Game Week 26-Review

One story has dominated the headlines, or more specifically the pictures, this weekend. The sight of Arsenal striker Eduardo da Silva's left foot at right angles to the rest of his leg was a frightening reminder of how a top-flight career can instantly be thrown into jeopardy by an over-zealous challenge.

There has been much debate over Birmingham defender Martin Taylor clash with the Croatian striker, but while it seems that there was little malice in the tackle, it will be Taylor who will ultimately have to live with the guilt if the injury forces Eduardo into early retirement.

While the St Andrews clash will forever be remembered for Eduardo's injury, the game itself was an entertaining affair which eventually resulted in Arsenal throwing away two vital points in their race for the title after a 2-2 draw.James McFadden put Birmingham in front with a well executed free-kick, before Theo Walcott became the first Englishman to score for Arsenal in over a year when he grabbed a brace to give the Gunners the advantage.With time running out Gael Clichy's comedy defending allowed McFadden to level things up from the spot and saw team-mate William Gallas throw the sort of temper tantrum many three-year olds would have been proud of.

With Arsenal unexpectedly slipping up in the West Midlands, Manchester United took their chance to close the gap to three points when they inflicted yet more misery on Kevin Keegan and his hapless Newcastle side.Ronaldo and co. cruised to a 5-1 victory at St James's park in a game which at times was less competitive than the fabled men against boys.The Portuguese ace helped himself to another two goals to take his tally for the season to 29 and was ably supported by a brace from Wayne Rooney and last-minute strike from Louis Saha.

Liverpool continue to make hard work of claiming a top four spot and needed a scintillating hat-trick from Spanish hit man Fernando Torres in order to claim all three points in a 3-2 home win against Middlesbrough.The baby-faced striker provided the spark for the Reds, but speculation is likely to continue over the future of boss Rafa Benitez after another inept display by his struggling defensive unit.

Portsmouth are up to seventh in the Premier League after a Jermain Defoe penalty gave them a 1-0 win against Sunderland at Fratton Park.Harry Redknapp's side now sit on the cusp of the European places and will be confident of gatecrashing the top six come the end of the season.

West Ham are not out of the European picture just yet and kept their faint hopes alive with a contentious 1-0 win away at Fulham.The Cottagers will feel hard done by after goalscorer Nolberto Solano first appeared to kick their keeper Antti Niemi in the face as the pair challenged for the ball, before then calmly knocking the winner into the back of the net with his elbow.

Derby continued their pursuit of the 'worst team in Premier League history' crown after yet another defeat, this time at the JJB.Paul Jewell returned to Wigan for the first time since walking away from the club at the end of last season, but his Rams side capitulated once more and slumped to a dismal 2-0 defeat.Paul Scharner and Antonio Valencia got the goals which moved the Latics towards the dizzy heights of mid-table.

The Royals succumbed to their eighth consecutive defeat on Sunday when they went down 2-1 to Aston Villa at the Madejski Stadium.Ashley Young and Marlon Harewood kept up Villa's charge towards a UEFA Champions League spot, while Steve Coppell must be grateful that he has no hair left to pull out after another dismal display by his charges.

The final game of the weekend was a feisty Lancashire derby at Ewood Park which saw Blackburn comprehensively gain local bragging rights after an impressive 4-1 victory over Bolton.Benni McCarthy kept his cool on two occasions to bag a brace of spot-kicks, while David Bentley and Morten Gamst Pedersen completed the scoring for Rovers.Kevin Davies had pulled the Trotters level at the start of the second-half, but Mark Hughes' side proved to be far too strong in the end.