Premier League / Mike Norman / 30 November 2008 / Leave a Comment

It's been a magnificent start to the season for Hull City, Amr Zaki has been a goal-scoring sensation, and the signing of Robinho sent shockwaves across the football world. But, month by month there have been other highlights, lowlights and talking points - all causing shake-ups in Betfair's Premier League markets, says Mike Norman.

August

The season got off to a flyer for Chelsea and their new manager Phil Scolari as they walloped Portsmouth at Stamford Bridge, with Portuguese midfielder Deco pulling all the strings. In fact it was a fine month for Deco, scoring two goals and being named the Premier League Player of the Month. He can now be backed at [40.0] to be named the PFA Player of the Year having been matched at [5.0] after his brilliant start in English football.

The purchase of Manchester City, elevating them to one of the richest clubs in the world, and the deadline day transfers of Dimitar Berbatov and Robinho made massive news - so too did the will he/won't he transfer sagas of Frank Lampard, Gareth Barry and Cristiano Ronaldo. All decided to stay.

Elsewhere, Gareth Southgate was named Manager of the Month after Middlesbrough won two of their opening three games, and Stoke City's Rory Delap discovered that he could throw a ball from the sideline all the way to the penalty area.

September

After just eight months in the Newcastle hot-seat, serial quitter Kevin Keegan walked out for the second time in his career, Mike Ashley put the club up for sale, and Joe Kinnear was appointed as interim boss. Three months later and Keegan hasn't been sighted, the club is still up for sale, and Kinnear is still the manager.

Newcastle can be backed at [7.0] to be relegated, [6.2] to be the Top North-East Club, and at [8.2] to finish in the Top Six of the Premiership.

September saw a goal-scoring debut for Robinho, whilst last season's leading scorer Cristiano Ronaldo bagged his first Premier League goal of this campaign against Bolton. Both stars now have eight goals for the season and can be backed at [18.0] and [3.8] respectively in the Premiership Top Goalscorer market.

Hull City's stunning victory away to Arsenal helped earn Phil Brown the Manager of the Month award, whilst Aston Villa's Ashley Young was named Player of the Month. Hull can be backed at [8.0] for what would be a remarkable Top Six finish, and Villa are available at just [3.1] to break into the Top Four.

Elsewhere, Tottenham's dismal start to the season was confirmed when they found themselves at the bottom of the Premier League table, and Rory Delap was now throwing the ball from one side of the pitch to another.

October

Biggest talking point of the month was the sacking of Juande Ramos at Spurs and the club's quick appointment of Harry Redknapp as their new boss. Having been matched at [3.5] to be relegated, Tottenham would go on a great run that would see them climb out of the relegation zone with striker Darren Bent enjoying a great time in front of goal.

Spurs can now be backed at [20.0] for a very unlikely relegation, whilst Bent is available to back at [5.0] to be the Top English Goalscorer.

Chelsea's Frank Lampard was named the Premier League Player of the Month, Dimitar Berbatov scored his first league goal for Manchester United, and Liverpool's Rafa Benitez won the Manager of the Month award.

In what promises to be a great title race, Chelsea are [1.91] to win the Premier League, just ahead of United [4.1] and Liverpool [4.9].

Oh, and Rory Delap cleared the Britannia Stadium with one of his trademark long throws - the ball last seen floating down the River Trent!

November

Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka couldn't have wished to start the month any better, scoring a hat-trick against hapless Sunderland at Stamford Bridge. The Frenchman has now bagged 12 goals for the season and is sharing favouritism with Ronaldo at [3.8] to be the Premier League's Top Goalscorer.

Meanwhile, Sunderland suffer another heavy defeat at home to Bolton and now trade at just [3.65] to be relegated. Favourites in this market are Premiership new boys West Brom at [1.37] and Stoke City at [1.72].

Big news this month was that William Gallas was stripped of the Arsenal captaincy after criticising his teammates on just about everything. The Gunners currently find themselves out of the top four but are available to back at just [1.58] to finish the season back in one of those positions under the influence of new captain Cesc Fabregas.

Final mention has to go to Rory Delap, who was successful in his challenge to switch on Stoke City Centre's Christmas lights by throwing a ball at the button..... all the way from Nottingham!

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