Tottenham’s staggering 9-1 win over Wigan at the weekend saw a number of records either broken or equalled. As well as being Spurs’ biggest top-flight win, Sunday’s one-sided clash at White Hart Lane also saw Harry Redknapp’s side become the second Barclays Premier League team to hit nine in one match. Jermain Defoe matched Andy Cole and Alan Shearer’s record of five individual goals in one Premier League fixture, while Wigan’s Paul Scharner got in on the act by claiming the ‘Thierry Henry slam-dunk of the week award’ as he claimed the Latics’ solitary goal.

Unsurprisingly, Defoe’s five-star performance helped him to earn the highest Actim Index score of the season, a sensational 87 points. The England striker’s mammoth score eclipsed that of Tottenham team-mate Robbie Keane, who held the previous highest total of 80 after scoring four against Burnley. Another Spurs star, Aaron Lennon, picked up 60 points this week to move back into the Team of the Season.

Despite the efforts of Wigan, Spurs do not have the highest number of players in the Team of the Week. That honour goes to London rivals Chelsea, who strolled to a 4-0 victory over struggling Wolves at Stamford Bridge. French winger Florent Malouda grabbed the Blues’ opening goal and picked up a healthy 39 points, while fellow goalscorers Michael Essien and Joe Cole also eclipsed the 30-point mark to book their place among the week’s top scorers.

Stoke’s televised victory over bottom club Portsmouth could politely be described as one for the purists. However, although entertainment was in short supply in a dire clash at the Britannia Stadium, the Potters can claim two of the week’s 20 highest scorers. Jamaica forward Ricardo Fuller grabbed the only goal of the game with 16 minutes remaining and earned 32 points, while Dean Whitehead claimed 26 points for his efforts in midfield. Stoke’s highest-scoring player remains highly-rated defender Ryan Shawcross. The giant 22-year-old, who captained the club for the first time at the weekend in the absence of the suspended Abdoulaye Faye, is in 44th position overall with 159 points.

Didier Drogba may not have featured for Chelsea this weekend due to injury, but the Ivory Coast striker has still moved to the top of the overall Actim standings after Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas endured a torrid time in his side’s clash with Sunderland. Fabregas led Drogba by two points ahead of the Gunners’ trip to the Stadium of Light and was expected to extend his lead at the Actim summit. However, the Spaniard went on to record a miserable score of -4 as Arsene Wenger’s side slumped to a 1-0 defeat, putting Drogba back on top. Arsenal forward Robin van Persie was another to miss the latest round of Premier League fixtures through injury and he has slipped from third to fifth in the overall standings as a result.

Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has come in for significant praise in recent months, with many observers highlighting his importance to Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. And the 25-year-old Scot made another fine contribution as United eased to a 3-0 victory over Everton, opening the scoring with a sublime half-volley. Fletcher’s 29-point total sees him leap from 79th to 45th in the overall standings, making him United’s fourth highest-scoring player of the season.

Birmingham goalkeeper Joe Hart insists he still believes he can break into England’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. And the 22-year-old stopper, on loan at St Andrews from Manchester City, did his chances no harm with a fine performance in Birmingham’s 1-0 win over Fulham at the weekend. Hart picked up 21 points for his efforts – the highest score by a goalkeeper this week – and will hope to maintain his good form as the season progresses.

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Darren Pratley was the toast of Swansea after his match-winning double in the South Wales against Cardiff last weekend. The former Fulham midfielder showed why Swans boss Paul Sousa rates his so highly, opening his goalscoring account for the season with two clinical finishes and scoring 53 points in the Actim Championship Index in the process. The Londoner has only made seven appearances for the in-form Swans due to injury, but he looked to be getting back to his best as the Bluebirds’ wings were clipped by a Swansea side who are unbeaten in 10 Championship games. Pratley’s exploits ensured he moved up a whopping 112 places in the Actim Index and although he is way down in 194th place overall, the combative midfielder is certainly one to watch.

Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste was a major mover in the Actim Index as the Tangerines thrashed Scunthorpe 4-1 to move up to fifth in the Championship table. Boss Ian Holloway put his faith in Baptiste to be a rock at the heart of his defence and the big centre-half has not let him down.The former Mansfield man scored his third goal of the season against the Iron and bagged 45 points for the week to move up 21 places to 16th in the Index. As well as chipping in with a few goals, the 23-year-old has been solid at the back, winning 52 tackles and making 21 interceptions. Baptiste was joined in the Actim team of the week by team-mates Ian Evatt and Charlie Adam, who were also on the scoresheet against Nigel Adkins’ side.

