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Reading earned their first Premier League away win of the season after coming from behind to beat Newcastle at St James’ Park. Manchester City comfortably beat Fulham at the Etihad Stadium to close the gap on rivals United to just four points, while Liverpool strengthened their case for a European push in the second half of the season by putting five past Norwich without reply at Anfield.

Newcastle United 1-2 Reading: Adam Le Fondre came off the bench to score twice in six, second half minutes to earn Reading their first away win of the season and dump more pressure on Newcastle boss Alan Pardew. The Magpies boss was left facing a chorus of boos at the final whistle after his side slumped to another worrying home defeat. It all looked rosy for the hosts Yohan Cabaye’s sumptuous free kick gave them a deserved half time lead. However, the game would then be decided by two changes from either boss with Pardew’s withdrawal of Sylvain Marveaux and then Cabaye stifling his teams momentum, much to the dissatisfaction of the home crowd. That played into Brian McDermott’s hands and Le Fondre bundled home within a minute of his introduction before he squeezed the ball past Tim Krul from Hope Akpan miscued shot.

Liverpool 5-0 Norwich City: Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge both started and scored for Liverpool as they intensified their push for European football with a resounding win over Norwich at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers’ men produced arguably their best performance of the season and Jordan Henderson got the ball rolling in the 26th minute with a thumping volley from 20-yards that beat Mark Bunn. Suarez doubled the lead 10 minutes later, slotting home after a dummy from Sturridge. And just before the hour the Reds’ newest recruit opened his Anfield account as he tapped in from Stewart Downing’s low cross, before Steven Gerrard rifled home from 25-yards. The Canaries misery was complete 15 minutes from time when Ryan Bennett put through his own net to make it five defeats from six for Chris Hughton.

Manchester City 2-0 Fulham: David Silva scored either side of half time to earn Manchester City an easy victory over Fulham and move them to within four points of league leaders Manchester United. The Spanish schemer was quick out of the blocks for the home side and had the ball in the net after just 95 seconds, converting from close range after Edin Dzeko’s 25-yard shot was parried into his path by Mark Schwarzer. The Cottagers dug their heels in after that but were undone again in the 69th minute when he latched onto Gael Clichy’s pass and dinked the ball over a helpless Schwarzer.

Wigan Athletic 2-3 Sunderland: Steven Fletcher struck twice for Sunderland as they came from behind to beat Wigan at the DW Stadium. The travelling Black Cats supporters were stunned into silence after David Vaughan’s own goal gave the Latics a fourth minute lead but James McCarthy’s handball allowed Craig Gardner to put them back on level terms from the penalty spot just after the quarter hour. Fletcher then struck his first of the afternoon three minutes later despite needing two bites of the cherry to score from close range and made it 3-1 with an instinctive strike from the edge of the area that nestled sweetly in the top corner. Angelo Henrique headed home Shaun Maloney’s cross 10 minutes from time to set up a grandstand finish but the visitors held on.

West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Aston Villa: Peter Odemwingie scored seven minutes from time to rescue a point for West Brom in an entertaining West Midlands derby against Aston Villa at the Hawthorns. Christian Benteke thumped Villa into the lead with a brilliant turn and strike after 12 minutes and that lead was doubled when Gabriel Agbonlahor finished cooly past Ben Foster just after the half hour. Steve Clarkes men responded valiantly and halved the deficit four minutes after the break through captain Chris Brunt’s sidefoot finish from 20-yard that clipped the post on the way in. And the turnaround was completed by Peter Odemwingie seven minutes from time, the Nigerian neatly turning inside the six-yard box and hammering the ball past Brad Guzan.

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Swansea City 3-1 Stoke City: Jonathan De Guzman was the unlikely hero for Swansea as he scored twice to secure victory over Stoke at the Liberty Stadium. After a goalless first half Ben Davies broke the deadlock four minutes after the break with a cool finish past Asmir Begovic to notch his first senior strike for the Swans. De Guzman scored his first just before the hour, curling a measured free kick into the net before putting the finishing touches to a sweeping move to make it 3-0. Michael Owen nodded in a consolation scored with a from six yards in the final minute but it was too little, too late for the Potters.

