Irons on Song

In this edition of Football Weekly, we focus on events at Upton Park as champions Manchester City had to face a new attacking, all action West Ham, a shadow of the side that City humiliated in a 7-0 aggregate whitewash in the Capital One Cup semi-final.  City were also a shadow of the side that dealt out the hammering and needed maximum points with Chelsea setting an extraordinary pace at the top.  But, West Ham are a very different team this season with Big Sam showing more flair and pace in his team which proved to be a real test for City.  Also, the Capital One Cup saw teams try and reach the Quarter-Finals, just two games from Wembley.  Could Bournemouth, Shrewsbury or Brighton cause cup upsets and replicate past fairy tale runs in the competition?

Premier League

At Upton Park, or the Boleyn Ground, West Ham proved to throw another thorn in the season of Manchester City.  West Ham had surprised many so far this season with their shrewd summer signings and new attacking philosophy.  Big Sam's new system has seen a more fluid style with the emergence in form of Stewart Downing.  Downing plays at the point of a midfield diamond and supplies star strikers Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho.  Sakho is relatively unknown by had scored in 6 successive games before the clash on Saturday.  I've been really impressed with the front two, they link very well and are both quick, powerful forwards with a very good eye for goal.  Yet, the main man for West Ham has been ex-Arsenal engine Alex Song.  Song is West Ham's midfield lynch-pin and holds everything together.  He has been a revelation since returning and has brought solidarity and order to West Ham's team, something a team like Arsenal could do with!  West Ham have a formidable team these days and seem to be far away from a season of struggle, but surely are not in contention for a European place?  I suppose stranger things have happened!

To the game, City could feel unlucky coming away with nothing, after all they hammered at West Ham's but couldn't break the resilient Irons enough.  West Ham were sensational never the least.  They were energetic, powerful and more importantly, clinical.  City couldn't cope with the home sides dominance in the air with Valencia and Sakho.  City were probing but not severely troubling Adrian in goal up to West Ham's opener with David Silva frustrated on the wing.  It was indeed Valencia who set it up, as he latched onto Song's excellent pass to tee up Morgan Amalfitano to score, although Valencia was busy jumping into the away fans after using his after burners.  City wasted numerous chances after this, Sergio Aguero the main culprit.  Aguero's touch let him down on one occasion, Adrian thwarted him next then he hit the bar from six yards out.  Saying this, he could of been sent off for a horrendous stamp on Mark Noble.  Vincent Kompany could of also seen red in the second half but that didn't come to haunt the Hammers.  As ever during the game, Sakho and Valencia were winning every duel against Eliequem Mangala and Kompany, it was Sakho who benefited this time.  The full backs for West Ham have been exceptional with their service this season for the front two, with Aaron Cresswell the architect this time as his wonderful delivery was dispatched by Sakho with the the help of goal-line technology.  Seven goals in seven games shows how well it's going for Sakho and Big Sam.  They did ride their luck at the other end though as Yaya Toure this time hit the bar.  David Silva was causing havoc in the second half in a central role and got City a consolation with a beautifully bent shot into the corner.  But that was all they took from this as West Ham moved up to 4th!  City waited for Chelsea's result at Old Trafford but were now at least five points off Chelsea with Jose's men proving unstoppable.  West Ham could celebrate a third straight win as Big Sam had his men playing a new 'Song' this season.  

At Old Trafford, it was a late controversial moment that proved to be the story of the game.  Chelsea had rode a uneasy first half with Robin Van Persie and Marouane Fellaini being nuisances for Chelsea to deal with.  A trademark Didier Drogba header looked like continuing Chelsea's superb form in the league and hand out Manchester United's rearguard another setback.  Yet, Phil Dowd gave United one last glimmer when he gave them a free kick in advanced territory, whilst also sending off Branislav Ivanovic.  I personally thought it was harsh to send him off and even the free kick was a soft decision.  And so, United went on to make it even more sour for Chelsea as Van Persie lashed home after Thibaurt Courtois parried away Fellaini's header.  A moment that could be haunting come May for Mourinho's men, but they still look unassailable at the summit.