Rob Hulse was Derby’s hero as they secured a much-needed victory against Coventry on Friday night and the striker matched Baptiste’s tally of 45 Actim points for the week. The former Sheffield United frontman produced two clinical finishes as the Rams came from behind to beat Chris Coleman’s side and it would be no surprise to see him shoot up the Actim Index. Hulse has been one of a host of Derby players in the treatment room this season, but he looked to be nearing full fitness against the Sky Blues and his 45-point haul was his biggest of the season. The other striker included in the Actim team of the week was Rory Fallon after his striker gave Plymouth a 2-1 win over Doncaster which moved them out of the bottom three. The former Swansea man moved up 64 places to 107th in the Index after registering 36 points for Paul Sturrock’s Pilgrims.

Kevin Nolan still leads the way in the Actim Championship Index after playing his part in Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Peterborough. The former Bolton man is 31 points ahead of Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham after adding another 19 points to make his overall tally 335 points. Nolan has seven goals and three assists to his name this season and has completed 180 passes for the Championship leaders. QPR’s flying winger Wayne Routledge is a new addition to the top 10 in the Index, moving up five places to seventh. Routledge has more assists than any other player in the Championship, setting up eight goals for Jim Magilton’s side.

Newcastle’s Steve Harper remains the leading goalkeeper in the Actim Championship Index. The 34-year-old Magpies custodian has made 81 saves for Chris Hughton’s side and he moved up one place this week to 13th place. Scott Carson is the next highest keeper but the West Brom number one is 15 places and 21 points behind Harper. But it was Crystal Palace keeper Julian Speroni who made the team of the week after another impressive display in the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough. The Argentine was recently hailed by Palace boss Neil Warnock as the best keeper in the country and he was once against outstanding against Boro. Speroni is 58th in the Index and moved up 44 places this week after picking up 24 points against Gordon Strachan’s side.

Jay Simpson is a striker in form at the moment and the on-loan QPR man is making strides in the Championship Index. The Arsenal youngster has scored four goals in his last six games for Rangers and was on target in the 2-1 win at Sheffield Wednesday. Simpson escalated 26 places in the Index to 27th following his performance against the Owls and scored 31 points at Hillsborough. He has now notched seven goals for the Hoops and is developing into a key performer for the Londoners, who look to be a good bet for a play-off place.

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Arsenal’s trophy cabinet may have been collecting nothing but dust in recent seasons but the plaudit cabinet at the Emirates Stadium is undoubtedly full-to-busting this term as their attacking exploits have earned them many admirers. Another fine display from Arsene Wenger’s men saw them destroy Wolves 4-1 and as a result three of their players reside in the top 10 of the Actim Index, with Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen featuring.

Despite Chelsea beating champions Manchester United at the weekend, Didier Drogba had a disappointing afternoon on the pitch. And on Sunday night Drogba may well have settled down in his expensive house to watch the Black Eyed Peas perform on the X Factor without knowing he shared the same fate as Fergie and co. That’s right, Sunday night saw the BEP dumped from the top of the singles chart by Tinchy Stryder and Drogba has also lost his place at the top of the pile, slipping down to number two mainly thanks to some impressive from by Fabregas, who takes his place at the summit.

Aston Villa dominate the Team of the Week – but they had the advantage of having played an extra game to most other teams. They lost at West Ham last midweek but made up for it in style with a 5-1 thumping of Bolton at the weekend. John Carew, who poses a huge threat to England’s World Cup chances if he continues to keep Emile Heskey out of the Villa side, had a marvellous afternoon, scoring once and having a hand in three others. He carded an impressive score of 60, which was only outdone by team-mate Ashley Young’s effort of 66. James Milner and Carlos Cuellar complete Villa’s presence in the select XI.

The fat ladies of Hull may well have been having a gargle in preparation for a song or two in honour of beleaguered boss Phil Brown before the weekend. But they will have stood down after the last-gasp victory over Stoke at the weekend. However, despite the win, Hull’s players are still struggling in the Index. Winger Stephen Hunt is their highest-placed player in 38th but you have to go well into the three figures to find their next player, with Kamil Zayatte weighing in at 110th. If there was an Index for most letters in a name, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink would almost certainly top it, but Sunday’s matchwinner is out of luck and he will have to make do with a double nelson, sitting at 222.

Talking of Nelsen, Blackburn’s Ryan Nelsen is having an impressive season and is proving that there is much more to New Zealand than cult comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, Jonah Lomu and rain. Nelsen had a great time of it in the win over Portsmouth, grabbing his first goal of the season and as a result takes his place in the Team of the Week. He moved up 68 places in the overall Index and will look for further improvement as he currently sits in 158th.

