The Whole Delivery

The Table After 17 Rounds:  What a season.  Halftime at City/Liverpool  After United's 3-2 over Hull Second Version After FT: Hull City 2-3 Manchester United  FT: Hull City 2-3 Manchester United - What a victory on the road for Moyes' men, from 2-0 down to a vital win on Boxing Day's 2013 opener — Andrew Jerell Jones (@sluggahjells) December 26, 2013 More to come on this great boxing day for sure. Here is Rooney's goal: First Version  While every other league on the planet is asleep, the Premier League is alive and well for another holiday year end/year beginning close. All day coverage, starting with a pivotal opener for United as they look to try and keep their momentum of late against a Hull City side who are truly elite at home. Constant coverage all day, stay locked here at The Whole Delivery.

Full Time Final: Everton Win at Old Trafford For First Time Since 1992; Arsenal Keep Rising What another amazing round of fixtures in the Barclays Premier League, with a third of a season complete, it is rounding into potentially the greatest title race ever, with many contenders vying not only for the coveted Top 3/4, but for the overall title.  For the moment, Arsenal continue their great start to the season with a comfortable win against Hull as expected, 2-0 on the night, but the real test for them, just like it was at Old Trafford, comes now with them starting a three game phase against Everton, Manchester City, and Chelsea, with their important Champions League final group game at Napoli in the middle.  And speaking of Old Trafford and Everton, what a great, tight match with open play it was between David Moyes ' old and new side, which went to his replacement Roberto Martinez 's new men off a late winner from Bryan Oviedo.  But of course the ni

Final: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool  It's a sound, workman like United victory, accomplishing the double over their bitter English rivals to go up 10 points on Manchester City in the standings and 24 points better than Liverpool at the moment.  It was another tough result for Brendan Rodgers side against the league's elite this season, as their midfield just did not have enough to help Luiz Suarez muster a consistent strong challenge for a United backline that has been shaky this season.  No clear cut chances for Suarez today. And still relying on Fabio Borini to get goals sums up the level Liverpool just is at, regardless of the positive team oriented style of play Rodgers has implemented. United have past the first test of their difficult two week period in the league, as they have Tottenham on the road next week. City and to a lesser extent, both Chelsea and Spurs, hoped that United would drop points in this difficult back to back. But with how determi

Shaun Wright-Phillips winner gave QPR a shock win at Chelsea, but they need a lot more results to save them.   It truly is three different seasons in the Barclays Premier League, with the holiday festive year end/year start four game period being its own grueling season of importance. It could further spurn you to make hasty or needy moves in a January transfer window that you didn't want to have to dabble in, and it sets the table for the second half of the season. After another festive period, Manchester United are in the front and center. But unlike last season, where a clear lost to Newcastle spelled omens on what became a title-less season, Sir Alex's men are sound favorites for the title. Shaun Wright-Phillips huge goal to give QPR the 1-0 win at Chelsea moved Harry Redknapp side from bottom of the table to......bottom of the table. I just don't see enough consistent team chemistry to overcome the drop for them, although they should finish ahead of Reading,

Final: Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United  In all honesty, City were never truly deserving of a point. United through Rooney, Young, Valencia and Van Persie had much more cutting edge and clarity, as the first half showed.  Ever the constant playmaker for Van Persie at the start of the season, Wayne Rooney is definitely now finding himself in places to show his class finishing and get higher on the goal list. As always, at least in the league under Mancini the last season and a half, City play their best when it seems like everything is about to crumble. Tevez gave them the lead man play that Balotelli hasn't given them all season, and with Johnny Evans out, City's persistence was able to cause United's defense to leak more goals this year. But thankfully for United, they didn't start off on the back foot this time, and always kept their nerve whenever adversity hits in a match (Barcelona aside). Despite the comeback from City, Van Persie's de

After last week's defeat to Manchester City, Chelsea regain their mantle as best team in the Barclays Premier League with a 2-0 defeat of Arsenal at Stanford Bridge. It was their 5th straight defeat of the Gunners, as it highlighted Didier Drogba's 13 goal against Arsene Wenger's side. It seemed Arsenal could still grab a late equalizer to share the points, but a wonderful free kick from Alex late in the 2nd half secured Chelsea another big three points. The Blues move four points ahead in the standings, with their conquerors from last week in 2nd now with 4 points after their 2-1 win over Newcastle. The result of Week 7 in this league though was clearly Blackpool's 2-1 road victory over Liverpool. Dire times indeed for Roy Hodgson and the Anfield Nation.