The Rest

Burnely 1-3 Everton

Liverpool 0-0 Hull City

QPR 2-0 Aston Villa

Southampton 1-0 Stoke City

Spurs 1-2 Newcastle United

Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal

Swansea City 2-0 Leicester City

West Brom 2-2 Crystal Palace

Capital One Cup

Fairy tales are true, just look at this competition.  Bradford in 2012 saw off everyone to reach the final, despite having a thumping at Wembley and last year Sunderland defied all critics to nearly topple Manchester City at Wembley.  This season, Bournemouth could be the next romantic novel.  They have had a unprecedented rise from the brink of bankruptcy in League 2 to promotion chasing in the Championship and a first ever cup quarter-final.  They saw off top flight West Brom with hotshot Callum Wilson the match winner.  Chelsea ended the brave run of Shrewsbury with a professional 2-1 win led by legend Didier Drogba.  Spurs and Liverpool made their way through in the end with unconvincing home wins whilst Derby came from 2-0 down to hammer Fulham at Craven Cottage 5-2.  Southampton are having an unbelievable season, typified by the form of Graziano Pelle.  His brace, a beautiful long range curler and a poacher's tap in sending the Saints to new heights.  But, it was Alan Pardew who continued to turn his reputation around with a magnificent win at City.  A 2-0 win and a performance showing the dreary form of the holders who now have to focus on a local derby, desperate not to have added misery heaped on them.  If I had to pick a winner it'd be Chelsea but as we've seen, anything can happen in the Capital One Cup.

Goal of the Week

This week's winner is not the usual individual wonder strike.  It's nice to see a team move the ball around quickly and decisively and score a well crafted team goal, that's why I've chosen Wilfried Bony's first against Leicester:

Signing off- sjt

Saints leave Sunderland in Hell

During the International break, it seems an eternity of a wait for football fans before club football returns, when it eventually did, it didn't disappoint.  The Premier League was action packed with some stand out performances, some for the wrong reasons.  The focus this week is on St Mary's as high-flyers Southampton hosted Sunderland who picked up their first win last time out.  I expected to see a tight affair as Sunderland showed last season they can match the big teams and up their game when they need to.  Southampton have exceeded nearly everyone's expectations, certainly mine, they had wholesale in the summer but have seemed to not only replace them but somewhat improve on last season's heroics.  What followed was beyond what anyone could've predicted, well maybe everyone except Ronald Koeman.  The Champions League was also back this week as the English teams fate in the competition took shape.

Premier League

As Southampton went into this encounter, they had already started exceptionally.  Unbeaten at home, with a 4-0 win over Newcastle the stand out performance.  New signings have embedded brilliantly and already shining in the Premier League, especially top scorer Graziano Pelle and assist assassin Dusan Tadic, both imports from Koeman's home of Holland.  Sunderland have been busy spenders in the last few transfer markets, but their signings have not hit the ground running like the Saints'.  Jozy Altidore, Emmanuele Giaccherini, Jack Rodwell, Sebastien Coates and Santiago Vergini have been notable players to not fully immerse themselves in the Premier League. 

Southampton have a new manager and new squad but still play the same free-flowing, attractive and attacking football.  Today happened to be the day where everything went right, or in Sunderland's case, wrong.  Southampton are one of those teams that rarely let teams get back in games once they hit the front, but Sunderland didn't seem to even try and do that, this was emphasised by the somewhat bizarre or extraordinary own goal from the right boot of Vergini.  Sunderland carelessly lost the ball in midfield, a trend that followed for the rest of the game.  Morgan Schneiderlin latched onto Pelle's flick, Wes Brown blocked the Frenchman's run and the ball looped up and straight to Vergini who unbelievably volleyed the ball past Vito Mannone into the net.  To be fair to Vergini, it was a great finish, one Gus Poyet would be proud of in any other situation other than it resulting in an own goal.  The second was not technically as superb as Vergini's but, just purely farcical for Sunderland.  Will Buckley had time to get the ball away, as he tried to find Sebastian Larsson, he turned around and had the ball ricochet off his heel as Steven Davis ran past a couple of defenders and squared for their main man Pelle.  2-0, careless and abysmal defending from the visitors, after 18 minutes, they were out of sight.  Southampton showed the best of their abilities for their 3rd goal.  Jack Cork started the move, Pelle held it up and brilliantly picked out Tadic.  Tadic tricked with the defence and picked out Cork who slid in his first of the season, 3-0, game over already.  In the second half, Sunderland were merely lambs to the slaughter, Liam Bridcutt was unfortunate to run into a saved Pelle shot.  Any teams that use the 'International commitment' excuse for results can look at Southampton and immediately dismiss it for any other case.  Pelle, Tadic and Schneiderlin were amongst seven players to represent their country, yes seven of their match-day squad, five of them started with Tadic and Pelle looking as if they never went.  Pelle added to his ever-growing reputation with another, Tadic added to it after a howler from Mannone.  Victor Wanyama and Sadio Mane added off the bench to embarrass, humiliate and severely hurt Sunderland's fans, players and Gus Poyet.  It was an utter shambles from start to finish, inexcusable defending and quite frankly no work rate from the majority.  Sunderland took a step forward against Stoke City but now have taken at least five steps back.  Southampton though were exceptional.  Despite the awful defending, you cannot take anything away from the Saints who, at this time, are indeed in heaven. 