Portugal are in dire straits ahead of their World Cup play-off against Bosnia-Herzegovina and are currently embroiled in a bitter row with Real Madrid over the availability of the ‘one man’ in their one-man team, Cristiano Ronaldo. And the Winker’s countrymen are not having a good time of it in the Actim Index this season. Chelsea’s Ricardo Carvalho is leading the way in 37th and even that is courtesy of a sizeable shift up the Index on the back of the win over Manchester United. Deco is doing what Deco does best and flattering to deceive in a disappointing 76th, while every Manchester United fan’s pet hate (apart from traffic on the M25 travelling up to home games) Nani is in a meagre 113th. West Ham’s Manuel Da Costa is at the bottom of the pile in 349th.

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Grzegorz Rasiak eased the pressure on boss Brendan Rodgers with a brace in Reading`s 3-1 victory at Coventry and the Polish striker’s exploits ensured he was the leading points scorer for the week in the Actim Championship Index. The former Tottenham forward scored in the first minute and added the crucial third goal for the Royals to pick up a total of 51 points and move up 118 places in the Actim Index to 226th. Rasiak had only scored one goal in the Championship before his double at the Ricoh Arena and Rodgers will be looking for more of the same if his side are to move away from the relegation zone.

Matty Fryatt was once again Leicester’s match-winner in their clash at QPR and the prolific striker’s double at Loftus Road has resulted in him moving into the top 10 in the Actim Championship Index. The pacey predator scored both goals in a 2-1 victory as the Foxes maintained their impressive start to the season and he also amassed 47 points for the week to move up 10 places to seventh in the Index. The former Walsall man has scored nine Championship goals this season from 25 shots on target for Nigel Pearson’s side.

Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan still leads the way in the Actim Index with 300 points for the season. However, the former Bolton man had one of his least profitable weeks, having registered only 15 points in the Magpies’ 1-0 victory against Sheffield United. In-form Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham is hot on Nolan’s heels in second place despite also having a poor week in terms of Actim points, picking up just 10 in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest. Sought-after Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson is in third place, while Bristol City striker Nicky Maynard moved up to fourth after scoring his ninth Championship goal of the campaign in the Robins’ 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

West Brom defender Jonas Olsson was included in the Actim Championship Team of the Week after scoring and playing his part in keeping a clean sheet in the Baggies’ 5-0 thrashing of Watford. The Swede scored 36 points against the Hornets and has now scored three goals for the season, as well being solid at the back for Roberto Di Matteo’s side having made 29 clearances, 17 interceptions and winning 33 tackles and he moved up 11 places to 11th in the Index. Olsson’s team-mate Gianni Zuiverloon was also in the Team of the Week after scoring 38 points for the week, with the Dutchman also on the scoresheet against Watford.

Swansea are one of the form sides in the Championship at the moment and their Dutch forward Cedric Van der Gun made the Team of the Week after scoring his first goal in English football in the 2-0 win at Scunthorpe. The Swans are now unbeaten in nine Championship games and former Ajax man Van der Gun, who scored 35 points for the week, looks like being a key player if Paulo Sousa’s side are to push for promotion. In the overall Index, Ashley Williams is the Welsh side’s leading performer and the big defender, who is ranked 23rd overall, has won 62 tackles and played a major role in ensuring Swansea have conceded only two goals in their last nine league matches.

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Well, there there was certainly no doubting the star of this week’s Actim Index, was there? After weeks of replacing a number of conservatory and house windows, the double glazing firms of Portsmouth can take it easy. Aruna Dindane has finally found his shooting boots. It would not be unkind to say that the Ivory Coast striker has struggled to adapt since moving to England but, as Wigan found out to their cost on Saturday, the boy is a little handy. Three goals and a week–high score of 64 earned him the performance of the week and a place in the Team of the Week. His sketchy performances of earlier in the season means he is still down in 141st place overall, though, but hey, who’s complaining?

Well, Hull manager Phil Brown was actually. If the Geordie Jose Mourinho didn’t have enough on his plate before Saturday’s clash with Burnley, then ‘beachball ref’ Mike Jones ensured that he was full up by the time he left Turf Moor. The Tigers were beaten 2–0 at Turf Moor, with evergreen Burnley star Graham Alexander scoring twice earning his 48 points – the third best of the week. Alexander is as grizzly and as seasoned as they come and was maybe the sort of player new Hull chairman Adam Pearson was referring to on Monday when he said City’s squad had “too much champagne and not enough ale.” Brown will need some of his home brews, namely Jan Venegoor of Hesselink (262nd), Nick Barmby (272nd) and King Tweeter Jozy Altidore (349th) to show their worth if he is to save his job against Stoke on Sunday.

