ARSENAL HELD BY BORO,
LIVERPOOL CONTINUE TITLE CHARGE,
VARDY OUT, LEICESTER WIN,
PEP'S CAREER WORST RUN,
JOSE SPANKED BY BLUES.
The Premier League unfolded a lot of drama and events that have now reshaped the look of the campaign. A few weeks ago, everyone was afraid that Pep Guardiola's City would sweep their way through to the title after the Citizens' fine start to the campaign, but now, five games without a win has dampened expectations a little. However, what would be really on everyone's lips is the 4-0 pulverization that was meted out on Jose Mourinho's Red devils by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It was not a beautiful home coming for the Special one in any respect. Tottenham remain the only unbeaten side in England but were held to a frustrating barren stalemate at Bournemouth while Arsenal also could not go past Middlesborough at the Emirates.
However, there were some good news for Stoke City and Westham United, as they picked up wins as they recover from horrendous starts. Sunderland though, continue to wallow in obscurity.Bob Bradly enjoyed his first point in the English League and Leicester City picked up full points at home.
I give my thoughts below on the few talking points from the lot that went down over the weekend.
ARSENAL HELD BY BORO
The Gunners were beginning to set heads wagging with some top notch displays and heart warming results. Hard fought wins over Burnley (A) and Swansea (H) and with 10 men, had people wondering if the gunners are really ready to step up for the title this term. However, I cannot hide my disappointment after Wenger's men laboured to a goalless draw at home against struggling Middlesborough. I must state here that I have been particularly impressed by the gunners. Their opening day loss aside, they have been very impressive in recent weeks and have been playing well. I think they would be a dominant force in the title race, only that they need to seize the opportunities that arise along the way. If they had won, they would probably be topping the table especially after Tottenham and Mancity had failed to win. The title race however remains tight as Mancity, Arsenal and Liverpool are all locked on the same points and are the top three.
LIVERPOOL CONTINUE TITLE CHARGE
After getting frustrated by Manchester United on Monday night, the Reds returned to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Westbrom at Anfield on Saturday as they continue their impressive start that has seen them amass 20 points along with City. Jurgen Klopp's men have recieved a lot of plaudits for their high intensity style and their attacking fluidity which has made them the highest scoring side in the last one year. Manchester United prevented them from scoring but the Reds were back in business as the title race begins to heat up. It was an important victory at home and I think Klopp would be happy to see his team back in shape as Georgino Winaljdum made a return. The Mersey side outfit have no business with Europe. The last time this was the case, they were whiskers away from ending a 24 year wait for league glory and now, they seem primed to go again.
VARDY OUT, LEICESTER WIN
The Premier league champions got only their third win of the league season and extented their unbeaten home run to 20 matches. Claudio Ranieri however made a news worthy decision as he left struggling Jamie Vardy out of the starting line up with Ahmed Musa coming into the side. However, the decision seemed to pay off as the Nigerian registered his first goal in the blue shirt with a stunning strike which set the Foxes up for the three points. It has not been the kind of start they would have liked, though they have been setting heads wagging in the Champions League. Jamie Vardy has been finding the net difficult to locate in recent weeks and Leicester seemes to be feeling the pressure of being Champions. It was an important win for them as they would now worry about Tottenham.
PEP'S CAREER WORST RUN
Things looked very rosy in the first few weeks as City cruised to 10 consecutive wins into Josep Guardiola's reign but in recent weeks, things looks a little different as Manchester City continue to search for a first win in five games now. The spanner got into the works when the citizens were held to a 3-3 draw in Glasgow in the Champions League before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at Tottenham. They were held by Everton at home before getting walloped in a 4-0 rout at the hands of Pep's former employers, Barcelona at Nou Camp last Wednesday. For the first time in Pep's career, he goes five games without the full points as Southampton paid visit to the Etihad and went back home with a point. Mancity remain on top of the Premier League table by virtue of goal difference but would be desperate to return to winning ways as the title race heats up with the other top sides closing in. For Pep, he still has to work harder to get this team to the high level he demands.
JOSE SPANKED BY BLUES
The match of the weekend was surely at Stamford Bridge where Jose Mourinho made his return to West London, ten months after his sacking last December. He expected a warm welcome from the fans and he duly got it as the crowd applauded their former boss as he emerged from the tunnel and made his way to the away dugout for the second time. However, the players where not in celebratory mood as they quickly got down to business. Mourinho's smiles were immediately turned into frowns as early as 30 seconds into the game when Pedro Rodriguez capitalized on a defensive disaster to open the scoring, racing unto a pass before rounding the onrushing De gea and slottng into the begging goal. That set the tone for an unfortunate afternoon for the visitors as three more goals went in as Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard who was the subject of an internal dispute that led to Eva Caniero's sacking by Mourinho last term, and N'golo Kante, all added to the tally.
Perhaps the most frustrating thing for United was how Kante, a player the blues got for half the price United lavished on Paul Pogba, controlled the midfield while the former Juventus man struggled to make his presence felt. The result hands Mourinho his heaviest defeat in the Premier league while United continue to languish in seventh place. There is still time to recover, but, Manchester United are not looking like title contenders in any respect as Mou seems to be in delima about his best team or system. Meanwhile, Chelsea would celebrate as the blues moved into the top four and just a point shy of Manchester City. Conte has been brought in to restore the blues' pride after such a ponderous campaign last term and with Sunday's result executed with some beautiful football to match, the blues are on the way up while Mou continues to look for answers at Old Trafford.
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