Seventeenth Week Conclusions in the Premiership

City Slickers back on track. What’s a weekly round-up these days without a mention of our friends in sky blue. Recording two wins in his first two matches including a 3-0 thrashing over Wolves at Molineux – City‘s first away victory in the league since a 1-0 win at Portsmouth at the end of August – Roberto Mancini has quietly weathered criticism of his appointment at the expense of his predecessor, the hard working and highly respected Mark Hughes.

Everton snap out of their stupor. Prior to the Toffees comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley, David Moyes‘ side had drawn 4, lost 3 and won 1 of their last 8 league matches.  Poor form by anyone’s standards. With their position in the top flight seriously under threat only three weeks ago, Everton now sit 11th with an outside chance of a European place but still only 5 points from the drop. The rumoured return of Phil Jagielka may help paper over the cracks at the back ahead of what looks to be a demanding  six-week start to 2010 including a visit to the Emirates and Anfield and the hosting of Man City and Chelsea.

Luka returns in style. One of the league’s most technically gifted players, the Croatian playmaker Luka Modric started his first match since suffering a broken fibula in late August and took barely ten minutes to mark his return to action. Bundling in Spurs‘ first in their 2-0 win over West Ham, the midfield maestro wheeled away and celebrated with the White Hart Lane crowd who must now believe a top four finish is well within reach.

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