After the excitement, exultation and, for some, devastation of the recent international break, the Premier League returned on Saturday with ...
After the excitement, exultation and, for some, devastation of the recent international break, the Premier League returned on Saturday with some mouth-watering contests.
Newcastle United and Liverpool kicked off the weekend's action with a match at St James' Park that has traditionally produced goals and excitement. Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City were all in action later in the day. The game at Stamford Bridge particularly brought alot of controversies and talking points which I will highlight in this article.
Here are the 5 lessons we can draw from the key games played.
Arsenal Magical Midfield; The Source Of Their Strength
It will be fair to say that Arsenal can boast of having the best midfield combination in the premier league at the moment.
Arsenal’s midfield strength is partially down to the sheer number of options at the manager’s disposal. Even without the injured quartet of Diaby, Chamberlain, Walcott and Podolski, the North London club have a huge amount of strength in depth in the middle third of the park. This was evident when Arsene Wenger decided to leave in form Aaron Ramsey out of the starting eleven on Saturday.
In his stead, Wenger turned to the defensive midfield platform of Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini. It’s a perfectly balanced pairing. Arteta’s game is based on intelligent positioning and economical use of the ball, whereas Flamini’s style is more characterized by relentless harrying.
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| Flamini has been the shield for the shaky Arsenal defence |
With Cazorla fit for the first time in six weeks, the Spaniard was restored to his position as auxiliary playmaker on the left flank. On the right-hand side, Wenger opted to field Jack Wilshere. It was a surprising move from Wenger, but one that paid dividends. The young Englishman seems far more suited to that role than playing as a traditional winger on the left.
Sandwiched between Wilshere and Cazorla was the sumptuous filling of Mesut Ozil. Wenger was bold enough to field three playmakers, each of which with technical ability and creativity to unlock any defence. It was comparable to Chelsea’s “Three Musketeers” of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Juan Mata.
At the moment there isn’t a midfield in the Premier League that looks as strong as the one delighting the Emirates crowd.
Marouane Fellaini Is Not The Answer In Midfield For United
Fellaini may add some much-needed defensive steel in the United midfield, but he has been poor since arriving from Everton.
Any player signing for £27.5 million must be world class, they have to be for that price tag.
And Fellaini just isn’t. The most troubling aspect of his play is how frequently he gives the ball away, and in such dangerous positions too.
Squawka provide a nifty little illustration of how Fellaini did a good job of breaking up the play against Southampton.
But there's not a lot of love for the Belgian elsewhere...
With time, he may settle and find some form. But the way he is playing right now will no doubt force David Moyes’ hand in signing another central midfielder in the January transfer window.
Goal Controversy At Stamford Bridge
The match between Chelsea and Cardiff is one that won’t be forgotten quickly by the fans of both sides.
Having seen accident prone David Luiz run away from a Ramires back pass that allowed Cardiff striker Mutch chip the ball past helpless Petr Cech, visiting goalkeeper David Marshall evidently thought he should return the favor to his hosts.
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| Mutch putting Cardiff in front |
With 30 minutes gone, the experienced goalkeeper was caught bouncing the ball by the ever-alert Samuel Eto'o, who slipped it to Eden Hazard to get Chelsea back on terms at 1-1.
It would seem churlish to suggest that the controversial equaliser settled the game that ended in a thrashing, but there is no doubt it proved to be the catalyst.
Was it a goal or not? Well according to the rules, Referee Anthony Taylor should have disallowed the goal.
FIFA law 12 says thus: “The goalkeeper is considered to be in possession of the ball: while in the act of bouncing it on the ground or tossing it into the air.”
That was exactly what the keeper was doing before Eto’o stole the ball.
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But on the contrary, if you watched the game, you will realize that none of the Cardiff players complained to the ref when the incident happened meaning that they were not aware of the rule. I’m pretty sure even the referee himself is ignorant of the FIFA law because he had a perfect view of the incident and chose to allow the goal.
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| Hazard celebrates after scoring the "stolen" goal |
As a neutral, I think the goal should have been disallowed but since the referee was not aware of the law before the game, you can’t blame him for allowing it.
Pellegrini Finally Getting It Right
Before their victory over West Ham on Saturday, Manchester City have only picked up a point from a possible nine away from home. But their showing at Upton Park should be used as a catalyst for better performances.
According to data provided by Squawka, City enjoyed 58 percent possession and completed 84 percent of their passes in a game they should have won by more. It was a solid all round display.
The partnership between Fernandinho and Yaya Toure is developing nicely as their understanding grows, and Negredo and Aguero are both scoring goals.
With other big sides stuttering, City will be desperate to see a string of positive results in the coming weeks.
They must nows take this into to their next three matches—all away from home—against CSKA Moscow, Chelsea and Newcastle.
Victor Moses Continue To Struggle
With Philippe Coutinho closing in a return to action, Victor Moses will know that his position at the head of the Reds midfield could be coming under threat.
The Super Eagles winger has been deployed to play in an unusual playmaker role instead of wide on the wings where he prefers since Coutinho’s injury and has failed to provide the much needed spark from that area.
His display against Newcastle was very disappointing as the Nigerian too often gave possession away and failed to link up with Suarez and Sturridge up front.
Although he was poor, he shouldn't be written off. But with Coutinho penciled in for a comeback soon following his shoulder injury, Moses might struggle for a starting role in Brendan Rodgers 3-5-2 formation.
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