What a weekend of football we’ve just been treated to. Ten games, no draws and shedloads of goals. Games between the Premier League’s leading sides have told us quite a bit about how the season might pan out – here’s bridgeviews.co.uk’s interpretation.
Chelsea are the masters of playing badly and winning
Ok, ok, so Saturday’s performance against Stoke can’t really be labelled ‘bad’, but the team did look jaded in the first half and was unable to create enough good chances in the second. That said, a team who had lost 20 players for one and half weeks to international duty still managed 75% of possession and edged out a dogged and well-organised Stoke - actually rather impressive.
If this side can improve again – and if the returning Joe Cole and Zhirkov can add some guile, trickery and pace to an already successful formula – it could spell worrying signs for the rest of the league.
Man City don’t look bad at all
In condemning Arsenal to a humiliating second defeat of the season, Man City showed there’s a chance this season won’t just be about transition for them.
In previewing their chances back in July I suggested that while Man City had enough in attack, a big question mark still remained over them as a defensive unit. But, in watching their performance against Arsenal (a team who can unquestionably attack), it would seem they have no problems in defence, either. Whilst they scored three goals in the second half, in many ways their first half performance was more impressive. The back four were flawless (is Micah Richards getting his form back?) and De Jong looked excellent in the holding role.
It’s too early to pass to full a judgement – this was just one performance. But England’s ‘big four’ might well be worrying that City’s development is ahead of schedule. That said, Saturday’s game was still against ‘bigger’ opposition for them: let’s see how the pressure of expectation affects them as they line up against United next week and Liverpool and Chelsea in future months. There’s a long way to go and I still suspect immediate success is too big an ask.
One in, one out – Arsenal now look in trouble
If City are looking upwards, Arsenal are certainly looking in the other direction. They can play very pretty football, but what is the point if its 90% ineffective?
Wenger has it all wrong. Many of his youngsters are good players, but in contrast to Chelsea his is a flappable side devoid of balance, steel, experience and the winning mentality. The risk of a 5th place finish is very, very real.
Adebayor – he’s a fool, but a good footballer with it
Another pop at Wenger on the way – sorry Gooners. Whatever Arsenal fans say, Adebayor is a top class player. I’d argue that he was perfect for Arsenal (with their current squad) too, offering a genuinely different option up front if needed. How many times could City knock the ball long to the Togan when they needed to release the pressure valve or break quickly? And who could Arsenal look to up top?
Plus, he has good feet and scores goals. That he didn’t look interested at the Emirates last season is damning not only on Adebayor himself but also on Wenger’s man management. This is a player derided by Arsenal fans who still scored 15-odd goals last season - he shouldn’t have been sold. If Hughes can do what Wenger couldn’t (and I stress the ‘if’), £25m could end up being a very, very good deal indeed.
Worth saying however that nothing can excuse Adebayor’s behaviour on Saturday. The stamp on Van Persie (yes, we’ve all wanted to do it) was appalling and celebrating in front of opposition fans is never a good idea. Still, Thierry Henry was doing that for years and Arsenal fans never seemed to mind…
But Drogba is better
Five games, four goals, three assists. On song it is difficult to think of a better forward in world football than Didier Drogba - his goal against Stoke was utterly devastating.
Revitalised and renewed, Drogba was everywhere on Saturday – causing Stoke no end of problems at one end and heading countless crosses clear at the other. His attitude in the past has certainly been questionable (although flawless this season) but there’s no out-and-out striker I’d rather see in a blue shirt. Where Chelsea would be without the talismanic Ivorian who knows, but we’ll get a taste of it against Porto tomorrow and during July’s African Cup of Nations.
Man Utd could be there for the taking
A controversial one this, after a 1-3 win over confident, in-form opposition and having had a man sent off…but Man Utd could be there for the taking this season. United certainly have some very good players, but I fancy a half-competent performance from Spurs would have allowed the north Londoners to get something from Saturday’s game against the Champions.
As it was, fantastic counter-attacking and defensive performances from Rooney and Fletcher respectively let Man Utd win the day. United are still the team to beat this season – make no mistake about it – but they aren’t the same force as previous years and could be there for the taking if other teams are up to the challenge.
The top of the table will be shaken up
Last season the ‘big four’ lost just 17 games between them, the season before that, 15. In just five weekends of football (and 13% through the season), the ‘big four’ have already lost 5 games. We’re in the midst of change – the table will look very different come May 2010.
What did you make of this weekend’s games? Post a comment.
its just a game
Posted by: stephanovic | 19 September 2009 at 16:51