Week in Review: Matchweek 3

A weekly roundup of the games in the Premier League from Matchweek 1 – 38.

The third round of games got underway this weekend at the home of AFC Bournemouth as they hosted Manchester City in the early game on Saturday. The hosts still looking for their first point started well with a change in formation proving effective at nullifying City’s attack, at the other their own attack was working over City’s defence. The pressure was telling as The Cherries took the lead in the 13^th minute in spectacular fashion. Midfielder Charlie Daniels rifled home Vincent Kompany’s headed clearance on the short hop, from an acute angle outside the box. Failing to double the lead through Jermaine Defoe, Ederson’s reflective save proved vital as Gabriel Jesus (21’) put City back on level terms. Jesus started the attack with a quick free kick before David Silva slid through his teammate from him to slot home despite being under pressure. Bournemouth had been in the game in an impressive showing and seemed set for a point until Raheem Sterling’s dagger in the 97^th minute. The England international hit a deflected shot that looped into the net to steal 3 points from an unlucky Bournemouth side.

Two more teams looking for a first win, Crystal Palace and Swansea City squared off at Selhurst Park. Visitors, Swansea came away with 2 unanswered goals and 3 points as Palace continues the search for goals and points. Tammy Abraham (44’) and Jordan Ayew (48’) secured the points for The Swans, meanwhile The Eagles, under new manager, Frank de Boer are struggling to implement the Dutchman’s philosophy, with 3 defeats in 3.

Huddersfield Town’s start to life continues to be a positive for the newcomers. Playing host to Southampton who, like Town, are unbeaten; the home side would be happier of the two to come away with a point. The game ended 0-0 but not for a lack of trying. The Saints had an early chance when Nathan Redmond’s try for the far post rolled wide when he really should have scored. They also had late chance to grab the 3 points but for a clearance off the line. Ryan Betrand’s header was cleared off the line in stoppage time. Huddersfield had a plethora of chances that they failed to convert either via their own inability or excellent defending. Points shared in the end.

Watford and Brighton &Hove Albion played out a goalless draw as well in their game. The main talking point coming in the 24^th minute when Miguel Britos was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Anthony Knockaert. The Seagulls couldn’t turn the man advantage into 3 points however. They managed to hit the post twice, once through Knockaert. Watford moved to 5 points from while Albion picked up their first Premier League points.

Under pressure bosses Rafa Benitez, of Newcastle United, and West Ham United’s Slaven Bilic went into Saturday’s game on 0 points from 2 games. That run continued for the visitors as Newcastle won 3-0 against a West Ham side lacking any driving force. Joselu marked first start with a goal in the 36^th minute; after tenacious work from Matt Ritchie winning back the ball before crossing to Ciaran Clark to power his header home. Controversy as Aleksandar Mitrovic got the third after rounding Joe Hart to score into an open net; Mitrovic left an elbow on Manuel Lanzini minutes earlier – a red card offense that wasn’t given.

In the late game on Saturday Manchester United looked to maintain a perfect start to the campaign as they welcomed Leicester City. United were off to the races from the first whistle and began brightly. Leicester weren’t to be bested, at least until 70^th minute. It should have been earlier though, as Juan Mata’s goal following a rebound from Kasper Schmeichel was ruled out for offside. Replies showed the Spaniard was level when Romelu Lukaku’s shot was fumbled by Schmeichel. The Dane was finally beaten, with a few excellent saves in between, by substitute Marcus Rashford. His industry won the corner, swung in by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, that found Rashford unmarked in the box and he directed a shot at goal from close range to break the deadlock. Then in the 82^nd minute the other two subs linked up for the second. Jesse Lingard, making a first appearance for the season, set up Marouane Fellaini to steer the ball into the goal from about 3 yards to seal the victory.

Reigning champions Chelsea looked comfortable all through their game against Everton. The Toffees looked like a team that played 3 games in 6 days as Chelsea romped to a 2-0 lead before the half. Strikes from Cesc Fàbregas (27’) and Álvaro Morata (40’) and effectively ended the game as contest. Fàbregas played a quick 1, 2 with Morata be stabbing home for the first. Morata then headed home a superb cross from César Azpilicueta as Spaniards once again linked up for The Blues. Shrugging off a late flurry by Everton Chelsea breezed to their first home victory this season, now 6 points from 2 games, seemingly back on the right track.

Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion shared the spoils as their game at the Bet365 Stadium ended 1-1. The best of the action before the break came from a Kurt Zouma shot that deflected off Gareth Barry and was appearing to loop into the net; keeper, Ben Foster back-peddled enough to tip it over. The goals came in the second half from Jay Rodriguez (West Brom) in the 61^st and Peter Crouch (Stoke) in the 77^th following a defensive gifting veteran the simplest of finishes. West Brom missed the chance for 9 points from 3 but remain unbeaten so far.

Tottenham Hotspur were primed for some fortuity as Burnley came to town; potential just the team Spurs would hope for as they looked to break their Wembley hoodoo. The Clarets were resolute against a Tottenham side that one expected to dominate. If a record of 1 win in 11 games as Wembley wasn’t bad enough, there was also Harry Kane’s apparent ineptitude in the month of August. The Englishman was typically industrious at the weekend, but to no avail. The breakthrough came after the half from compatriot Dele Ali, who need two bites of the cherry before finally scoring. You would have been forgiven for thinking that was that, but with just seconds to go; an inexplicable lapse in concentration defensively let Chris Wood in. The New Zealander powered home from close range under pressure to rescue a point for Burnley in the death. Spurs were unbeaten at home last season, they are now 0 for 2.

Finally, in the marquee match of the weekend; Arsenal travelled to Liverpool in a game that promises excitement. There was plenty of that; but only one time was enjoying in. After The Reds supporters finished their obligatory rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, you get the sense Arsenal players were looking for the songbook to try and learn the song; because the certainly didn’t look interested in playing football. When Roberto Firmino headed home a Joe Gomez cross in the 17^th minute Arsenal still looked likely to nick a goal despite a sub-par performance for most of the half. When Sadio Mané scored 5 mins from the interval, there already seemed no way back. Goals from Mohamed Salah, 57’ (rather comically) and Daniel Sturridge, 77’, ensured the victory. Meanwhile Arsenal hadn’t mustered a shot on target all game in yet another abject performance from the Gunners, now with 2 straight losses. Liverpool on the other hand are going well and look to maintain their currently level to come somewhere near the top by season’s end.

 

We’re eager to see what the next match day brings and how teams respond to the events of the preceding week.

Changing Tides

As the major European leagues return a common thread among them is the sense that times are a changing. Conventional wisdom suggests that preseason is never a clear indicator of things to come; so as competitive football returns we’ll be able to tell whether the general consensus is an uneducated hunch or prophetic assumptions.

 

France:

Beginning with Ligue 1, we start with the what’s less of a wave and more of a ripple. Last season AS Monaco stormed to a first Ligue 1 title in 17 years. Les Rouges et Blancs (The Red and Whites) steam rolled most teams who came before them including having the biggest home and away wins that season beating Nancy and Metz 6-0 and 7-0 respectively. Their team, comprised of young exciting talent were the surprise package of the French league as they also made it to semi-final stage of the Champions League. Monaco had usurped Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) as the most dominant French team that season. But with much of the key players from that sided either already departed or seemingly on their way out, plus PSG’s acquisition of Neymar from Barcelona; the Parisians can expect to reclaim top spot this season.