The Rest
Arsenal 2-2 Hull City
Burnley 1-3 West Ham United
Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea
Everton 3-0 Aston Villa
Manchester City 4-1 Spurs
Newcastle 1-0 Leicester City
QPR 2-3 Liverpool
Stoke 2-1 Swansea City
West Brom 2-2 Manchester United


Champions League

In Europe, it has been topsy-turvy so far for England's sides.  Chelsea and Arsenal are in good positions to get through as they won this past week.  Chelsea oozed quality and control in their 6-0 win over Maribor, exemplified by Eden Hazard's masterful second goal.  Arsenal got away with it in Belgium.  With 88 minutes gone, Arsenal were on the way to one of the most embarrassing European nights in recent times for an English side.  Anderlecht had hit the bar at 1-0 up and I proved costly, a fantastic volley from Kieran Gibbs and Lukas Podolski's close range finish turned it around on Arsene Wenger's birthday.  Liverpool were completely outclassed by defending champions Real Madrid.  Cristiano Ronaldo with the pick of the goals, but Mario Balotelli ended up making headlines for the wrong reasons, just ask Pepe who got Mario's shirt at half-time!!  Manchester City continued to flop as they blew a 2-0 lead in Russia and draw with CSKA Moscow, they must wait for a do or die clash in Rome for second place against AS Roma.


Goal of the Week (European Edition)

With the UEFA Champions League taken into account, there was one that stood out and if you've seen it, I doubt you could disagree.  Of course it's Mr.Ronaldo at Anfield:

Signing off- sjt

Brawl at the Bridge

Just before the International break, the Premier League showcased arguably the biggest game of the season so far, Chelsea vs Arsenal, Mourinho vs Wenger.  The build up was focused on the former Arsenal captain and now Chelsea's midfield conductor, Cesc Fabregas.  The man exiled from Barcelona in the summer had options of which he ended up at a club he vowed to never join when he left Arsenal, but we know that loyalty is rare in football.  According to many sources, Fabregas wanted to go to Arsenal but was 'not needed' at the team he left in 2011.  So, Cesc joining Chelsea was not that much of a surprise once that was known.  A side in a country and city he knows well, Champions League football guaranteed and challenges for major honours on all fronts.  As an Arsenal fan, I'm not bitter about Cesc going to Chelsea as, if it is true, we rejected him so you can't blame him for choosing the best option available to him.  Words mean very little in football as many have said, "I cannot see myself playing anywhere else in this country other than ______",  now see Frank Lampard is at Manchester City after swearing to never to play for another Premier League side.  This was made even sweeter when he scored against Chelsea last month.  I went into this game petrified of another mauling similar to this past March.  However, this time it was a far tighter affair with the game being decided by two moments of genius, unfortunately for me, both were from Chelsea.  What proved to be the main talking point though was on the touchline.

