Good, Bad and Ugly R13: Arsenal lead; Chelsea, City roll on; Liverpool stumble; Jol axed

GOOD, BAD & UGLY: It's a horror show for Liverpool fans but Arsenal sit pretty at the top of the EPL table.

DECEMBER is when things start to get really interesting in the Barclays Premier League, and we kick-off a hectic month with Arsenal four points ahead of Chelsea, then Manchester City at the top of the EPL.

Another significant weekend concluded with another managerial casualty, and a furious rant from a frustrated Andre Villas-Boas. It's all here in your wrap of the weekend; the Good, Bad and Ugly for round 13.

GOOD

MODEST SUPERSTAR

ARSENAL stay clear at the top of the Premier League and given the way the season's gone, it should come as no surprise that Aaron Ramsey returned to his hold club to score twice in a 3-0 win.

Ramsey, who left Cardiff as a 17-year-old in 2008, notched his ninth and tenth goals of the campaign but refused to celebrate as a sign of respect, and was warmly received by the home fans.

Mathieu Flamini's goal, and Ramsey's third, killed off the clash and showed all the hallmarks of the verve and cutting edge that is beginning to define this Arsene Wenger crop. But it came as Cardiff were chasing something from the game. Arsenal could have been ahead by more had they cashed in during the first period. Indeed, for all of Arsenal's dominance, it took a top save by Wojciech Szczesny to preserve Arsenal's lead.

Wenger admitted he is in dreamland at the moment, but is still playing down expectations, with a busy Christmas period still to navigate.

News_Rich_Media: Aaron Ramsey's brilliant return to Cardiff City has earned him the player of the week title for round 13 of the EPL.

"Especially after losing the first game at home against Aston Villa, no one could have imagined we would be where we are now, but things change quickly. That was another mature performance. We are showing consistency and good concentration, and we still have the desire to improve."

4-4-2 PREVAILS AFTER 13s SHOCK

Jay Rodriguez had Jose Mourinho bemused after 13 seconds, but Chelsea rallied to edge themselves within four points of league leaders Arsenal and preserve Mourinho's unbeaten home record at Stamford Bridge, now at 67 games.

News_Rich_Media: The top five goals from round 13 of the EPL.

The Blues have nine matches in December - good news for Mark Schwarzer, you'd think - but although Michael Essien could not provide a blast from the past upon his return to the XI, there were signs of the robust traits Mourinho's sides have employed at home during his best years.

The Saints are renowned for their frenetic energy in midfield, but the early goal, ironically, forced Chelsea to up the ante from virtually the start.

It took a while to crank into gear, but when it did, Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar were on simultaneously, charged with the job of breaking down a stubborn defence.

In the end, Mourinho can take the plaudits, turning the tables on Mauricio Pochettino's men by partnering Demba Ba with Fernando Torres and providing two people to provide pressure up front.

"Our 4-4-2 gave Southampton a very different game," Mourinho said. "My feeling was not to wait until the end of the game, but give the opponent a new problem immediately.

"Probably they weren't waiting for that. They like to play the ball from the back, build from the back, and playing with two strikers meant they couldn't play from behind. They started building long, and that allowed my team to play more in the opponents' half and creating changes."

News_Image_File: David Meyler enjoys putting a goal past Liverpool.

TIGER SHOCK

"We're Hull City, we'll die when we want," chanted the home fans after controversial owner Assem Allam, who wants to rename the club the Tigers, told members of the club's 'City Till We Die' fans, well, that they should ... as soon as they want.

News_Rich_Media: The biggest and best show boats from round 13 of the EPL

Amid that stormy backdrop and last week's loss to Crystal Palace, Steve Bruce's men responded in fine style, marshalled by Tom Huddlestone in a three-man midfield.

Liverpool lacked the energy and quality. Daniel Sturridge missed the match and could be out for six-eight weeks with an ankle ligament strain, Philippe Coutinho was consigned to the bench, while Liverpool's sloppiness was accentuated by Brendan Rodgers's surprising changes at the back.

"The quality of our squad isn't big enough to cope with two big players like that missing. No doubt it was a disruption," Rodgers said.

News_Rich_Media: All 15 goals from Sunday's EPL action.

He added: "We lacked quality with the ball, we never created enough and never kept the ball long enough. I always felt we were in control of the game, but we needed to show more quality and penetrate a wee bit more."

AVB HITS BACK

No wonder Tottenham haven't been scoring; their main man is off scoring hat-tricks for Real Madrid!

It's still hard to digest that as we head into December, this is a clash between eighth and ninth; nine and 10 points adrift of the lead respectively.

"I'm concerned we're not as close as we'd like to be [to Arsenal] but it's a long season and hopefully we'll be there or thereabouts," David Moyes said. "There are a lot of games to go. I think the Premier League is tight and we'll try to stay on the shirt-tails and put ourselves in a good position at the start of next year."

News_Image_File: Make that 10 goals for the campaign for Wayne Rooney already.

The heat was on Andre Villas-Boas, big time, after their 6-0 loss to City, and he'll be disappointed his side were pegged back twice, both times by David Moyes's saving grace this season, Wayne Rooney.