Tottenham certainly made a lot of noise about being able to match Arsenal stride for stride, didn’t they? And what better way to put it to the test than a good old ding–dong of a north London derby. And, for a while, it looked like game on. Then, as quickly as you can say ‘Cesc Fabregas has got the ball and made a mug out of Tottenham’s midfield’ the game was over. Robin van Persie led the way for the Gunners, with his brace bringing him 52 points. He occupies fourth place in the overall Index, with Fabregas second and Thomas Vermaelen in fifth. Robbie Keane is Tottenham’s highest-ranked player in eighth. As they say on the London underground, mind the gap.

It was also another bad week for Liverpool. Down to nine men and beaten 3–1 at Fulham, questions are being raised, yet again, over Rafael Benitez’s future. The media made a big fuss of footage of him sweating on the touchline at Craven Cottage, trying to make out the pressure was getting to him. And, if it was, who can blame him? With Fernando Torres (3), Glen Johnson (15) and Steven Gerrard (52) all injured, the Spaniard’s squad is bound to feel the pinch. But, is Benitez partly to blame? His much–maligned back-up strikers come in as follows: David Ngog (256), Ryan Babel (273) and Andriy Voronin (313). His castaways, namely Keane (8) and Craig Bellamy (17) suggest that Rafa shouldn’t be having to sweat quite so much.

There’s been a lot of brouhaha about Graham Taylor’s comments that Rio Ferdinand’s best days are behind him. The original Rolls Royce of English defending, if there was one thing that wasn’t going to let Rio down then it was surely his legs? But, Sir Alex Ferguson insists Ferdinand will be back and, who is to argue with the great knight? But, maybe Fabio Capello is looking at possible alternatives for South Africa 2010? And if he is, here’s who might be fancying their chances. Sunderland’s cut–price bargain Michael Turner (formerly part of the Phil Brown Ale already mentioned) is 21st in the overall Index, with long–term England squaddy Gary Cahill in 22nd. You’d probably be happy to take either to the tournament, as you would Joleon Lescott (85) and Matthew Upson (105). All are charting higher than Rio (196), but brother Anton Ferdinand (58) and Titus Bramble (33)? A return first–class ticket for Mr R Ferdinand, please.

And finally, it wouldn’t be fair to go through the week without mentioning Chelsea. A supreme performance at Bolton, capped off by the arguable the goal of the season from Didier Drogba. Those that said Drogba and Nicolas Anelka couldn’t play together have not been heard for a while either. Drogba leads the way in the Index, holding a 37–point lead over Fabregas, while Anelka is tucked away in sixth. The envy of many, Ashley Cole, is in 23rd while Frank Lampard is surprisingly in 34th. But, with the England midfielder now back in the scoring groove, he can expect to climb the Index quicker than the Bolton fans are to boo manager Gary Megson.

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Newcastle returned to winning ways after back-to-back defeats with a late victory over Doncaster last week. That 2-1 win came courtesy of Kevin Nolan’s 18-yard strike and his performance in that win earned him enough points to climb to the top of the overall Actim Index, overtaking Michael Chopra who drops to fourth.

The week’s best performer was Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham, who scored a hat-trick for his side in the thrilling 4-3 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. That performance earns him the highest score of the week with a mammoth 73, which is the second best individual score of the season, behind Cardiff team-mate Chopra. He obviously takes his place in the Team of the Week and moves up seven places to second in the overall Index.

Watford had a fantastic time against Sheffield Wednesday, beating them 4-1 in the televised clash last Friday, and four of their players have forced their way into the Team of the Week as a result. Defenders Jon Harley and Adrian Mariappa, Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury and Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley all take their place in the select XI. The team is completed by Peterborough’s Joe Lewis and George Boyd, Coventry’s Ben Turner, Preston’s Billy Jones, Derby’s Robbie Savage and Cardiff duo Whittingham and Jay Bothroyd.

Managers can often be heard in post-match interviews saying the Coca-Cola Championship is a long season and there are plenty of games. And they would be right, as the players are already racking up the minutes on the pitch. Three players are sharing the most amount of time on the pitch and they are all from the same club. Nottingham Forest trio Chris Gunter, Wes Morgan and Lee Camp have all spent 1367 minutes sweating blood and tears for Billy Davies’ men this term. Meanwhile, Derby duo Stephen Bywater and Dean Moxey have been positively lazy, with just 1366 minutes of game-time. It must be something in the East Midlands water.

