Liverpool Football Club has not won the top division title since 1990, there fans know this, all football fans know this, all of Manchester knows this. They have never won the Premier League title, whereas Manchester United has done, quite a few times. When Liverpool last won the League title it was their 18th triumph, the most in the English top ranks. Man United had only won six. Then the dawn of a new era heralded a changing of the guard and as Liverpool struggled to find a worthy successor to King Kenny Dalglish, United had Alex Ferguson to strike.
Man United now have 20 league titles in total, the 19th was cheered more than the 20th or the first under Ferguson's guidance in 1993 on that Monday night against Blackburn.
On Sunday, Liverpool were playing their game in hand over Manchester City (while they played in the League Cup final). This game was played at the old enemy's fortress Old Trafford - a place called the Theatre of Dreams but it has been anything but utopia recently under the stewardship of Jose Mourinho. Now Mourinho has gone, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is riding the rocky ship and guiding the Red Devils to an unlikely Champions League position which in November seemed unfathomable.
Liverpool had the opportunity to go three points clear of Manchester City, an important landmark in this tight season and with Tottenham Hotspur having been defeated on Saturday at Burnley, the chance for breathing space was paramount.
However, the chance slipped by as Liverpool who have fluffed lines recently away at West Ham and at home to Leicester and showed fallibility in a league victory over Crystal Palace. In a game where they played virtually their full strength side bar James Milner at right back over an ailing Trent Alexander-Arnold; Man United had an injury crisis culminating with them committing all three substitutes in the first half (Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard) and Marcus Rashford playing 75 minutes with an injury of his own and having to stay on the field in vain, this forced Romelu Lukaku to play out on the wing while Rashford committed sprints when required.
Liverpool were playing against 10 men in the second half, and yet they could not breakdown a resolute defence led by Luke Shaw's impressive display in nullifying the threat of Mo Salah.
Yet there in lies a problem with Liverpool - the front three of Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane - has been the lack of goal threat in times of stalemate. The reliance upon goals from the trio is a problem as the midfield trio that started against Man United - Jordan Henderson, Gigi Winjaldum and Fabinho - have only scored six goals all season, that is not enough for any side with title aspirations.
This is Klopp's dilemma in not being totally gung-ho, the midfield trio affords him stability with Andrew Robertson marauding down the left when allowed but that midfield triangle offers no creative inspiration to unlock resolute defences. Firmino went off injured to be replaced by the lacklustre Daniel Sturridge.
When the game demanded invention, Klopp took off the captain Henderson for Xherdan Shaqiri to hopefully create a chance that never came. The decision to withdraw Henderson made sense, the club captain coming back from injury had played 90 minutes midweek against Bayern Munich so resting muscles was Klopp's concern. However, the reaction from Henderson to being substituted ignoring both Klopp and the incoming sub spoke volumes of possible upheaval behind the scenes and the problem with player power as individuals feel they should remain untouched. Salah was substituted with 10 minutes remaining and he afforded no ill will - he must have known he did not give his best.
Liverpool had the opportunity to make a statement and give the title another twist and some distance; yet with 11 games remaining they are only one point clear with games remaining against Everton, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Manchester City are on a roll, they have won the first trophy of a possible unprecedented quadruple, players are coming back from injury and the rotation of the squad allows goals to be scored by many parties whomever starts games. For instance, in the final on Sunday the front three was Sterling, Aguero and Bernardo Silva; for the league game on Wednesday at home to West Ham you can anticipate a front three of Sane, Jesus and perhaps Sterling.
This rotation will afford Guardiola to maintain momentum while the options for Liverpool are thin and if individuals play with such impotency as Mane did at Old Trafford, the chance for Liverpool to gain that 19th title may be gone.
Showing posts with label Manchester City. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manchester City. Show all posts
Tuesday, 26 February 2019
Monday, 13 April 2015
Pellegrini's Personality
The current Premier League champions, Manchester City, are in the doldrums. Their league defence is going off without a fight. Today's date is Monday 13th April and they have no chance of retaining the title they won last season. They have won only four games from the turn of the year and fingers are being pointed all over the Etihad.
But who is to blame? Do you blame the players who are not fulfilling the expectations put upon them by winning two league titles in three years? Do you blame the scouting system for not buying quality players to sustain this period of dominance? Or do you blame a manager who refuses to change the system that he believes serves him well?
In fact it is all the above, but more than likely the one man most likely to be unemployed come the end of May will be Manuel Pellegrini. The man who won the title more so down to another manager's inexperience of winning a title. Whereas there is no challenge of Brendan Rogers this year, it should be said that Man City have not been a good team this year even before the woes started in January.
After winning the title you would expect the champions of England to attack the transfer market yet when the big names post-World Cup became available they were nowhere to be seen. Why did they not put in offers for Alexis Sanchez, James Rodriguez or even Enner Valencia, who went to West Ham. Instead they purchased Fernando, a like for like same figure to Fernandinho; Mangala the Central defender from France who they over paid for at £23m and Bacary Sagna, another purchase from a top four contender who has not fulfilled that expected from him.
For months last season, it was clear Vincent Kompany was struggling in the centre of defence and needed a mainstay next to him rather than the fallible Demechillis. They needed more goals than those provided by Sergio Aguero, as Dzeko and Jovetic came up short. Even the transfer window signing of Wilfred Bony smacked of desperation and one they could not utilise immediately and thus far he has only scored once since he first appeared in February, whereas he was prolific for Swansea.
Pellegrini has not been helped by his supposed spine figures Joe Hart apart. Kompany looks slower, Yaya Toure is not the force of nature he was in the last three months of the season last year and Aguero is injury prone. Too often Pellegrini fits his best team into a system that does not utilise them appropriately, too many fancy players indicative of the tika taka kind do not go well in the counter attacking culture of the Premier League. While teams like Arsenal show the way forward, Man City have been left standing still.
Even their neighbours, Man United, who were being laughed at in November have come good and in Louis Van Gaal they have a manager who is getting results out of players like Ashley Young and in Juan Mata a star thanks in part to the injury of Robin Van Persie. Yet LVG has adapted and found his best formation is 4-3-3 not the 3-5-2 he favoured and left him red faced against Leicester City. United will probably secure a Champions League place before their city rivals.
Even yesterday Pellegrini stars with a formation of 4-5-1 that suggested he went there with a team looking to not lose rather than get the win they required following Chelsea's victory an hour earlier and keep some pressure on them. Instead he maintained his dogmatic approach of not losing and got promptly punished by a confident United side, it was a formation and strategy that allowed United to dictate tempo and not trouble a United defence which is prone to error.
Manchester City have become very much the definition of their manager - dull, monotone and lacking in inspiration.
But who is to blame? Do you blame the players who are not fulfilling the expectations put upon them by winning two league titles in three years? Do you blame the scouting system for not buying quality players to sustain this period of dominance? Or do you blame a manager who refuses to change the system that he believes serves him well?
In fact it is all the above, but more than likely the one man most likely to be unemployed come the end of May will be Manuel Pellegrini. The man who won the title more so down to another manager's inexperience of winning a title. Whereas there is no challenge of Brendan Rogers this year, it should be said that Man City have not been a good team this year even before the woes started in January.
After winning the title you would expect the champions of England to attack the transfer market yet when the big names post-World Cup became available they were nowhere to be seen. Why did they not put in offers for Alexis Sanchez, James Rodriguez or even Enner Valencia, who went to West Ham. Instead they purchased Fernando, a like for like same figure to Fernandinho; Mangala the Central defender from France who they over paid for at £23m and Bacary Sagna, another purchase from a top four contender who has not fulfilled that expected from him.
For months last season, it was clear Vincent Kompany was struggling in the centre of defence and needed a mainstay next to him rather than the fallible Demechillis. They needed more goals than those provided by Sergio Aguero, as Dzeko and Jovetic came up short. Even the transfer window signing of Wilfred Bony smacked of desperation and one they could not utilise immediately and thus far he has only scored once since he first appeared in February, whereas he was prolific for Swansea.
Pellegrini has not been helped by his supposed spine figures Joe Hart apart. Kompany looks slower, Yaya Toure is not the force of nature he was in the last three months of the season last year and Aguero is injury prone. Too often Pellegrini fits his best team into a system that does not utilise them appropriately, too many fancy players indicative of the tika taka kind do not go well in the counter attacking culture of the Premier League. While teams like Arsenal show the way forward, Man City have been left standing still.
Even their neighbours, Man United, who were being laughed at in November have come good and in Louis Van Gaal they have a manager who is getting results out of players like Ashley Young and in Juan Mata a star thanks in part to the injury of Robin Van Persie. Yet LVG has adapted and found his best formation is 4-3-3 not the 3-5-2 he favoured and left him red faced against Leicester City. United will probably secure a Champions League place before their city rivals.
Even yesterday Pellegrini stars with a formation of 4-5-1 that suggested he went there with a team looking to not lose rather than get the win they required following Chelsea's victory an hour earlier and keep some pressure on them. Instead he maintained his dogmatic approach of not losing and got promptly punished by a confident United side, it was a formation and strategy that allowed United to dictate tempo and not trouble a United defence which is prone to error.
Manchester City have become very much the definition of their manager - dull, monotone and lacking in inspiration.
Monday, 23 April 2012
Did Man Utd go to sleep?
At about 2.10pm on Sunday 22nd April at Old Trafford, the champagne could have been put on ice for next Monday evening, the people who polish the Premier League trophy could have thought about leaving the red and white ribbons on for this season.
68 minutes into the league encounter with Everton, Manchester United took a 4-2 lead thanks to a well converted strike from Nani. Twenty odd minutes left to endure, to see out the game and take a seven point lead into the Manchester derby at the Ethiad Stadium next Monday evening.
