The Good:
- Manchester City’s demolition of Chelsea yesterday at The Etihad in front of a record crowd signified that we might actually have a title race on our hands this season. Sergio Aguero looked sharp and could have easily had a first half hat-trick were it not for Asmir Begovic. The blue half of Manchester (and the Red one for that matter) now have a 5 point headstart on Chelsea and look a much rejuvenated side to the side whose title campaign slipped away in February and March of this year.
- Arsenal managed to banish their opening day misery with a win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. It wasn’t particularly the most comfortable of wins as it needed an Own Goal in the 2nd half to secure all three points but after last weeks upset I think The Gunners will be grateful just to get a win on the board.
- Swansea won comfortably at home to a Newcastle side who played more than 45 minutes with 10 men thanks to the sending off of Darryl Janmaat. The Swans who could have quite easily come away from Stamford Bridge with a win last week will be buoyed by their start and in Andre Ayew have potentially made one of the signings of the summer.
- Another team who will be buoyed by their great start is Leicester who have surprised many pundits and managed to get 6 points out of 6 at the start of the season. Obviously there is still a lot of Football to be played but Claudio Ranieri has managed to continue last seasons winning momentum and at least given Leicester fans a bit more optimism in the hunt for another seasons Premier League survival.
- Football League Tonight on Channel 5. I wouldn’t say it was necessarily good but in the words of Andy Townsend it was certainly “better”. They must have taken the feedback (criticism) on board from last week as simple things such as showing all The Championship goals first made a big difference. It’s still a massive work in progress but at least Adam Virgo didn’t say “As you say” every other sentence so that’s certainly some positive.
The Bad:
- Where else to start but Chelsea. Community Shield included that’s no win in 3 “competitive” matches. An abject performance and a miserable afternoon for John Terry who was thrown under the bus by José Mourinho. Was it a ploy to stress that John Stones is required?..who knows but what I do know is that this has all the signs of the usual 3 year boom and bust cycle that we’ve seen at so many other clubs. It may not be the biggest surprise if Mourinho departs Stamford Bridge again at the end if the season, the only issue being that he’s burnt so many bridges that where else would he go?
- Tottenham, Tottenham my very own Tottenham. Decent for 45 minutes and in control for 60 but then Harry Kane is subbed off and we looked blunter than a duvet. Much has been said here and elsewhere that Tottenham needed some new strikers, to not have a replacement on the bench was near farcical. Clinton N’Jie has arrived but is still an unknown quiet. Saturday’s game away at Leicester in the search for a first win of the season already takes on some early extra importance.
- Manchester United. Yes they are winning but they are not winning pretty. 6 points but very few chances in front of goal and Wayne Rooney looks particularly laboured, will Louis Van Gaal be forced into trying to source a striker before the end of the transfer window or are we seeing all that Manchester United have to offer upfront this season.
- Sunderland. Another awful performance by The Black Cats, especially in Defence will probably have Dic Advocaat regretting his decision to stay on this season. A side that is lacking identity across the pitch could be in real trouble this season. Again a special mention must go to the “brilliant” fans who again left en masse after Norwich’s 3rd Goal. There’s nothing like getting behind your side is there.
- Watford vs West Brom was last on Match Of The Day for a reason. Not a lot of action and Fantasy Football Managers across the country will be cursing Troy Deeney for not finding the net. No goals for The Baggies this season and although they looked better than on Monday the big question will be whether they can hang onto Saido Berahino from the clutches of Tottenham
And this week a bonus one, The Ugly:
- Everton’s away kit. It looks like it’s been drawn by a 8 year old who has just won a competition to design your favourite team’s new kit. Just awful, absolutely awful