Famous for being lobbed from the halfway line for THAT goal by David Beckham and for almost denying England a route to Euro 2000 when he played for Scotland in the play-off, Neil Sullivan is still plugging away and this season, at the age of 39, he is the oldest player in the Coca-Cola Championship. Derby veteran Paul Dickov and QPR coach Gareth Ainsworth are the oldest outfield players to grace the pitch this term, aged 36. At the other end of the scale, Ipswich’s Connor Wickham is having a baptism of fire to his career, but he is adapting well at Portman Road and has played over 300 minutes, despite just being 16.

It was a great week for Nathan Ellington as his last-minute equaliser for Watford against Ipswich not only saw him score his first goal of the season, but also saw him climb a gargantuan 197 places up the Index. He still loiters well down the rankings in 409th, but it was an impressive week nonetheless. That is not something Crystal Palace’s Nick Carle can say as his Index score of -7 sees him slip a rather embarrassing 104 places in the overall standings.

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Newcastle returned to winning ways after back-to-back defeats with a late victory over Doncaster last week. That 2-1 win came courtesy of Kevin Nolan’s 18-yard strike and his performance in that win earned him enough points to climb to the top of the overall Actim Index, overtaking Michael Chopra who drops to fourth.

The week’s best performer was Cardiff midfielder Peter Whittingham, who scored a hat-trick for his side in the thrilling 4-3 win over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. That performance earns him the highest score of the week with a mammoth 73, which is the second best individual score of the season, behind Cardiff team-mate Chopra. He obviously takes his place in the Team of the Week and moves up seven places to second in the overall Index.

Watford had a fantastic time against Sheffield Wednesday, beating them 4-1 in the televised clash last Friday, and four of their players have forced their way into the Team of the Week as a result. Defenders Jon Harley and Adrian Mariappa, Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury and Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley all take their place in the select XI. The team is completed by Peterborough’s Joe Lewis and George Boyd, Coventry’s Ben Turner, Preston’s Billy Jones, Derby’s Robbie Savage and Cardiff duo Whittingham and Jay Bothroyd.

Managers can often be heard in post-match interviews saying the Coca-Cola Championship is a long season and there are plenty of games. And they would be right, as the players are already racking up the minutes on the pitch. Three players are sharing the most amount of time on the pitch and they are all from the same club. Nottingham Forest trio Chris Gunter, Wes Morgan and Lee Camp have all spent 1367 minutes sweating blood and tears for Billy Davies’ men this term. Meanwhile, Derby duo Stephen Bywater and Dean Moxey have been positively lazy, with just 1366 minutes of game-time. It must be something in the East Midlands water.

Famous for being lobbed from the halfway line for THAT goal by David Beckham and for almost denying England a route to Euro 2000 when he played for Scotland in the play-off, Neil Sullivan is still plugging away and this season, at the age of 39, he is the oldest player in the Coca-Cola Championship. Derby veteran Paul Dickov and QPR coach Gareth Ainsworth are the oldest outfield players to grace the pitch this term, aged 36. At the other end of the scale, Ipswich’s Connor Wickham is having a baptism of fire to his career, but he is adapting well at Portman Road and has played over 300 minutes, despite just being 16.

It was a great week for Nathan Ellington as his last-minute equaliser for Watford against Ipswich not only saw him score his first goal of the season, but also saw him climb a gargantuan 197 places up the Index. He still loiters well down the rankings in 409th, but it was an impressive week nonetheless. That is not something Crystal Palace’s Nick Carle can say as his Index score of -7 sees him slip a rather embarrassing 104 places in the overall standings.

 

Chelsea bounced back from their away day blues with a delightful performance to saunter past Blackburn 5-0 and several of their players have been rewarded accordingly in this week’s Actim Index. Frank Lampard’s haul of 36 points earns him a place in the Team of the Week alongside team-mates Michael Essien and Didier Drogba after all three got on the scoresheet at Stamford Bridge.

One thing you could never accuse Lampard of is underperforming in a Chelsea shirt. After a slow start to the campaign in a new formation under Carlo Ancelotti, the midfielder is finally beginning to hit form and his double against Rovers – including a first from open play this term – earned him a season-best points haul and moved him up to 32nd in the overall Index.

Think of Colombia and you invariably think of coffee, Shakira and the monumental Oasis song off Definitely Maybe. But this season there is a new boy from the South American country that is causing a stir and he is called Hugo Rodallega. The Wigan striker is having a fine time of it at the DW Stadium under Roberto Martinez and his two goals in the 3-1 win at Burnley made him the highest points earner of the week with an impressive 51 points. That performance sees him break into the top 10 of the overall index, shifting up 12 places into eighth.