West Ham United 1-1 QPR: Loic Remy scored on his QPR debut but was denied a winning start afer Joe  The French attacker, who signed for £8 million from Marseille earlier in the week, took just 14 minutes to open his account with a composed finish past Jussi Jaaskelainen after latching on to Adel Taarabt’s pass. But the Premier League’s bottom club were denied a vital victory when Cole turned home a loose ball from two yards to earn the Hammers a point with 20 minutes left.

Robert Lewandowski could still sign for Manchester United in the summer despite being poised for a move to Bayern Munich.

The 24-year old is considered to be one of the best strikers in the world at the moment, with a phenomenal 2 goals to a game ratio after scoring 60 goals in 121 games for German champions Borussia Dortmund.

But Alex Ferguson has been interested in Lewandowski for a few seasons and has made no secret of the fact that he wants to sign the star striker.

It was suggested last week that the Polish national would be signing for Bayern Munich in the summer, but his agent Cezary Kucharski recently speculated that United are still very much in the race.

“Many clubs are interested in the player, in particular  Manchester United,” he told The Sun.

“Bayern Munich? I know something, but no further details.”

He also went on to deny that he had any contact from Juventus after it was rumoured that they had enquired about the player.

“In June, we’ll see, but a move to Juventus is a rumour. No one from the club has spoken to me,” the agent added.

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Robert Lewandowski’s contract runs out in May 2014 and with no new deal with Dortmund on the cards it looks likely that he will leave in the summer. However, only time will tell whether he’ll be plying his trade in the Premier League soon.

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Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet has urged his team-mates to concentrate on their next game and not think about any specific targets in terms of securing Premier League safety.

The Black Cats are only outside of the bottom three on goal difference, with 18th placed Wigan having a game in hand.

It has been a turbulent few weeks for the Stadium of Light outfit, who have seen Martin O’Neill replaced by the controversial Paolo Di Canio and are now set to face local rivals Newcastle in a must win game.

A home tie with Everton will follow the clash, but Mignolet has urged his team-mates to concentrate on each individual game rather than thinking about future fixtures:

“We can’t think about what’s going to happen in the Everton game or the game after that, or what’s going to happen at the end of the season,” he is quoted by Sky Sports.

“Now we have to focus and get ourselves ready for the game against Newcastle because there are three points to win, three points to lose.

“I know it’s a derby game and there is much more at stake than only the three points, but as football players, you can’t think of that because that’s not important at this moment.

“Points are far more important, and therefore we have to focus ourselves on that and nothing else.”

Di Canio’s appointment has been met with a great deal of criticism, with some suggesting that O’Neill should have been given more time to save the club.

But, Mignolet feels that Sunderland had to react in a bid to steer clear of relegation to the Championship:

“In my short career, I know what it is when a manager leaves and when a new manager comes in,

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“There’s always one factor that is always the same, and it’s when there are not enough points and when the results go against you, and unfortunately, that happened for Martin O’Neill.

“As a team when you don’t get the results, there’s always something to change and you always need something to happen to get a turn-around.”

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In a vocation that’s fraught with danger and plagued by a lack of security, there are perhaps few managers in the game that can lay claim to reaching the sort of crossroads that Everton’s David Moyes is currently approaching this season.

With the average tenure of a football manager plying their trade in England sitting at a paltry 1.7 years, this month marks a staggering 11 years since Moyes first took control at Goodison Park. And most notably, not a single game has been played at a level below the very highest within the land.

Yet with the much-publicized expiry of the former-Preston man’s contract this summer and currently no word upon the agreement of a new deal, there’s every chance that his 11th year in charge of the Toffee’s might also be his last.