Germany:

There has been more of a splash in Germany than France, but it remains to be seen how big a splash and the subsequent waves are. Bayern Munich has reign mostly unopposed in the Bundesliga for years and have dominated since the turn of the decade; only 4 other teams have won the league since the 1999/2000 season. Borussia Dortmund won the league 3 times in that time including back-to-back in 2010/11 and 2011/12. Dortmund have posed the biggest threat to Bayern’s monopoly in that time. The two still stand apart from the chasing pack; but the pack has changed (the splash). Traditional powerhouses have fallen by the wayside. Werder Bremen, VfB Stuttgart and VfL Wolfsburg are the other teams to have won the league since 2000. Stuttgart spent last season in Bundesliga 2 after being relegated. Wolfsburg for two years running had to play in the relegation playoffs – a two-legged playoff between 3^rd bottom in Bundesliga and 3^rd place from Bundesliga 2 for a spot in the Bundesliga. The new chasers are Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig. The latter had a Leicester City-esque season finishing in second coming from near-obscurity the season before. Hoffenheim however, seem likely to sustain their presence, a debut European campaign this season will aid them to that end. Intriguingly both Dortmund and Bayern appear waning forces, in this period of (apparent) vulnerability will gap be further reduced?

Italy:

When Juventus win 6 consecutive Serie A titles it’s hard to say there’s any significant change in the dynamic. Juve lost defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Dani Alves but the well has hardly run dry. The change instead comes from the surge of challengers; not too dissimilar to Germany. Admittedly, the battle for second would probably be hotter than the one for the title, as not much evidence suggests that the Bianconeri will struggle too much. Still, with the likes of AS Roma, Napoli, Lazio and the resurgence of the Milan clubs; the unprecedented free reign Juventus have enjoyed may come to an end soon. Roma finished second last season and continue to grow from strength to strength. Lazio beat Juventus in the Supercoppa Italiana on Sunday (August 13,2017) and finished 5^th in the league for straight passage to the Europa League. Napoli have flirted with the top 3 for several years and maintain a presence a in European competition. But perhaps the strongest currents can be found at the San Siro this season. Internazionale and A.C. Milan and have both had new money invested in the clubs. Milan, more recent of the two, have begun their rebirth (something I’ve already addressed.) Inter began their rebuilding the preceding season and now need to consolidate to make a run for European places; and like the others, eventually knock Juventus off their perch.

Spain:

La Liga has always been something of a duopoly with Real Madrid and Barcelona maintaining an iron grip on the top two spots in Spain; except for a year of Diego Simone magic that saw Atletico Madrid steal the title away from them both. Nothing is particular strange about one or the other taking the ascendency every now and then. As it is, we’ve waded through the rapids of Madrid’s rise already, now we’re floating in the Real distributaries. The significance of Madrid taking over from Barca however is, the Catalan club appears to have begun sinking. They recently begrudgingly sold Neymar to PSG (for a world record fee at least); but they retain the services of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi as part of that “MSN” front three. Meanwhile, Madrid have kept their fabled “BBC”. Both Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo were thought to be on the way out once; but seems unlikely now, and Karim Benzema continues to be relevant at the Bernabéu. The problem Barca face goes beyond Neymar’s departure. The once infallible ensemble they had have left or are fading and a backup plan obviously had never been discussed. Madrid by stark contrast have a team for the present and the future, and the perfect manager to lead them both. Barca may not be shipwrecked just yet, but the hull has been reached and they’re taking on water rapidly.

England:

The Premier League is widely thought of as the best league in the world because its competitivity. Several clubs are touted as title challengers in England, certainly if Leicester can do it, everyone has a fair shot. Now with the money rolling in from TV rights, the top clubs are swimming in cash and can use this monetary foundation to level the playing field. Once upon a time there was talk of the “big four” – conversations have become the “top six” or even seven now. All of Manchester(s) City and United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool believe they’re in with a shout for the title this season. The fight for European places have become a secondary battle that is just as enthralling. Even relegation is not beyond the realm of reality if you’re not sitting in those places. Last season as many as 10 teams were trying to avoid the drop. Soon 40 points won’t be the magic number for survival, or conversely, it could become even harder to achieve. When Leicester won the league, the giants were sleeping and they slipped in like sly Foxes and took the title. This season by contrast, the giants have reawakened and they are to fight each other for supremacy. Similarly, about 4 teams are vying for the final European spot, Everton look the favourites, but that would be just as hotly contested.

 

It’s been a long time, a long time coming, but I knew a change was gonna come. As in everything; all good things must come to an end, football is no exception. Constant ebbs and flows is what makes the game so interesting and as we witness the changing tides we wait to see who gets stranded at sea and who can stay on solid ground.