When you think of the plethora of football talent that is plying their trade in the Barclays Premier League, there is a slightly odd look to Actim Team of the Week. Take away the household names of Lampard, Essien, Drogba and William Gallas and the select XI this week is definitely not a Who’s Who of footballing icons, rather a Who’s you? Stoke goalkeeper Steve Simonsen, Birmingham’s Liam Ridgewell, Bolton’s Gary Cahill and Chung-Yong Lee, Wigan’s Emmerson Boyce and Rodallega and Fulham’s Clint Dempsey make up the best 11 players of the week.

Given the amount of talent on show, there is no surprise we are subject to some of the best football in the world, with superb pieces of skill, fine goals and great all-round play. But there is the other end of the pitch to consider and every team needs a defender who doesn’t mind getting their big ugly head in the way of crosses and shots in aid of their team. Leading the way with the most number of clearances are Burnley’s Clark Carlisle and Birmingham’s Roger Johnson, both with 31, while Aston Villa’s James Collins has the most blocks with 14. Rory Delap has proven he has more to his game than just the long throw, amassing a mammoth 65 tackles (not all of them successful mind) and Delap’s team-mate Abdoulaye Faye has performed the most interceptions with 31.

What a week it was for Fabio Aurelio. Handed a start in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester United, the Spaniard put in an impressive performance at Anfield, earning him 27 points which saw him rise a mammoth 195 places in the Index. However, he still sits fairly near the bottom of the overall ladder in 286th place. On the other side of the scale, it was a week to forget for Sunderland veteran Boudewijn Zenden, who managed to record an embarrassing score of -7. That poor showing sees him become the biggest slider in the Index this week dropping 142 places.

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Sheffield Wednesday defender Darren Purse has not had the best of times since his move from Cardiff to Hillsborough. The veteran centre-half has been targeted by fans for some below-par performances following the disappointing defeats at Sheffield United and Derby. But Purse has bounced back and produced a fine display in the 2-0 win over Coventry, scoring his first goal for the club. That performance earned him his highest score of the season and his 38-point haul also saw him take his place in the Actim Team of the Week.

Lineker v Adams, Wright v Mabbutt, Hoddle v Brady have all been famous battles that have taken place in the north London derby over the years. However, Wayne Routledge v Jay Simpson was never one that got an airing in the famous clash between Tottenham and Arsenal. Now former Spurs winger Routledge and Arsenal loanee Simpson have joined forces at QPR, both playing an integral role for Jim Magilton’s men this term. The pair were in form again during the 4-0 win over Preston last weekend, with both men getting on the scoresheet. Routledge is the leading QPR player in the Index in 17th position overall and notched a season-best 36 points. Simpson recorded a 34-point haul and both men were in the Team of the Week.

As crazy footballing decisions go, there have been a few down the years. Sven-Goran Eriksson taking the untried Theo Walcott to the 2006 World Cup and Sol Campbell joining Notts County are just two of the most recent ones. Another strange one that can be added to that list is the decision of Plymouth to allow their defender Marcel Seip, on loan at Blackpool, to play against them when the two sides met at Bloomfield Road last week. Inevitably Seip played a blinder and scored the opening goal against his employers to put his temporary side on the way to a 2-0 win. His performance gave him a 34-point haul, which is more than half of his overall tally.

Jerome Thomas, returning from a three-match suspension, capped a man-of-the-match display with a brace to end a three-match winless streak for West Brom in a 3-1 victory over Reading. The former Arsenal trainee claimed the top score in the latest Championship Index with 53 points and was also the second-highest mover, climbing 136 places to 144th with 102 points overall. Was also named in the team of the week.

Having helped Northern Ireland claim a goalless draw against the Czech Republic in Prague, Grant McCann made an impressive return to league action, grabbing a double as Scunthorpe beat Sheffield United 3-1 at Glanford Park. McCann notched the second-highest tally of the week with 42 points and jumped into 38th place with 149 points. He was also included in the team of the week and is the second-highest Iron player in the Index, two points behind striker Gary Hooper.

Former Liverpool trainee Adam Hammill helped Barnsley continue their revival under new manager Mark Robins with the only goal at Doncaster. Hammill netted his third goal of the season to earn the Tykes only their second away win in the league this season. He posted 40 points – the third-best score of the week – and moved 70 places to 52nd in the Index with 139 points. He is also the highest-placed Tykes player in the Index, 16 points ahead of defender Stephen Foster.

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Sheffield Wednesday defender Darren Purse has not had the best of times since his move from Cardiff to Hillsborough. The veteran centre-half has been targeted by fans for some below-par performances following the disappointing defeats at Sheffield United and Derby. But Purse has bounced back and produced a fine display in the 2-0 win over Coventry, scoring his first goal for the club. That performance earned him his highest score of the season and his 38-point haul also saw him take his place in the Actim Team of the Week.

