After the midweek Champions League action, matchday seven in the English Premier League returned with a bang. Econsport examines what we garnered from the action.
BRAVE HAMMERS EXPOSE UNITED'S PITIFUL TIMIDITY
(West Ham United 3 vs 1 Manchester United): Goals (West Ham United :Felipe Anderson 5min, V. Lindelof (own goal) 43min, M. Arnautovic 74min. Manchester United : M. Rashford 71min)
Forget the sideshow between Mourinho and Pogba, the rifts with Martial, Bailly , all of which would surely make for a sell out soap opera ..it's all a smokescreen masking the real issues at Manchester United right now. Many of which were exposed at the London Stadium against West Ham United on Saturday. The Hammers were brave, purposeful in attack, organised defensively,and primed up for the occasion. United on the other hand served up a masterclass in timidity, clueless in attack, disjointed at the back, and looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Just what Mourinho was playing for starting with a team featuring Matic, Scott McTominay, Fellaini, and his back four is anybody's guess! The Hammers seized the initiative from the off, unsettling the visitor's baffling set up with McTominay in defence. United barely laid a glove as West Ham engulfed the reds in wave and wave of attacks,with Felipe Anderson grabbing the opener,finishing off a silky move down United's left, as early as the fifth minute. It took until the 37th minute for United to earn their first corner kick of the match. This against a West Ham side yet to win at home this season prior to this match.
Where do Manchester United go from here? They look like a team lacking any semblance of fight or intensity, or direction going forward. This result capped off a bad week for the Red Devils, after been dumped out of the Carabao cup in midweek by Championship side Derby County. The sight of West Ham stroking the ball around confidently,with United's players chasing the ball fruitlessly, between the 74th and 77th minute of this match (by which time the Hammers led 3-1) summed up the malaise bedevilling the Red ranks presently. That's three goals conceded for the third time this season in just seven games--so much for a side whose manager prides himself on defensive organisation and solidity-- nine points worse off than at this stage last season, lowest scorers this season among last season's top six, this was not how it was supposed to be. How much longer can the fans stomach such insipid displays? Many had left before referee Andre Marriner put United out of their misery at the final whistle. Mourinho is fast running out of time to pull his team out of this murk, and with each defeat it seems like this is heading for a divorce between club and manager.
PRINCELY HAZARD GOAL AND STURRIDGE'S STUNNER ENSURES POINTS ARE SHARED IN CLASSIC STAMFORD BRIDGE BATTLE
(Chelsea 1 vs 1 Liverpool) Goals: Chelsea (E. Hazard 25min) Liverpool (D. Sturridge 89min)
The football purists would never have wanted this to end. A perfect microcosm of why the EPL is so revered. Breathtakingly brilliant, end to end, intense, thrill-a-minute stuff. One to keep you glued to your seats. Chelsea and Liverpool cancelled out each other in a fierce battle at the bridge. On this evidence, there were plenty of positives for both managers to glean. Like in midweek, Eden Hazard produced an astounding display, capped off with a sublime opener --his sixth of the season was slick interplay at its best. Hazard, Jorginho, and Kovacic's one touch flicks and passing left Liverpool's defence seeing stars,with the Belgian making no mistake in finding the bottom left corner of the net. Maurizio Sarri's attacking imprint already evident in the Blues rank in such short period--though a lack of goals among his centre forwards still poses an issue-- There were also impressive displays at the back. Rudiger and David Luiz were solid--both making goalline clearances to deny Salah and Firmino respectively in either half.
Klopp's Reds played their part in an absorbing contest, hunting and pressing with ferocious intensity. His added squad depth was evident as his second half substitutions altered the course of this match up. The Reds looked to be heading to Merseyside empty handed, until a goal of stupendous quality from Sturridge. With 120 seconds left on the clock, receiving a pass from Shaqiri infield, 25 yards out,with Chelsea's defenders slow in closing him down, Sturridge hit the ball with such precision and curl, it arrowed into the top left corner like an exocet, leaving goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga grasping at thin air. Though their hundred percent record so far came to an end, thus ceding top spot to Manchester City on goal difference, Jurgen Klopp would have been mightily pleased with his side's ability to snatch something from this game --deservedly--after staring at the jaws of defeat. Surely both these teams would have a say in the title race come May.
