The surprise of the week was West Broms tremendous victory over Liverpool, there was so much hype in pre season about the reds becoming a fresh new side with the introduction of Brenden Rodgers but it really didn't show last Saturday with horrible defencive displays from Skrtel and Agger, the latter picking up a slightly harsh looking red card. There were positives as they looked dangerous in attack with Suarez missing a fair few chances, but we cant take anything away from the baggies now under Steve Clarke who's team was very well organised at the back and broke into fast paced counter attacks when necessary. Zoltan Gera scored the first contender for goal of the month with a fizzing volley and it would seem to me as though a top ten finish for West Brom is not so far out of reach, while it may take some time for Rodgers to bring a new philosophy into Anfield, the question is will he be given the time and resources to do it?
The champions started their title defence against newly promoted Southampton, a routine win you may have thought but no, the visitors thought hard and bravely against City's fire power which was slightly weakened with the injury of Aguero to the annoyance of many a fantasy football team manager (including myself). From all of the saga that was Carlos Tevez last season he now looks sharp and ready to score goals, he opened the scoring at the Etihad, but with a stroke of managerial genius Nigel Adkins released his talismanic striker Ricki Lambert from the bench and he had an immediate impact on the game scoring a very stylish equaliser and as the momentum shifted, the saints scored again through another tidy finish and put the away end in delirium. However Mancini's men came right back with the answers, 2-1 down before Dzeko headed in to level the scores... it was happening all over again, sure enough Samir Nasri came up with a late winner to seal the 3 points. Southampton look a very good side with the experience of Lambert up front, who could prove to be the new Grant Holt who also rose from the lower leagues to become such a prolific goalscorer.
Other teams that looked particularly impressive were Swansea and Fulham both beating their opponents by five goals, Petric for Fulham looks to be a sterling find for Martin Jol and Laudrops Swansea followed last season by playing a very good passing game, they took apart a promising QPR team who could well be in trouble over the next few months if they don't consolidate at the back.
Another surprise was Everton beating Manchester United, Kagawa looked promising while Van Persie barley had a touch, to much approval of Arsenal fans, after coming on as a late sub. Chelsea beat Wigan comfortably and last night came from behind to secure a 4-2 win over Reading with Eden Hazard showing his talent by racking up 5 assists already.
Looking forward to the rest of the season but we must remember we can't really come to any solid conclusions just yet as it could take a few weeks for relegation candidates and title contenders to show up.
Please if you have some time, share this blog and even drop a comment, I'm always looking on ways to improve and as an aspiring journalist it is much appreciated, thanks for reading!
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| Gera Smashing home a cracking volley for West Brom |
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