Gameweek 16 of the Premier League and nearly half way through the season. Now we can start to see teams who are in line for a title charge, top four race or relegation scrap, however anything can still change. This week had an unfortunate focus on the officials, with numerous decisions in numerous games coming to light and possibly proven important in the different battles up and down the league. This week, there was diving, chipping and a lot of saving, particularly at Old Trafford.
That is where the focus is this week, Old Trafford and the most historic and recognised game in English football between the two most decorated clubs, Manchester United and Liverpool. Manchester United have been on fantastic form, picking four wins in a row, including three wins in last week’s hectic run of games. Louis Van Gaal’s men haven’t been brilliant, but have got the results. Wins at Arsenal and Southampton were ones where they were second best by far, but took their chances and had a keeper at the top of his game in David De Gea. Liverpool have been quite bad to say the least with just two wins in the last 12 games in all competitions. Brendan Rodgers has struggle to integrate new signings with Mario Balotelli yet to score in the league and other signings Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic, Emre Can and Alberto Moreno mustering 4 goals between them. Gary Neville said on the previous Monday Night Football that this game would resemble a pub team game, “it’ll be like the Dog and Duck versus the Red Lion.”
United have been blighted by injuries and have had many different combinations in front of the brilliant De Gea. Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Rafael and Chris Smalling current absentees from a depleted backline which saw Michael Carrick step in on Sunday. Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young have been regular wing backs in a makeshift back three or five. Liverpool may have fancied their chances against this changed defence, but with De Gea in goal, they were constantly denied at the last. Raheem Sterling had the first chance but De Gea superbly stood tall and saved, 25 seconds later, Valencia beat Joe Allen and found Wayne Rooney who scored against Liverpool again. Rooney is now the highest scoring player against Liverpool in the Premier League as the Scouse born United skipper continued their run of scoring in every home game this season. Liverpool continued to probe and fail, Sterling again the man denied. United took advantage again. Ashley Young’s delivery flicked on by Robin Van Persie and finished by Juan Mata, 2-0 United, Liverpool seemingly beaten. Although, a clear offside was not seen as Mata wheeled away which really cost Liverpool the game to an extent. The second half brought more of the same, De Gea incredibly saving from Sterling once more and then starting a battle with Mario Balotelli, which he won. If they hadn’t learnt already, Liverpool were punished again, United broke quickly with Mata, Rooney and Van Persie. Lovren completely mishit a clearance, Mata played in Van Persie, fooling everyone in doing so and he scored. 3-0 was the result, Liverpool dejected, defeated and defied by the inspirational Spaniard in goal.
Elsewhere, Arsenal bounced back in style sweeping Newcastle aside 4-1 with a brace a piece for Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud. Manchester City won again as Frank Lampard equalled the tally of Thierry Henry in 175 Premier League goals with the winner. Chelsea hit back with a grinded 2-0 win over Hull. The officials again were in the spotlight as not one, two but three Chelsea players sited diving, only two booked. Gary Cahill, on a booking dived in the box, yet was not sent off, a shocking decision which infuriated Steve Bruce who said it looked like, “Swan Lake.” Spurs struck late again at Swansea, Christian Eriksen scoring away once more as Spurs’ away revival continued. Burnley added further woe to Southampton, compounding them to a fourth straight defeat with Ashley Barnes’ goal for Sean Dyche. There were also wins for QPR, Everton and West Brom and draws at Sunderland and Crystal Palace.
Champions League Draw:
Arsenal vs Monaco
PSG vs Chelsea
Manchester City vs Barcelona
I predict tough ties for all three English sides. Arsenal should have too much for Monaco who got through with a record low four goals, but only one conceded. At the Emirates, I think Arsenal can put the tie beyond the visitors ahead of the second leg. Chelsea will have a tough ride in Paris, as they did last year. PSG have many qualities but are not the best in Europe and are beatable as Chelsea found out last year, I expect Chelsea to edge it. City never have it easy it seems as they drew Barcelona for the second year in a row. If Aguero is fully fit, City have every chance, without him I can only see one winner, well maybe three by the name of Messi, Suarez and Neymar.
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