text: There’s no doubt that Mesut Ozil is an easy target for ex-pros and pundits. But when he’s at his best he is worth paying to watch. I’d much rather see a quality player do something special than a bunch of grafters with nothing to show for it. Against Liverpool, Ozil was at his brilliant best in a massive game. You don’t become a Real Madrid hero or win the World Cup without being something special. Ozil is just that. Mesut Ozil wheels away to celebrate after his brilliant first half free-kick against Liverpool . Ozil is congratulated by his team-mates during Arsenal's impressive 4-1 victory on Saturday afternoon . 7 - Ozil has been involved in seven goals in his last eight league games, scoring three and setting up four. 241.9 - The German sets up a goal every 241.9 minutes in the PL, the seventh-best tally in the competition’s history. 47 - Ozil only played for 73 minutes against Liverpool, but made 47 passes in the opposition half, more than any other player . When things don’t come off for the German, people are quick to criticise. We do that too much in this country — looking at what people can’t do rather than what they can — and it’s where we go wrong so often. No, Ozil doesn’t charge around like Alexis Sanchez so people say he doesn’t care. Just ask Liverpool if Ozil cared about the game on Saturday. People have been quick to criticise Ozil, but the German star is worth paying to watch when at his best . Hazard so cool when it counts . A few weeks ago I was talking to John Terry and we got round to discussing Eden Hazard. John told me that Hazard was the most relaxed player he had ever played with. He is so chilled out on and off the pitch but that’s exactly what Chelsea needed against Stoke. In a match where some of his team-mates looked overcome with fear, Hazard was playing a different game. He’s only 24 but the Belgian is already the man Chelsea seek out when they need something special. It was his desire and creativity that led to Loic Remy’s winner and that could be a defining result in their bid for the title. It’s premature to speak of him in the same breath as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo — Ronaldo added another five on Sunday to take his tally to 47 goals this season and Messi has 43. Hazard has 17, which is good, but those two are on another level. Hazard, at least, is moving in the right direction. Eden Hazard steps up to stroke home the opener for Chelsea from the penalty spot in the first half . Hazard jumps in the air to celebrate his goal during the hard-fought win over Stoke City in west London . Loic Remy finishes to put Chelsea back in front after another driving run for the little Belgian . It’s tough at Toon, even for the best... It's a good job Newcastle have already earned 35 points this season. If they hadn’t, they would be in serious trouble. But I don’t blame John Carver for one second. Even Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Louis van Gaal would struggle with this group of players. It just shows you what a good job Alan Pardew was doing. He won 26 of those 35 points at 1.4 per game. Since he left, Newcastle average 0.8 per game. They have declined badly. John Carver looks on as his Newcastle United team suffer a Tyne-Wear derby defeat against Sunderland . Against Sunderland, they were poor and the fans deserve better. They love a hero in the North East, but where is the stardust in that team right now? As for Sunderland, that is such a big result for them and Dick Advocaat at the bottom. Jermain Defoe’s strike was absolutely fantastic and I can’t remember the last time we had such a good weekend for great goals. Jermain Defoe (centre) fires a left-footed volley past Time Krul to give Sunderland a 1-0 lead . Defoe celebrates after his stunning volley put Sunderland into a 1-0 lead against Newcastle . City must be feeling the pressure . Who would have thought at the start of 2015 that Man City would be sitting fourth in the table ahead of their game on Monday night? On January 1, they were level on points at the top with Chelsea and had the same goal difference, too. Now Arsenal and Man United have overtaken them and they face a real fight just to finish second. That is not how the owners, players or manager will have expected things to go after winning the title last season and investing heavily in the summer. They need a result at Crystal Palace, but that is easier said than done these days. Manuel Pellegrini will be feeling the pressure as his Manchester City side sit in fourth place . Sergio Aguero and Co will know they must beat Crystal Palace on Monday night to stay in the title race . With Bony gone, Gomis is the star . At the start of the season, I picked out Bafetimbi Gomis as one to watch. As the weeks went by, I started to wonder if I’d made a mistake. Not anymore. I watched him at Lyon and he’s always had something about him. He’s powerful and is built for the Premier League. He’s strong, you can play off him and he’s technically very good — his two finishes against Hull were outstanding. When Wilfried Bony left, I feared for Swansea, but Gomis has come into his own. It shows how well that club is run. Even when they lose players like Bony or Joe Allen, they have already lined up quality replacements and the same goes for the managers. It’s good to see Gomis finally becoming the player I expected him to be. Bafetimbi Gomis unleashes a thunderous overhead kick shortly before half-time against Hull on Saturday . Gomis roars with celebration after giving Swansea a 2-0 lead against Hull at the Liberty Stadium . Herrera is raring to go . Much like Gomis, Ander Herrera was another in my ‘10 To Watch’ list. He had a difficult start and had to win over the trust of Louis van Gaal, but now he looks like he’s enjoying himself. Herrera is a good technician but he likes a tackle. I like that about him. At Anfield he was not afraid to take on Steven Gerrard after he saw Gerrard go through his pal Juan Mata. He does not fear reputations and stood up to Gerrard. The rest is history. I met him in a London restaurant and he was a bright kid who clearly loves life in England. He’s had to be patient, but now he’s starting to show his class. Manchester United star Ander Herrera (right) scores his side's opening goal against Aston Villa . Herrera, who has played his way back into the United side, celebrates opening the scoring against Villa . 1 - Only once before has a Tony Pulis team conceded four goals at home in the Premier League — when Chelsea beat Stoke 4-0 in January 2013. Hope for Hoops . A few weeks ago in this column I said it was no time for Chris Ramsey to be playing the kids. At West Brom it was his most experienced men who gave him a result to savour. Scoring four goals away at a team managed by Tony Pulis is no mean feat. West Brom’s defence has improved under their new boss but QPR were terrific. It was a result and a performance to give them a glimmer of hope. With Leicester winning and others struggling, it makes things a whole lot more interesting in the battle at the bottom. QPR went 2-0 up thanks to Charlie Austin (right) and finished the first half with a 3-0 lead against West Brom . QPR boss Chris Ramsey will hope to lead his side out of the Premier League relegation zone .
target: Mesut Ozil was brilliant during Arsenal's 4-1 victory against Liverpool .
  The German is first to get criticised, but he is a special talent .
  Eden Hazard's composure has been key for Chelsea this season .
  Manuel Pellegrini will be feeling the pressure on Monday night .
  Ander Herrara is enjoying his football after a difficult start .
  Bafetimbi Gomis is proving there is life after Wilfried Bony at Swansea .