The last Premier League fixtures for the year 2007 contained all the usual excitement and shocks that we are now commonplace in the best League in the world and the goals flew in here there and everywhere.

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After 2 months in the bottom three, Steve Bruce led his Latics side to the dizzy heights of 17th after their Boxing Day win over Newcastle. His arrival has seen the Latics pick up 8 points from a possible 15 under his management, ending a run of 8 consecutive defeats. Rumours that Bruce has been feeding the JJB with 5 loaves and 2 small fish when not turning water into wine in the club bar have since been proven as a slight exaggeration.

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Carlos Tevez returns to Upton Park for the first time this Saturday after almost single-handedly keeping the Hammers up last season with 7 goals in his final 10 appearances. After being rested for United’s trip to Sunderland on Boxing Day he seems almost certain to be unleashed on his former team-mates. United’s top players have clicked into gear in December as Fergie said they would with 5 straight wins which has seen them leapfrog Arsenal to lead the Premier League.

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Juande Ramos’ spread festive cheer around White Hart Lane on Boxing Day as his Tottenham side enjoyed their biggest Premier League win of the season. Spurs fans had even more to cheer with the return of Captain Ledley King to the starting line-up for the first time this season. Whether King plays this Saturday in his question after such a long injury lay-off but his presence has given the side a boost. The Royals will certainly not be disappointed either by their Boxing Day exploits after a 1-1 draw at West Ham especially after playing for over an hour with 10 men.

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Roy Keane was humbled by his former side on Boxing Day as the Black Cats went down 4-0 at home to United. Gary Megson also suffered from Boxing Day blues at Everton as they were beaten 2-0 at Goodison Park. However, this is a fixture both sides will feel they are capable of winning with just 3 points separating the sides.

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Pompey have not scored at Fratton Park for 450 minutes but surely a visit from Middlesbrough gives them a chance to end this barren run. The home faithful have not turned on their side despite the lack of goals and will be buoyed by an impressive Boxing day 0-0 draw with Arsenal. Portsmouth have some impressive attacking players in Kanu, Benjani, Kranjcar and Utaka and this is a match where they may finally get a chance to earn a goal bonus.

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Everton bounced back with a win on Boxing Day after an unfortunate defeat at Manchester United. Up next are the free flowing Gunners but surely they will not fancy a trip to play this Everton side on current form. This is arguably the best Toffees side ever to appear in the Premier League as they now have guile and firepower to go with their ‘dogs of war’ reputation.

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Both sides enjoyed disappointing Boxing Day results but only one manager is under extreme pressure over the festive period, yes as usual it is poor old big Sam Allardyce at Newcastle. Chelsea may have slipped further behind the League leaders after a home draw with Villa but it is big Sam whose position is under threat after just 1 point this week from matches against the Premier League’s bottom 2. As pressure mounts on the former Bolton manager from the restless St James’ Park faithful you realise just why the Newcastle job is regarded as the Premier League’s poisoned chalice. Big Sam follows in a long line of high profile managers such as Kenny Dalglish, Graeme Souness and Ruud Gullit who struggled to cope with their massive expectations of the Toon.

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These two struggling sides enjoyed two very different Boxing Day results. Birmingham beat Middlesbrough 3-0 at home whereas Fulham were thrashed 5-1 against Tottenham at White Hart Lane. The Blues moved up to 14th with their impressive win whilst manager-less Fulham dropped into the relegation zone. Alex McLeish’s Boxing Day meal will have tasted so sweet whilst Cottagers caretaker Ray Lewington will have found food hard to digest after this morale crushing defeat.

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