JAMIE REDKNAPP: Cabaye's free-kick was a thing of beauty... Ramsey has to aim to double his goal tally... and Caulker is so good he could end up playing for United

By Jamie Redknapp

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That free-kick from Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye against Chelsea was a beauty.

The delivery looked like it came attached with an invite to say ‘Go on then, head it’. And Yoan Gouffran did exactly that.

Some players try to strike the ball with too much power, as if firing a cannonball. Not everyone can be like Cristiano Ronaldo.

Cabaye took something off the ball, but still arrowed it into the box.

Tactics talk: Alan Pardew tells Yohan Cabaye where to place his free-kick

Tactics talk: Alan Pardew tells Yohan Cabaye where to place his free-kick

Enlarge   Going to plan: Yoan Gouffran scores from a Cabaye free-kick

Going to plan: Yoan Gouffran scores from a Cabaye free-kick

Plan comes off: Yoan Gouffran celebrates his goal with Cabaye

Plan comes off: Yoan Gouffran celebrates his goal with Cabaye

The flight of the deadball possessed dare and menace, dipping and moving on its way in. There is a 10-yard optimum area to aim for.

Too short and the defenders will head it clear, too long and the goalkeeper will claim it.

I was pleased for Alan Pardew but he did make me smile. He summoned Cabaye all the way to the touchline from centre field to give him instructions, but I played against Alan... he wouldn’t know how to take a free-kick like that!

It was a bold move by him to omit Hatem Ben Arfa, who can be their magician but can also be their passenger.

This was a big win to follow their lacklustre performance in the derby against Sunderland the weekend before. His team must have Pardew tearing his hair out as they drift from useless to brilliant.

 

Golden Boy Aaron

Aaron Ramsey had scored 11 goals in all competitions in his Arsenal career up to this summer.

This season he has scored 10 already, adding another screamer against Liverpool.
Now he needs to go for 20, like Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have done in the past.

Scoring for fun: Aaron Ramsey scored against Liverpool to take his tally to 10 and should aim for 20

Scoring for fun: Aaron Ramsey scored against Liverpool to take his tally to 10 and should aim for 20

Top of the class: Ramsey helped Arsenal move five points clear at the top of the Premier League

Top of the class: Ramsey helped Arsenal move five points clear at the top of the Premier League

Cesc Fabregas scored 15 league goals in 2009-10, the best return from an Arsenal midfielder in the Premier League era.

Ramsey has six so far, but he is talented, confident and capable of more. Goalscoring midfielders are like gold dust.

P.S. It’s Manchester United v Arsenal next Sunday... the champions against the league leaders.

United have been slow starters this season and the gap is eight points, but they are showing signs of finding their rhythm and in six days we will find out if they have.

Here come the Champions: Former striker Robin van Persie and United are next for Arsenal

Here come the Champions: Former striker Robin van Persie and United are next for Arsenal

 

Lay off Lee

Lee Cattermole won’t receive much sympathy, but he gets some from me.

He was sent off at Hull (for the seventh time in his career) because of his reputation. If it had been another midfielder sliding in like that on a rolling Ahmed Elmohamady, it would have been yellow.

Cattermole plays with fire in his belly and Gus Poyet will need plenty of that, but Lee may have to change his ways and stay on his feet.

Seeing red: Lee Cattermole was sent off for Sunderland against Hull

Seeing red: Lee Cattermole was sent off for Sunderland against Hull

He’s a good tackler and it’s unfair but he may never be allowed to slide in again because referees are out to get him. He was guilty of making it too easy for Andre Marriner to do just that.

 

Caulker is my Star man of the weekend

Steven Caulker is the king of Wales, but how long will he stay at Cardiff?

He’s so good he could play for Manchester United in the Champions League.

Tottenham didn’t want to sell him but he forced their hand because he wanted first-team football.

On Sunday he showed what he can offer.

High climber: Steven Caulker rises highest to head home the winner for Cardiff

High climber: Steven Caulker rises highest to head home the winner for Cardiff

Heading for Brazil? Coluld Caulker make a late charge for England's World Cup squad

Heading for Brazil? Coluld Caulker make a late charge for England's World Cup squad

His goal will bring greater attention but his performances all season have been first-class.

