As we approach another weekend of what is bound to be a sizzling blend of excitement, entertainment and drama in the English Premier League, Econsport examines what we learnt from Match Day 22.
Willian serves reminder of his quality amidst transfer speculations.
Chelsea 2 vs 1 Newcastle United
He does divide opinion, doesnt he? Talking about Wiliian. There are some Chelsea fans who are of the persuasion that a £50million cash-plus-player offer from Barcelona is too good to refuse for a 30-year old who is approaching the twilight of his career, especially when that deal includes the talented and younger, albeit unpolished, Malcom moving in the opposite direction. But Chelsea would rather hold on than let go. In Willian they know the weapon they do possess. A versatile, enterprising and technically-gifted winger with an impressive work-rate. And even £65million last summer-- quickly rebuffed-- fell way short of pricing a vital component of the first team make up at the Bridge, as Barcelona had to settle for Malcom instead. The problem is that that innate quality has not been on show in rhythmic flow. This season, its been in spasms and fits. Willian has just 3 goals in 21 league appearances this campaign. A tally which does not do the quality in those samba feet of his justice. One of such goals, however, was enough to hand Chelsea all three points as a stubborn Newcastle side were seen off, in a shoddy display by the Blues at Stamford Bridge. After taking the lead through a top-class lob from Pedro, after an equally impressive pass by David Luiz, Maurizio Sarri's men took their foot off the treadmill, and were duly punished as Newcastle grabbed a deserved equalizer and could have gone ahead with better composure in front of goal-- Matt Ritchie a major culprit-- Up stepped Willian though to clinch all three points with a goal equally befitting, and maintain a six point lead over fifth placed Arsenal in the race for a top-four spot.
Gifted feet allied with a safe pair of hands: Is there any better than De Gea ?
Tottenham Hotspur 0 vs 1 Manchester United
Ever on the lookout for £18.9million well spent, look no further than Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea. A huge fee at the time for the skinny, talented and untested Spaniard--at least at this level-- he has more than repaid the fee with huge change added as well. Largely untroubled in the first half at Wembley as Ole Solskjaer put up a tactical masterclass against Mauricio Pochettino, he was asked all sorts of questions in the second period and on each occasion came up with spot on answers. Brilliant ones. It was a monstrous performance. Think back to the outstanding saves in the 3-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates last season, or against Real Madrid seasons back, here was a display to rival those. They all took turns, the Tottemham players, and could not be accused of a lack of trying. Alli, Kane, Alderweireld, none could find a way. Few can when De Gea is on such form. With each save his impenetrability seemed to grow. His aura seemed to rub off on the best players, even Harry Kane. Eleven saves of varying proportions, having had none to make in the first half, told a story of a man on a mission few others could even think of pulling off. He was not the only soldier clad in red to put on a valiant display. Pogba, Rashford, Herrera, Matic, Lindelof, virtually the whole eleven threw their bodies on the line. When last could that be said about United? Quite the impact that Solskjaer has made in a short time. Puzzling to think some still see him as riding on luck or basically just letting the horses run free. Well he's let the horses run free with a clear direction of where to go. And if there's anything about luck, it is that the Premier League is lucky to view at first glance the brilliance of De Gea, considering his failed move to Real Madrid in 2015 on deadline day. His class is rare,and the nature of his saves even rarer.
On current form, Declan Rice is near priceless for West Ham United.