Photo from Premierleague.com It's no question who Chelsea's boogeyman team is right now. Manchester City has defeated the league leaders once again, becoming the first team to take any points away from the champions this year thanks to Carlos Tevez fine 59th minute effort to give City a big 1-0 win. City's midfield was just "too powerful" for Chelsea as coach Carlo Ancelotti described, as both Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda had very quiet days in attack today. But the even more eye popping result today in the league was without a doubt West Brom 3-2 shock win at Arsenal. The rest of the results from Saturday highlight clearly how the parody in this league is growing bit by bit. Steven Gerrard had to save Liverpool avoid defeat at home, ending their match against visiting Sunderland 2-2. In the battle of "The Blacks", Blackburn scored a late winner to devastate Blackpool 2-1. Probably the most boring match of the day featured Birmingham a

Photo from Getty Images The season of Dimitar Berbatov continues, as his hat trick gave Manchester United the big 3-2 win over bitter rivals Liverpool. Controversy was certainly a protagonist in this contest between England's most successful two clubs, as referee Howard Webb once again entered the spotlight with some controversial decisions that went Liverpool's way. Nevertheless, United secured the win thanks to the Bulgarian adding to his terrific start with a performance that would make even his harshest critics become his biggest supporters. And we all know he has had his share of critics. It's the first loss of the season for Liverpool, seemingly already out of the title here in September with this loss. Meanwhile, United propel to third place at 11 points with this win.

Photo from Premierleague.com West Ham showed a lot of spirit and skill , but they concede 3 goals once more to Chelsea, as it is four straight wins for the Blues. And their win was cemented by all of their title rivals except Arsenal dropping points today. Despite injuries, the Gunners overcame a tough Bolton side with a fine 4-1 victory . Their cross town bitter foes Tottenham though did not get the 3 points, as their own injury woes lead to them finishing 1-1 with diligent West Brom . Manchester City continued to look like title pretenders , as Joe Hart's shaky day contributed in Blackburn finishing 1-1 with them. But City's result wasn't as hard to swallow as the collapse their neighbors United had, conceding two goals in two minutes late to Everton to end their match at Goodson Park 3-3 . Despite a horrendous broken ankle injury for Bobby Zamora, Fulham got a late winner from Dembele's 2nd goal to overcome Wolves 2-1. Antolin Alcaraz saved Wigan from anothe

Relief and disappointment for both teams at match's conclusion. For Liverpool, they were terrific after Joe Cole's rash challenge saw him sent off on his debut. David Ngog showed why he is still at Anfield with his brilliant goal past a still questionable Manuel Alumenia. Arsene Wenger knows that his side were fortunate to come away with a late point, as Tomas Rosicky's quality cross was helped by Jose Reina blinded by the sun, Marouane Chamakh timely jump, and the Spanish #2 keeper having the ball go into the net off the post and his hands. So one more match to go in the completion of Week one in the Barclays Premier League, as Manchester United will take on Newscastle in Monday Night Football, England's version.

And talk about a way to kick off the season, with the battle of the Rising 2 who are a threat to the traditional Top 4 and truly both believe they have outside title ambitious this year. It's Tottenham and Manchester City, oh what a commencement to a glorious new season:

Photo from Sky Sports Talk about a bombshell out of nowhere. O'Neill's frustration reached a boiling point with the club. The only main transfer story surrounding them this summer has been James Milner possibly leaving. They haven't been interested in buying any players to improve the squad for Villa to take the step needed for them to get to the levels of where Tottenham and Manchester City are trying or have arrived in the Top 4 level. Though the official word on why he quit isn't out yet, that most likely is the reason why this news on the days leading towards the start of the season has come as a major shock throughout the league. It could not have come at a worse time for the fans of the Villains, as this could be a make or break season for the club. And with O'Neill decision, it surely looks like the "breaking" will occur over the "making."

You can start the Black Derby headlines now.