Yet a resilient Everton still smarting from a FA Cup semi-final defeat last weekend to their neighbours Liverpool, showed a true case of character as they scored two goals to snatch a 4-4 draw and spoil the Red Devils party atmosphere. It was no surprise that once Everton got their 3rd goal the heavens opened to rain on the parade.
Yet this should not be considered a case of complacency or taking Everton lightly, as each goal the blue shirted men scored was true and down to their hard work throughout the game. No deflected shots to bemoan, no dodgy officiating decision to bitch about - Everton scored four goals at Old Trafford and did not lose, they were value for the draw.
Everton took the lead, Nikica Jelavic sending a far post header back across a statuesque David de Gea. United rightly responded with a Rooney header to equalise before half-time.
In the second half, United continued to prosper with Danny Welbeck curling a beautiful shot from the edge of the box when he sold a dummy to buy space. Then Rooney rounded off a smart passing move to take a 3-1 lead, yet the Toffeemen would not go away. Marouane Fellaini converted a Tony Hibbert cross with a smart volley when given room by the less than impressive Jonny Evans.
Then Nani's strike came to give a two goal cushion, yet their was never an air of comfort throughout the stadium. And yet David Moyes did not give up. Before the scoreline became 4-2, he introduced James McFadden a striker to operate as a man in the hole behind Jelavic and Fellaini who were becoming a handful for Rio Ferdinand and Evans.
McFadden became a passing option, his movement across in front of the front two becoming a worry as to who was to track him. Phil Neville would then launch a ball into the box to the towering Fellaini. The presence worked as both Ferdinand and Evans went to challenge for the aerial delivery, that left Jelavic free to convert his second with a sweetly struck volley from the dropping ball.
Immediately, after that Moyes brought on Tim Cahill for Sylvain Distin to throw caution to the wind and this added attacking presence led to the naivety of Rafael de Silva in defence to be shown up. A neat passing move between Steven Pienaar and Fellaini led to Pienaar with acres of space to convert the equaliser. Whilst people are pointing the finger at De Silva, Paul Scholes was also drawn into the ball rather than tracking the run of Pienaar who was untouched and ghosted into the path of Fellaini's return ball.
So yes maybe United did go to sleep, and Ferguson did bemoan the lack of his defence to stand up and be counted but this does a disservice to Everton's wonderful play and taking part in a great advert for the Premier League.
Thanks to Man City's 2-0 win at Wolves, City are three points behind and will go ahead of United on goal difference should they win next Monday. City have the initiative, they have a home game and you can expect the atmosphere will be fierce. Yet United can afford to draw and attempt to not lose, as they have games remaining afterwards against Swansea and Sunderland.
Ferguson says the ball is in City's court, yet United just have to go and not lose the game next week. The emphasis is on City, if they want to win this League they better go and win this game.
68 minutes into the league encounter with Everton, Manchester United took a 4-2 lead thanks to a well converted strike from Nani. Twenty odd minutes left to endure, to see out the game and take a seven point lead into the Manchester derby at the Ethiad Stadium next Monday evening.
Yet a resilient Everton still smarting from a FA Cup semi-final defeat last weekend to their neighbours Liverpool, showed a true case of character as they scored two goals to snatch a 4-4 draw and spoil the Red Devils party atmosphere. It was no surprise that once Everton got their 3rd goal the heavens opened to rain on the parade.
Yet this should not be considered a case of complacency or taking Everton lightly, as each goal the blue shirted men scored was true and down to their hard work throughout the game. No deflected shots to bemoan, no dodgy officiating decision to bitch about - Everton scored four goals at Old Trafford and did not lose, they were value for the draw.
Everton took the lead, Nikica Jelavic sending a far post header back across a statuesque David de Gea. United rightly responded with a Rooney header to equalise before half-time.
In the second half, United continued to prosper with Danny Welbeck curling a beautiful shot from the edge of the box when he sold a dummy to buy space. Then Rooney rounded off a smart passing move to take a 3-1 lead, yet the Toffeemen would not go away. Marouane Fellaini converted a Tony Hibbert cross with a smart volley when given room by the less than impressive Jonny Evans.
Then Nani's strike came to give a two goal cushion, yet their was never an air of comfort throughout the stadium. And yet David Moyes did not give up. Before the scoreline became 4-2, he introduced James McFadden a striker to operate as a man in the hole behind Jelavic and Fellaini who were becoming a handful for Rio Ferdinand and Evans.
McFadden became a passing option, his movement across in front of the front two becoming a worry as to who was to track him. Phil Neville would then launch a ball into the box to the towering Fellaini. The presence worked as both Ferdinand and Evans went to challenge for the aerial delivery, that left Jelavic free to convert his second with a sweetly struck volley from the dropping ball.
Immediately, after that Moyes brought on Tim Cahill for Sylvain Distin to throw caution to the wind and this added attacking presence led to the naivety of Rafael de Silva in defence to be shown up. A neat passing move between Steven Pienaar and Fellaini led to Pienaar with acres of space to convert the equaliser. Whilst people are pointing the finger at De Silva, Paul Scholes was also drawn into the ball rather than tracking the run of Pienaar who was untouched and ghosted into the path of Fellaini's return ball.
So yes maybe United did go to sleep, and Ferguson did bemoan the lack of his defence to stand up and be counted but this does a disservice to Everton's wonderful play and taking part in a great advert for the Premier League.
Thanks to Man City's 2-0 win at Wolves, City are three points behind and will go ahead of United on goal difference should they win next Monday. City have the initiative, they have a home game and you can expect the atmosphere will be fierce. Yet United can afford to draw and attempt to not lose, as they have games remaining afterwards against Swansea and Sunderland.
Ferguson says the ball is in City's court, yet United just have to go and not lose the game next week. The emphasis is on City, if they want to win this League they better go and win this game.
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Fergie's Cock-up
Sir Alex Ferguson was celebrating his 70th birthday in the New Year, another milestone to go along with his 25th year in charge at Old Trafford. Yet as with 20 years ago, when one Dennis Bailey scored a hat-trick for QPR in a famous 4-1 victory on Fergie's 50th birthday, away teams do not seem to read the script.
The stage was set. Manchester United joint top on points with their city rivals, City who played the day after at Sunderland, so the opportunity was there to get a lead over them. And the fixture machine gave them bottom of the table Blackburn Rovers at home, although heartened by a gritty point away at Anfield, this is still a team without an away win all season. The chance was there for the taking, yet the underdog had bite.
Blackburn Rovers were led impressively by their lead man Yakubu who ended up scoring twice, and the eventual winner came from the unheralded Grant Henley with 10 minutes remaining for a famous victory and extend the stay of execution for Steve Kean, who was supported in the build up to the game by SAF saying he should be given a chance to save Blackburn.
Kean and his spirited side were helped by an odd team selection by the elder statesman. A squad that has been ravaged by injuries in defence and midfield led to a centre back pairing of Phil Jones and Michael Carrick; a central midfield duo of Antonio Valencia and Ji-Sun Park, with Danny Welbeck marooned on the left wing with Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov up front with Wayne Rooney omitted from the squad altogether.
(It transpired that SAF disciplined Rooney, Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans for an ill-advised piss up on Boxing Day night which led to them being physically unable to train on Dec 27th. Rooney admits he was fine to train, yet the punishment was handed out).
This was a bizarre thing for Ferguson to do; something as trivial as footballers drinking should be dealt in-house. Ferguson must have thought that dropping Rooney would not warrant a mention, nor turn a head; all the more the media would be on his side.
Yet I feel he was very arrogant in choosing the Blackburn game to drop three players from - three players who would have all started more than likely - as he felt the strength of his squad would see them past the bottom side in the League quite easily. The sheer arrogance came back to bite him on the behind.
A penalty against Berbatov for a clear shirt pull led to Blackburn's opener coolly converted by Yakubu, then Yakubu's sheer physical presence led to the 2-0 advantage as he powered past an out of sorts Carrick and a fortuitous ricochet to fire past David de Gea who was recalled over Anders Lindegaard.
Yet count Man.United out at your peril as Berbatov quickly replied a minute after the second goal, and then got his second ten minutes later. You would have expected United to convert their momentum to a victory, yet it was Blackburn who got their third goal first and eventual winner; a goal which showed the falliability of the makeshift United defence as Henley cleanly outjumped a flapping de Gea and then easily headed in the dropping ball at the second opportunity against a lead footed Rafael on the line.
Luckily for United and Ferguson, there was a silver lining as City suffered their second defeat of the season at resurgent Sunderland as a last minute winner by Ji gave Martin O'Neill's side the spoils.
Both Manchester sides were guilty of not converting chances and heaps of possession; yet for Ferguson the chance to leapfrog their rivals has gone. He may rely again on Liverpool defeating a mentally flustered City side working on one day's rest, whilst United travel to Newcastle.
The title race may well go to the wire, and longer than you think if managers intend to dismiss lesser teams in this division with this awful team selection.
The stage was set. Manchester United joint top on points with their city rivals, City who played the day after at Sunderland, so the opportunity was there to get a lead over them. And the fixture machine gave them bottom of the table Blackburn Rovers at home, although heartened by a gritty point away at Anfield, this is still a team without an away win all season. The chance was there for the taking, yet the underdog had bite.
Blackburn Rovers were led impressively by their lead man Yakubu who ended up scoring twice, and the eventual winner came from the unheralded Grant Henley with 10 minutes remaining for a famous victory and extend the stay of execution for Steve Kean, who was supported in the build up to the game by SAF saying he should be given a chance to save Blackburn.
