Follow @wolexis It was a cracking opening weekend to the Barclays Premier League and here are some of the things we learned, and had confirm...
It was a cracking opening weekend to the Barclays Premier League and here are some of the things we learned, and had confirmed, from watching it. Feel free to comment after reading.
THERE IS JOY AT THE BRIDGE AGAIN
Abramovich, Mourinho and the fans are back together again, one big happy family after six miserable years apart.
Abramovich was smiling as he made his way down the tunnel, nodding as Chelsea’s officials lining the way whispered ‘good evening’ or ‘well done’ as he walked by. He is happy again and so is Mourinho and the fans at the bridge.
Abramovich was smiling as he made his way down the tunnel, nodding as Chelsea’s officials lining the way whispered ‘good evening’ or ‘well done’ as he walked by. He is happy again and so is Mourinho and the fans at the bridge.
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| A banner during the match |
Chelsea were very impressive and explosive in the first half against Hull with Kevin De Bruyne my stand out performer.
The Belgian international who just returned from his loan spell in the German bundesliga linked up well and made some defence splitting passes (one of them lead to the first goal).
Despite a frantic start against Hull, Chelsea's victory turned out to be the snoozefest of the weekend as the Blues went through the motions in the second half. Jose Mourinho blamed his side's sluggishness on fatigue owing to the midweek international fixtures.
With Schurrle and Mata on the bench plus Moses still to feature, Mourinho has an embarassment of riches in terms of his attacking options in midfield and how the Portuguese will accomodate and rotate these will be fascinating to watch.
Despite a frantic start against Hull, Chelsea's victory turned out to be the snoozefest of the weekend as the Blues went through the motions in the second half. Jose Mourinho blamed his side's sluggishness on fatigue owing to the midweek international fixtures.
With Schurrle and Mata on the bench plus Moses still to feature, Mourinho has an embarassment of riches in terms of his attacking options in midfield and how the Portuguese will accomodate and rotate these will be fascinating to watch.
STINGY WENGER NEEDS TO SPEND NOW
Arsenal fans have been waiting eight years for a trophy and they secured the most bizarre opening day reaction award; to boo their own team off the pitch at full-time on the opening day of the season was one thing; for their manager to apologise was then another.
After the heavy loss to Villa over the weekend, the club now has just one available centre back for the next fixture against Fulham with Kosicelny suspended. In addition Sagna, Gibbs and Chamberlain picked up injuries and may be out for a while.
This spell danger for the Gunners. The fans are showed some of their frustrations during the game and you can’t blame them as a neutral.
This spell danger for the Gunners. The fans are showed some of their frustrations during the game and you can’t blame them as a neutral.
So far, the scepticism has been justified, with Arsenal going into the new season with only one new signing on a free transfer, Yaya Sanogo, after missing out on Gonzalo Higuain, Luiz Gustavo, Jovetic, Suarez and numerous other rumoured targets.
The squad clear-out that was initially welcomed by supporters (Chamakh, Arshavin, Denilson, Santos, Bendtner, Djourou, Squillaci and so on) The suddenly looks a foolish move, with 14 players replaced by just one, and only 15 days left to add the quality and quantity the squad is clearly lacking in at the moment.
And of course, Arsenal have started badly before and eventually did okay, but this summer of flux for the rest of the top four represented an enormous opportunity to take advantage and do more than simply 'okay'. Unless something extraordinary happens, that chance has been wasted.
And of course, Arsenal have started badly before and eventually did okay, but this summer of flux for the rest of the top four represented an enormous opportunity to take advantage and do more than simply 'okay'. Unless something extraordinary happens, that chance has been wasted.
Wenger persisted with his hollow sentiments about finding new recruits after Villa's victory, but so many of the best targets have passed Arsenal by that you have to question just how far down the manager's shortlist things currently stand. Does he even have a shortlist?
With spurs recruiting so badly and Liverpool looking pretty decent, if Mr Wenger doesn’t splash the cash, Arsenal may as well say bye bye to their yearly trophy compensation (the top 4)
NEW SEASON… NEW MANAGER… SAME OLD VAN PERSIE
Going into the game against Swansea, nobody would have thought David Moyes will be able to champion the Red Devils into getting a wide margin victory as they did but he shocked everyone thanks to that man Robin Van Persie. The Dutch hitman continued from where he left off last season with two great goals against the swans.