Premier League

After the March massacre for Arsene Wenger's 1000th game in charge, Arsenal fans will be pleased that their side at least held their own for the majority of a closely-fought match.  Arsenal set up much more organised and capably at the back and kept Chelsea's danger man Diego Costa quiet for nearly the whole game.  Jack Wilshere carried himself well during the game and was Arsenal's driving force.  But, it was not to be their day, Fabregas won it in midfield and fed Eden Hazard, who was still about 30 yards from goal.  Hazard burst into life and dribbled past red shirts at will before being taken down by Laurent Koscielny in the penalty box.  Some say it should've been red for Koscielny but the ref let it go and Hazard calmly picked himself up and passed it in the opposite corner to that of which Woijiech Szczesny dived to.  Arsenal though responded well and didn't crumble, in fact better touches from Alexis Sanchez and then Jack Wilshere could've seen Arsenal level.  Then came the talking point of the day, a dangerous and rash lunge by Gary Cahill on Sanchez sparked outrage from the Arsenal bench, particularly after a similar challenge from Felipe Melo that past week in the Champions League.  Wenger was heading over to the incident, whilst entering Jose Mouinho's technical box.  An altercation ensued and Wenger was told to leave by Mourinho as he blocked his path, Wenger pushed Mourinho to the clear shock of the Chelsea boss.  This seemed to effect Arsenal who were not as dangerous and Chelsea were in control of the second half.  Arsenal's Mesut Ozil was having a very bad day at the office, yet was not taken off, whilst Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere in particular were having impressive showings and were taken off.  Arsenal were then cut open by their former hero, Fabregas supplying Costa with an audacious pass and Costa duly lobbed Szczesny to wrap up the points, it happened to be the only moment Costa had in the whole game where Arsenal had let him through.  Arsenal's struggles in front of goal were clear as they failed to register an effort on target until Lukas Podolski tested Petr Cech in the 90th minute.  Chelsea marched on and seem unstoppable in their quest for a first trophy of Mourinho's second coming, whilst Arsenal try to continue through injury problems and the continuing issue of away days at the 'big boys'. 

Elsewhere, an inspired David De Gea won Manchester United three points against Everton with a string of sensational saves, including a save from Leighton Baines' penalty, the first miss of Baines' career.  Radamel Falcao grabbed his first United goal in a big win for United who now have to prepare for the bigger tests ahead.  Manchester City endured a tricky night at Villa Park as they struggled to break them down until a determined run and finish from Yaya Toure who has been trying to find the form which helped City on their way to a second league title.  Sergio Aguero wrapped up the win as City try to catch the runaway the pacesetters Chelsea.  Burnley left it late to pick up their first away points of the season with a dramatic 2-2 draw at Leicester.  Ross Wallace curled in a wonderful free kick in the 96th minute to rescue a point and put a bright spark on a struggling start to the season. 

The Rest
Hull 2-0 Crystal Palace
Liverpool 2-1 West Brom
Sunderland 3-1 Stoke City
Spurs 1-0 Southampton
Swansea City 2-2 Newcastle United
West Ham United 2-0 QPR



Goal of the Week
Despite it not being a personal favourite of mine, it is undoubtedly a beautifully worked goal and stands out from the rest.  This week the winner is Diego Costa's against Arsenal:(apologies for the commentary)

 

 

Signing off!

Looney Toons

After a shocking and surprising Premier League gameweek the weekend before last, this weekend just gone was more mellow.  Not the late drama of Frank Lampard's equaliser or the thrilling comeback at the King Power, yet still it was another entertaining weekend of football in England's top flight.  Meanwhile, the Champions League was into it's second match-day with the English sides looking to make better impressions after a frankly dismal opening match-day.