RAFAEL BENITEZ' TOONS ARE IN TROUBLE
(Newcastle United 0 vs 2 Leicester City) Goals (Leicester City: J. Vardy 30min, H. Maguire 73min)
Two points from seven games is certainly no good way to begin a domestic campaign. Only two sides--Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town --have scored lower than Newcastle's four goals this campaign. Little wonder they all make up the bottom three. Football sometimes is such a simple game. Goals win you games, and Benitez's side are finding them difficult to come by. The lack of potency up front is further compounded by the site of Alexander Mitrovic--a player let go by Newcastle over the summer -- bagging five goals already this campaign for Fulham,more than the entire Newcastle team have scored.
Throw in owner Mike Ashley's reluctance to release much needed funds to strengthen the playing squad, Benitez famous ability to get the best out of his players would undergo a severe test. Take nothing away from Leicester City who secured impressive back to back wins. Claude Puel would be happy at his side's form. Momentum is key,and confidence is certainly brewing through his side. Youngster, James Maddison once again shone brightly, earning an assist for his efforts for Maguire's second goal, with England manager Gareth Southgate watching in the stands. What a player he can potentially become! For Newcastle and their supporters though, avoiding relegation this campaign would be a great achievement by all standards.
FIVE STAR GUNNERS SECURE FIFTH STRAIGHT LEAGUE WIN
(Arsenal 2 vs 0 Watford) Goals (Arsenal : C. Cathcart(own goal) 81min, Mesut Ozil 83min)
After a testing start to the season with back to back losses against Manchester City and Chelsea, I have been impressed with Unai Emery's ability to keep his side on the coattails of the leaders Man City and Liverpool, while trying to stamp his new ideas on the team. Nine goals have been scored in their last four Premier League games. Wins give confidence and belief in the work being done. The victory against a Watford side who have started the season in fine form owed much to the gunners' resilience and belief,as the visitors put up a great fight at the Emirates. The gunners had a poor opening 45 minutes--something Emery would seek to put right--but emerged a different beast after the interval, with improved tempo and zip in their play. A clean sheet would also have been pleasing for the gunners faithful with goalkeeper Bernd Leno, signed over the summer, making his EPL debut at halftime in place of the injured Petr Cech. With the firepower of Aubameyang and Lacazette up front, it promises to be an interesting season for Arsenal. Next up is a midweek Champions League trip to face Qarabag.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Everton found their scoring boots as they brushed aside Fulham 3-nil at Goodison Park. Manager, Marco Silva will have been impressed with his sides clinical display following their profligacy at the Emirates last week against Arsenal. A brace from Gylfi Sigurdsson and a strike from Turkish striker Cenk Tosun ensuring maximum points. Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated Mark Hughes' Southampton 2-nil at home, Tottenham secured yet another impressive away win at Huddersfield. Star striker Harry Kane scored both goals. At the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City comfortably put two unreplied goals past Brighton & Hove Albion,with Sergio Aguero once again getting on the scoresheet and Raheem Sterling netting the other. Their fifth and fourth goals respectively in the league this season.
On Sunday, Cardiff City entertain Burnley, and Bournemouth will welcome Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football.