Kean and his spirited side were helped by an odd team selection by the elder statesman. A squad that has been ravaged by injuries in defence and midfield led to a centre back pairing of Phil Jones and Michael Carrick; a central midfield duo of Antonio Valencia and Ji-Sun Park, with Danny Welbeck marooned on the left wing with Javier Hernandez and Dimitar Berbatov up front with Wayne Rooney omitted from the squad altogether.
(It transpired that SAF disciplined Rooney, Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans for an ill-advised piss up on Boxing Day night which led to them being physically unable to train on Dec 27th. Rooney admits he was fine to train, yet the punishment was handed out).
This was a bizarre thing for Ferguson to do; something as trivial as footballers drinking should be dealt in-house. Ferguson must have thought that dropping Rooney would not warrant a mention, nor turn a head; all the more the media would be on his side.
Yet I feel he was very arrogant in choosing the Blackburn game to drop three players from - three players who would have all started more than likely - as he felt the strength of his squad would see them past the bottom side in the League quite easily. The sheer arrogance came back to bite him on the behind.
A penalty against Berbatov for a clear shirt pull led to Blackburn's opener coolly converted by Yakubu, then Yakubu's sheer physical presence led to the 2-0 advantage as he powered past an out of sorts Carrick and a fortuitous ricochet to fire past David de Gea who was recalled over Anders Lindegaard.
Yet count Man.United out at your peril as Berbatov quickly replied a minute after the second goal, and then got his second ten minutes later. You would have expected United to convert their momentum to a victory, yet it was Blackburn who got their third goal first and eventual winner; a goal which showed the falliability of the makeshift United defence as Henley cleanly outjumped a flapping de Gea and then easily headed in the dropping ball at the second opportunity against a lead footed Rafael on the line.
Luckily for United and Ferguson, there was a silver lining as City suffered their second defeat of the season at resurgent Sunderland as a last minute winner by Ji gave Martin O'Neill's side the spoils.
Both Manchester sides were guilty of not converting chances and heaps of possession; yet for Ferguson the chance to leapfrog their rivals has gone. He may rely again on Liverpool defeating a mentally flustered City side working on one day's rest, whilst United travel to Newcastle.
The title race may well go to the wire, and longer than you think if managers intend to dismiss lesser teams in this division with this awful team selection.
Friday, 9 December 2011
Winter of their Discontent
Manchester United are in trouble. It is not hard to see why, but it is a shame that it has come to this. On Wednesday night they are eliminated from the Champions League at the group stage - the first finalist from the year before to not reach the knockout stage the following season.
United are out of Europe, although they are physically now in the Europa League mentally they will not be competing. Following the FA Cup draw last Sunday, they have been drawn away to neighbours Man City in the third round of the world's most prestigious cup competition. It now bears out that following the first weekend in January, Man United - the champions of Europe - may only be fighting on two fronts and after the hurried Christmas schedule they could be further behind the same City neighbours in the title chase, and even behind current third place Tottenham who are undefeated in 11 games, with winnable encounters before the 22nd Dec match with Chelsea.
Man United are in a bit of a tailspin, following their shooting out of the blocks in August and September which included the 8-2 home win over Arsenal; United are suffering on many fronts - they are not scoring goals, they are not dominating games, they are suffering a whole host of injuries and players are playing low on confidence due to a collective loss of form.
Starting from the back - David de Gea was signed with many worrying over his transferring to a new league and a new country; he has not disappointed being at fault for several goals including the first at Basle on Wednesday night. The keeper needs to be a leader from behind, and currently the defence are not assured of his positioning, handling and control.
Constant injuries to the back line mean a lack of continuity and consistency - both Ferdinand and Vidic suffered injuries in the first few weeks meaning an elevation for Phil Jones and Chris Smalling who faired admirably, now Vidic is out for the season suffering medial ligament damage in Switzerland. Jones will have to play the rest of the season at the back, great for his English aspirations but not the best situation for United for the remainder of the campaign.
The midfield has suffered from the retirement of Paul Scholes and the lack of play for Ryan Giggs (who was United's best player on Wednesday), yet you cannot rely on a 37 year old to lead a midfield. Tom Cleverly was doing really well yet his creativity is definitely missing from United, Michael Carrick is a good passer but lacks the creative impulse to grab a game by the scruff of the neck like a Gerrard or Scholes might. Nani has been hot and cold like he always is, Anderson is a mis-step and Ashley Young is suffering from injuries himself.
Upfront, Ferguson appeared to find a brilliant partnership between Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck until Welbeck pulled up with a hamstring in that 8-2 victory and yet Rooney has not seemed the same player since Montenegro where he was sent off following the arrest of his uncle for match fixing. Rooney has been playing with a cloud over his head since late October and is struggling to score.
United are still winning games but without that zest and dominance of past seasons, winning 1-0 away from home at Swansea and Villa. Victories but unconvincing ones do little for faith and confidence from the stands.
In some respects, I wish that United had done the impossible at Wembley in May against Barcelona and defeat one of the best teams of all time. If that had happened, Alex Ferguson might well have retired and walked out on his terms (much like Tony La Russa with baseball's St.Louis Cardinals) with his work complete. United would have been the undisputed best team in Europe, League Champions and Champions League winners (for a 3rd time) instead Ferguson is walking around looking for the perfect ending. He has put his money were his mouth is and bought in young talent (Jones, Young, de Gea) coupled with rejuvenated youngsters from loans (Cleverley, Welbeck) to try and create another famous side. This side's inexperience with European football was most abundant in the group stages as they struggled to win at home against Basle and Benfica. Maybe next season in the Champions League will be the time for them.
However, now it looks like the ambitions for the season have altered due to the dominance of City's squad, this is a squad game now in the Premier League, City's 25 is much better than United's and they are scoring at will. City will fluff their lines at some point this season, oddly they have saved their banana skins for Europe and facing Napoli. United went through this last year and went on to win the league by some distance in the end.
Ferguson has seen it all in his 25 years, but I am not sure he has ever seen a more inept and embarassing performance as that on Wednesday night. Now he must become accustomed to Thursday night, Sunday afternoon football in February and March, as will City.
Yet since the 6-1 demolition at Old Trafford, City are still moving forward wheres we are still awaiting a United response. And as the nights get longer, there will be plenty for Ferguson to mull over this winter.
United are out of Europe, although they are physically now in the Europa League mentally they will not be competing. Following the FA Cup draw last Sunday, they have been drawn away to neighbours Man City in the third round of the world's most prestigious cup competition. It now bears out that following the first weekend in January, Man United - the champions of Europe - may only be fighting on two fronts and after the hurried Christmas schedule they could be further behind the same City neighbours in the title chase, and even behind current third place Tottenham who are undefeated in 11 games, with winnable encounters before the 22nd Dec match with Chelsea.
Man United are in a bit of a tailspin, following their shooting out of the blocks in August and September which included the 8-2 home win over Arsenal; United are suffering on many fronts - they are not scoring goals, they are not dominating games, they are suffering a whole host of injuries and players are playing low on confidence due to a collective loss of form.
Starting from the back - David de Gea was signed with many worrying over his transferring to a new league and a new country; he has not disappointed being at fault for several goals including the first at Basle on Wednesday night. The keeper needs to be a leader from behind, and currently the defence are not assured of his positioning, handling and control.
Constant injuries to the back line mean a lack of continuity and consistency - both Ferdinand and Vidic suffered injuries in the first few weeks meaning an elevation for Phil Jones and Chris Smalling who faired admirably, now Vidic is out for the season suffering medial ligament damage in Switzerland. Jones will have to play the rest of the season at the back, great for his English aspirations but not the best situation for United for the remainder of the campaign.
The midfield has suffered from the retirement of Paul Scholes and the lack of play for Ryan Giggs (who was United's best player on Wednesday), yet you cannot rely on a 37 year old to lead a midfield. Tom Cleverly was doing really well yet his creativity is definitely missing from United, Michael Carrick is a good passer but lacks the creative impulse to grab a game by the scruff of the neck like a Gerrard or Scholes might. Nani has been hot and cold like he always is, Anderson is a mis-step and Ashley Young is suffering from injuries himself.
Upfront, Ferguson appeared to find a brilliant partnership between Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck until Welbeck pulled up with a hamstring in that 8-2 victory and yet Rooney has not seemed the same player since Montenegro where he was sent off following the arrest of his uncle for match fixing. Rooney has been playing with a cloud over his head since late October and is struggling to score.
United are still winning games but without that zest and dominance of past seasons, winning 1-0 away from home at Swansea and Villa. Victories but unconvincing ones do little for faith and confidence from the stands.
In some respects, I wish that United had done the impossible at Wembley in May against Barcelona and defeat one of the best teams of all time. If that had happened, Alex Ferguson might well have retired and walked out on his terms (much like Tony La Russa with baseball's St.Louis Cardinals) with his work complete. United would have been the undisputed best team in Europe, League Champions and Champions League winners (for a 3rd time) instead Ferguson is walking around looking for the perfect ending. He has put his money were his mouth is and bought in young talent (Jones, Young, de Gea) coupled with rejuvenated youngsters from loans (Cleverley, Welbeck) to try and create another famous side. This side's inexperience with European football was most abundant in the group stages as they struggled to win at home against Basle and Benfica. Maybe next season in the Champions League will be the time for them.
However, now it looks like the ambitions for the season have altered due to the dominance of City's squad, this is a squad game now in the Premier League, City's 25 is much better than United's and they are scoring at will. City will fluff their lines at some point this season, oddly they have saved their banana skins for Europe and facing Napoli. United went through this last year and went on to win the league by some distance in the end.
Ferguson has seen it all in his 25 years, but I am not sure he has ever seen a more inept and embarassing performance as that on Wednesday night. Now he must become accustomed to Thursday night, Sunday afternoon football in February and March, as will City.
