In week two of the English Premier League, Chelsea leave it late, MoUnited show confidence while Man City hammer a hapless Stoke City to cement their credentials as early favourites.
Here are the highlights the league’s second week.
The Red Train Keeps Rolling
As Manchester United took on Southampton on home ground, they exhibited a new side of them, a side that had a distinct aura to it.
The home fans got their first look at Paul Pogba during the match. Pogba was at the crux of a lot of plays for Man United linking up brilliantly with Martial and Rooney. The latter would provide the necessary cross for (surprise surprise) Zlatan to head one home, towering above the defence. The Saints had their share of moments with Shane Long’s efforts going wide and Redmond’s cross barely missing the shining head of Tadic.
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And they were made to pay for those missed chances as Luke Shaw conceded with what can only be described as a ‘soft penalty’. Zlatan was there to convert and take home a brace. Two goals and a great overall performance later, Jose looked mighty pleased at the sidelines. Well, did he? He always looks like he is wondering where to go for dinner with that look on his face.
The Tees-Wear Derby
The Stadium of Light played host to the first derby between in nearly ten years. Middlesbrough looked set to bring their resurgent line up to their rivals as Sunderland looked to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of Man City last week. And then, Cristhian Stuani happened.
With a goal that is probably an another ‘Goal of the Season’ contender, Stuani dribbled the ball past a hapless Vito Minnone to give the Boros the 1-0 lead.
Stuani came to the dance again this time finishing off a wonderful Boro team play with Forshaw threading the ball for Negredo, only to have him unselfishly caress the ball in Stuani’s path for the easiest tap in the history of time. Sunderland pulled one back but it was too little and too late. The Boros took home the 3 points to appear as a team that could trouble a few heavyweights in the league.
Can’t Gun The Foxes
The match at King’s Road taught us a few things: Oxlade-Chamberlain can be a very good player if tutored properly, Jamie Vardy has yet to have a party this season and Arsenal have no hope of getting any goals if Cazorla and Sanchez are injured.
The match itself had a few contentious moments with Koscielny taking down Drinkwater in the penalty box after Cech bravely took the ball off Vardy. What looked like a certain penalty, upon replay looked like a very good decision by referee Clattenberg.
Leicester City is only starting to get its groove back from last season and facing an unpredictable Arsenal side seems like the right remedy for the team to bounce back. Mahrez came close with his penalty while Schmeichel was at full stretch to deny Santi Cazorla. The big news though, was the tsunami like fan unrest at Arsenal that refused to subside. The chants of ‘Wenger Out’ were loud as ever and while it might seem ungrateful for fans to turn on their iconic and most successful manager, the story remains the same.
Chelsea Leave It Late, Again
I don’t know if this Chelsea side is resurgent as heck, or just plain lazy. The team line up looks like a FIFA 17 Manager Mode’s dream but they play like Bristol Rovers for the most part of their games. The Chelsea defense needs to be called into question and it is quite telling that the Italian manager‘s weakest link, lies at the back. Watford were quick and decisive with their play and Etienne Capoue blazed in a shot to make it 2 for the season for him, and one up for Watford.
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But my word, Batshuayi! The man was electric all over the pitch and capped an amazing performance by pouncing on a rebound to level it for the North London side. And that was not all. Fabregas found some of his old magic back and turned the screws to release Diego Costa with a beautiful pass. Costa came in, opened up his body and magnificently placed the ball between Gomes’s feet giving Chelsea another heroic comeback.
The pairing of Michu and Diego seems like a game changer and one that will be watched cautiously by opponents in coming fixtures. With them playing the Kop-Killers Burney side next, it will only showcase how Antonio Conte lines up his defense as they are in need of some immediate shoring.
Hero of the Week
Cristhian Stuani, for scoring a blinder in a derby.
Villain of the Week
Heurehlo Gomes, for letting Chelsea in with two abysmal decisions.
