Manchester City score 5 to see off Liverpool at the ETIHAD
Manchester City faced their first real test of the season and responded beautifully controlling a heavy pressing squad like Liverpool with ease. Many expected Man City’s defense to struggle with the pace the Reds bring and they did early. Yet as the game went on Manchester City looked extremely comfortable on the ball and were never really rattled by Liverpool’s attack in the second half.
The game started well for both sides with each team being able to create chances. The game was quick and back and forth until Manchester City found the net when Kevin De Bruyne found Aguero with a great through that the Argentine put it in with class. Liverpool knocked at the door but Ederson was up for all the shots from the Reds.
Then came the talking point of the game, Mane’s red card. The Senegalese international accidentally kick the City keeper, Ederson, who ran out to head the ball right out side of the box. Although Mane’s eyes were always on the ball the kick got the keeper clearly in the face in a gruesome fashion that almost looked like a Karate Kick.The referee didn’t really have an option and sent Mane off.
After the red everything was lost for Liverpool who lost their fight and organization, trying many different formations to stop the bleeding but nothing was done. Manchester City controlled the pace and found five goals. Highlighting the performance is how well Aguero and Gabriel Jesus were able to play together. Many believe both strikers can’t be on the field together but Saturday they looked in perfect sync, creating chances of each other’s movements. Jesus scored twice and was a handful for the overmatch Liverpool defense.
The last two goals were scored by Sane who came in and made an immediate impact. Finishing up an amazing team goal when he teamed up with Mendy on the left-hand side. Then came the Golazo of the weekend when Sane took a left footed shot from outside the box and put it left in the top corner, leaving the keeper with nothing to do.
Manchester City Finally looked like a Guardiola side if they are able to control games and create chances constantly like they did Saturday they could easily find themselves competing for all the titles this year. Liverpool, on the other hand, will have to work on the same issues they had last year and find ways to stay compact at the back even when playing a high pressing style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzbGYDkf9-E
Manchester United finally drop points
United started the year with perfect form winning all three of their matches by multiple goals. The form finally stopped when they traveled to Stoke over the weekend. The Potters were great at pushing United and putting their center backs under pressure, something we had yet to see this year. United faced their first adversity of the season a responded well to get the game back and find the lead. They couldn’t keep control of the game but the team showed heart in the performance.
Choupo-Motíng caught Baily napping and found the space in behind to finish a cross and put Stoke City ahead late in the first half. United responded quickly scoring a scrappy goal right before the halftime whistle. Manchester came back strong in the second forcing the issue and finding the net when Lukaku put in the rebound of his own attempt to get United ahead.
The lead didn’t last long as it was time for Stoke City to respond quickly to going down. Phil Jones did a horrible job defending the corner and let Choupo-Moting get a free header to tie the game. United pushed the issue but was never able to regain the lead and dropped their first points of the year.
Manchester United still sit a top of the table but have shown that they are beatable and that the issues at the back we saw last year are still there. They still look the part and responded well to going one goal down.Still, should be considered the title favorites from what we have seen of this season so far. As for Stoke this was a great result and are showing great play. They look in prime position to make a push at the Europa League spots and be nowhere near the relegation battle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZrJOiaz5zY
Spurs And Arsenal get much-needed wins
Spurs got a much-needed win after dropping points at home last week beating the Toffees 3-0. They faced the tough challenge of traveling to Goodison Park and face the heavy spending side Everton and passed it with ease. Spurs Controlled the game and finally look like the elite side we saw last year. Harry Kane broke the goal drought he had to start the year. Netting two goals, one from a cross that found its way in and the other was a classic give a go goal Kane scores. Ericksen scored the other goal and was the best player on the field dribbling up and down the pitch and finding any pass he wanted. Spurs form comes at a good time who welcome Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday in Champions League play in a matchup that might decide the group.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu2FuHsT2ok
Arsenal was the other team desperate for a result after the disastrous result versus Liverpool last week. They look in control all the game beating a Bournemouth 3-0 having the ball and creating chance after chance. The defense looks in no pressure all 90 minutes which was something that everyone was looking at. The Gunners face another tough test next Sunday when they visit Chelsea and the defense will have to perform like today if they want the result. Danny Welbeck found the net twice putting in a performance that might delay Alexis Sanchez re-introduction to the first 11. Arsenal looked better and started both their new signings of Lacazette and Kolasinac, something they have to do to keep performances up. Keeping the home form up was key for Arsenal to keep the pressure of the fans off the team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ_nqHgE3rQ
Morata Keeps on shining
Chelsea Had a difficult road test visiting recent champions Leicester City and came back with three points. Still without Hazard and saving some players for the midweek champions league matchup, Chelsea was able to see out the result and gain all three points.
The first goal of the game was Morata who again was able to score a header by finding the space in between the center backs and sending the ball home. Filing in nicely with Diego Costa yet to show up to practice. The second goal came in the second half when Kante hit a low rolling shot that found the bottom corner facing his former team. Leicester City thought they found a way back when they had penalty scored by Vardy but it was difficult for the Foxes to create chances and continue having a rough start to the season. Chelsea, on the other hand, find their third straight win after the embarrassing loss in against Burnley week one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKNNliL400M
Crystal Palace loss but West Ham win in their must win-or-get sacked games.
Crystal Palace sacked their manager Franck de Boer yesterday after starting the year with four defeats and his team not scoring a single goal. He was brought in this summer to change the style of play but that could never have been done in four games. What will make matters worse for De Boer is the final match he had. The goal they conceded was a huge gift from a back pass that Chris Wood pushed it home. Palace controlled the 90 minutes creating 23 shots and allowing only two but they were unable to find the net and now De Boer is out of a Job. Palace face a long season as four games in they lose their manager and the same problems remain, the team will have to respond quickly if they want to stay up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiX7aoQA4Uk
West Ham was the other team facing a 0-4 start but the hammers responded with a gritty 2-0 over recently promoted side Huddersfield town. They played a classic English style of sending a ball over a top and having Andy Carrol knock the ball down to create chances. They left it late but found a deflection goal and a tap in off a corner. This win will give the manager more time to fix the system and it was a great result as the club’s first home game of the season.
The rest of the league
Watford got a great 2-0 win on the road as they beat a Southampton side that continues to struggle infront of the goal. They have failed to score the last three games. Brighton got their first win and goal of the season versus West Brom from in a 3-1 game. The last game saw Newcastle getting a scrappy 1-0 win at Swansea as they look to ignore the lack of spending in the transfer window.
There is no midweek action this week as the top teams will have Champions League play in the first European match day on the season.Expect some weird squad selections next week in response to these matches.
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