Stalemates in derbies

Strange that one of Rafa Benitez’s most derided policies – rotation – could be the trump card in his Chelsea career if he handles it well

Reading 0 Man Utd 2

Lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place. I therefore cannot see how the record champions can lose two away games in a row. Utd retains a soft underbelly which means teams will always fancy their chances but Reading simply do not have quality. Hernandez and Van Persie guarantee goals.

Norwich 1 Sunderland 1

Chris Hughton has given Norwich the defensive discipline they only dreamt about last season. Cameroonian centre-back Sebastian Basong is proving to be a talismanic signing at both ends of the pitch. Norwich generally don’t concede with him in the side and he showed an erstwhile unknown quality with the late leveler at Everton.

Newcastle 1 Wigan 0

What has happened to Newcastle? They don’t have a clue as to what has hit them. Papisse Demba Cisse has forgotten how to score goals, while Hatem Ben Arfa’s numerous dribbles and runs – he has the most in the Premiership – are coming to nought. Anything other than a victory will ring the alarm bells.

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