Because while Moyes has served as a refreshing beacon of loyalty and longevity within a culture of shortsightedness, there is a feeling that we may be entering the final phase over what has been a hugely successful reign upon the blue half of Merseyside. Yet it’s within how you define the term success – or most certainly how the man himself perceives it – that you might find the answer to where his future lies.

Few managers within the game will ever rack up the sort of lifespan at one club that Moyes has managed at Everton and even fewer will be able to lay claim to having such a wealth of options at the end of their contract. Should he decide that he needs a new challenge, his achievements at Goodison Park have ensured there is plenty of interest both on these shores and further abroad – FC Schalke have been touted as one possible destination, should Moyes seek to take his managerial career overseas.

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With his contract situation now having reached the point of expiry, should Moyes stall even further upon a new deal, we’ll soon learn what clubs are genuinely serious about looking to make a move for his services and those whose interest goes no further than simple speculation. Yet for as often as we’ve heard his name linked with the Manchester Uniteds and even in more recent times, the Arsenals of this world, you can’t help but feel that in reality such links are based more upon fantasy as opposed to genuine logic.

And with Sunderland now being the latest club linked with Moyes’ name, the Scot must surely ask himself whether change is right if simply for the sake of it.

The old proverb about the grass being greener on the other side has found itself adjoining Moyes’ name more than a few times over the last couple of months. In Everton, the Scot is at a huge Premier League club, steeped rich in history and primed for a sustained crack at a top six finish.

And in the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka amongst others, Moyes has amassed a terrific squad of players that are perhaps only one or two top class players away from a genuine push for what would be a game changing qualification for the Uefa Champions League – both on, and off the pitch.

But as well as stating that he believes this is the best Everton side he’s overseen during his 11-year reign this month, he’s also aware of how hard it’s going to be to keep this team together.

“I know what we have to work with and I know the boundaries of where we can go. I know the restraints that we’ve got at the football club,” he recently stated, giving an ominous reminder of the glass ceiling that Everton have arguably reached given the struggling resources that the club have at their disposal. Because far from adding to a squad in order to push on next season, the chances are Moyes is going to have to yet again face up to the reality of having to subtract some of the quality from his team.

Now after 11 years at Everton and not a single trophy to his name, while no man will ever be bigger than the football club, on a personal level, Moyes is perhaps correct to ponder what direction he next wishes to move onto. For as well as he’s done at the club, memories in this game are notoriously short and all it takes is one difficult season, and a potential move to a team like Schalke is all but history. With Everton set to narrowly miss out on Champions League football and his contract set to expire, Moyes’ stock will perhaps never be higher.

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Of course, even if he was to theoretically move to Gelsenkirchen, Moyes still wouldn’t be taking over a team capable of challenging for a league title. But as one of the top 15 richest clubs in the world, with Champions League football beckoning and most poignantly a footballing culture that Moyes is yet to experience, a move to Schalke represents the sort of challenge that’s worth leaving Everton for.

Yet unless he receives an offer from a club of the same current standing or pedigree of the German club, what would Moyes really be achieving from a sporting perspective in moving anywhere else?

With the current five clubs in the country currently looking unlikely to crave his signature at the end of the season, leaving Everton for any other Premier League club would make a mockery of the notion of needing a new challenge. Because as admirable as reviving the fortunes of another club may be, in terms of pushing forward Moyes’ career, that option simply doesn’t resemble progression. And after all, isn’t that why he’d look to seek change in the first place?

Is it coincidental that stories linking Arsenal with Schalke’s Julian Draxler emerge on the same day as revelations about Jack Wilshere’s need for a further operation? It soothes the tension to a degree, but injury concerns to Wilshere aside, Draxler is exactly the type of player Arsenal and their “£70 million war chest” should be targeting this summer.

Forget Theo Walcott and that protracted transfer saga for a moment; Arsenal needed Jack Wilshere more than anything to round out that group of young British players who extended their contracts with the club. The youngster wasn’t so much the icing on the cake but rather the foundation for the now and very much for the future. Without Wilshere, there wasn’t to be that much in the way of excitement and, importantly, hope.