Yet since the 6-1 demolition at Old Trafford, City are still moving forward wheres we are still awaiting a United response. And as the nights get longer, there will be plenty for Ferguson to mull over this winter.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Conflict of Interest
The Carling Cup or League Cup to give it its more traditional title has suffered in the last 20 years more than any other competition due to the growth of football in England and the growing wealth of money available to successful teams in the Champions League.
As teams strive for success and glory in Europe - certain teams attempt to win four seperate titles - alas one competition has to take a backseat in terms of affection. After the League, European and the tradition of the FA cup - something has to be given short shift.
Reserve sides, youth players, second XIs have all been picked by major sides most famously Manchester United and Arsenal - who use early round games as a chance to breed fringe players and give second choice goalkeepers a full game in case injury thwarts the first choice. While these two sides have been criticised, they have nevertheless still reached major finals and even won on occasion; while for other teams it is seen as an opportunity to win a major piece of silverware in an otherwise disastrous season - Birmingham City, last year who surprised Arsenal.
Yet this week the Carling Cup is back in the spotlight owing not to negative team selection but poor scheduling by the governing bodies. We have reached the quarter final stage and there remain 5 of the top 7 sides in the Premier League (Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea) and Cariff v Blackburn along with Crystal Palace.
Oddly, Blackburn who are suffering under the stewardship of Steve Kean are one game away from a cup semi-final;are they like Birmingham did last year going to have a day out at Wembley. You expect Man Utd for all their poor finishing of late to still see off the challenge of Championship Palace.
However, the intrigue lies in the other two matches: Chelsea v Liverpool and Arsenal v Man City, less than 48 hours ago Liverpool played Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sky Sports. Both teams have had to travel to London for their respective quarter finals, both managers Kenny Dalglish and Roberto Mancini have bemoaned the fact that they have been subjected to poor scheduling whereas Man United who played Saturday afternoon have an extra day of rest and preparation.
Mancini has more reason to moan as this would be his team's third match in a tricky week which started with a defeat in Naples which jeopardised progress to the Champions League knockout phase - and due to suspension he is without Gareth Barry and Mario Balotelli. Back ups and reserve players will get a runout amongst them - Costel Pantilimon, Owen Hargreaves, Denis Suarez, Karim Rekik and Stefan Savic.
Liverpool however are not playing European competition so the Carling Cup should be seen as a real incentive for a team and club in need of some glory. To ask his squad to play another game is not so much a big ask - the problem has been the travelling south to London which would have occured on Monday morning, they may well have stretched and run out late afternoon and rest until late morning today to wipe cobwebs. Liverpool are capable of fielding a competitive side with Jamie Carragher expected to get a first start in a month; Dalglish is pretty miffed by the whole thing.
What must be remembered is that the League cup is not the property of the Premier League it is run by the Football League the governing body of the Championship and its two lower tiers and the 72 clubs that play in those divisions. Yet they invite the Premier League clubs to play as they need the exposure and allure of these clubs to take it seriously, otherwise the competition would become a bigger version of the Johnstone Paints Trophy.
Solutions would be to distinguish set dates for the competition, luckily none of the Europa League teams (Spurs, Fulham, Stoke, Birmingham) made it to this stage as they would have had to have their games rearranged to next week, which would have made further headaches. Another would be to reduce the teams in the Premier League to 18 and therefore less games in total per club, this would mean more money from television deals yet the Football League would not like more teams to drop down to the lower divisions.
The solution must be sought by better dialogue between the Premier League clubs and the Football League body otherwise this will not be sorted and will just happen again; as for Dalglish's threat of playing youth players, someone should tell him that never hurt the progress of Arsenal or United players in gaining experience.
As teams strive for success and glory in Europe - certain teams attempt to win four seperate titles - alas one competition has to take a backseat in terms of affection. After the League, European and the tradition of the FA cup - something has to be given short shift.
Reserve sides, youth players, second XIs have all been picked by major sides most famously Manchester United and Arsenal - who use early round games as a chance to breed fringe players and give second choice goalkeepers a full game in case injury thwarts the first choice. While these two sides have been criticised, they have nevertheless still reached major finals and even won on occasion; while for other teams it is seen as an opportunity to win a major piece of silverware in an otherwise disastrous season - Birmingham City, last year who surprised Arsenal.
Yet this week the Carling Cup is back in the spotlight owing not to negative team selection but poor scheduling by the governing bodies. We have reached the quarter final stage and there remain 5 of the top 7 sides in the Premier League (Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea) and Cariff v Blackburn along with Crystal Palace.
Oddly, Blackburn who are suffering under the stewardship of Steve Kean are one game away from a cup semi-final;are they like Birmingham did last year going to have a day out at Wembley. You expect Man Utd for all their poor finishing of late to still see off the challenge of Championship Palace.
However, the intrigue lies in the other two matches: Chelsea v Liverpool and Arsenal v Man City, less than 48 hours ago Liverpool played Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sky Sports. Both teams have had to travel to London for their respective quarter finals, both managers Kenny Dalglish and Roberto Mancini have bemoaned the fact that they have been subjected to poor scheduling whereas Man United who played Saturday afternoon have an extra day of rest and preparation.
Mancini has more reason to moan as this would be his team's third match in a tricky week which started with a defeat in Naples which jeopardised progress to the Champions League knockout phase - and due to suspension he is without Gareth Barry and Mario Balotelli. Back ups and reserve players will get a runout amongst them - Costel Pantilimon, Owen Hargreaves, Denis Suarez, Karim Rekik and Stefan Savic.
Liverpool however are not playing European competition so the Carling Cup should be seen as a real incentive for a team and club in need of some glory. To ask his squad to play another game is not so much a big ask - the problem has been the travelling south to London which would have occured on Monday morning, they may well have stretched and run out late afternoon and rest until late morning today to wipe cobwebs. Liverpool are capable of fielding a competitive side with Jamie Carragher expected to get a first start in a month; Dalglish is pretty miffed by the whole thing.
What must be remembered is that the League cup is not the property of the Premier League it is run by the Football League the governing body of the Championship and its two lower tiers and the 72 clubs that play in those divisions. Yet they invite the Premier League clubs to play as they need the exposure and allure of these clubs to take it seriously, otherwise the competition would become a bigger version of the Johnstone Paints Trophy.
Solutions would be to distinguish set dates for the competition, luckily none of the Europa League teams (Spurs, Fulham, Stoke, Birmingham) made it to this stage as they would have had to have their games rearranged to next week, which would have made further headaches. Another would be to reduce the teams in the Premier League to 18 and therefore less games in total per club, this would mean more money from television deals yet the Football League would not like more teams to drop down to the lower divisions.
The solution must be sought by better dialogue between the Premier League clubs and the Football League body otherwise this will not be sorted and will just happen again; as for Dalglish's threat of playing youth players, someone should tell him that never hurt the progress of Arsenal or United players in gaining experience.
Thursday, 24 November 2011
A Model of Consistency
Tottenham Hotspur, following their dominant 2-0 win over Aston Villa on Monday evening, sit in 3rd place in the Premier League.
A position that after the first two league games against both Manchester clubs would have been unimaginable - two games, two defeats, one goal scored, eight conceded. Tottenham looked brittle next to the two juggernauts of the North West.
Yet, slowly but surely Tottenham have turned the corner and navigated the fixture list with assurance. Admittedly during those two August fixtures there were still some unanswered questions concerning player personnel - the future of Luka Modric was uncertain due to the interest of Chelsea; Scott Parker was not signed until the penultimate day of the transfer window and there was a spate of injuries in defence meaning combinations like Bassong and Corluka were having to fend off the might of Manchester City - Nasri, Dzeko, Aguero and Silva ran riot at White Hart Lane.
The change seemed to come following the signing of Parker and the first game at Wolves - the sort of fixture last season Spurs would lose, this time they left with a 2-1 victory and then followed it up the next weekend with a resounding 4-0 home win over Liverpool (who admittedly ended with 9 men).
Then came the crunch game against Arsenal, who although had their chances it was their own defensive and goalkeeping frailties that led to Kyle Walker scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.
Spurs have only drawn one game out of 9 games, a 2-2 draw away to Newcastle where they conceded only in the last five minutes to drop two points otherwise it would have been 27 points out of 27 and Tottenham would be only two points behind Man United in second place. Spurs still have a game in hand (home to Everton) which was unfortunately cancelled following the civil unrest in mid August.
A reason I feel that Spurs are doing so well is down to a consistency of selection and also not having the headache of serious European competition to worry about. Tottenham are in the Europa League but Harry Redknapp and his staff are using those games against Rubin Kazan, PAOK Salonika and Shamrock Rovers as breeding ground for his reserve team players - Jake Livermore has especially shone on these occasions. The same would have been said of the Carling Cup but they lost in a lottery of a penalty shoot-out away to Stoke.
However, the lack of fixture congestion and use of squad depth is helping one Ledley King especially. Ledley plays one game and he knows he has a week to sustain and regain his fitness before the next encounter. King's presence at the bag and coupled with the signing of veteran Brad Friedel in goal has led to youngsters like Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker allowed to express themselves. King did the same trick with Michael Dawson, he has this unbelievable ability of making the man next to him look like he is having a blinder.
Spurs are benefiting from a fixed and settled starting XI - it has been the same men starting the last three and four games. The American in goal; Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto; Bale, Modric, Parker, Lennon; Van der Vaart and Adebayor.
This settled selection means the team knows they must perform to keep their places and their are players who can and will come in to do a job if necessary - Corluka, Sandro, Defoe and Bassong. Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson remain on the injury sidelines but will be welcome upon their return.
