Ball boys end last unbeaten run

We were the first team to try and fail back in August. We even had the nerve to go in front against them through Scott Arfield; only Swansea and Liverpool had since been able to take a lead.

Then came Saturday and two Papiss Cisse goals gave Newcastle a two goal lead (he could only score one against us). Didier Drogba pulled one back late but the unbeaten run had gone, they'd lost 2-1 at a ground where Jose Mourinho is still looking for his first win.

But it wasn't Newcastle who had beaten them but the ball boys who even got two balls onto the pitch at the same time on one occasion. The ungracious Mourinho said: "You need one ball. Sometimes we had no balls (I think he was referring to footballs and not the attitude of his players) and other times we had two balls.

"I can't control that, the referee can't control that. It was difficult to play regularly and consecutively but it is something that is out of control. Even in the six minutes (stoppage time), the same happened. We cannot be here all day. The referee cannot give 15 minutes or give six and, after six, give another six."

When asked if he felt it was deliberate by Newcastle, he replied: "Do you believe in Father Christmas?"

With Man City beating Everton it is has reduced Chelsea's lead at the top to just three points with Man United now moving into third place, displacing Southampton who they beat last night at St. Mary's.

I suppose the Premier League looks more familiar now with them in the top three but this is no top United side. They were awful last night; their passing was so bad it had Gary Neville laughing. Sadly, Ronald Koeman was left crying as fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal (hardly a friend) got the better of him with two goals from another Dutchman Robin van Persie.

West Ham are fourth, and I have to say I was hugely impressed with them again against Swansea on Sunday. Big Sam was milking it in front of the main stand; what a contrast from a year or so ago when they were baying for his blood.

There were five red cards this weekend in the Premier League. I've already commented on Charlie Austin's but I was intrigued with the dismissal of Leicester's Paul Konchesky. Maybe it was a red but I don't think he'd have got it but for the reaction of Alan Hutton who was only yellow carded.

It really does highlight the inconsistencies. Hutton's reaction I thought was worse than that recently which cost Villa the services of Christian Benteke for three games. They are very fortunate not to have lost Hutton for a similar period.

As for Leicester; Konchesky was the second player they've had sent off this week but Nigel Pearson hardly mentioned it. He was too busy with his self promotion video, letting everyone know he is the right man for the job at the King Power. He's currently 8/11 favourite with Sky Bet to be the next Premier League manager to leave his job.

I was thankful to Leicester. They led for four minutes and that was four minutes when we were back on the bottom of the league. Having said that, had we won on Saturday, and I think we would have done had one of those chances gone in during the first half, we'd now be sat in 15th place.

It wasn't to be but all is not lost. if we play as poorly as United did last night then maybe we'll beat Southampton as well.

The results and stats from the weekend games are below with the Premier League's leading goalscorers, each club's red and yellow card counts and the next fixtures.