Stoke City’s win over Arsenal was the real shock result of the weekend and it stemmed from the events of Wednesday night at the Emirates. Arsenal absolutely annihilated Tottenham; they were dead and buried, and yet they managed to force a draw with those two late goals. It was a tremendous result for Tottenham but a disaster for Arsenal. When something like that happens, the atmosphere in the dressing room changes and you find yourself going into a weekend away game short on self-belief.

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Quiet in the transfer window, can Everton make more noise as they make their way down to Stoke? Well, according to the history, albeit 24 years since the two last met, the answer to that is a big loud yes!

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While it was last minute joy for Stoke last weekend, at pretty much exactly the same time it was last minute despair for Boro; Mamady Sidibe with the honours for the Potters’ injury time winner against Villa while an ever passionate Steven Gerrard saw Boro concede in the final minute and thus leave Anfield without a bean. And this has been the case for the season so far.

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1988 - a year where Sonny Bono (as in Sonny and Cher) was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California, the Queen stripped Lester Piggott of his Order of the British Empire following his jailing for tax irregularities, Wimbledon caused a massive upset beating Liverpool to the FA Cup trophy and Stoke City last faced Aston Villa; a game they won 1-0. Alas twenty years on and such a repeat looks as unlikely as Newcastle getting something at Old Trafford!

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The 3 clubs promoted to the Premier League face the daunting task of trying to stay afloat next season, something Birmingham and Derby failed to do. However, there’s a fine line between investing wisely and overspending leading to wholesale departures once relegated to balance the books.

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Stoke vs Bristol City - it’s doesn’t have the sounding of a ‘Premier’ fixture now does it. But alas in fact it is as both of these sides could end up as Premiership clubs come the end of the season!

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