Lineker v Adams, Wright v Mabbutt, Hoddle v Brady have all been famous battles that have taken place in the north London derby over the years. However, Wayne Routledge v Jay Simpson was never one that got an airing in the famous clash between Tottenham and Arsenal. Now former Spurs winger Routledge and Arsenal loanee Simpson have joined forces at QPR, both playing an integral role for Jim Magilton’s men this term. The pair were in form again during the 4-0 win over Preston last weekend, with both men getting on the scoresheet. Routledge is the leading QPR player in the Index in 17th position overall and notched a season-best 36 points. Simpson recorded a 34-point haul and both men were in the Team of the Week.

As crazy footballing decisions go, there have been a few down the years. Sven-Goran Eriksson taking the untried Theo Walcott to the 2006 World Cup and Sol Campbell joining Notts County are just two of the most recent ones. Another strange one that can be added to that list is the decision of Plymouth to allow their defender Marcel Seip, on loan at Blackpool, to play against them when the two sides met at Bloomfield Road last week. Inevitably Seip played a blinder and scored the opening goal against his employers to put his temporary side on the way to a 2-0 win. His performance gave him a 34-point haul, which is more than half of his overall tally.

Jerome Thomas, returning from a three-match suspension, capped a man-of-the-match display with a brace to end a three-match winless streak for West Brom in a 3-1 victory over Reading. The former Arsenal trainee claimed the top score in the latest Championship Index with 53 points and was also the second-highest mover, climbing 136 places to 144th with 102 points overall. Was also named in the team of the week.

Having helped Northern Ireland claim a goalless draw against the Czech Republic in Prague, Grant McCann made an impressive return to league action, grabbing a double as Scunthorpe beat Sheffield United 3-1 at Glanford Park. McCann notched the second-highest tally of the week with 42 points and jumped into 38th place with 149 points. He was also included in the team of the week and is the second-highest Iron player in the Index, two points behind striker Gary Hooper.

Former Liverpool trainee Adam Hammill helped Barnsley continue their revival under new manager Mark Robins with the only goal at Doncaster. Hammill netted his third goal of the season to earn the Tykes only their second away win in the league this season. He posted 40 points – the third-best score of the week – and moved 70 places to 52nd in the Index with 139 points. He is also the highest-placed Tykes player in the Index, 16 points ahead of defender Stephen Foster.

It was another scintillating weekend of twists and turns at the top of the Barclays Premier League as Aston Villa inflicted a second successive away defeat on Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea. Martin O’Neill has been astute with his summer signings and two of his defensive arrivals Richard Dunne and James Collins scored the goals to heap more misery on Didier Drogba and co. Collins’ winner was his first goal for Villa and it was a double celebration as he was week nine’s biggest scorer with 48 points. That saw Collins make the Actim Team of Week alongside Dunne and also move up 42 places into 16th. There was some consolation for Drogba though as the Ivorian scored against Villa to remain top of the index with 231 points.

Liverpool fans decided to stage their very own October beach party at the Stadium of Light but there was little to celebrate as Sunderland grabbed a 1-0 win courtesy of Darren Bent’s goal via a massive deflection off a beach ball. Sadly the beach ball did not make it into the team of the week but Bent moved up four places into third in the overall standings. Team-mate Craig Gordon also made it into the Actim Team of the Week following his fine display between the sticks for the Black Cats.

Down at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal capitalised to make up ground on their rivals with a comfortable 3-1 win over Birmingham. Abou Diaby has come in for much criticism during his time with the Gunners but his goal saw him take home a 36-point haul to be named in the Actim Team of the Week. Diaby moved up 37 places to 32nd in the index, while team-mate Robin van Persie broke into the top 20 after his goal saw him move into 18th place. However, captain Cesc Fabregas remains Arsenal’s highest points scorer with 219 and is still chasing Drogba in second.

Sir Alex Ferguson has found the boots of Cristiano Ronaldo difficult to fill this season, but summer signing Antonio Valencia did his bit by grabbing his first goal for Manchester United in the 2-1 victory against plucky Bolton. Valencia earned 44 points in week nine, earning himself a place in the Actim Team of the Week alongside Blackburn’s David Dunn who produced another fine display in their thrilling 3-2 derby win over rivals Burnley. Dunn’s haul of 42 points also saw him move into the top 50, in 47th place.