All Photos from Getty Images

Photo from Getty Images Peter Crouch's 82 minute goal was the difference in sending Tottenham fans into euphoria and Manchester City fans into thoughts of next season, as Spurs are the ones who will be going to the Champions League and not the blue half of Manchester. It was an enthralling contest of end to end stuff between these high quality teams, as the tall England striker facilitated his chances to go to South Africa with his goal to give Harry Redknapp's club one of club football's most coveted positions....4th place in the Barclys Premier League. But Spurs could actually finish better than the current position they are in, as they are now just two points behind hated arch rival Arsenal with one game left going into the Sunday finales. And with how the Gunners have been playing of late, Spurs could be in the Champions League without having to even endure the nerve wracking playoffs. Another enthralling night in the Barclays Premier League in the season's cl

Photo form Getty Images Tottenham have defeated arch rivals Arsenal for the 1st time in league play in 11 years 2-1, possibly ending the title hopes of their nemesis in the North London Derby. The 47th minute goal from Gareth Bale was the difference, as Arsenal staged a late fightback after an awful first 80 minutes with a goal from Nicolas Bendtner in the 85th minute to cancel out young Danny Rose's stunning volley strike in the 1st half. But thanks to terrific goalkeeping by Heurelho Gomes denying the returning Robin Van Persie three times in the latter stages, Arsene Wenger's side appear set for another year without silverware. More importantly for Spurs besides beating and inflicting massive damage on their rivals, they keep their serious hopes for 4th place alive, making Saturday's massive fixtures between their encounter with Chelsea and the Manchester Derby all the more enthralling.

Photo from Getty Images Title decider? It maybe so, as Didier Drogba's tally was the game winning difference in a massive 2-1 win at Old Trafford against United. In a match that highlighted the full absence of Wayne Rooney, the moment that exemplified that came in the match's final chance, as Dimitar Berbatov couldn't get the best contact on a half-chance volley. It was a quality match on the field today, and thanks to the pace of Florent Malouda and the cleverness of Joe Cole, Chelsea went up on 20th minute thanks to the flick from the Englishman off the delivery of his French teammate. And after enduring an expected United fightback, Chelsea got the massive second goal from their Ivory Coast striker in the 79th minute, who came off the bench. But Drogba's goal will be filled with controversy, as the officials missed that he was offside. But you can never count United out, as Frederico Macheda looked to have played another "Young Hero" moment like he

The two London clubs batting Manchester United for the Barclays Premier league crown this season had massive results this Saturday. But while Chelsea ran rampant just now on Aston Villa, Arsenal fans were devastated to see their team conceded a late equalizer to Birmingham City at St. Andrews. The Blues virtually ended any hopes of Aston Villa reaching the Top 4 this year, as a Frank Lampard 4 goal day propelled Carlo Ancelotti's team to an emphatic 7-1 win. But the same could not be said of their London rivals, as Arsenal conceded a Kevin Phillips deflection in the waning moments of the match to finish 1-1 with Birmingham City. Samir Nasri added to his growing legacy with a brilliant strike in the 81st minute, seeming to have given the Gunners a valuable three points. Instead, Arsenal and their supporters will now hope that Bolton can take points at home against a United side without Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand today.

The sports thread: Photo from Sky Sports You would think for an Arsenal fan that a Manchester City 4-2 defeat of Chelsea coupled with winning 3-1 one at arduous Stoke City would be the perfect day. But telling them that another one of their players was destined to endure a horrific injury from a dangerous challenge would have dampen the celebration. Those results turned out to be the case, as Ramsey seems to have suffered a broken leg eerily similar to the one Eduardo had two years ago at Birmingham City. The man playing the role of Martin Taylor here was Ryan Shawcross, and it was just as egregious to watch. Thoughts are certainly with the talented Wales teenager, who was getting better and better as the season progressed. To Shawcross' credit, he was showing tears as he was sent off the field unsurprisingly. The emotions of the moment will certainly weigh on his head for a long while I think. Arsenal showed tremendous character to win the match, as they are without a qu

Photo from Getty Images The Giants ' decision to release their defensive leader Antonio Pierce is a real bizarre one that shocked everyone around here. Though Pierce's injuries and level of play lead to the release before his final year on his deal, the middle linebacker still has a few good years in my mind. And there will certainly be a team that will benefit from having him in my mind. NBA All-star news : Allen Iverson is out, as he will be replaced by David Lee , so good for Mr. Lee because he deserved it way more than Al Horford did. And thankfully, Kobe Bryant has pulled himself out of the show piece in Dallas, with his ankle being the reason why. Jason Kidd will replace him, giving Mavs fans another reason to be happy. Hopefully no one will ask Rick Pitno again until actual evidence comes up about him wanting to be the coach of the Nets. MSNBC sure has been making sure you don't miss up to the minute coverage on Lindsay Vonn's injury, as she pract