Another game during the weekend that raised more questions than it answered was that of Chelsea v West Brom. Although the blues scraped a win during their first home game of the season, the performance was distinctly lacking, and AVB at times looked in despair at the performance of his side, and has reacted quickly with the bid for Mata, and one for Modric is surely to follow. Chelsea do have more than enough quality to challenge for the title but concerns must be raised on the performance they gave on the weekend.
Manchester City have made the best start to the season imaginable, with free flowing football on display not to mention the emergence of Dzeko as a prominent force up front and the fact the Aguero has settled into the premier league sooner and better than anyone had ever expected. City certainly look good at the moment – if they can keep up this start throughout the season, especially over the Festive fixtures, they will be major contenders for the title.
Their local rivals United again look good, and able to cope with the injuries that have befallen them at the start of the season. Jones and Smalling look assured at the back, with even Johnny Evans looking more at home in a United shirt that ever before. Fergie looks to have again pulled a master stroke keeping faith in Welbeck after a couple of lacklustre games, and was rewarded with an excellent performance against Spurs, with the young boy looking like a different player in terms of confidence and ability once he had scored. Even De Gea had a decent game, doing what was required of him, and most crucially of all, keeping a clean sheet.
Spurs will be disappointed to lose, but historically do not fare well at Old Trafford, and Redknapp will be expecting to challenge for European places with or without Luca Modric, who did not feature in the game, as his ‘head was not in the right place.’ One can only assume this means his head was over in West London thinking about a medical at Cobham. Spurs still have more than enough quality in their side, and with the decision being to go with veteran keeper Brad Freidel in goal, they look more assured at the back and less prone to Gomez Esq. bloopers.
At the end of the table where no one wishes to be, Blackburn’s form loos ominous, albeit with a decent squad, but the managerial decisions and ability is more than lacking. Most Roves fans would agree that to prevent a relegation battle, Steve Kean needs to go and he needs to go quickly. North east side’s Newcastle and Sunderland will both be fairly pleased with their starts to the season, with Newcastle securing a derby victory curtsey of a Ryan Taylor goal. Both teams will expect to avoid the flirtation with relegation that has occurred in previous seasons, with them being outsiders for a European push.
The fixtures next weekend again provide a scintillating Sunday, with Arsenal travelling to Old Trafford and Spurs entertaining Manchester City. Chelsea face Norwich, and if Torres fails to score again, especially against a side with the defence of Norwich, he will be facing tougher question marks than he is already, which is saying something. Wigan will look for a victory against QPR, who will more than fancy a point at the DW stadium. The excellent start to the season that Wolves have had could well continue at Villa Park, and their fans will know the more points they can get whilst they are in good form the more chance they have of avoiding the drop when things get tougher later in the season. Who knows, they may even be the surprise package of the season.
All in all, another brilliant round of fixtures awaits, and the formidable start both Manchester sides have had will be tested with both having difficult fixtures. Chelsea will hope both slip up and they can capitalise with what should be a relatively straight forward game – but this is the premier league, and surprises are the name of the game, which is why we love it so much!
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Or have a look at the ten strikers that we think will lead the race for the Golden Boot next season