English Premier League - 2

Review of Week 2:

There were some great matches this week and a lot to look forward too, as teams are keeping a squint eye on the transfer deadline that fast approaches. As I said last week, Arsenal and Tottenham are probably two teams who would feel most exposed by the transfer market and will need to replenish their lost resources. Arsenal has lost many players through injuries and suspension and Arsene Wenger had to play a reluctant Samir Nasri against Liverpool and got beat by a better and more competitive team. Kenny Daglish’s Liverpool has already done something better than last year. They had lost the opening fixture to Arsenal under Roy Hodgson with the infamous Joe Cole sending off. This time there are more positives in the dressing room as the passing mentality has augured well with the supporters. Luis Suarez is shining and the Kop has already lost interest in a certain Fernando Torres (who would have been nothing short of a legend at Anfield). Elsewhere, Chelsea started poorly against a determined West Brom but Villas-Boas’ side shook off the early apprehensions to come back from behind and win it at the end. West Brom had two extremely difficult matches to start the season against Man United and Chelsea and they will feel deprived, especially after taking the lead in both the matches and failing to hold on. Roy Hodgson’s biggest fall from grace has always been the sitting back after scoring. It can work against middle-of-the-table-teams but not against Premier League contenders. Manchester City on the other hand would be trying to prove a point every match they play this season, regardless of where they are placed in the table and against high fliers in Bolton Wanderers, they had a good start but took their foot off the pedal and allowed Bolton to catch up. They held on to a 3-2 win, but it felt more unconvincing than they would have liked. But the match of the weekend was to come on Monday when Tottenham travelled to Old Trafford for their first game of the season to play a young Man United side facing a tricky season as they cope with 3 stalwarts’ retirements and bringing the young to the fore. Tottenham were in the game for the first half, but young Red Devils showed their fans some panache as the likes of Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck pierced through the Spurs defense with ease. Ryan Giggs created a goal of such class to exhibit that he is still at his best.

Week 3 Preview:

The third round of Premier League matches and as it is the last before the transfer deadline, it has its own excitement and we have some exciting contests to back that. Aston Villa face Wolves and both the teams have enjoyed a good start to their campaign and would be looking to keep going. Chelsea have looked disappointing, but they would not get a better chance than this before the international break against Norwich to break their shackles and be the force they are thought to be. The key for Chelsea is to find a rhythm to operate. While some players still look out of sorts like Drogba, Malouda, Torres etc, their talent is too big to put them off! I expect it to be a high scoring affair. Liverpool host Bolton on the back of their win against Arsenal. Though they played well against the Gunners, they were also very lucky with the injuries, suspensions and turmoil at the Emirates. It would be interesting to see who Kenny Daglish picks in his attack as, Kuyt played a key role against Arsenal and was replaced by Suarez and Carroll scored midweek in the Carling Cup 2^nd round against Exeter. The two big games of the week come on Sunday though as Manchester City visit to White Hart Lane and Arsenal’s visit to Old Trafford. Man City and Spurs have enjoyed a rivalry of its kind for the last two seasons, vying for the last Champions League place. The stronger edge will be with the Citizens as the addition of Samir Nasri will definitely give them extra teeth. Tottenham might just be falling behind the top-four bus very early. Arsenal’s plight could be further damaged if United play the way they played against the Spurs on Monday. That display, if continued through the season, would ensure them their title no. 20.

English Premier League Week One

The Premier League began last weekend and relieved us of all the boredom and blandness that had got associated to weekends since May. The summer did bring all the transfer hoopla along with the usual suspects spending big and some unusual ones joining the bandwagon. Manchester City got another plethora of players they will mostly not use and sell back in a year or two. Manchester United on the other hand spent their usual quota making one known name transfer and other unknowns. Chelsea seemed surprisingly underplaying while they did spend on something they hadn’t had to do earlier – their manager. Liverpool somehow joined the bandwagon courtesy their new owners and their newfound faith in Kop legend Kenny Daglish. Tottenham are still reeling in whether to let their prized asset in Luka Modric go away to their London rivals and Arsenal are shell-shocked by the protracted departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Between all that, first Premier League weekend was marred by the riots in the UK and Tottenham’s opener against Everton was called off. Other matches concluded smoothly enough and we did get a glimpse of the season ahead. Sunderland travelled to Liverpool with a completely new squad and looked a side that can compete against the top teams. Liverpool on the other hand showed in the first half what they can do this season, but inexplicably fell asleep in the second while keeping their door ajar for the Black Cats to run in. They have been repeating that for the past many seasons and the hope of things changing with the new arrivals died down a bit. Manchester United’s trip to West Bromwich proved another cliché of United snatching a last gasp victory with some luck as new signing Ashley Young drove in a deflected shot at the wee end of the match, as the Baggies started to believe they deserved something out of the match. Chelsea’s subdued play and lack of penetration was evident against a typically dogged and physical Stoke City. Arsenal’s lack of finesse and inability to run the defenders was at display along with their slick passing against the Magpies at Tyneside. Manchester City on the other hand drove their point in by a click game plan and their star man, Sergio Aguero got the dream debut he would have wished for against new boys Swansea City. City looked a side to reckon and Roberto Mancini’s side looked all set to begin their campaign to prove over their neighbors and be the title chasers they so dearly want to be.

So, Man City, Man United and Liverpool make some impression (in that order) on the opening weekend while Chelsea still haven’t found their feet. Tottenham to play yet and Arsenal look to themselves for inspiration. That’s the top six from last season. The mid table teams from last season are out to prove their point yet again. With the exception of Everton; Fulham, Sunderland, Aston Villa, West Brom, Newcastle, Bolton and Stoke finished within 3 points of each other and 7 points off the relegated Birmingham City. The competition is definitely too close to call.

The coming weekend starts with the Toons travelling to the Stadium of Light for the Tyne-Wear derby and Sunderland looks set for their honors. Liverpool travel to the Emirates Stadium to put the Gunners into further misery and that match could tell the Kopites what to expect from their team. Chelsea will try and shake off their shackles when they come across another stubborn team in West Brom who come off a decent display against Man United last weekend. United meanwhile, ready themselves to welcome the Spurs keeping in mind how dismal a record the Spurs have at Old Trafford. Man City plays Bolton, both teams having won with a 4 goal margin against Premier League new boys last weekend. A good weekend to look forward to so bring it on!