In contrast, Manchester City with all their highly publicised signings have made a rod for their own back. The constant requirement to keep everyone happy and the forging forward on four trophy hunts means that their is no fluidity in selection. Case in point, at the weekend Micah Richards and Gael Clichy had blinding games going forward in the 3-1 win over Newcastle from their respective full back positions. Yet in Napoli they were dropped for Kolarov and Zabaleta. This more defensive line-up belittled their attacking instincts and negated a negative performance away from home, where they went to not lose the game they did. Now City and their millions must fear the prospect of having to play Thursday night football like they did last year. It will be a big kick in the teeth to fail at the first attempt in the Champions League.
Arsenal after an early season collapse at Old Trafford are profiting from a steady line-up and a full season from Robin Van Persie, who is scoring for fun. The return of Tomas Vermaelen has helped.
Manchester United due to injuries to both central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have also suffered from a lack of continuity, and the nervousness surrounding David de Gea's debut season means those in front of him might not fully trust him.
Chelsea are really suffering - a new young manager is struggling to impose his ideas on an old guard of senior professionals - they have lost four out of seven and themselves are struggling to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League, having to defeat Valencia at home in their final game to avoid the Europa League.
In contrast, Tottenham in their first foray into Europe did not change their tactics and kept on attacking even when 4-0 down away in the San Siro - a 4-3 loss that galvanised that campaign and led to Gareth Bale being christened the best left back in the world. Whereas many people adored Tottenham's ability to adapt to the scheduling and challenges - there appears to be a certain type of pleasure in seeing City struggle as they attempt to keep as many plates spinning at once. They will be the most dominant side in English football perhaps for the next five years - but they need to get a more consistent system in place and like they have done with Tevez, if people do not want to fit the bill or play their necessary role, show them the door. As there will certainly be people willing to replace them.
A position that after the first two league games against both Manchester clubs would have been unimaginable - two games, two defeats, one goal scored, eight conceded. Tottenham looked brittle next to the two juggernauts of the North West.
Yet, slowly but surely Tottenham have turned the corner and navigated the fixture list with assurance. Admittedly during those two August fixtures there were still some unanswered questions concerning player personnel - the future of Luka Modric was uncertain due to the interest of Chelsea; Scott Parker was not signed until the penultimate day of the transfer window and there was a spate of injuries in defence meaning combinations like Bassong and Corluka were having to fend off the might of Manchester City - Nasri, Dzeko, Aguero and Silva ran riot at White Hart Lane.
The change seemed to come following the signing of Parker and the first game at Wolves - the sort of fixture last season Spurs would lose, this time they left with a 2-1 victory and then followed it up the next weekend with a resounding 4-0 home win over Liverpool (who admittedly ended with 9 men).
Then came the crunch game against Arsenal, who although had their chances it was their own defensive and goalkeeping frailties that led to Kyle Walker scoring the winner in a 2-1 victory.
Spurs have only drawn one game out of 9 games, a 2-2 draw away to Newcastle where they conceded only in the last five minutes to drop two points otherwise it would have been 27 points out of 27 and Tottenham would be only two points behind Man United in second place. Spurs still have a game in hand (home to Everton) which was unfortunately cancelled following the civil unrest in mid August.
A reason I feel that Spurs are doing so well is down to a consistency of selection and also not having the headache of serious European competition to worry about. Tottenham are in the Europa League but Harry Redknapp and his staff are using those games against Rubin Kazan, PAOK Salonika and Shamrock Rovers as breeding ground for his reserve team players - Jake Livermore has especially shone on these occasions. The same would have been said of the Carling Cup but they lost in a lottery of a penalty shoot-out away to Stoke.
However, the lack of fixture congestion and use of squad depth is helping one Ledley King especially. Ledley plays one game and he knows he has a week to sustain and regain his fitness before the next encounter. King's presence at the bag and coupled with the signing of veteran Brad Friedel in goal has led to youngsters like Younes Kaboul and Kyle Walker allowed to express themselves. King did the same trick with Michael Dawson, he has this unbelievable ability of making the man next to him look like he is having a blinder.
Spurs are benefiting from a fixed and settled starting XI - it has been the same men starting the last three and four games. The American in goal; Walker, Kaboul, King, Assou-Ekotto; Bale, Modric, Parker, Lennon; Van der Vaart and Adebayor.
This settled selection means the team knows they must perform to keep their places and their are players who can and will come in to do a job if necessary - Corluka, Sandro, Defoe and Bassong. Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson remain on the injury sidelines but will be welcome upon their return.
In contrast, Manchester City with all their highly publicised signings have made a rod for their own back. The constant requirement to keep everyone happy and the forging forward on four trophy hunts means that their is no fluidity in selection. Case in point, at the weekend Micah Richards and Gael Clichy had blinding games going forward in the 3-1 win over Newcastle from their respective full back positions. Yet in Napoli they were dropped for Kolarov and Zabaleta. This more defensive line-up belittled their attacking instincts and negated a negative performance away from home, where they went to not lose the game they did. Now City and their millions must fear the prospect of having to play Thursday night football like they did last year. It will be a big kick in the teeth to fail at the first attempt in the Champions League.
Arsenal after an early season collapse at Old Trafford are profiting from a steady line-up and a full season from Robin Van Persie, who is scoring for fun. The return of Tomas Vermaelen has helped.
Manchester United due to injuries to both central defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have also suffered from a lack of continuity, and the nervousness surrounding David de Gea's debut season means those in front of him might not fully trust him.
Chelsea are really suffering - a new young manager is struggling to impose his ideas on an old guard of senior professionals - they have lost four out of seven and themselves are struggling to reach the knockout stages of the Champions League, having to defeat Valencia at home in their final game to avoid the Europa League.
In contrast, Tottenham in their first foray into Europe did not change their tactics and kept on attacking even when 4-0 down away in the San Siro - a 4-3 loss that galvanised that campaign and led to Gareth Bale being christened the best left back in the world. Whereas many people adored Tottenham's ability to adapt to the scheduling and challenges - there appears to be a certain type of pleasure in seeing City struggle as they attempt to keep as many plates spinning at once. They will be the most dominant side in English football perhaps for the next five years - but they need to get a more consistent system in place and like they have done with Tevez, if people do not want to fit the bill or play their necessary role, show them the door. As there will certainly be people willing to replace them.
Monday, 31 October 2011
The Consistency of Inconsistency
A feeling came over me watching the Premier League action this weekend not of pride and passion but of well being let down.
I love refereeing, with a passion. I love being a part of England's national pasttime. Being out on the field of play during a game amongst the free flowing football is wonderful. It gives me a reason to stay fit, and for me to back my decision making. Things are going well so far, yet often I feel that things that happen at the highest echelon of the games means that decisions trickle down to the level I officiate at.
When Chris Foy sends off Jose Boswinga for a denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity when still 25 yards away from goal and a goalkeeper to beat your eyebrows will be raised. Not because of the decision, I saw the sense in it, just what will happen the following week with a different official.
And so at Stamford Bridge, Ashley Cole is upended by Arsenal goalkeeper Sczezeny when bearing down on goal. Replays show covering defenders coming back, but if Cole had remained on his feet, he might well have got a quick shot away. Result from Andre Marriner was a yellow card and a free-kick, from which nothing resulted. Sczezeny admitted on Twitter that evening he was surprised to remain on the pitch, at that time I believe the score was 3-2 to Arsenal, who eventually won 5-3 with a full quota of playing personal.
The inconsistency remains; but ultimately it is down to how to manage the players and control the high tempo, high intensity game of football. Foy felt that the indiscipline of Chelsea was probably getting out of hand; yet Didier Drogba's two footed lunge at Adel Taarabt left him no option but to dismiss. Marriner had the option and refused it, feeling that there was a covering defender, yet how can there be if the last defender on this occasion is the goalkeeper - theoretically the last man possible.
Following, Vincent Kompany's sending off at Manchester City on Saturday, word has come out that from next season such a challenge when he fouled/pulled Kevin Doyle to the floor will not be a red card offence - instead a yellow card and penalty will be sufficient punishment. Yet a challenge like that by Sczezeny will still be a red card due to the recklessness of it - red card and a suspension. The feeling being that Kompany and his team is being punished three times - dismissal, penalty and suspension.
Again, this means it is down to the interpretation of the individual official, I think the wording of denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity is clear and most often (unless your Phil Dowd at Anfield this year) the referees call it correctly.
This will only lead to more inconsistency of decisions, but that is the point of this piece, it only goes to highlight the decisions will never be 100% spot on because nobody is perfect, and it will depend on the individual, the players, the game, the pressure and intensity of each and every match.
I love refereeing, with a passion. I love being a part of England's national pasttime. Being out on the field of play during a game amongst the free flowing football is wonderful. It gives me a reason to stay fit, and for me to back my decision making. Things are going well so far, yet often I feel that things that happen at the highest echelon of the games means that decisions trickle down to the level I officiate at.
When Chris Foy sends off Jose Boswinga for a denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity when still 25 yards away from goal and a goalkeeper to beat your eyebrows will be raised. Not because of the decision, I saw the sense in it, just what will happen the following week with a different official.
And so at Stamford Bridge, Ashley Cole is upended by Arsenal goalkeeper Sczezeny when bearing down on goal. Replays show covering defenders coming back, but if Cole had remained on his feet, he might well have got a quick shot away. Result from Andre Marriner was a yellow card and a free-kick, from which nothing resulted. Sczezeny admitted on Twitter that evening he was surprised to remain on the pitch, at that time I believe the score was 3-2 to Arsenal, who eventually won 5-3 with a full quota of playing personal.
