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Arsenal, Aubameyang, Brentford, Bruno Fernandes, Chelsea, England, Football, Gabriel Jesus, Harry Kane, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Mikel Arteta, Mohammed Salah, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Premier league, Saka, Tottenham
What an interesting weekend it was for the Premier League as there were a few surprising results and performances from Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal. For different reasons of course.
Match Week 6 opened with 2 of the favourites for the PL title locking horns. European Champions, Chelsea hosted domestic champions, Manchester City in the first game of game week 6 at Stamford Bridge.
Man City were the victors of the game by a lone goal as Gabriel Jesus’ second half deflected shot ensured that Man City were worthy winners and gained a small revenge for last season’s UCL final loss to Chelsea.
Chelsea, it has to be said were humbled and outclassed by City. Chelsea had to dig deep, defend deep with low blocks and hoped that they would be able to nick a goal on the break.
Pep obviously got his team fired up for this one after Tuchel’s Chelsea this last few weeks received the admiration and praises of the media and pundits alike as the team to beat owing to Tuchel’s transformation of Chelsea’s fortunes after Lampard’s reign of mediocrity was put to an end by Roman Abramovich.
Pep obviously wanted to remind everyone who the local champion is and he did it in style. In truth, the scoreline flattered Chelsea.
Back to back defeats for Man United…
Manchester United, my beloved team, returned to their old habits under Ole with another shocking defeat, this time, to Aston Villa at Old Trafford.
United failed to dominate the midfield, failed to be clinical when the chances came and played like a team of individuals. Villa, who obviously have noticed what other teams have observed about the weaknesses in the United double pivot in midfield went toe to toe with Fred and McTominay and pressed the lives out of those two.
McTominay was having a poor game after recently returning from injury, yet was left on the pitch by Ole for over 80 minutes. Luke Shaw and Maguire had to be substituted due to injuries sustained during the game which in turn limited Ole’s options but his in game management skills which many have questioned, myself included, was brutally exposed again.
Kortney Hause grabbed a late goal for Villa from a corner kick which would eventually turn out to be the winner. Ollie Watkins was suspiciously offside as he was in De Gea’s way but VAR’s inconsistencies came to Aston Villa’s rescue this time.
The hero for Villa quickly became the villain as Hause soon handled the ball in the penalty area. Man United had a lifeline. Bruno Fernandes, ever so reliable from the spot, struck his penalty sky high. The sort you see in Rugby union. Villa were off the hook. Ole was fuming on the touchline.
It was quite clear though, that Villa deserved their luck and their victory. The manner in which they set out to execute their game plan was one that deserved 3 points. Ole on the other hand has lost 3 in 4 in all competitions. Things could yet get worse for the ‘baby faced assassin’.
Brentford keep impressing…
Liverpool were clear favourites to carry the day when they took on Brentford but were given a rude shock after Brentford opened the scoring through their full back Pinnock. Jota responded almost immediately with a great header for Liverpool and Salah put Liverpool’s in front for the first time. Brentford equalised but Liverpool shortly after, regained the lead through Curtis Jones.
Brentford inevitably grabbed a late equaliser while both teams could have won the game in stoppage time as the game was end to end. At the end, it ended in a 3-3 draw. A very respectable result for Brentford. How long will they continue their good form? So far their defeat of Arsenal doesn’t seem a fluke.
Speaking of which, it appears the good times are back at the Emirates as Arsenal defeated North London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, 3-1 in the north London derby on Sunday to make it 3 wins in 3 after a disastrous start to the season.
Classic counter attacks by Arsenal ended the game as a contest in the first half an hour as goals from Smith Rowe, Aubameyang and Saka sealed the win for the Gunners.
Son’s 80th minute strike was scant consolation for Nuno’s men. This is 3 defeats for Nuno in his last 3 PL games. All against fellow London teams. Nuno needs a result and fast to ease the pressure already on him as some fans are already calling for his head. He has not even won a game in the cup competitions after 90minutes.
Special mention has to be given to Harry Kane. He is a shadow of himself. It is clear for even a blind man that he is simply going through the motions. He needs to act like the professional he is and give Spurs his best while still at the club. He didn’t get his move, yes. But there is no point throwing sulking now while still being the club’s highest earner.
Nuno on the other hand needs to find creativity in the midfield from somewhere. Dele Alli is showing to all and sundry why Mourinho didn’t fancy him.
ovieroskoles 