To be honest, I wasn’t really impressed with the way united play. Simply, United didn't outplay Swansea, they out finished them. Basic statistics demonstrate this: United scored four goals from seven shots. They can’t do that against City or Chelsea. Same thing happened at the Community shield against Wigan; Not very impressive display but Van Persie covered it all with his brace
To be honest, I wasn’t really impressed with the way united play. Simply, United didn't outplay Swansea, they out finished them. Basic statistics demonstrate this: United scored four goals from seven shots. They can’t do that against City or Chelsea. Same thing happened at the Community shield against Wigan; Not very impressive display but Van Persie covered it all with his brace
United remain a good, functional team, with an extraordinarily good striker. But Moyes has inherited an ageing, unbalanced squad, and to pretend otherwise is a delusion. That Ryan Giggs has started both of Moyes' matches so far raises further concerns about United's failure to strengthen and although the 39-year-old impressed in the Community Shield, he had less impact against Swansea.
The biggest problem was holding the ball in midfield. The number of times they tried to bring it out of defence, only to be stopped by Swansea's very effective setup and style, was frustrating Moyes will have to bring in two or three players before the window closes; a very good central midfielder who will help reduce the heavy weight on Carrick and a winger. Valencia has reduced the efficiency of attack from the right and should be dropped in favour of Zaha or Nani. In Moyes we trust!
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| Kaka And Ozil have been linked to Old Trafford |
LIVERPOOL CAN FIGHT FOR TOP FOUR
Brendan Rodgers must have been very pleased with the display of his boys although the score line did not reflect Liverpool’s complete dominance of the game.
The additions of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge in January added an extra dimension to the Reds' play and, albeit against a Stoke side beginning a transitional period, the duo were exceptional in the 1-0 win at Anfield on Saturday that Suarez absence wasn’t too felt.
Many will claim that we saw the same old Liverpool side on Saturday - wasteful in attack and unconvincing at the back - but the Reds' display was a significant improvement on many afternoons last season. That Asmir Begovic was forced into ten saves - more than he made in any single match last year - emphasizes Liverpool's incision
The additions of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge in January added an extra dimension to the Reds' play and, albeit against a Stoke side beginning a transitional period, the duo were exceptional in the 1-0 win at Anfield on Saturday that Suarez absence wasn’t too felt.
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| "Happy" Suarez with his family watching the game |
The hosts suffered some nervy moments in defence themselves and needed a Simon Mignolet penalty save late on to clinch the three points, but Luis Suarez is looking increasingly likely to come back into the fold after his ban, while Iago Aspas produced a promising performance on his competitive debut after a productive pre-season.
It would be wrong for anyone to get carried away by a narrow victory over a side tipped to struggle, but the energy of their midfield and movement of their forward players were a definite step up from last season. If one or two more signings can be made, Liverpool can challenge for champions league football.
“THE ENGINEER” BEGINS REPAIRS AT CITY
Part of the problem with Roberto Mancini was that there was no obvious way to keep a lid on the Italian’s emotions.
There was too much noise, too much friction, regardless of Mancini’s earlier success, so the decision was made to change the manager and the mood.
With Mancini’s successor the challenge now appears to be finding Pellegrini’s heartbeat rather than discovering ways to steer the Chilean away from controversy and confrontation.
After nine years in Spain with Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga, the 59-year-old, who is a qualified Civil Engineer officially began his reign in charge of Manchester City against Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium and it was a wonderful all round team performance.
With two strikers up front and two pacy wide men behind them, City troubled the Toons for the whole duration of the game. Star man for me was Jesus Navas who brings a different dimension into the team; he has pace and quality delivery into the box. Expect more from the Spaniard as the season advances.
With two strikers up front and two pacy wide men behind them, City troubled the Toons for the whole duration of the game. Star man for me was Jesus Navas who brings a different dimension into the team; he has pace and quality delivery into the box. Expect more from the Spaniard as the season advances.
Fernandinho also combined well with Yaya Toure to invigorate the midfield.
So while neighbors Manchester United and Arsenal have failed so far to make significant additions to their squads, City appear to work the market well.
The key question mark over Pellegrini, however, is his ability to translate success in Spain and South America to the Premier League. He will have to improve City’s champions league performance (the club has failed to qualify from the group stage twice) like he did while at Villarreal and last season with Malaga.
THANKS FOR READING!
Share your thoughts about the article and the new season and also follow me on twitter Follow @wolexis
THANKS FOR READING!
Share your thoughts about the article and the new season and also follow me on twitter Follow @wolexis
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