Welcome Soccer aficionados (and the other types of followers) to the first edition of Soccer Sunday.
Before I start my analysis on the ridiculous weekend we had in English soccer, let me ask you this – Is Manchester the new capital of Soccer?
Why? Are you kidding me?
Manchester City, playing away from home, destroying Tottenham 1-5
Manchester United’s Premier league game (read: practice match) against Arsenal 8-2.
Yes, I hope you are sitting down or at least clutching the sides of your table. This isn’t the FA cup where a premier team is matched up with a part-time wanna-bee, I am talking about Arsenal (playing in the elite UEFA Champions league along with Man Utd) and Tottenham, which, I personally thought, had a shot at glory this season. But welcome to the world of Soccer where every prediction is like a rule… just waiting to be broken.
Lets check out the latest Premier league results. (With expert comments)
1. Wigan 2-0 QPR
New boys QPR are just not getting things right. They did get the bad boy Joey Barton from Newcastle. To tell you the truth, signing Franco Di Santo a year ago from Blackburn Rovers was like just an addition to me, but clearly he has grown at Wigan having scored both the goals. Adel Taarabt, the QPR talismanic captain couldn’t do much except shoot a couple on the bar. Barton must be thinking from the stands (he couldn’t play because his transfer didn’t go on time) how much work this team needs to salvage at least a point in the big games to come.
2. Swansea 0-0 Sunderland
From one new comer to the next- Swansea has been a surprise when it comes to getting results. I know they have fewer points than QPR but look at the facts, they got results in 2 games. This talks a lot about their resilience. Sunderland, On the other hand, with more than 10 new signings this summer, are far from their fans’ expectations.
3. Liverpool 3-1 Bolton
Kenny Dalglish was a prolific player, natural leader, and a true Kopite when it comes to Liverpool. So when, in Jan ’11, he took over from the under firing Roy Hodgson, Liverpool just revamped with 5 new quality signings this summer just proves what the feeling is around the club management. The intentions are clear and thus moolah has been splashed. This weekend, Henderson, Adam and Skrtel, all got their first goals of the season. The former 2 getting their first in a Liverpool shirt. Buying three midfielders was always a question people asked… but look at what you already have. Two great strikers – Suarez and Carrol – arrived in Jan ’11. Defense was always strong, and thus the focus was always on midfield. Bolton got a consolation goal, but that signifies their season till now. They did loose to two good teams – Man city and Liverpool - but it always is disheartening and EPL is not a place for sissies.
4. Chelsea 3-1 Norwich
Didier Drogba, the iconic Chelsea striker, had blood on his face when stretched away from the game. It was a nasty collision with the Norwich GK Ruddy who eventually was sent off after challenging another Chelsea player. The game ended with both sides emptying their benches and pulling punches. Chelsea, even though with their lethal power, should be scared of the Red and Blue of Manchester. Norwich, on the other hand, should be scared of everyone after loosing 0-4 to MK Dons – who are 2 leagues lower than them – in the Carling cup.
5. Blackburn 0-1 Everton
Seven yellow cards and a late penalty from Arteta – the game does not do justice to the score line. Both teams coming off from humiliating EPL defeats the week ago were desperate to get some points. Their desperation proved too much for the referee who didn’t mind showing off his ability to produce yellow cards. Blackburn with still no points in hand would feel sorry for their Indian owners – the Venky Group – on whom they finally started to trust.
As we have reached the half way mark, I would like to thank you guys for reading till here. I hope it went well for the pros and was an inspiration for the uninitiated.
During the week I will try and keep up the gossip part alive with all the interesting happenings from the FA and Carling cup. Other EU nations, don’t cry, if you produce something extraordinary.. It will feature here.
As for the WC friendlies and Qualifiers… Keep checking this space.
Blogger Comment
Facebook Comment