The inconsistency remains; but ultimately it is down to how to manage the players and control the high tempo, high intensity game of football. Foy felt that the indiscipline of Chelsea was probably getting out of hand; yet Didier Drogba's two footed lunge at Adel Taarabt left him no option but to dismiss. Marriner had the option and refused it, feeling that there was a covering defender, yet how can there be if the last defender on this occasion is the goalkeeper - theoretically the last man possible.
Following, Vincent Kompany's sending off at Manchester City on Saturday, word has come out that from next season such a challenge when he fouled/pulled Kevin Doyle to the floor will not be a red card offence - instead a yellow card and penalty will be sufficient punishment. Yet a challenge like that by Sczezeny will still be a red card due to the recklessness of it - red card and a suspension. The feeling being that Kompany and his team is being punished three times - dismissal, penalty and suspension.
Again, this means it is down to the interpretation of the individual official, I think the wording of denial of a clear goal scoring opportunity is clear and most often (unless your Phil Dowd at Anfield this year) the referees call it correctly.
This will only lead to more inconsistency of decisions, but that is the point of this piece, it only goes to highlight the decisions will never be 100% spot on because nobody is perfect, and it will depend on the individual, the players, the game, the pressure and intensity of each and every match.
Monday, 26 September 2011
No Surprises for Man City
Following on from their first dropped points at Craven Cottage last week, when throwing away a 2-0 lead at Fulham last week, the first team needed to come back with a win as the minimum requirement at home to Everton.
The foibles of the Premier League and the power of television in terms of scheduling means it will be rare that both Manchester clubs play at the same time on the same day, save it when they play each other. So City this week got the benefit of going out there knowing that if they win they will be top for all of four hours. Luckily, their city rivals United lost their first points of the season at Stoke City in the evening game meaning that there is a tie at the top of the table after six games. City will feel a bit chirpier, United a little worried.
But should United feel bad about dropping points at Stoke City, a place that is becoming harder and harder to leave with a win. Liverpool lost there already and Chelsea were lucky to escape with all three points. Yet Stoke have built up the Britannia as a fortress that has solidified their Premier League status.
Manchester City were playing Everton on Saturday lunchtime. Now Everton are becoming a strange anamoly as a team who win games without a noted striker on the teamsheet. A few years ago, as a matter of necessity following a bunch of injuries Tim Cahill was employed in the lone striker role. Cahill was again employed in that familiar role for himself, but Louis Saha stews on the bench begging to start.
The need for Cahill playing up front lonesome, was so Everton manager, David Moyes could flood the midfield and disrupt the flow of City's forward momentum. Yet this sort of tactic needs a more clear cut gameplan, on this occasion Everton did not intend to make shooting opportunities and instead sit back and attempt to not lose the match. However, no team can withstand an onslaught of attacking prowess for 90 minutes or a slightly skewed referreing performance that favoured the home side and their millions.
Some critics are indicating that Manchester City's eventual 2-0 win thanks to goals from substitutes Mario Balotelli and James Milner (his first for the club) meant that City had passed a test or an obstacle on their way to Premier League glory. However, when a team sets up like Everton did against a star-studded team it asks for trouble. Yes it is negative and yes it is in some ways anti-football, but Manchester City have far too much talent to overtake a stubborn Everton defence.
The removal of Aguero for the goalscorer Balotelli, was not a risky strategy is was Mancini having one eye on the Champions League encounter versus Bayern Munich on Tuesday night and he is nursing Balotelli very well. He scored in midweek against Birmingham City in the Carling Cup, that sort of goal can do wonders for a lost soul such as the young Italian; albeit a goal that took a huge deflection off the lunging Phil Jagielka that Tim Howard (always excellent) could do nothing to prevent.
The bench of City in comparison to Everton's was a huge difference. If Mancini, did not want to use Balotelli he could always use Tevez.
For Manchester City to win the Premier League they need to not drop points at home and have as few surprises as possible; they need to win games like this against teams that simply do not match up against them. The odd points dropped away from home at Fulham and Stoke will not hurt any team nor damage title credentials.
Credit will be given to City once they start going to Stamford Bridge, Emirates, Old Trafford and Anfield and win convincingly - winning a lunchtime game against a striker-less Everton will never set the world alight. It should not even bother wasting the matches.
The foibles of the Premier League and the power of television in terms of scheduling means it will be rare that both Manchester clubs play at the same time on the same day, save it when they play each other. So City this week got the benefit of going out there knowing that if they win they will be top for all of four hours. Luckily, their city rivals United lost their first points of the season at Stoke City in the evening game meaning that there is a tie at the top of the table after six games. City will feel a bit chirpier, United a little worried.
But should United feel bad about dropping points at Stoke City, a place that is becoming harder and harder to leave with a win. Liverpool lost there already and Chelsea were lucky to escape with all three points. Yet Stoke have built up the Britannia as a fortress that has solidified their Premier League status.
Manchester City were playing Everton on Saturday lunchtime. Now Everton are becoming a strange anamoly as a team who win games without a noted striker on the teamsheet. A few years ago, as a matter of necessity following a bunch of injuries Tim Cahill was employed in the lone striker role. Cahill was again employed in that familiar role for himself, but Louis Saha stews on the bench begging to start.
The need for Cahill playing up front lonesome, was so Everton manager, David Moyes could flood the midfield and disrupt the flow of City's forward momentum. Yet this sort of tactic needs a more clear cut gameplan, on this occasion Everton did not intend to make shooting opportunities and instead sit back and attempt to not lose the match. However, no team can withstand an onslaught of attacking prowess for 90 minutes or a slightly skewed referreing performance that favoured the home side and their millions.
Some critics are indicating that Manchester City's eventual 2-0 win thanks to goals from substitutes Mario Balotelli and James Milner (his first for the club) meant that City had passed a test or an obstacle on their way to Premier League glory. However, when a team sets up like Everton did against a star-studded team it asks for trouble. Yes it is negative and yes it is in some ways anti-football, but Manchester City have far too much talent to overtake a stubborn Everton defence.
The removal of Aguero for the goalscorer Balotelli, was not a risky strategy is was Mancini having one eye on the Champions League encounter versus Bayern Munich on Tuesday night and he is nursing Balotelli very well. He scored in midweek against Birmingham City in the Carling Cup, that sort of goal can do wonders for a lost soul such as the young Italian; albeit a goal that took a huge deflection off the lunging Phil Jagielka that Tim Howard (always excellent) could do nothing to prevent.
The bench of City in comparison to Everton's was a huge difference. If Mancini, did not want to use Balotelli he could always use Tevez.
For Manchester City to win the Premier League they need to not drop points at home and have as few surprises as possible; they need to win games like this against teams that simply do not match up against them. The odd points dropped away from home at Fulham and Stoke will not hurt any team nor damage title credentials.
Credit will be given to City once they start going to Stamford Bridge, Emirates, Old Trafford and Anfield and win convincingly - winning a lunchtime game against a striker-less Everton will never set the world alight. It should not even bother wasting the matches.
Thursday, 15 September 2011
UCL: Where Complacency meets Inferiority
The Champions League proper is back, following the thrills and spills of Arsenal nearly succumbing to Udinese - the group stage and the smorgasborg of 16 games over 2 nights featuring the stars of world and European football. However, whereas the Champions League was a unique idea when it originated in 1992/93, now we have a mish-mash of superior teams mixed with teams who although champions they are not up to standard.
And due to the UEFA co-efficients and rankings and pot seedings, you get some dynamic groups. You need only look at Manchester City's group of death with Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal and then compare it with their city neighbour's snore-fest of Benfica, Basle and Gelati (of Romania, if you did not know).
United are far and away the strongest English side with the largest depth available and yet Alex Ferguson had some problems following an international week and a PL fixture on Saturday evening. He made numerous changes, gave David de Gea a much needed 'rest', Ashley Young is tired and he is still without his trusted central defensive pairing of Ferdinand and Vidic.
United played a 4-3-3 of Lindegaard; Rafael, Evans, Smalling, Evra; Valencia,Fletcher, Carrick; Park, Giggs,Rooney. This side was deceptive, by flooding the midfield and picking Fletcher and Carrick, Ferguson hoped to nullify the emotional Benfica side that would be propelled by the passionate home support. Giggs played off of Rooney who was very much mute all evening, Valencia rarely ventured forward and posed an attacking threat, whilst Park had to do a lot more defending than envisaged.
The team smacked of negativity, and yet Ferguson will believe he got a lot out of the game. Players gained match minutes and if injuries do not clear then they can be called upon for the Chelsea game on Sunday, yet he must have a few questions. What kind of statement does this performance give to the rest of Europe? Contemporaries Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were both away from home and were dominant against lesser opposition, the difference being those two teams have harder groups. United should top their group and will do with 3 home wins; and oddly the Champions League offers Ferguson a chance to utilise his squad options yet but for the weak finishing of Benfica's Nolito in the closing stages the campaign might have gotten off to the worst start.
This complacency might haunt several teams, as it did Barcelona on Tuesday night when they did all the hard work against AC Milan coming back from a goal down to lead 2-1 gain 75% possession and yet concede a late set-piece goal which could be the difference between topping the group and coming second. Barcelona have injury issues themselves - the first choice centre backs Pique and Puyol were out so Guardiola employed Mascherano and Busquets in central defence, and this lack of cohesion led to Alexandre Pato scoring after just 30 seconds. Possession led to dominance and Barca had the lead after 50 minutes, yet they could not find the crucial third, as long as the score remained a goal difference Milan must have believed in one more chance. It arrived in injury time from a corner by Seedorf met by Thiago Silva whose bullet header flew past Valdes who had the whole goal to protect with no markers on the goalposts. That to me smacks of complacency, the last minute at home and you don't defend as if it is your last, The header went to the far post the most obvious post to cover from this specific set-piece.