MATCHDAY 8 FIXTURES
5 Oct: Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United
6 Oct: Tottenham Hotspur vs Cardiff City
6 Oct: Burnley vs Huddersfield
6 Oct: Watford vs AFC Bournemouth
6 Oct: Leicester City vs Everton
6 Oct: Crystal Palace vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
6 Oct: Manchester United vs Newcastle United
7 Oct: Fulham vs Arsenal
7 Oct: Southampton vs Chelsea
7 Oct: Liverpool vs Manchester City
BRAVE HAMMERS EXPOSE UNITED'S PITIFUL TIMIDITY
(West Ham United 3 vs 1 Manchester United): Goals (West Ham United :Felipe Anderson 5min, V. Lindelof (own goal) 43min, M. Arnautovic 74min. Manchester United : M. Rashford 71min)
Forget the sideshow between Mourinho and Pogba, the rifts with Martial, Bailly , all of which would surely make for a sell out soap opera ..it's all a smokescreen masking the real issues at Manchester United right now. Many of which were exposed at the London Stadium against West Ham United on Saturday. The Hammers were brave, purposeful in attack, organised defensively,and primed up for the occasion. United on the other hand served up a masterclass in timidity, clueless in attack, disjointed at the back, and looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Just what Mourinho was playing for starting with a team featuring Matic, Scott McTominay, Fellaini, and his back four is anybody's guess! The Hammers seized the initiative from the off, unsettling the visitor's baffling set up with McTominay in defence. United barely laid a glove as West Ham engulfed the reds in wave and wave of attacks,with Felipe Anderson grabbing the opener,finishing off a silky move down United's left, as early as the fifth minute. It took until the 37th minute for United to earn their first corner kick of the match. This against a West Ham side yet to win at home this season prior to this match.
Where do Manchester United go from here? They look like a team lacking any semblance of fight or intensity, or direction going forward. This result capped off a bad week for the Red Devils, after been dumped out of the Carabao cup in midweek by Championship side Derby County. The sight of West Ham stroking the ball around confidently,with United's players chasing the ball fruitlessly, between the 74th and 77th minute of this match (by which time the Hammers led 3-1) summed up the malaise bedevilling the Red ranks presently. That's three goals conceded for the third time this season in just seven games--so much for a side whose manager prides himself on defensive organisation and solidity-- nine points worse off than at this stage last season, lowest scorers this season among last season's top six, this was not how it was supposed to be. How much longer can the fans stomach such insipid displays? Many had left before referee Andre Marriner put United out of their misery at the final whistle. Mourinho is fast running out of time to pull his team out of this murk, and with each defeat it seems like this is heading for a divorce between club and manager.
PRINCELY HAZARD GOAL AND STURRIDGE'S STUNNER ENSURES POINTS ARE SHARED IN CLASSIC STAMFORD BRIDGE BATTLE
(Chelsea 1 vs 1 Liverpool) Goals: Chelsea (E. Hazard 25min) Liverpool (D. Sturridge 89min)
The football purists would never have wanted this to end. A perfect microcosm of why the EPL is so revered. Breathtakingly brilliant, end to end, intense, thrill-a-minute stuff. One to keep you glued to your seats. Chelsea and Liverpool cancelled out each other in a fierce battle at the bridge. On this evidence, there were plenty of positives for both managers to glean. Like in midweek, Eden Hazard produced an astounding display, capped off with a sublime opener --his sixth of the season was slick interplay at its best. Hazard, Jorginho, and Kovacic's one touch flicks and passing left Liverpool's defence seeing stars,with the Belgian making no mistake in finding the bottom left corner of the net. Maurizio Sarri's attacking imprint already evident in the Blues rank in such short period--though a lack of goals among his centre forwards still poses an issue-- There were also impressive displays at the back. Rudiger and David Luiz were solid--both making goalline clearances to deny Salah and Firmino respectively in either half.
Klopp's Reds played their part in an absorbing contest, hunting and pressing with ferocious intensity. His added squad depth was evident as his second half substitutions altered the course of this match up. The Reds looked to be heading to Merseyside empty handed, until a goal of stupendous quality from Sturridge. With 120 seconds left on the clock, receiving a pass from Shaqiri infield, 25 yards out,with Chelsea's defenders slow in closing him down, Sturridge hit the ball with such precision and curl, it arrowed into the top left corner like an exocet, leaving goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga grasping at thin air. Though their hundred percent record so far came to an end, thus ceding top spot to Manchester City on goal difference, Jurgen Klopp would have been mightily pleased with his side's ability to snatch something from this game --deservedly--after staring at the jaws of defeat. Surely both these teams would have a say in the title race come May.
