Internet service provider issues knocked me out of the box recently. The problems are on the mend but I wasn't able to keep in step with the mid-week games in particular so a comment or two is in order.

In the big match of the week the Carling Cup Semifinal Manchester Derby was a thrilling match and unfortunately for City they lost their advantage and a trip to Wembley losing 3-1 (4-3agg) on a Wayne Rooney goal in stoppage time. Go figure. A United deserved win and will face Villa next month for the trophy.

Eidur Gudjohnsen has made a loan move to Spurs and Bennie McCarthy will show up in a West Ham shirt along with Hasan Mido for the rest of the season too. Zola has hopes this will help his side avoid relegation. As to why Harry signed Gudjohnsen the answer came on the final day when Robbie Keane clinched a loan deal with Celtic who have also inked a deal with Fulham for Kamara. Interestingly enough most EPL sides were on the sidelines during this winter window.

Landon Donovan scored his first goal for Everton in a 2-0 victory over Sunderland. Tim Cahill opened the scoring and then assisted on Donovan's goal with his headed pass that Donovan converted.

Liverpool laid another egg in a scoreless draw with Wolves despite Gerrard being on the pitch. The Reds now are in 5th on goal difference over City who has two games in hand. Meanwhile Spurs were winners and moved 3 points clear in the battle for 4th. Villa is one point back of City and they also have a game in hand over Liverpool after their scoreless draw with Arsenal. Birmingham City's unbeaten run came to an end in a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea who regained the top spot in the table.

The weekend featured a big one with United visiting the Emirates as the headline match and United outclassed the hosts on some sterling examples of precise execution and how the game is intended to be played. Rooney notched his 100th EPL goal and the 20th of the campaign. I almost never cheer for either of these teams but United earned my respect in this one and envy too just to set the record straight. United were classy and inspired by Rooney they were simply terrific. Nani has been been one of those that have risen to the occasion putting together terrific performances in game after game and this win at the Emirates was another example of that. With Rooney and Nani leading by example United are charging into the run-in in great style.

Chelsea stayed top with an 83rd minute John Terry header to defeat an energetic Burnley 2-1 at the Bridge. Anelka opened the scoring in the 27th minute and Burnley held their own, produced the tying goal from Steven Fletcher (50) ahead of Terry's match winner. In a week where Terry is in the news for other reasons he does his job for the club.

In the fight for 4th Spurs travelled to Birmingham and suffered a shock as City leveled in stoppage time costing Tottenham dearly. Defoe's 69th minute strike looked to have earned the full points for Spurs until Liam Ridgwell hit the back of the net deep into added time.

Villa sent Fulham to their 5th straight defeat with a 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage on two goals from Agbonlahor as they took advantage of Spurs dropping points late.

Tim Cahill won another one for Everton on an 84th minute header from a Leighton Baines corner at Wigan. The victory extends Everton's unbeaten run to nine.

Scoring for the first time in five games Wolves battled back twice to get a 2-2 draw at Hull City while West Ham and Blackburn ended scoreless.

Man City handed Pompey a 2-0 loss while not playing particularly well themselves. Adebayor's match winner (40) in his return after the horrific experience of the terrorist attack at the African Cup of Nations and Kompany made it safe with his strike in the 45th.

Liverpool welcomed Bolton to Anfield and won 2-0 despite a less than pleasing performance, something they've been getting away with lately. With all the stick directed at Rafa Liverpool is now unbeaten in six in the league winning 14 of 18 points over that span and making a serious bid to remain in the fight for 4th. The Reds' goals came from Kuyt (37) and a cruel deflection of an Insua drive off Kevin Davies (70) which was scored an OG.

As for Rafa he now claims the rumours about Juve are just that, rumours, and there is nothing to it. A thought crossed my mind on this scenario: why would a club the stature of Juve want the guy? Really.
Yes, I understand they're faltering but does anyone really think Rafa can change that? Liverpool finished 4th the season before Rafa and they'll be fortunate to manage to get back to that level this year.

Speaking of the final Champions League qualifying place that fight for 4th now has Tottenham, Liverpool, Man City and Villa separated by 2 points with City holding what might be the ace in the hole with their games in hand. As it is now Spurs hold the spot 7 points down to 3rd place Arsenal and that margin will grow even larger as these clubs take points from one another.

In the final EPL action of the round Sunderland welcomed Stoke to the Stadium of Light on Monday for a match that was conspicuous for its near total lack of quality. The torture ended in a well deserved scoreless draw.

On Tuesday Chelsea travels to Hull to cash in their game in hand looking to extend their lead at the top back to 4 points.

On Wednesday two clubs in dire need of a win face off as Fulham entertains Portsmouth in West London ahead of the big derby games next weekend that feature Landon Donovan's first Merseyside Derby and another test for the Gunners who travel to Stamford Bridge to face the leaders.