While Dunn made a big move up the index, his leap was not a patch on team-mate Morten Gamst Pedersen who climbed an astonishing 158 places into 315th. Other big moves this week included Tottenham’s Ledley King. The injury-prone centre-back notched his first goal of the season in the win over poor Portsmouth to move up 100 places in the index to 86th and earn a place in the Team of the Week. Fulham striker Bobby Zamora also moved up 100 places and was the week’s top striker with 43 points following a goal and an assist in the 2-0 win over Hull.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel may have committed a howler in allowing Didier Drogba’s shot to bounce past him but it mattered not as the American leapfrogged Manchester United’s Ben Foster to become the Actim Index’s top goalkeeper with 122 points. Foster is not far behind on 114 points, but with the return of veteran stopper Edwin van der Sar, the England goalkeeper could see opportunities limited in the coming weeks.

As with everything in life there are winners and losers and the Actim Index is no difference. We’ve talked about your winners this week, your Bents, Fabregas’, Zamoras and even your beach balls. But let’s dedicate a little time to this week’s biggest loser…………..step forward Liverpool’s Fabio Aurelio. The Brazilian has that sinking feeling as he dropped 118 places to 481st in the Actim Index. It summed up a poor week for Liverpool’s defenders after being outdone by an inflatable toy.

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Any worries Cardiff’s fans may have had about Michael Chopra losing his form were put to bed in the last batch of Coca–Cola Championship fixtures. The former Newcastle striker, whose real name is actually Rocky, had started the season quicker than Floyd Mayweather’s hands, with eight goals in his first six games. A dry spell then ensued as Chopra went six games without scoring. But the Bluebirds faithful needn’t have worried as Chopra rose from the canvas in a manner than Sly Stalone can only dream of, and floored Derby with four goals as though they were Ivan Drago. Chopra’s knockout blow earned him 88 Index points and took him to the top of the Week 8 leaderboard.

It was another bad week for Chopra’s former boss Roy Keane, though, as his Ipswich side twice conceded last minute equalisers to keep them rooted to the foot of the league table. Their struggles are understandable too, with striker Jon Walters their only member of the top 100 players. Walters has 133 points and sits in a semi–decent 44th place, with Liam Rosenior his closest colleague in 119th. If the Tractor Boys can pick their form up after the international break, they may well be able to climb the table and become a greater force in the Index, not to mention sparing the club’s local reporters from a dose of the hairdryers off Mr Keane.

Despite Newcastle drawing their last two home games against QPR and Bristol City, the Toon Army remain top of the Coca–Cola Championship table and, it appears that it is all down to keeping up with the Taylors, rather than the Joneses. Both Steven and Ryan currently occupy a place in the top 10 of the Index on 211 and 194 points respectively, while they were joined in the Team of the Week by goalkeeper Steve Harper, who is once again proving that as well as looking like Shay Given, he can also play like him. As for the division’s other Taylors, Sheffield United’s Andy is stationed in 77th, Blackpool’s Gary Taylor–Fletcher is 162nd and Middlesbrough’s Andrew Taylor is 393rd, a ranking that won’t go down well at Taylor HQ.

Now, you may not think that sitting 209th in the Index is too big a deal to shout about. But to Barnsley striker Iain Hume it is. Just under a year ago, it was doubtful that the pint–sized Barnsley striker would ever play again after suffering a life–threatening fracture of his skull against Sheffield United. But, after months of intensive rehab the Canadian is back with a bang, and netted two goals in the last two games to announce his return to the big stage. He currently has 77 Index points and, even tried to do Roy Keane a favour by missing a penalty against Ipswich. What he didn’t bargain for, though, was strike partner Jon Macken coming along in injury time and hitting the winner to nudge himself into 217th place.

Understandably this season, a lot of the headlines have focused on some of the big name managers currently doing the rounds in the Championship, the likes of Keane, Gareth Southgate and Roberto Di Matteo. But, be it in his own mind or otherwise, Neil Warnock is still a big fish in the managerial pond and his Crystal Palace side have recently started to show just what they are made of. With the brouhaha of Freddie Sears’ ‘goal’ now having disappeared, the Eagles have focused on their game and, have a four–match unbeaten run to show for it. They also charted three players in the top 20 for the last round of games, with Darren Ambrose (4), Neil Danns (7) and Alan Lee (14) showing that there is plenty of life left in their manager.

And, while Chopra may have had one of the weeks of his life, his Cardiff team–mates weren’t too far behind him as they plundered a staggering 10 goals in two games, with teenage midfielder Adam Matthews announcing himself to the world and the Index with a 50–yard free–kick that caught Watford keeper Scott Loach napping. Matthews bagged 38 points as a result and ended third in the top 20 players for the week, with free–scoring midfielder Peter Whittingham taking top spot. Chris Burke also joined Whittingham and Chopra in the Team of the Week, making it a great week for the south Wales club.

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