Premier League

It's safe to say that Newcastle United had not had the best start to the season.  Newcastle have been on a downward spiral since January of this year and pressure has been mounting week by week, defeat by defeat for Alan Pardew.  His side have not won a game yet this season after a summer of spending on even more foreign recruits.  Despite it not being the only reason for their spectacular dive in form, the loss of Yohan Cabaye has hit Newcastle hard and the men that have come in since have not lived up to expectations, like Emmanuel Riviere and Remy Cabella.  The fans have revolted and it'd be hard to find many Newcastle fans who are right behind Alan Pardew at the moment.  A 'sackpardew.com' has been advertised in the stands through leaflets and banners.  The Geordie faithful are not the easiest bunch to please and rightly have a standard they expect from their club, which they are far from after their most recent set back.  Stoke City on Monday was the latest defeat for the Toon Army to witness.  A trip to the Britannia is the tough for the best sides in the league never mind a side bottom of the league and wit unrest flowing through the club.  A Peter Crouch header was the difference but Newcastle were better than they have been in recent weeks.  There was more effort shown and a real danger going forward once Gabriel Obertan was introduced.  Obertan hasn't started for 18 months, but was arguably one their better players on the night and created the best chance which Jack Colback manage to somehow miss from six yards out.  Newcastle have not had a consistent goal scorer for a while either, Loic Remy missed a majority of last season through injury whilst Papiss Cisse has failed to ever recapture the form of when he first arrived at St James'.  There is indeed a lot of problems at the club which needs to be addressed.  Mike Ashley has never got rid of the cloud of uncertainty over his head after his takeover.  Relegation in 2009 caused a mutiny against him, yet since they have returned they have consistent in top half finishes under Chris Hughton and then Pardew.  But, now it seems Pardew may have ran his course and taken this team as far as he can, new personnel is needed on and off the pitch.

 

 

As for the rest of the Premier League fixtures it was routine wins in the end for Manchester City and Chelsea.  City's much tougher at a hard-working Hull City who came from 2-0 down to make it 2-2 at half time.  But Edin Dzeko delivered for Pellegrini's men who ended their three game winless run.  Chelsea coasted to a comfortable 3-0 win over Aston Villa with Diego Costa in the goals again.  Chelsea face Arsenal this Sunday, hopefully it won't be a repeat of last season's humiliation.  Arsenal had a North London Derby to deal with and it wasn't the routine Arsenal home win.  Spurs went to the Emirates with a game plan and nearly pulled it off to perfection.  They sat back, soaked up the pressure and hit on the counter.  Arsenal were vulnerable to this and it was mistake from their own doing that led to Spurs' goal.  Mathieu Flamini dallied on the ball too long and was dispossessed.  Christian Eriksen worked it across to Erik Lamela who put Nacer Chadli through and he finished confidently.  Arsenal had rested Alexis Sanchez, but the Chilean did come on in the end and made an immediate impact.  He added purpose to Arsenal's attack and provided a fresh spark needed to press Arsenal's domination into a goal.  It was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who found that goal.  Santi Cazorla's cross shot was missed by Danny Welbeck and The Ox was waiting and smashed the ball high past Hugo Lloris.  Arsenal couldn't complete the comeback and in the end were left ruing not being able to turn their overwhelming control into goals.  Yet, it was Southampton who came out of this weekend as the impressive outfit.  The Saints have won four games back to back and new man Ronald Koeman has bedded his new men in well to an already well organised team.  A 2-1 win over QPR wasn't as easy as first assumed as QPR put in a better showing of themselves than in previous away trips.  It took an outstanding effort from Graziano Pelle to win it for the home team to edge to three points. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rest

Crystal Palace 2-0 Leicester City

Manchester United 2-1 West Ham

Liverpool 1-1 Everton

Sunderland 0-0 Swansea City

West Brom 4-0 Burnley

 

 

Champions League

 

It was an improved week overall for the English teams in Europe.  Chelsea got a hard-fought 1-0 win in Lisbon against Sporting thanks to a Nemanja Matic header.  Chelsea showed their pedigree as they held out a Lisbon barrage in the second half for a crucial win.  Arsenal responded to a bad day in Dortmund by thumping Galatasaray 4-1.  A sparkling attacking display from the Gunners blitzed the Turks away as Danny Welbeck starred with a hat-trick as he announced himself as Arsenal's main man up front.  Supported by Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal fast, fluid and clinical, albeit being down to 10 men in the second half after Woijiech Szczesny's red card.  Manchester City were frustrated by Roma as Francesco Totti became the oldest scorer in the history of the European Cup or Champions League at the tender age of 38 years and 3 days.  City seem to lack the belief needed to take them to contenders pedigree and don't convince people with their performances and now find themselves having to win against one of Bayern or Roma to get through.  Finally, Liverpool continued their slump by losing in Basel, the fourth English team in a row to do so following in Spurs, Chelsea and Manchester United's footsteps. 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal of the Week (Graziano Pelle vs QPR)

 

This week, the winner is that incredible goal by Saints number nine Graziano Pelle against QPR.  It was a wonderfully crafted goal which was technically superb.  Enjoy!