Week in Review: Matchweek 1

A weekly roundup of the games in the Premier League from Match Day 1 – 38.

The Premier League returned last weekend to bring back some meaning to our weekends. This season, the 26^th season of the Premier League, kicked off on a Friday for the first time in its history. To mark the occasion Arsenal welcomed Leicester City at their Emirates Stadium home. In an exhilarating game that served as a harbinger of things to come, a topsy-turvy game ended 4-3 in the Gunners’ favour. New boy Alexandre Lacazette marked his Premier League debut with a goal in the 2^nd minute with a snap header from an innocuous ball into the box. The Foxes replied in short order through Shinji Okazaki before Jamie Vardy gave them the lead. Danny Welbeck equalised before the half. Vardy with a second made it 3-2 and Leicester seemed in control despite mounting pressure from Arsenal. Substitutes Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud scored in the 83^rd and 85^th minute respectively to seal the win.

The floodgates still ajar, Liverpool and Watford kicked off Saturday’s activities at Vicarge Road with a 3-3 draw. Watford’s new manager Marco Silva, who impressed with relegated Hull City last season, couldn’t ask much more from his new charges. Despite leading twice through strikes from Stefano Okaka (8’) and Abdoulaye Doucouré (32’) separated by a Sadio Mané goal (29’); The Hornets performed admirably. Liverpool on the other hand will feel disappointed, as hopefuls for top 4 should be beating a Watford side that would (at best) be lumbering midtable come May. The Reds had the better of second half as Roberto Firmino converted a 55^th minute penalty after Watford keep Heurelho Gomes felled Mohamed Salah. The latter, making his debut, gave his new team the lead in two minutes. Miguel Britos secured a point for Watford in added time after a scramble in the box following a set piece saw Britos head home from point-blank range. The Uruguayan was in an offside position though, but the goal stood as the officials were likely blindsided by the confusion in the box leading to the goal.

The goals kept coming in as newly promoted Huddersfield Town beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at Palace’s Selhurst Park. Palace shot themselves in the foot in the 23^rd as Joel Ward turned in a poor cross into his own net. Steve Mounié joined the goal scoring debutants with a brace of his own. First a thumping header (26’) and then slotting home in the 78^th minute on the counter killed off The Eagles.

Tony Pulis’ West Bromwich Albion squeaked past AFC Bouremouth at home. Egyptian Ahmed Hegazi’s 31^st minute was the only goal of the game, another to score on his debut but he’s the only defender among the bunch.

Elsewhere at Goodison Park, in a debut of sorts, Wayne Rooney brought a housewarming gift with him back to his old stomping ground. The Englishman put his trade mark on the match by heading home neatly to ease Everton past Stoke City. Rooney started the move before bursting into a vacant area in the box to meet an excellent cross from youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

In the standout game of the weekend, champions Chelsea were beaten at home 3-2 by Burnley. Sean Dyche’s side were given assistance by Blues captain Gary Cahill who went flying in, studs up, and received his marching orders in the 14^th minute. Down a man, Chelsea were down a goal ten minutes later as Sam Vokes’ scuffed shot crept pass Thibaut Courtois in goal. The impetus now with The Clarets, they kept applying pressure to a reeling Chelsea defence as something of a set piece routine saw left wing-back Stephen Ward play his way into the box before unleashing a superb strike from the left side of the box and bulge the net. Now 2-0 down Chelsea shipped a 3^rd as yet another short free kick was taken before a cross was swung in from deep finding the unmarked Vokes again, this time for a purer connection (with his head). Chelsea boss Antonio Conte rallied his troops and they came out swinging. Alvaro Morata came off the bench to score his first goal for his new side. Before the comeback could really get going, Cesc Fabregas picked up a second yellow and was sent off. Now down to 9 men Burnley sat back as Chelsea piled on the pressure. Ultimately a ruled-out goal by Morata (who was offside) and a David Luiz goal, assisted by Morata was all they could muster.