For that, the cynics do have a leg to stand on this week following rumours of an approach for Draxler. You have to ask why Schalke would put themselves in a position to let go of one of Germany’s most exciting talents; and let’s not ignore the fact that Draxler could be one of the best players in Europe in a few years if he continues of the same path. He’s been given the important central role in the Schalke attack just behind the striker and has recorded eight league goals this season.

That’s why a £15 million figure seems a little low for a player of his potential. If that is the correct figure, or thereabouts, why not just add a little more to the pot and go in for Isco? That’s the question some fans may have, while others wouldn’t shy away from asking for Mario Gotze this summer. Julian Draxler, however, seems about right for Arsenal at this stage. Moreover, it has to be believed that this would be an outstanding piece of business for the club if they manage to pull it off. Arsenal has adopted the approach of buying up youth products from some of the leading nations in football: Brazil, Spain, Germany, among others. However, with the exception of one or two, the club have never really cherry-picked from the highest point of the tree. A move for Draxler would be a notable and welcome change from the norm.

It also needs to be addressed that a young player in the mould of Draxler may actually be needed at Arsenal. The club currently have players like Santi Cazorla who is far too good to go unnoticed, and many are catching on to his importance and influence in this Arsenal team. But big clubs need stability and hope for the future. They need a level of continuity and an easy transition in the passing of the torch. Wilshere’s injury problems may not go away for a long time, if ever, and you get the sense that the burden of expectation needs to be eased a little.

I’m not too interested in the club vs. country row. England need Wilshere, and all that. Well it’s not really Arsenal’s problem, rather the wider issue of youth development in this country. It says a lot when a nation such as England put so much weight on one player. Germany, meanwhile have been able to draft in players of Draxler’s quality when regular first-team members have been out. It should say a lot about the Schalke midfielder at this time as he was recently handed his first start for Germany ahead of players like Lukas Podolski.

At only 19 years of age, Draxler is already at the top of European football, currently competing in a league which can make a real claim for title as the most exciting in Europe, while also taking in the experience of Champions League football and all the demands of challenging for the highest possible place in the Bundesliga.

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It’s quite clear that Arsenal and Arsene Wenger in particular have identified the German market as an extraordinary pool of talent – many of whom come at prices which would normally be deemed affordable. It makes sense then for Arsenal to identify a player like Draxler, and it shouldn’t just raise suspicions in those of us who are most cynical at this time of year. Julian Draxler would be a great signing for Arsenal, and one who may be very much needed as a way of balancing out the worries with Jack Wilshere.

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Kevin Nolan says landing Andy Carroll is not “the be all and end all” and they will find a replacement if he doesn’t come.

Sam Allardyce would love to build next season’s team around the England striker, who impressed during his loan spell from Liverpool despite only scoring seven times, but it is looking unlikely after reports on Tuesday claimed he wanted to return to the Reds.

Nolan, who played with Carroll during their spells on Tyneside, hopes to see his good friend back in claret and blue, but says if that is not going to be the case they will find a replacement.

“It will be massive if we do get Andy, but it is not the be all and end all,” Nolan said.

“I have been with Sam a long time. When he did not manage to get his first man, he has always managed to get his second man and we always manage to do well.

“If he gets the chance to bring the quality of the players he wants, then I am sure we will be aiming for the higher echelons of the Premier League.

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“I have a lot of faith that Sam will get the men he wants in the summer and will be working hard with the chairman to do that.”

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I recently had the pleasure of having an interview with Grant Holt. The striker was returning from a day promoting his greyhound racing venture called SMGH Racing Club. This was something that started during his time at Norwich with fellow striker Steve Morison.

The venture has recently received a boost after Ladbrokes decided it was something they wanted to get involved with. Membership is growing rapidly and currently stands at 50 members; it is clearly something that the striker is very passionate and excited about.

