Premier League Ups and Downs

Some of the star performers and underachievers from the last week of Premier League football.

Stephen Ireland, Aston Villa

Three years ago, Ireland was one of the stars for Manchester City. Now at Aston Villa, his downfall has seemed to coincide with his former club's rise. But he was back on top form with a goal and an assist in the surprise 3-1 triumph over Chelsea.

Grant Hanley, Blackburn Rovers

The 20-year-old defender has had a tough season as part of a back line that has conceded an average two goals a game. But he and his teammates deserve buckets of credit for restricting Manchester United before Hanley popped up with the winner at Old Trafford.

Craig Bellamy, Liverpool

The veteran Welsh striker's fine season continued with two goals in the win over Newcastle on Friday. With controversy surrounding fellow forwards Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez, Bellamy is enjoying his time out of the spotlight, for once.

DOWNS

Alex Ferguson, Man United

The Scottish manager has had to punish star striker Wayne Rooney for a night out before watching his goalkeeper gift a goal away in a shock defeat at home to Rovers. Not the way he wanted to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Brad Friedel, Tottenham

In a week when goalkeeper errors were highlighted, the American, 40, made a rare mistake, spilling a cross to allow Swansea to equalise in a 1-1 draw. Spurs will be kicking themselves as they could have moved to within four points of the top two, with a game in hand.

Joey Barton, Queens Park Rangers

He branded it "ridiculous", but his red card added to his team's 2-1 defeat to Norwich at Loftus Road for an apparent headbutt on Bradley Johnson. His 11th-minute goal would be no consolation for his side.