Pic & Video: Michael Essien Tackle on Jermaine Pennant

Michael Essien had already received a red card prior to this horrendous tackle on Jermaine Pennant against Stoke City on Saturday. After seeing this evidence, it should have been another red to add to the statistics, but instead of that, the Chelsea midfielder went unpunished - not even a yellow card.

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has been banned for two games by the FA for swearing into a television camera after completing a fantastic hat-trick and stunning comeback for Manchester United. His outburst will see him miss the Manchester derby, and the Premier League game against Fulham as United fight to stay above Arsenal in the title race.

It seems that the FA have punished a player by punishing the club he plays for rather than punishing the player. The banning of Rooney could possibly have an adverse effect on United's FA Cup challenge as well as their title challenge with Arsenal. The banning of Rooney for swearing - which, lets face it, happens every week and done so by every player on the pitch is nothing when a tackle such as the above is committed - something that can break a players leg and wreck a career. 

Rooney's reputation has been damaged even more by this incident and his frustration has been added to by a two match ban, but Jermaine Pennant's career could have been deeply effected, yet there was no punishment but a free-kick. 

[Pic] Douglas Costa at Old Trafford

Douglas Costa has been monitored by Sir Alex Ferguson for the past four years and it seems the 20 year-old Brazilian is a little closer to joining up with fellow Brazilians Rafael and Fabio at United after being spotted at the Manchester United - Bolton game on Saturday.

Costa is part of the Shakhtar Donetsk side that have reached the quarter finals of the Champions League and is seen as the perfect replacement to Paul Scholes in the United midfield. Costa is an attacking midfielder with pace and dribbling ability who can be utilised on either wing or up front as a second striker.


Manchester United would not comment on his appearance at Old Trafford, seen above, but Sir Alex had tried to sign him when he played at Brazilian side Gremio. A deal fell through and he signed for Shakhtar who will apparently ask for close to £20 million if United come calling. That is £15 million more than what Shakhtar bought him for in January 2010 and £13 million more than what United originally offered Gremio in 2009.


The player has scored 15 goals in 61 appearances for Shakhtar and a move to United could prove difficult with a work permit a possible stumbling block as well as the Ukranian clubs good financial position. As the richest club in Ukraine and this seasons good Champions League showing, they will be in no rush to sell their best players.

Fabregas & Walcott Injuries [Pics] & Reaction

So Arsenal claimed victory against a physical Stoke side to move within a point of Manchester United at the peak of the Premier League. But the three points came at a price. Two of Arsenal's talismanic players in Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott went off the pitch injured, with the latter having to be stretchered off.

See what Arsene Wenger had to say about the injuries below:

Wenger on Fabregas injury:

"Fabregas has a hamstring problem. We will assess that tomorrow. It is impossible to see how serious it is. We will know Thursday."

"It is of course a concern that he (Fabregas) is injured but it happens unfortunately. He was very upset. I am as well. But it is not his fault or mine. It is part of sport.

"It's strange when it happens early in the game but we have to face it. We did the job after that in a very professional way."

Wenger on Walcott Injury:

"Theo Walcott has an ankle sprain and he is out. For how long, I don't know, but he is definitely out of Sunday.

Games for Arsenal are coming in thick and fast, and injuries are the last thing that Wenger would have wanted, especially to their captain Fabregas and sometimes game changing winger Walcott. The three points will however soften the blow as the days count down towards the Carling Cup final on Sunday against Birmingham.

Wenger praised his sides performance against a defensive Stoke side:

"We did the job after the injury in a very professional way against a Stoke team who defended very well. They were very compact but we were intelligent, calm, patient and overall I believe we were resilient."

Stoke have been criticized for the way they play sometimes - using Rory Delap's long throw, not playing on the ground and being too physical - Wenger even once said they played with "rugby" tactics. But he had no complaints after Wednesday's game:

"No. I have no issue with the long throws and I do not have issue with any other aspect of their game. It is a team you know you have to prepare mentally for before the game because you will not take the points if you do not do it.

"Nobody likes to play against Stoke because they have a very special way to play the game, but I have to say tonight for me they defended in a very intelligent way. When we found some space they quickly cut it off and we could not take advantage."