Luckily, Barca and AC Milan are in a weak group with Bate and Plzen (yep, me neither) providing little opposition to these superior powers.
And that is the problem with the UCL, the group stage is deliberate in keeping all the super-powers apart until the knockout stages in February begin allowing them all a thick slice of television money. Unfortunately, certain big times may not actually start playing their strongest sides until they meet a team they believe to be their equal.
And due to the UEFA co-efficients and rankings and pot seedings, you get some dynamic groups. You need only look at Manchester City's group of death with Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal and then compare it with their city neighbour's snore-fest of Benfica, Basle and Gelati (of Romania, if you did not know).
United are far and away the strongest English side with the largest depth available and yet Alex Ferguson had some problems following an international week and a PL fixture on Saturday evening. He made numerous changes, gave David de Gea a much needed 'rest', Ashley Young is tired and he is still without his trusted central defensive pairing of Ferdinand and Vidic.
United played a 4-3-3 of Lindegaard; Rafael, Evans, Smalling, Evra; Valencia,Fletcher, Carrick; Park, Giggs,Rooney. This side was deceptive, by flooding the midfield and picking Fletcher and Carrick, Ferguson hoped to nullify the emotional Benfica side that would be propelled by the passionate home support. Giggs played off of Rooney who was very much mute all evening, Valencia rarely ventured forward and posed an attacking threat, whilst Park had to do a lot more defending than envisaged.
The team smacked of negativity, and yet Ferguson will believe he got a lot out of the game. Players gained match minutes and if injuries do not clear then they can be called upon for the Chelsea game on Sunday, yet he must have a few questions. What kind of statement does this performance give to the rest of Europe? Contemporaries Bayern Munich and Real Madrid were both away from home and were dominant against lesser opposition, the difference being those two teams have harder groups. United should top their group and will do with 3 home wins; and oddly the Champions League offers Ferguson a chance to utilise his squad options yet but for the weak finishing of Benfica's Nolito in the closing stages the campaign might have gotten off to the worst start.
This complacency might haunt several teams, as it did Barcelona on Tuesday night when they did all the hard work against AC Milan coming back from a goal down to lead 2-1 gain 75% possession and yet concede a late set-piece goal which could be the difference between topping the group and coming second. Barcelona have injury issues themselves - the first choice centre backs Pique and Puyol were out so Guardiola employed Mascherano and Busquets in central defence, and this lack of cohesion led to Alexandre Pato scoring after just 30 seconds. Possession led to dominance and Barca had the lead after 50 minutes, yet they could not find the crucial third, as long as the score remained a goal difference Milan must have believed in one more chance. It arrived in injury time from a corner by Seedorf met by Thiago Silva whose bullet header flew past Valdes who had the whole goal to protect with no markers on the goalposts. That to me smacks of complacency, the last minute at home and you don't defend as if it is your last, The header went to the far post the most obvious post to cover from this specific set-piece.
Luckily, Barca and AC Milan are in a weak group with Bate and Plzen (yep, me neither) providing little opposition to these superior powers.
And that is the problem with the UCL, the group stage is deliberate in keeping all the super-powers apart until the knockout stages in February begin allowing them all a thick slice of television money. Unfortunately, certain big times may not actually start playing their strongest sides until they meet a team they believe to be their equal.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Premier League 2011/12 Review - Week#2 - Tuesday 23rd August
Week 2 of the Premier League will be remembered as one where the wheels came off at Arsenal, and the two Manchester clubs laid down markers for the season.
Firstly, lets start with the bad news at the Emirates. Arsenal lost 2-0 at home to a cohesive Liverpool side, admittedly it took the needless sending off of Frimpong (two in two for Arsenal on that front) and the introduction of Luis Suarez to inject something into the rain-soaked affair. Suarez's intervention led to Aaron Ramsey putting through his own net, though a clearance ricocheting off his chest over the stranded Sczezeny can be construed as unlucky, and then Suarez tapped in the sealer in injury time.
Before that Arsenal looked limp in attack - devoid of creation and impetus. The encouraging aspect was that Frimpong was the best player before his dismissal, but the constant ill discipline (81 players sent off in the Wenger era) coupled with absentism through injury of vital players such as Wilshere, means that Arsenal have started the season with no continuity and no formula for success. Along with the uncomfortable saga of Samir Nasri's move to Man.City and you have an anguished Wenger on the sidelines cluthcing at straws putting a team together as best he can.
And all this before a vital Champions League play-off game on Wednesday night in Italy against Udinese, where Arsenal hold a tentative one-nil lead - though Udinese showed enough combative effort to make sure that the second leg will not be easy. Arsenal may well score, but the lack of Wilshere travelling means Wenger may force City's bluff and play Nasri rendering him cup-tied for the season in that competition.
Man.City kept up there 100% record beating Bolton 3-2 at the Reebok thanks to goals from David Silva, Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko.
Silva was inspirational, whilst Agureo looked a little off the pace in his first start - later to be substituted by Tevez in a like for like situation. Dzeko led the front well and relishes the prospect of having two people behind him feeding balls to him, and he took the third goal well.
However, it is in defence where the questions will be asked. Kompany and Lescott could not handle the imposing presence of Kevin Davies, who scored Bolton's second with a header simply by outjumping Lescott.
If Mancini, has the belief that they can outscore every team then they probably are capable but teams will ask more questions of their defence than Bolton did, and last year's incarnation of City would probably have dropped points.
As for Man.Utd, they joined their neighbours and Wolves as the only teams who are perfect. United continued their impressive PL record at home against Spurs, not losing at home to them since 1989 when Gary Lineker scored a winner. Gazza did not cry until 1990, now he cries all the time, thats how long ago Spurs last won at Old Trafford.
Spurs, playing there first league game of the season, following the postponement of their home game to Everton following the civil unrest in the area looked a bit of the pace by the end of the game, but for an hour more than held their own against the Champions. Good in possession, creating chances and with Van der Vaart employing a shoot on sight policy against the ropey David de Gea, Tottenham looked good for a point. Until the hour mark when a cross from the ever stable Tom Cleverley was met by the head of Danny Welbeck who again started with Rooney.
After that, the wind fell out of Tottenham and the fight left them and United with the lead and the superiority and a typical boisterous crowd roaring them on, had the wind in their sails. And it was scary at how good United looked, the last half hour was a passage of irresistible passing and movement, never more apparent than the second goal when Welbeck in a one-two with scorer, Anderson, backheeled to the Brazilian who had an easy task of scoring past Brad Friedel, who was impressive in goal on his Spurs' debut and was blameless for any of the goals.
Jermain Defoe hit the post on 88 minutes, and that might have made it interesting but the introduction of a trifecta subs of Hernandez, Park and youngster Giggs meant United could keep possession of the ball and Giggs duly teed up Rooney for the third with a well-placed header.
City may be going to plan at the moment, but United worryingly look a better side at this stage with a stronger squad this season compared to last year's Champions League finalists. With Vidic and Ferdinand injured, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans did an admirable job and maintained a clean sheet, no matter how many times De Gea fumbled the ball - Cleverley is growing slowly in stature, Ashley Young is offering something different on the wing and Welbeck's loan spell at Sunderland has paid dividends as he looks stronger and hungry to impress up front this season. And Fergie has Chicarito and Berbatov available on the bench, and he could still add to the squad with nine days left of the transfer window.
United were my prediction for the title and so far (apart from that worrying keeper) they remain the favourites in that degree.
Firstly, lets start with the bad news at the Emirates. Arsenal lost 2-0 at home to a cohesive Liverpool side, admittedly it took the needless sending off of Frimpong (two in two for Arsenal on that front) and the introduction of Luis Suarez to inject something into the rain-soaked affair. Suarez's intervention led to Aaron Ramsey putting through his own net, though a clearance ricocheting off his chest over the stranded Sczezeny can be construed as unlucky, and then Suarez tapped in the sealer in injury time.
Before that Arsenal looked limp in attack - devoid of creation and impetus. The encouraging aspect was that Frimpong was the best player before his dismissal, but the constant ill discipline (81 players sent off in the Wenger era) coupled with absentism through injury of vital players such as Wilshere, means that Arsenal have started the season with no continuity and no formula for success. Along with the uncomfortable saga of Samir Nasri's move to Man.City and you have an anguished Wenger on the sidelines cluthcing at straws putting a team together as best he can.
And all this before a vital Champions League play-off game on Wednesday night in Italy against Udinese, where Arsenal hold a tentative one-nil lead - though Udinese showed enough combative effort to make sure that the second leg will not be easy. Arsenal may well score, but the lack of Wilshere travelling means Wenger may force City's bluff and play Nasri rendering him cup-tied for the season in that competition.
Man.City kept up there 100% record beating Bolton 3-2 at the Reebok thanks to goals from David Silva, Gareth Barry and Edin Dzeko.
Silva was inspirational, whilst Agureo looked a little off the pace in his first start - later to be substituted by Tevez in a like for like situation. Dzeko led the front well and relishes the prospect of having two people behind him feeding balls to him, and he took the third goal well.
However, it is in defence where the questions will be asked. Kompany and Lescott could not handle the imposing presence of Kevin Davies, who scored Bolton's second with a header simply by outjumping Lescott.
If Mancini, has the belief that they can outscore every team then they probably are capable but teams will ask more questions of their defence than Bolton did, and last year's incarnation of City would probably have dropped points.
As for Man.Utd, they joined their neighbours and Wolves as the only teams who are perfect. United continued their impressive PL record at home against Spurs, not losing at home to them since 1989 when Gary Lineker scored a winner. Gazza did not cry until 1990, now he cries all the time, thats how long ago Spurs last won at Old Trafford.
