With the Premier League season more that 25 per cent complete, the runners and riders for this year's title are starting to pull away from the chasing pack. Spurs and Chelsea underlined their credentials as champions Liverpool's biggest challengers with comfortable victories over Arsenal and Leeds respectively. Leicester kept in touch with a last gasp winner against bottom side Leicester City and the much maligned Man United moved within five points of the summit with a come from behind win at West Ham.
With the Premier League moving along nicely, the action in the Advertiser Tribal League is hotting up. And this week we announce our third Manager of the Month gong to hand out; a pair of socks from SockerClub.com's selection (one club per winner ).
Manager of the Month: November
So without further delay; drum rolls please. The winner of the Advertiser Tribal League's Manager of the Month for November is Patrick O Neill and his team plastic fc with a superb score of 238 points.
Congratulations to Patrick and his charges who can contact SockerClub.com via DM on Twitter or email [email protected] to arrange delivery of the prize.
Top picks
Kevin De Bruyne (Man City - £11.8 million ) v Man United
The brilliant Belgian midfielder's return to form has seen The Citizens' performances and results take an upward curve. With a goal and five assists in his last five league outings including a goal and assist last time out against Fulham, De Bruyne is Man City's key in getting back into the title race. On Saturday, City make the short trip across Manchester to their city rivals, Man United. Ole Gunnar Solksjær's men have received a lot of criticism for their inconsistency yet they sit only five points from the top of the table with a game in hand. Defence has been a major problem for both sides this season so I'm expecting goals, goals, and more goals with De Bruyne causing havoc. Get him in your team.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool - £12.3 million ) v Fulham
Such are the high standards that are expected from the exceptional Egyptian, nine goals and three assists from his 10 league outings do not seem to cause much ripples among the back pages of the major sports papers in the UK. It was routine business for Salah and Liverpool on Sunday evening as he contributed a goal and an assist in The Reds' 4-0 thumping of Wolves at Anfield. On Sunday, Liverpool travel to west London to take on league newsboys, Fulham. After a very tough start The Cottagers have managed two wins in their last five outings, enabling them to climb out of the relegation zone. However, Scott Parker's men have had problems at the back with the second worst defensive record in the league. Liverpool win 3-0 with Salah getting on the scoresheet.
Olivier Giroud (Chelsea - £6.7 million ) v Everton
If the World Cup winner was at most other clubs in the league, he would be one of the first names down on the team sheet but such is the firepower at Stamford Bridge these days, Giroud's start last weekend against Leeds was his first of the domestic league campaign. But thanks to a phenomenal four showing against Sevilla last Wednesday, coach Frank Lampard went for the Frenchman from minute one on Saturday evening and Giroud repaid that trust with the equaliser near the end of the first half. On Saturday night, The Blues travel to Merseyside to take on Everton. The Toffees brilliant start to the season has descended into inconsistency with two wins, two losses, and one draw in their last five games. Both sides love to attack so this will be another high scoring encounter. Chelsea to win 3-1 with Giroud to trouble the scorekeepers.
Game week 12 fixtures
Friday:
Leeds v West Ham (8pm ) SKY Sports.
Saturday:
Wolves v Aston Villa (12.30pm ) BT Sport.
Newcastle v West Brom (3pm ) SKY Sports.
Man United v Man City (5.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Everton v Chelsea (8pm ) BT Sport.
Sunday:
Southampton v Sheffield United (12 noon ) SKY Sports.
Crystal Palace v Spurs (2.15pm ) SKY Sports.
Fulham v Liverpool (4.30pm ) SKY Sports.
Arsenal v Burnley (7.15pm ) SKY Sports.
Leicester City v Brighton (7.15pm ) Premier Sports.
