game. From there City were on the front foot and refused to show United any mercy as they poured in a further 5 goals to completely humiliate their more fancied and successful neighbours on the stage that has seen unequalled United success.

The feeling was one of utter shock and disbelief and even the Manchester City players and fans expressed a true feeling of surprise as the rout continued to pour on.

I think a lot of the blame should be put on Sir Alex Ferguson. Undoubtedly one of, if not the greatest manager the English game has ever seen, perhaps even professional football, rarely does he get it wrong but on this night he got it spectacularly wrong.

I have failed to ever see what some see in Johnny Evans. Not one game have I come away thinking he played a really good game. As Danny Mills said in commentary, “he always has one big mistake in him”, and last night it was the mistake that laid the foundation upon the most embarrassing loss in the history of Manchester United.

With much better options of Phil Jones, Chris Smalling and surely Nemanja Vidic, Ferguson’s decision to play Evans went a long way to losing them that game.

Another key tactical error I felt from Ferguson was the decision to leave Hernandez on the bench. The little Mexican has been a revelation since joining the club last year and has quickly become one of the best goal poachers in football. He poked home a point saving goal against Liverpool last week and is constantly sniffing around the penalty box looking for any scraps that he can turn into points for United. He is the near perfect striker to have in the elite games against the elite clubs because his knack for scoring goals is something more valuable than most other talents.

Whilst Welbeck is a wonderful talent, I feel Sir Alex is pushing too hard for him to become Rooney’s long term strike partner, or indeed their main man upfront, with Rooney at centre forward in behind him. Welbeck is not ready for week in, week out football at the highest level but Ferguson has refused this, continually playing the young striker in hopes he will quickly become the incumbent striker for Manchester United. He may well become that, but he is not there yet. Hernandez should have started.

The rest of the finger pointing will largely be at United’s two most experienced figures. Rio Ferdinand played by far the worst game I have ever seen him play, and Patrice Evra was not far behind. Ferdinand was solely to blame for at least 2 of the 6 Manchester City goals in which he failed, no REFUSED, to track runners and clear the ball. Evra clearly was not mentally right to play the game given his racial controversies involving Luiz Suarez that dominated headlines through the week, another big error from Sir Alex.

Manchester United, albeit brave or just stupid, continued to try to attack Manchester City until the death, allowing the sky blues to easily counter the 10 men reds and add to the misery. Smalling and Evra failed to get back on numerous occasions, leaving the disgraceful Ferdinand and unfortunate Phil Jones to deal with continual City out numberings, ultimately leading to more City goals. Ferguson after the match admitted his confusion at the decision to play like this, citing his experienced defenders Ferdinand and Evra who should know better. They would have received the spray of all sprays in that locker room.

Yet Ferguson has always employed his teams to play this way, so I feel he is just as much as fault.

Nonetheless it was one of the worst days in the history of Manchester United, but arguably the biggest day in the history of Manchester City.

Regardless of how it happened or why it happened, Manchester City did the impossible and put a half dozen past their closest rivals and swiftly swung the balance of power in Manchester in their favour.

It is fair to say that the city of Manchester that was once undeniably nothing less than bright red, is now a city with an increasing shade of sky blue.

Arsenal hosted Stoke City in a game that lost a lot of focus due to the huge Manchester derby that was being played out at the same time, but was a game that held a lot of significance for both clubs as they looked to work their respective ways up the ladder. Arsenal came out in typical Arsenal fashion and were dominating the first half hour like the Arsenal of old. Gervinho finished off a gorgeous chip from Aaron Ramsey to give the gunners the advantage. Arsenal continued to look like their old selves as they allowed a scrappy tap in off a wrongly called free kick and Peter Crouch added to his list of extremely mediocre goals.

Arsenal came out in a more confident fashion in the second half but failed to find a go ahead goal. The fans were calling for their captain and with about 20 minutes to go Robin van Persie entered the game. Immediately he sent Arsenal on a second wind and notched a further 2 goals to add to his incredible 2011 tally to give Arsenal a deserved and much needed 3-1 victory over a tough opponent.

Chelsea headed to Queens Park to tackle the Rangers and found themselves in a huge hole early as David Luiz continued his run of comedic errors gifting QPR a penalty after just 10 minutes. Chelsea were incensed all game and Didier Drogba was stupidly sent off for a two footed challenge on Taarabt taking Chelsea down to 9 men before the half. Chelsea looked for an equaliser but were unable to find one and as such dropped points following Manchester United’s home humiliation.