No disrespect to Cardiff, but this move is just a stepping stone for Steven.

He’s ahead of Phil Jones as a centre back right now and he could gatecrash the England World Cup squad.

 

Hugo is my No 1

Hugo Lloris is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

He thinks and plays like an outfield player, anticipates danger and is comfortable with the ball at his feet.

He allows Tottenham’s defence to play a high line because they trust him to be on his toes and covering behind as their sweeper keeper and because he reads the game like an extra defender.

Simply the best: Hugo Lloris has proved himself to be the best keeper in the League

Simply the best: Hugo Lloris has proved himself to be the best keeper in the League

He may be caught out off his line at some stage (watch out for a brilliantly executed chip this season) but he is the reason for Tottenham’s impressive defensive record.

 

PLAYER
PASSES
COMPLETION %
Y Toure
117
93.16
Arteta
106
93.43
Noble
104
89.42

Passing masters

Here are the highest number of passes attempted this weekend.

There is one Englishman - Mark Noble - on the list.

I wonder if Roy Hodgson will be impressed, too? West Ham are not scoring enough, but one of their players is passing it well.

Pass master: Mark Noble is one of the best passers in the league

Pass master: Mark Noble is one of the best passers in the league

 

Turn up for Pompey

Portsmouth v Exeter is hardly a local derby (the round trip is more than 200 miles) yet it drew a gate of 16,168 to witness a 3-2 win for the home team.

It was a bigger attendance than Watford v Leicester towards the top of the Championship.

Apart from Wolves, it was the biggest gate outside the top two divisions and the sixth biggest in the whole Football League.

Heads up: Ryan Bird scores Portsmouth's second goal against Exeter

Heads up: Ryan Bird scores Portsmouth's second goal against Exeter

Bumper crowd: Over 16,000 fans turned up to see Ricky Holmes score in Portsmouth's 3-2 win over Exeter

Bumper crowd: Over 16,000 fans turned up to see Ricky Holmes score in Portsmouth's 3-2 win over Exeter

The second biggest gate in League Two was 6,547 at Plymouth.

At Pompey, the locals have had their fair share of turmoil, seeing their team fall through the leagues, but the hardcore keep turning up to show their love and passion.

I wish them happier times.

 


The comments below have been moderated in advance.

If Caulker is that good surely he could set his sights a little higher than playing for Mid (table) Utd.

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You have to earn a reputation.... Cattermole has a reputation for being a dirty player.... The fault is his own. He's should try to play the ball every now and then....

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As a Spurs fan, I have no problem with Caulker leaving because he needs and deserves first team football. Although he is playing well, I think his replacement Vlad Chiriches deserves some credit because he has been excellent

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Dear Jamie, As you well know Arsenal is set up to play team if not total football and goals can come from any player especially creative ones up front. I find your advise to Ramsey a bad one and will derail his progress. He was selfish for the last few years and that got him nowhere, this year he is thriving in triangle and one twos combinations and as a result goals come naturally for him! Could you please refrain from giving selfish advise to our players! If he were a striker I would probably agree with u but he is Not! Ramsey has been awesome well rounded of a player this season and I stopped yelling at him and I would like that to continue in the foreseeable future!

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Cattermole is the dirtiest player in the league so it's no surprise really. Be interesting to see if he would be the same way in a decent team rather than a championship style one

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Spurs were fools to sell Caulker, he'll be an England regular playing for a top 4 team in 2 years

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Caulker scores one good goal and is suddenly one of the worlds best defenders. Typical British overhyping everything

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Cattermole=thug

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Portsmouth are one of the few clubs in England who have proper football club supporters in my opinion. Win, lose or draw they are there very week. If Liverpool, Chelsea or even Man Utd had been through what this club has over the last few years, there stadiums would have been like going to Tesco after mid night !

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Avb is completely mad! Worst transfer window ever for spurs! Selling our best player for a great deal but then replacing him with completely useless players, only paulinho's been worth it. Our defence has been great this year but caulker is the future! He will be as good as Ferdinand eventually and we sold him for a pittance! Avb doesn't like English players and he's dreadful in the transfer market!

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