Premier League: Ups and Downs - Week 12

Anthony Pilkington celebrates his goal against Norwich City. Pic: Olly Greenwood/AFP

It's the return of our weekly pick of the three people going up the hill to success, and the unfortunate three coming down a mountain of failure.

GOING UP

Steve Clark, West Brom

The West Bromwich Albion manager has quietly propelled his underrated team up to fourth position in the Premier League tale and got one over on his former club Chelsea at the weekend in a 201 win at The Hawthorns.

Rickie Lambert, Southampton The late-blooming forward scored a hateful of goals in the Championship last season and has continued that form in the top flight for the Saints. he score in the 301 win at Queens Park Rangers and is the top English scorer in the league.

Anthony Pilkington, Norwich City Norwich didn't win any of their first seven league games, but they are now unbeaten in their last five with the former Manchester United trainee scoring the winner against his old club at Carrow Road on Saturday.

GOING DOWN

André Villas-Boas, Tottenham

It is all very well trying to put a positive spin on defeat, but the Portuguese manager looked foolish after claiming his side 'outplayed' arsenal in the North London derby, after being thrashed 5-2

Pappis Cisse, Newcastle The senegalese forward pulled out of Senegal's midweek squad with injure, but his country did not believe him and invoked a Fifa rule to stop him playing against Swansea on Saturday - a game his team lost 2-1.

Brede Hangeland, Fulham The fulham defender might have seen Emmanuel Adebayor's red card talc int he Arsenal-Tottenham game as he produced an identical two-footed lunge to get sent off against Sunderland.

Plus - don't miss our pick of the week's top Premier League players.  Do you agree with our choices? Let us know @sprtnationaluae