Everton headed to Fulham in what may have been the most entertaining game of the weekend. Loanee winger Drenthe scored an early nominee for goal of the year with a 30 yard curling screamer to give Everton the lead. Fulham responded through Bryan who may have matched Drenthe’s opening stunner with an inch perfect chip to level the game. Two late goals from Saha and Jack Rodwell earnt Everton a much needed 3 points.

Spurs had a tough time against Blackburn but managed a 2-1 win away from home.

I have not forgotten about the marquee match of the weekend, I will be writing a single piece on that match so stay tuned.

Saturday hosted a set of fairly low profile games, with the majority of eye’s transfixed on Sunday’s Manchester derby, also Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea.

Wolves and Swansea played out a 2-2 draw.

West Brom stunned Aston Villa at Villa Park 2-1.

Sunderland continued their somewhat impressive form, beating lowly Bolton 2-0.

Newcastle remained undefeated with a 0-0 draw at St James’ park against Wigan

Liverpool were the lone elite English team playing on Saturday, but they looked anything but elite wasting chance after chance against Norwich who valiantly earnt a point at Anfield. It will be highly disappointing for Liverpool given their terrific game against Manchester United a week ago, a game in which they also should have taken all 3 points.

“It is one game I want to win more than any other. I think this is the biggest game and biggest derby we face now.

“City have been investing and growing steadily and have hit some great form this season. Straightaway when you come here to the city the Manchester derby is something everybody talks about.

“Yes I was an Arsenal fan and loved the derbies I went to see against Spurs. I loved the passion of the occasion. But I am very much United now and this derby has overtaken the north London one in my mind.”

Biggest derby now? Thanks captain obvious.

Gotta say Arsenal fans will be pretty upset they didn’t snatch this young guy up. Instead we get Koscielny and a 8ft12 German.

Wenger has performed a complete hypocritical U-turn in the space of a few quotes.

The Arsenal manager is more than happy for Ryan Giggs to play for Great Britain in the upcoming Olympic Games but when asked whether he would be happy with his young starlets performing he was not so receptive.

“I think it’s good if Great Britain does well at the Olympic Games but we have to find a common, sensible solution to the use of the players.

I would be happy that Giggs plays. Not because he plays for Man United but because I think Giggs has never had the chance to play at international top level tournaments. So for him it would be something fantastic and he’s still good enough to do it.”

“I have a lot of sympathy for everybody but imagine the team who plays a qualifier for the Champions League like we did and it goes on in the period of the Olympic Games. There can be a conflict of interest on the club side and the country side.

“It would be great for England to win the Olympic Games, I’m happy if they win it but it’s important for us as well to have our players when we need them.”

On the prospect of losing five of his young talents to Olympic competition, he added: “We have to find a solution. I don’t know how we can find a solution in the modern game. Before it was an under-23 tournament. Now for England it looks as well to be an over-35 tournament.

“There is a conflict between use of the players at the club and for the country. When you speak as a manager of a club people think you are against the country.

“I am not against the country, I am happy if England does well, why should I not be happy when the team does well? But if you were manager of Arsenal Football Club you would worry as well about having your players when you need to win football games.”

I really don’t understand what was just said but pretty sure he pretty successfully contradicted himself.

Chelsea recorded their largest ever Champions League win, including 2 from current EPL suspended Fernando Torres, putting 5 past a hapless Genk. Mereiles scored his first goal for the club, with Ivanovic and Kalou adding the other 2.

Champions of the universe Barcelona hosted Plzen and despite dominating 79% of possession (astonishing) they only managed to put 2 goals past the unheard of team from the Czech Republic.

AC Milan knocked off Borisov 2-0 at the San Siro.

Leverkusen scored an important 2-1 victory over Valencia.

Porto and Apoel drew 1-1, Olympiakos condemned the German champions Dortmund to a 3-1 loss in Greece, and Shaktar played out a 2-2 draw with Zenit.

The final match of the day saw struggling Arsenal head to struggling Marseille in what would have been a hugely high profile and exciting game only a season or two ago. Both teams find themselves in unfamiliar situations but both were at the top of their group. The match was largely flat as both teams showed why they have been under fire in the early stages of their respective league campaigns. Arsenal defended valiantly and that allowed one of their many starlets and Welsh captain Aaron Ramsey to pounce on a neat Gervinho touch off a Djourou cross and slide in a winner in the third and final minute of injury time to send the travelling fans into raptures and Marseille into a deeper state of depression.

Check back in later for a look inside a new mentality that is beginning to emerge amongst the troubles at Arsenal.