West Ham United 1 vs 0 Arsenal
Forget about the summer signing of Brazilian Felipe Anderson, or the arrival of the strong and pacy Issa Diop in defence, West Ham's best bit of business in recent seasons has arguably been signing up Declan Rice to a contract that ties him to the Londoners for the next six seasons. Born in London and at the center of an international tussle between Northern Ireland and England, he was snapped up after being released as a teenager by Chelsea in 2014. The Blues' loss has turned out to be the Hammers gain, and what a priceless gain it is turning out to be. If strikers are worth their weight in gold, then those who lay the solid foundation from which those goals spring forth are as important. Unassuming and possessing a seemingly boundless tank of energy, he covers almost every green spot on the field. His skill set isn't only limited to doing the dirty job, as he also has the ability to spot a pass when he sees one, and boy can he strike the ball cleanly. His goal against Arsenal, his first professional goal, which clinched victory for West Ham, was top drawer, box-office stuff, after former Gunners midfielder Samir Nasri, laid the ball into his path was taken with a composure belying his young age. He is the perfect foil for Mark Noble in midfield. Tenacity and industriousness in unison with experience, and Manuel Pellegrini's side are certainly better off for it. In getting him to sign on the dotted lines, the hammers might well have struck gold.
City's strength in depth will give Liverpool worry
Manchester City 3 vs 0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
A routine win, yes. A comfortable one, very much so. But make no mistake Wolverhampton Wanderers are no pushovers. The Wolves have ruffled the feathers of some of the "Big-Six sides" this season, most recently claiming a 3-1 away win over Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. Coming into this fixture against the defending champions, riding on the crest of knocking Liverpool out of the FA cup, confidence was bound to be high. City after all had shown some signs of vulnerability in recent weeks, especially over the festive run of fixtures. But a brace from Gabriel Jesus, deputizing for Sergio Aguero , and an own goal from Connor Coady clinically dispatched Nuno Santo's side, for whom defender Wily Boly was sent off in the first half. While those on the pitch for City did the job assuredly, the sight of those on the bench was a scary one indeed. Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Aguero, Ilkay Gundogan all watched the action, covered in hoods and gloves. That is some bench of substitutes to have. A dream for many coaches to be able to call upon. With a gruelling fixture list ahead, and City still competing in all four competions--Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup and Champions League-- Guardiola will surely need that strength in depth in navigating what is bound to be a crucial stage of the season. Over on Merseyside, as Liverpool-- who beat Brighton & Hove Albion by a Mo Salah goal-- seek to maintain their pace and place at the top, it is the strength of the soldiers City could afford to rest against Wolves that would be some sort of worry in the battle that lies ahead.
Fulham struggling to get out of troubled waters
Burnley 2 vs 1 Fulham
At a crucial stage in a journey veering towards the wrong end, some signs certainly do not make for great viewing. All season long, the conundrum Fulham have faced is plugging the leaky hole that is their defence, which on current form is far from worthy of that term. They do have goals in them, Fulham. Alexander Mitrovic, Andre Schurlle, Ryan Sessengnon, Kamara, Vietto are all good options for a side battling relegation, better than some of what their rivals make do with. It is in defence that the source of consternation resides. Claudio Ranieri, brought in for the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic, is still none the wiser on remedying his side's feebly soft underbelly. Conceding twice against Burnley who aren't especially renowned for goals, is enough angst. Doing so with their opponents landing no single shot--yes none-- on target is laughable. Except of course you're of a Fulham persuasion. In a battle for survival, one thing any wouldn't want to do is shooting themselves in the foot. That is exactly what Fulham are doing with every meek defending that leads to that goal difference column going deeper into the red zone. It might well be the difference between retaining top flight status or a season back in the Championship.
A thought on the sacked David Wagner at Huddersfield Town
Even in sacking you could feel the great work that Wagner had done in leading Huddersfield Town as far as he had. This was no acrimonious divorce with diatribes flying to and fro. No. It was an emotional and sad end to a remarkable journey, filled with grand moments. A separation, probably in the best interests of all parties, with hugs and tearful goodbyes. Wagner will forever be associated with Huddersfield's history and his coaching abilities has set them on the path towards a bright future, though he leaves them bottom of the league table. His end was a result of a small fish competing in the shark-like world that is the Premier League. Put simply, he had taken the club as far as he could. He looked it in the final throes of his reign. That look of tiredness and emotional drain, a break would do him the world of good. In the managerial merry go round of the Premier League, it would not be a surprise to see him being given the reins over another clubside in the league. His tremendous work, steering little-known Huddersfield to this point, has earned him that.
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