RAFAEL BENITEZ' TOONS ARE IN TROUBLE
(Newcastle United 0 vs 2 Leicester City) Goals (Leicester City: J. Vardy 30min, H. Maguire 73min)
Two points from seven games is certainly no good way to begin a domestic campaign. Only two sides--Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town --have scored lower than Newcastle's four goals this campaign. Little wonder they all make up the bottom three. Football sometimes is such a simple game. Goals win you games, and Benitez's side are finding them difficult to come by. The lack of potency up front is further compounded by the site of Alexander Mitrovic--a player let go by Newcastle over the summer -- bagging five goals already this campaign for Fulham,more than the entire Newcastle team have scored.
Throw in owner Mike Ashley's reluctance to release much needed funds to strengthen the playing squad, Benitez famous ability to get the best out of his players would undergo a severe test. Take nothing away from Leicester City who secured impressive back to back wins. Claude Puel would be happy at his side's form. Momentum is key,and confidence is certainly brewing through his side. Youngster, James Maddison once again shone brightly, earning an assist for his efforts for Maguire's second goal, with England manager Gareth Southgate watching in the stands. What a player he can potentially become! For Newcastle and their supporters though, avoiding relegation this campaign would be a great achievement by all standards.
FIVE STAR GUNNERS SECURE FIFTH STRAIGHT LEAGUE WIN
(Arsenal 2 vs 0 Watford) Goals (Arsenal : C. Cathcart(own goal) 81min, Mesut Ozil 83min)
After a testing start to the season with back to back losses against Manchester City and Chelsea, I have been impressed with Unai Emery's ability to keep his side on the coattails of the leaders Man City and Liverpool, while trying to stamp his new ideas on the team. Nine goals have been scored in their last four Premier League games. Wins give confidence and belief in the work being done. The victory against a Watford side who have started the season in fine form owed much to the gunners' resilience and belief,as the visitors put up a great fight at the Emirates. The gunners had a poor opening 45 minutes--something Emery would seek to put right--but emerged a different beast after the interval, with improved tempo and zip in their play. A clean sheet would also have been pleasing for the gunners faithful with goalkeeper Bernd Leno, signed over the summer, making his EPL debut at halftime in place of the injured Petr Cech. With the firepower of Aubameyang and Lacazette up front, it promises to be an interesting season for Arsenal. Next up is a midweek Champions League trip to face Qarabag.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Everton found their scoring boots as they brushed aside Fulham 3-nil at Goodison Park. Manager, Marco Silva will have been impressed with his sides clinical display following their profligacy at the Emirates last week against Arsenal. A brace from Gylfi Sigurdsson and a strike from Turkish striker Cenk Tosun ensuring maximum points. Wolverhampton Wanderers defeated Mark Hughes' Southampton 2-nil at home, Tottenham secured yet another impressive away win at Huddersfield. Star striker Harry Kane scored both goals. At the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola's Manchester City comfortably put two unreplied goals past Brighton & Hove Albion,with Sergio Aguero once again getting on the scoresheet and Raheem Sterling netting the other. Their fifth and fourth goals respectively in the league this season.
On Sunday, Cardiff City entertain Burnley, and Bournemouth will welcome Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football.
MATCHDAY 8 FIXTURES
5 Oct: Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United
6 Oct: Tottenham Hotspur vs Cardiff City
6 Oct: Burnley vs Huddersfield
6 Oct: Watford vs AFC Bournemouth
6 Oct: Leicester City vs Everton
6 Oct: Crystal Palace vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
6 Oct: Manchester United vs Newcastle United
7 Oct: Fulham vs Arsenal
7 Oct: Southampton vs Chelsea
7 Oct: Liverpool vs Manchester City
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