Spurs, playing there first league game of the season, following the postponement of their home game to Everton following the civil unrest in the area looked a bit of the pace by the end of the game, but for an hour more than held their own against the Champions. Good in possession, creating chances and with Van der Vaart employing a shoot on sight policy against the ropey David de Gea, Tottenham looked good for a point. Until the hour mark when a cross from the ever stable Tom Cleverley was met by the head of Danny Welbeck who again started with Rooney.
After that, the wind fell out of Tottenham and the fight left them and United with the lead and the superiority and a typical boisterous crowd roaring them on, had the wind in their sails. And it was scary at how good United looked, the last half hour was a passage of irresistible passing and movement, never more apparent than the second goal when Welbeck in a one-two with scorer, Anderson, backheeled to the Brazilian who had an easy task of scoring past Brad Friedel, who was impressive in goal on his Spurs' debut and was blameless for any of the goals.
Jermain Defoe hit the post on 88 minutes, and that might have made it interesting but the introduction of a trifecta subs of Hernandez, Park and youngster Giggs meant United could keep possession of the ball and Giggs duly teed up Rooney for the third with a well-placed header.
City may be going to plan at the moment, but United worryingly look a better side at this stage with a stronger squad this season compared to last year's Champions League finalists. With Vidic and Ferdinand injured, Phil Jones and Jonny Evans did an admirable job and maintained a clean sheet, no matter how many times De Gea fumbled the ball - Cleverley is growing slowly in stature, Ashley Young is offering something different on the wing and Welbeck's loan spell at Sunderland has paid dividends as he looks stronger and hungry to impress up front this season. And Fergie has Chicarito and Berbatov available on the bench, and he could still add to the squad with nine days left of the transfer window.
United were my prediction for the title and so far (apart from that worrying keeper) they remain the favourites in that degree.
Monday, 15 August 2011
Premier League Review - 15th August 2011
And we are off. The 20th Premier League season has begun, with less fanfare than recent years. Perhaps it is because it has not come on the back of another dismal international campaign by our ever failing national team. The constant rumours of transfer dealings occuring between London and Barcelona, and Manchester and Milan or Argentina seems to have taken most of the headlines.
However, Manchester now holds two title contenders with one still firmly set in the west of London. With two more in the northern territory of the capital with a sleeping giant of Liverpool attempting to waken from a season of slumber of last year. Liverpool aim to recapture glory by splashing out, all for the guarantee of the treasured fourth place. Seemingly, the season looks like a three-horse race for the title with three gunning for one place.
Arsenal gained 4th place and yet with the departure now of club captain, Cesc Fabregas to his beloved Barcelona, the future seems uncertain at the Emirates. The talisman has gone, leaving two teenagers to protect a midfield. The opportunity for Liverpool or Tottenham to snatch fourth is there.
I predicted a top 4 of United, Chelsea, City and Liverpool, if Fabregas was sold. Now I look assured in my selection.
As for the first weekend of action, well following on from the thrilling Community Shield at Wembley last week goals were hard to come by for the most exciting league in the world.
The most goals came at Loftus Road for the returning Queens Park Rangers, who were dealt a harsh lesson, being virtually abused by Bolton who ran out 4-0 victors with goals from Gary Cahill, Ivan Klasnic, Federic Mulumbu and an own goal. QPR will have to get to grips quickly, and use Bolton as a model of stability and continuity to succeed in the division.
Wolves who survived by three minutes on the last day last season, ran out 2-1 victors away at Blackburn who look like they may encounter problems due to a lack of potency up front. Whilst Wolves look stable, have talent and in signing Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham have got their own talisman.
Liverpool for all their money and new faces ran out of steam at home to Sunderland in a 1-1 draw. For the first half they were irresistible, with Adam spreading play and Downing finding woodwork on dazzling run. Yet Sunderland, who themselves have splashed out this summer, found an equaliser from Seb Larsson a steal from Birmingham. Both sides need time to gel with the new faces, Liverpool need immediate results whilst Sunderland can have a chance at a Europa League place on either league finish or cup run.
Fulham and Villa cancelled each other out at Craven Cottage, expect more from both sides especially the attacking nature of Martin Jol's side.
At Newcastle, in another goalless draw, Arsenal seemed to have the same problems in any season. All flair and technical prowess with no finishing touch. The Gunners had enough possession to dominate but chances went begging and the loss of Gervinho for raising his hands to Joey Barton did not do any favours. Newcastle have Barton who provides passion, but without Kevin Nolan (West Ham) and Jose Enrique (Liverpool), plus the loss of Andy Carroll it could be a long haul on Tyneside.
Andre Vilas-Boas' first game for Chelsea at Stoke was largely forgettable, but for some penalty appeals. Typically physical at the Britannia, Fernando Torres found some form but no final quality, but AVB will have the familiar problem of attempting to keep Torres, Anelka and Drogba all happy. The 4-3-3 formation with Torres leading Malouda and Ramires of him. Stoke again are a sum of all their parts but with a back four that include Upson, Woodgate, Shawcross and Huth it looks formidable.
The champions returned at the Hawthorns, where last season they had their worst performance and prompted Gary Neville's retirement, on this occasion they ran out 2-1 victors thanks to the work of Ashley Young who set up Wayne Rooney for the first and then his dribble and pass led to the own goal of the winner. Although new goalkeeper, David de Gea again fluffed his lines in conceded WBA's equaliser, though for a young man to come to a new culture he has still a lot of adjusting and this will come in time. Otherwise, the movement and passing of United led by the growing maturity of Tom Cleverley in midfield means Alex Ferguson finally has the youth coming through and in Young and De Gea the notable signings to match the demands. But for their awful away form last year, they would have won the title at a canter. Last year's team would have drawn yesterday, today's team won, albeit somehow, which shows why they are the team to beat.
Tonight, Manchester City host Swansea City at the City of Manchester Stadium. United have laid down a marker, can City reply and with Sergio Aguero not likely to feature the reliance will be on Balotelli and Dzeko to lead from the front.
However, Manchester now holds two title contenders with one still firmly set in the west of London. With two more in the northern territory of the capital with a sleeping giant of Liverpool attempting to waken from a season of slumber of last year. Liverpool aim to recapture glory by splashing out, all for the guarantee of the treasured fourth place. Seemingly, the season looks like a three-horse race for the title with three gunning for one place.
Arsenal gained 4th place and yet with the departure now of club captain, Cesc Fabregas to his beloved Barcelona, the future seems uncertain at the Emirates. The talisman has gone, leaving two teenagers to protect a midfield. The opportunity for Liverpool or Tottenham to snatch fourth is there.
I predicted a top 4 of United, Chelsea, City and Liverpool, if Fabregas was sold. Now I look assured in my selection.
As for the first weekend of action, well following on from the thrilling Community Shield at Wembley last week goals were hard to come by for the most exciting league in the world.
The most goals came at Loftus Road for the returning Queens Park Rangers, who were dealt a harsh lesson, being virtually abused by Bolton who ran out 4-0 victors with goals from Gary Cahill, Ivan Klasnic, Federic Mulumbu and an own goal. QPR will have to get to grips quickly, and use Bolton as a model of stability and continuity to succeed in the division.
Wolves who survived by three minutes on the last day last season, ran out 2-1 victors away at Blackburn who look like they may encounter problems due to a lack of potency up front. Whilst Wolves look stable, have talent and in signing Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham have got their own talisman.
Liverpool for all their money and new faces ran out of steam at home to Sunderland in a 1-1 draw. For the first half they were irresistible, with Adam spreading play and Downing finding woodwork on dazzling run. Yet Sunderland, who themselves have splashed out this summer, found an equaliser from Seb Larsson a steal from Birmingham. Both sides need time to gel with the new faces, Liverpool need immediate results whilst Sunderland can have a chance at a Europa League place on either league finish or cup run.
Fulham and Villa cancelled each other out at Craven Cottage, expect more from both sides especially the attacking nature of Martin Jol's side.
At Newcastle, in another goalless draw, Arsenal seemed to have the same problems in any season. All flair and technical prowess with no finishing touch. The Gunners had enough possession to dominate but chances went begging and the loss of Gervinho for raising his hands to Joey Barton did not do any favours. Newcastle have Barton who provides passion, but without Kevin Nolan (West Ham) and Jose Enrique (Liverpool), plus the loss of Andy Carroll it could be a long haul on Tyneside.
Andre Vilas-Boas' first game for Chelsea at Stoke was largely forgettable, but for some penalty appeals. Typically physical at the Britannia, Fernando Torres found some form but no final quality, but AVB will have the familiar problem of attempting to keep Torres, Anelka and Drogba all happy. The 4-3-3 formation with Torres leading Malouda and Ramires of him. Stoke again are a sum of all their parts but with a back four that include Upson, Woodgate, Shawcross and Huth it looks formidable.
The champions returned at the Hawthorns, where last season they had their worst performance and prompted Gary Neville's retirement, on this occasion they ran out 2-1 victors thanks to the work of Ashley Young who set up Wayne Rooney for the first and then his dribble and pass led to the own goal of the winner. Although new goalkeeper, David de Gea again fluffed his lines in conceded WBA's equaliser, though for a young man to come to a new culture he has still a lot of adjusting and this will come in time. Otherwise, the movement and passing of United led by the growing maturity of Tom Cleverley in midfield means Alex Ferguson finally has the youth coming through and in Young and De Gea the notable signings to match the demands. But for their awful away form last year, they would have won the title at a canter. Last year's team would have drawn yesterday, today's team won, albeit somehow, which shows why they are the team to beat.
Tonight, Manchester City host Swansea City at the City of Manchester Stadium. United have laid down a marker, can City reply and with Sergio Aguero not likely to feature the reliance will be on Balotelli and Dzeko to lead from the front.
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