The Premier League weekend kicked off with a 2-0 win that saw Arsenal and Crystal Palace assume their respective positions at the top and bo...
The Premier League weekend kicked off with a 2-0 win that saw Arsenal and Crystal Palace assume their respective positions at the top and bottom of the table.
It was a good weekend for Merseyside teams—while Romelu Lukaku was in a starring role for Everton at Villa Park, Luis Suarez stole the show at Anfield, where Liverpool thumped West Bromwich Albion 4-1.
David Moyes' blushes were spared at Old Trafford as Manchester United twice came from behind to beat Stoke and, elsewhere, Norwich and Cardiff shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw and Southampton remained unbeaten at home, thanks to their impenetrable defence and goals from Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez.
Sunday saw struggling Sunderland get a much-needed victory in a raucous derby against Newcastle United, whereas Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City saw three points and Fernando Torres slip through their grasp at Stamford Bridge.
Here are 5 things we picked from the games
SOUTHAMPTON'S FORM IS NOT A HOAX
Their fans cry out "O' when the Saints, go marching in" at every game and in all honesty, the saints have marched their way rightly so to just a point behind in the race for Champions League spots.
Their recent 2-0 win against former Europa League finalist Fulham shows they are not just in the league to stay but challenge coupled with the 4 points they picked up from visits to Anfield and Old Trafford. Maurio Pochettino's men have made their best start in top-flight football for 30 years and have the best defensive record having just conceded 3 goals in 9 games this season, it would be too quick to say they can get into Europe but one should not be surprised if they do, come the end of the season.
Man Utd Might Have Just Gotten Their Motivation
Year after year, the Red Devils go on to show that their Comeback Kings title is not hype and their recent comeback against Stoke City might just be the psychological boost to get them going this season.
It was a much needed win and the manner in which it came better, the men at Old Trafford have looked less of an attacking threat in games gone by but looked like the team of last season with about 15minutes to go in the game against the Potters. Traditionally slow starters Man United hit their stride in the winter months and with the winter balls already introduced David Moyes might just find that so much desired consistency.
Sas Unstoppable And Suarez Can't Stop Biting
Luis Suarez back from a biting ban and wouldn't stop biting. 6 goals in just 4 games is an impressive return and his combination with Daniel Sturridge is growing by the minute.
It might not have been the perfect hat-trick but Suarez's goals against West Brom were proof of the myriad of abilities the Uruguayan has got under his belt especially his 17yard header. Rodgers' front men have combined to produce 14 goals in 9 games and with both strikers scoring freely the burden of getting the goals is lifted as evident with Sturridge's wonderful lob, the England international is playing with so much confidence that evaded him during his spells at Man City and Chelsea. The Reds this season with the right signings and good start have stepped on the speed pedals and have forgotten where the brakes are.
ONE GAME AT A TIME FOR THE GUNNERS
Arsenal in the past have been criticized too often for their inabilities to close out games but their win against Crystal Palace shows a different set of Gunners this season. While their struggle against the Eagles could be read as a sign of things to come, their ability to see off the game with 10 men shows the increase in the Gunners' mental strength and should be lauded for it.
The Gunners might have the consistency of a coaching staff and easy fixtures to begin, with a somewhat difficult November still to come, but they have been thorough all through even though their only test has been the home game against Tottenham. This mental strength that has been said to be a mark of Champions in recent years should also be tagged on Arsene Wenger's boys and rightly so.
Not The Torres We Wanted, But He's Good Enough
El Nino is front page news and has earned himself that, to say Fernando Torres is back to his best might be a little myopic but there is no denying the Spaniard is on his way there.
Torres looked sharper and brimmed with confidence against Man City and while he missed the target when he had the goal at his mercy might be reminiscent of the 'freshly transferred' Torres, his response to such miss was crucial, like all good strikers they never stop working hard and the Chelsea striker did the same in the game.
He could have gone missing like the goal he did not convert but ended up having a hand in the equalizer and getting the winner no thanks to a Joe Hart's deja vu. In recent games he has shown the confidence in his abilities like his did at Merseyside, the ability to take on defenders and shoot when he feels comfortable to do so. While all these might point in the right direction it would be too early to say he is back, after all we have seen him go on a decent run but go awful later on.
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Written By: ChukaMVP. You can follow him on twitter
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