Courtesy: Bleacher Report
League football takes a break now with the International fixtures taking centre stage for the next two weeks. First up on Saturday was Manchester City who were desperate to get back to winning ways before the departure of their players. A draw or defeat to Hull would have set alarm bells ringing.
The first half was not too promising for the blues who, against Newcastle in the opening game, looked like eagle soaring in the skies now looked like pigs trudging in the mud. Thanks to Negredo and a brilliant Toure free kick City did secure the win. Sometimes the mark of champions is to win even when you are not playing well. That is the positive take away from Saturdays match.
Next up were that team who beat City last season, Cardiff City. Traveling to Wales this weekend was Roberto Martinez’s Everton side. Two draws from two games means at least they haven’t lost but will be looking to get some wins under their belt. However it wouldn’t be this weekend with both teams grinding out a 0-0. It will not get any easier for Everton next up as they host Chelsea and a lot will depend on whether they can hold on to Fellaini and get some of their targets in before the deadline.
Newcastle hosted Fulham having gone four games, six hours without scoring. The good news for the Geordie nation was that Saturday’s opposition were the last ones scored against. That and Yohan Cabaye was back after his head was turned by a bid from Arsenal. It looked for a while as if Newcastle’s wait for their first Premiership goal of the season would continue but with four minutes left Hatem Ben Arfa scored a wicked shot from outside the area.
When I was writing my preview of the game between Norwich and Southampton I had said that both sides were attack minded, both had numerous people who could score goals and it could be a goal fest. It was 1-0. That doesn’t tell the whole story though as City were almost up after four minutes when Redmond shot just wide, then Leroy Fer went close shortly after. Southampton were unlucky not to have a penalty after 20 minutes when Johnson handled in that area. Arguments either side of the debate would say his hands were in an unnatural position countered with he was too close to get out of the way. The game continued at a frantic pace with misses and saves galore.
In the end it was the man who went just wide early on who gave City the winning goal. Nathan Redmond finished smartly near post after a twinkle toes impression on the edge of the box.
Stoke finally got the win they and manager Mark Hughes desperately needed on Saturday away to West Ham. The Stoke fans will be delighted also with the performance of the Stoke players though who really looked up for it early on. West Ham on the other hand were never tight enough to the opposition and going forward they didn’t really trouble Begovic. When Jemaine Pennant struck net from a free kick only moments after coming on West Ham suddenly came alive. Big Sam would not be impressed with how at the end of the game the shots on goal stats read West Ham, 0.
Now to the late game of the Saturday and two of the most lively managers in the Premiership met up. Crystal Palace are newly promoted but were ahead inside of nine minutes from a corner, with Gabbidon getting the credit. That would be all she wrote for the first half with Palace looking the stronger. Twenty minutes into the second half, substitute Fletcher scored the equalizer. The game should have swung into Sunderland’s favor at that point but instead they pressed the self destruct button. John O’Shea brought down Gayle in the area for a penalty, which was converted by the Palace man. O’Shea was sent off as the Black Cats found themselves a goal and a man down with slightly over ten minutes to play. It would get worse for Sunderland in stoppage time when O’Keefe curled a beautiful shot into the top corner.
To Sunday and Liverpool against United, which was always going to be more of a test for United than Chelsea was just because the fans will it to be. An early goal from Sturridge was the decider and this guy is looking every bit the player we always thought he could be. It was bad organization at the back for United that let Sturridge in to win the corner, the result of which was the goal. Cleverly got a yellow card for a brutal tackle on Coutinho after the ball wasn’t put out of play with a United player injured. The fact is that the referee had a good look and didn’t stop the play, it is not for any player, including Cleverly to determine any different. He didn’t get the ball but got a lot of the player, a red card wouldn’t have been out of the ordinary for that kind of a tackle and United look so much less composed than last season. RVP too was lucky to stay on the pitch and remember we haven’t even reached half time yet. For the Dutchman, already on a yellow, a tangle with Skrtel saw the United’s man arms raised and a heated argument with continued in full view of the referee with Gerrard. Liverpool ended the game winners and celebrated their best start to the League for 19 years and finished the weekend in top spot.
At the same time as the big guns were going at it so were West Brom and Swansea. West Brom had been struggling recently and their situation was not helped last weekend when Anelka pulled out of the team on personal grounds. It was important that they scored and got at least a point. Unfortunately neither happened and after a 2-0 defeat West Brom find themselves bottom of the league having won no games which is not a surprise as they haven’t scored any goals.
No Bale, no Dempsey and no Huddlestone in the Spurs team anymore and how different they look. Now going into this game Tottenham had won both their games, but they were both 1-0 wins and both penalties from Soldado. At the end of the North London darby they still hadn’t scored from open play. This will be a real concern for AVB who was looking to improve on last seasons finish. Arsenal on the other hand bought themselves some time with a win over their rivals and move up to fourth in the league. A few signings before the window closes and who knows, it might be a good season.