In the late kick on Saturday title favourites Manchester City overcame a resilient Bright & Hove Albion to win 2-0 away. But for a few slick passing moves, the game didn’t feature much of the flair we expect from the Citizens, but a Sergio Agüero goal and a Lewis Dunk own goal saw them through. Despite a relatively dour performance they still managed to pick up 3 points, the hallmark of potential champions.

Sunday began with Tottenham Hotspurs trip to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle United who made a quick return to the league, spending just one season in the championship. Spurs, like City have lofty ambitions and like City, were being pegged back by lesser opposition. The breakthrough came through a stupid red card for Newcastle captain Jonjo Shelvey, paving the way to Spurs’ 2-0 victory. A goal from Dele Ali and Ben Davies saw the visitors get 3 points in a difficult away game.

Another title hopeful, Manchester United wrapped things up this weekend; doing so in style, sending a signal of intent to their rivals. Not to be upstaged by the other debutants this weekend Romelu Lukaku put two past West Ham United’s Joe Hart, on loan from Manchester City. His first, assisted by Marcus Rashford was fine finish from a tough angle. Set through, Lukaku raced onto the ball and hit a hard shot that hit the inside of the post and went in. His and United’s second came from a free kick delivered by Henrikh Mkhitaryan as the big Belgian nodded home. United fans had more to cheer as Anthony Martial came on to score United’s 3^rd with a tidy finish to the far post before assisting Paul Pogba for the 4^th. In a dominant home performance by the Red Devils, Slaven Bilić’s West Ham were never in it and United look a force to be reckoned with this season.

 

We’re eager to see what the next matchweek brings and how teams respond to the events of the preceding week.  

Arsenal: 2017/18 Preview

Predicted Finish 5^th

As per usual there was much commentary on Arsenal last season, and true to form it was too often focused on something other than football. Of course, ultimately it would mean nothing as they would inevitably finish in a Champions league position and if recent years are anything to go off, they would win or at least reach the finals of one of the domestic cups. Last season however, their FA Cup wasn’t big enough for them to hide behind as their 5^th placed over- shadowed everything that happened last season. Their 16-year consecutive run in the Champions League ended but at least they won the FA Cup again right?

Arsene Wenger notoriously has some kind of aversion to spending money on players. Who can forget his audacious bid for want-away Luis Suárez in 2013 to pry him away from Liverpool. For those who don’t know or remember, it was audacious not for the reason you might think. Suárez’s release clause was £40 m; Wenger made an official bid of £40,000,001. The Frenchman seemingly got over this complex and broke the club transfer record this summer bringing in Alexandre Lacazette for £52 million. Olivier Giroud has been unfairly scapegoated for years, can Lacazette finally be the fabled striker Arsenal has been missing, to complement or possibly replace Giroud? Only Wenger (and their respective performances) can determine that. Arsenal also signed Sead Kolašinac from Schalke on a free transfer (that sounds more like Wenger). He’s expected to play on the left as wingback in a 3-4-3 system. A notable (permanent) departure is the loss of Wojciech Szczęsny to Juventus. The Pol would have likely been 2^nd to Petr Cech, although he faces a similar role behind Gigi Buffon in Turin. The biggest transfer news coming out of the Emirates this summer is who will or won’t leave, namely Alexis Sanchez.

Wenger grabbed enough headlines for himself last season with his indecision over his future. Although Wenger will tell you he had made up his mind for months. This season he will be in the dugout for another year, to begin his 21^st season in the job. His legacy is undisputed, but he’s a victim of his own success. Staying on means he will need to find the formula earlier than he did last season. Before switching to a back 3 Arsenal seemed destined to finish outside the European spots of any description, but a simple tactical tweak transformed their fortunes and got them to within touching distance of the top 4; falling just short. They did however manage to take that late season form into the FA Cup final against a Chelsea side that was perhaps a little caught up after lifting the Premier League trophy the preceding weekend. This season Arsenal still have a European competition to compete in, just not the one we’re used to. They might like to make a run in it should league placement become a challenge, and of course the FA Cup is in their sights but ultimately only if they miss out on the Champions League will next season be a failure.