However, there was also a chance to have a brief chat about football including his recent move to Wigan and his time at Norwich…

His time at Norwich:

It’s clear through speaking to Grant that he enjoyed the football under Paul Lambert, but became a bit disillusioned by the change of style utilised by Chris Hughton. He admitted to me that he wasn’t really enjoying his football last season, and this is something that he has alluded to in other interviews. Furthermore, he said that the club had decided to go in a different direction and in order for them to bring in new strikers like Gary Hooper and Ricky van Wolfswinkel it was necessary for someone to leave in order to free up budget. However, he did say that he enjoyed his time at the club as a whole and thanked supporters and media for messages he had received via Twitter during his time and supportive articles that had been written about him.

Ready for a new challenge:

He said on his move to Wigan that it felt right, and he was ready for a new challenge. Also, it made sense to him from a location point of view. Talking to him, it seems clear that he is genuinely excited by the potential of the squad at Wigan. We agreed that it was a very good squad for the Championship and is hopeful for a successful season. Wigan were not the only offer, but he was impressed with the way they handled it and they showed their hand first. Grant describes the Wigan squad as fantastic.

Chances for Norwich City:

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We talked a bit about how he saw the future for Norwich. Grant admitted that it was a good squad, and he was leaving the club at a good place. We talked a little about progression, and I suggested that Norwich could look beyond the last two seasons finishing 11th and 12th. However, the striker feels that the Premier League is very tough to compete in and feels this is really the best case scenario for Norwich. And if Wigan can get back there then it will be a very similar situation in keeping the team in the league. The key is to stay there, build up the income and progress as much as you can.

Grant Holt is part owner of the SMGH Racing Club, with former Norwich team mate Steve Morison. Ladbrokes are proud sponsors of the club. For more information go to http://www.steveandgrantsracingclub.co.uk/

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers believes Luis Suarez deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, after the Uruguayan’s stunning performance in the 5-1 win over Norwich City, reports the Telegraph.

The striker became the first player in Premier League history to score three hat tricks against the same team, as he netted four superb goals and provided an assist, as the Reds bounced back from Sunday’s defeat at Hull City with a convincing 5-1 win at Anfield.

“He deserves mention with Messi and Ronaldo,” Rodgers said. “For a few years they have been out on their own, but Luis is still only 26 and still making improvements to his game.

“I’ve not seen many performances like that. It was sheer brilliance and a joy to watch. He is technically very good, but it was a remarkable individual performance. As a manager you like to talk about the team, but you have got to hold up Luis as one of the best strikers in the world.

“With modern day, world-class operators like Ronaldo, Bale and Messi it’s about the numbers and what they produce. Look at the goals he scores and the assists he makes.

“I don’t even know which was the best goal. I look at the first one and the dip he got on the ball from so far out was outstanding, but I then look at the third goal and think what an incredible effort that was.”

The performance of Suarez will have no doubt made a host of top clubs across Europe sit up and take notice, but despite being heavily linked with a move away from the Reds in the past, Rodgers believes Anfield is the perfect stage for Suarez to perform.

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“This club suits him and I think his best years will be here,” he added. “The connection and profile of Luis and Anfield is a hand in glove fit. Our type of football allows him to operate in those spaces.”

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It is no secret that all fans ask from the football team they support is pretty football, winning and silverware. Of course all clubs don’t achieve this at all times, but it’s the hope of glory and the passionate commitment of supporters that means they keep coming back for more.

The Capital One Cup is quickly becoming the one competition every club feels they can win. It’s the first trophy of the season that is up for grabs and fans are now becoming more and more hopeful that it will be their team’s year come the final in February. The competition is a serious opportunity for silverware and place in the Europa League, and don’t the fans know it!

The journey to Wembley – the spiritual home of English football – can be a long and arduous one, but a trip that encompasses everything that fans love about the beautiful game. Upsets, away days, cold midweek games and, of course, glory are just a few of the factors that make football what it is.