But there was more verve and intent in this exciting match, and Kyle Walker's role in the first goal and Hugo Lloris's penalty were lame ways to lose a lead.

A step in the right direction but now AVB is still in the headlines after losing his cool in the post-match press conference.

News_Rich_Media: All the goals from the 6 Saturday matches in the EPL.

HOME SWEET HOME

And, all of a sudden, Manchester City are third, thanks to another comfortable home victory. The star power in Manuel Pellegrini's side run riot at Etihad Stadium but the next curious test comes on the road to West Bromwich Albion in the midweek set of fixtures.

Can City finally do the business away from home?

They have Samir Nasri enjoying arguably his best spell at the club since his move from Arsenal, and the Frenchman celebrated two top draw finishes, running intelligently off Yaya Toure in midfield.

Alvaro Negredo's free-kick rocket highlighted his versatility; the Spanish striker is strong, skilful and with 12 goals this season, a great fillip for Sergio Aguero.

The goalkeeping subplot continues to rumble along, too. Jonjo Shelvey, who was dangerous for the away side, was twice denied by Costel Pantilimon, again picked ahead of Joe Hart.

SPANISH TINGE HELPS EVERTON INTO TOP FOUR

News_Rich_Media: The team of the week for round 13 of the EPL.

Roberto Martinez is enjoying life at Goodison Park, and his Midas touch continued with Gerard Deulofeu, a 19-year-old Spaniard on loan from Barcelona, charming on his starting debut for Everton in a 4-0 win over Stoke.

"He is one of the most talented players in Spain. He caught my attention when he made his debut for Barcelona against Real Madrid at 16. We were on a long list of clubs who wanted him on loan and it was fantastic that he came here," Martinez said of his young star.

"He is an old-fashioned winger, he has incredible pace and enjoys taking players on. I always felt it would be January or February before he was ready but he has surprised me."

The Spaniard started on the right, before moving to the left, and was too much for Stoke to handle. Indeed, his inclusion ahead of Kevin Mirallas is a reflection of the type of team Martinez is moulding on the blue side of Merseyside.

News_Rich_Media: The top five saves from round 13 of the EPL.

As Everton moved alongside Merseyside rivals Liverpool on 24 points, they even managed to cover for star left-back Leighton Baines, with Bryan Oviedo scoring a thunderous goal as Martinez's men backed up brilliantly after their 3-3 Merseyside draw.

Romelu Lukaku rounded out the scoring, his eighth of the campaign for his new club. Shrewd business by Martinez, with two loan players propelling his side up the table.

SISSOKO SCREAMER

Finally the French revolution is bearing fruit at St James's as Alan Pardew's side creep up into sixth spot on the table on the back of four straight wins.

If Chris Brunt's equaliser rattled the back of the net, Moussa Sissoko's screamer almost broke it; a goal worthy of winning any game, although West Brom boss Steve Clark felt his side was worth a point.

18 of the 19 goals netted by Newcastle have come from their Frenchman, led by Loic Remy.

Stephane Sessegnon and Shane Long were dangerous, but United, marshalled by Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote, were too strong.

"We've got strength in depth we didn't even have when we finished fifth, but the fact we're not in the Europa League makes a difference in the amount of work we can do on the training ground," Pardew said. "We really had to earn this victory, and it was won with an exquisite goal."

News_Rich_Media: Fulham sack Jol

BAD

'YOU'RE GETTING SACKED IN THE MORNING'

And he was.

Fulham lurk dangerously in the bottom three and Martin Jol's tenure has reached the point of no return.

Conceding three to the usually rudderless West Ham was a real blow for the Dutchman, although the Hammers benefited from Sam Allardyce dispensing with his strikerless formation.

While cries of 'Jol out' and 'you're getting sacked in the morning' rung through the ground with 15 minutes to go, Allardyce had the luxury of bringing on Joe Cole, Carlton Cole and Ravel Morrison - with both Coles getting late goals to wrap up the win. Even Russel Brand got in the act, joining the team in the sheds after the game.

UGLY

NOT FIT FOR A PRINCE

News_Image_File: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and William van Cutsem at Villa Park.

News_Rich_Media: Self-proclaimed Aston Villa diehard and the future King of England Prince William's appearances high in the Trinity Road Stand at Villa Park is the spot of the week for round 13 of the EPL.

The positives? Gus Poyet found a draw for a Sunderland side who have lost 13 of their previous 15 away league matches.

Otherwise, a drab affair played out in front of Villa supporter Prince William, attending his first home game at Villa Park.

Villa's goal drought coincides with Christian Benteke's first prolonged dry spell, goal-less in seven while Belgian colleague Lukaku bangs them in for Everton.

Gabriel Agbonlahor was the most likely for Villa, but the away side definitely could have stolen it; Emanuel Giaccherini inexplicably missed a golden opportunity and Fabian Borini was denied late.

Can't resist including this summation from The Guardian's Paul Doyle: "Both teams guilty of making more misguided passes than boozed-up workers at an office Christmas party".

PULIS'S CHALLENGE

Good luck, Tony. Crystal Palace slumped again, handing Norwich back-to-back wins for the first time this term.

They've notched seven points in 13 matches. What a challenge for the former Stoke boss as Palace try avoid being relegated for the fifth time.