Heroes and Villains: Sensational Saints and blundering Balotelli

Sunderland
The Black Cats’ collapse against Southampton, where they conceded eight times in what was a comically bad performance, ranks as one of the heaviest defeats in Premier League history. Whilst fingers can easily be pointed at coach Gus Poyet, Sunderland’s own goal offenders and ramshackle rearguard, the whole team should take the flack for their part in a calamitous clash.

Fans will certainly be viewing the players as villains after forking out for tickets and travel fares to be greeted with such a spectacle. Black Cats (11/4 to be relegated) keeper Mannone, who inadvertently provided an assist for Southampton after a poor clearance fell to Tadic, has redeemed himself somewhat with his comments after the match.

Speaking of refunds for fans, beleagured stopper Mannone stated: “I will talk to the team to see if it is possible to pay their tickets and their trip.”

Penalties
Whilst penalties did provide plenty of drama, they also almost stole the headlines from Manchester City and Spurs and Stoke City and Swansea City’s thrilling encounters, with contentious refereeing decisions having far too much influence on the flow of the games.

There were a total of four goals scored from the spot this weekend, with an incredible four being awarded in City’s win alone. At least three crucial decisions, including Federico Fazio’s red card, and decisions given for presumed fouls on Frank Lampard, Roberto Soldado and Victor Moses caused controversy and a feeling of injustice.

Mario Balotelli
Balotelli is often considered football’s most entertaining anti-hero, but the highly-rated Italian attacker has become more famous for his off-field antics than his influence on a football pitch in recent times.

After slipping down the pecking order in the Italy squad, and with new club Liverpool clearly needing a hero to rescue them from their poor performances in the absence of Daniel Sturridge, Balotelli has gone MIA. The 24-year-old’s contribution against QPR consisted of a number of pot-shots, a lack of team spirit and missing a gilt-edged chance. The controversial forward needs to add goals to his bluster before he becomes a symbol of the Reds problems.