Where a league campaign may offer mid-table obscurity for some teams, the Capital One Cup can make dreams come true in so many ways and for so many fans. Success in this competition, whether it be an upset or going on to lift the trophy, can provide much needed confidence and promise for a club’s future.

Last year’s competition was a prime example. When the first set of balls were pulled out and the names put into fixtures few would have predicted that Bradford – a fallen giant plying their trade in League Two – would eventually be in the direct gaze of the nation and in with a genuine chance of claiming one of the nation’s oldest and most valued prizes. Phil Parkinson’s men may have left London empty handed, but the memories created during a wonderful run to the final – which included shock wins against Premier League opposition such as Arsenal and Aston Villa – will still live long in the memory of the Bantams’ loyal supporters. With promotion also secured in the same season, the competition could be looked back on in the future as the catalyst of Bradford’s rebirth. There’s a long way to go, but anything is possible.

Eventual winners Swansea also left Wembley with a wonderful story. Although few focused upon their tale of jetting up the Football League ladder, the Swans capped a truly astonishing decade with a trophy, a set of circumstances that would have seemed beyond the realms of possibility when the club were staring at the abyss at Vetch Field.

This sums up what the Capital One Cup is all about. The underdogs toppling the aristocracy and reminding supporters of what football is all about. Football is passion, determination and victory.

Supporters of all ages are now appreciating what the Capital One Cup has to offer.

The competition is a welcome relief, giving a new generation of fans the chance to witness what the sport is and should always be.

The Capital One Cup is giving something back to the devoted fans of the Football League’s clubs. Who knows, maybe this season could give Leicester, Burnley or Birmingham’s followers memories that will last forever.

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After the midweek fixtures, one thing became abundantly clear; Liverpool are title contenders. If Saturday’s 5-1 drubbing of Arsenal wasn’t proof enough, the Reds dug deep to sink Fulham courtesy of a last gasp Steven Gerrard penalty. This week’s victory means Liverpool have now won 5 out of their last 7 seven matches, drawing the other two. The Reds sit in fourth, with 53 points, just four behind first placed Chelsea and three behind Arsenal. They are one behind third placed City, who still have a game in hand.

Much of Liverpool’s resurgence is down to the famed SAS striking duo; Suarez and Sturridge. The two have combined for 39 of Liverpool’s 66 goals in the league and make Liverpool a real attacking threat. Despite missing the first six games of the season through suspension, Suarez has set the league on fire, hitting the mark 23 times with Daniel Sturridge right alongside him with 16 of his own. Liverpool are second in the division for scoring, only two behind City’s 68, and with Sergio Aguero’s injury, Liverpool may be on course to usurp the Citizens.

Behind SAS, Liverpool are buoyed by “captain fantastic” Steven Gerrard, whose passion is contagious. His young and talented supporting cast of Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, and Jordan Henderson provide a full complement of both attacking flair and defensive stability in the absence of Lucas Leiva. Under Brendan Rodgers, the Reds attack in numbers, with blistering speed and precision, finding success by pressing high up the pitch and counter attacking. Rodgers initially struggled to adapt to life at Liverpool, but now has the Reds firing on all cylinders.

Liverpool’s rearguard has also improved significantly, having been boosted by the acquisitions of Mamadou Sakho, Aly Cissokho and the veteran Kolo Toure, who has been solid despite his recent high-profile blunders. Mainstay Martin Skrtel has retained his place while youngster John Flanagan has come on in leaps and bounds. The young Englishman is certainly one for the future, with his impressive performances at right back this year earning him the nickname “scouse Cafu” from his teammates. After Glen Johnson suffered from a dip in form as well as injuries, Flanagan’s emergence came in due timing. Daniel Agger and Jose Enrique have also struggled with form in the past and Liverpool are benefiting from new found stability.

Indifferent form at the beginning of the season meant Liverpool would aim to claim a top four spot, but a purple patch has seemed them cut the gap and they now find themselves firmly in the title race. Dark horses to some, Liverpool will look to continue this form in the hopes of capturing their first Premier League title in 20 years.

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