Kieran Davies looks back on seven days of deals, rivalries, and the absence of nervous breakdowns.
The game of the weekend in the Premier League if not Europe, was always going to be Liverpool v Man Utd. This age old rivalry of the two biggest clubs in English football never fails to disappoint for entertainment value and this encounter was no different. There was a new face sat in the away dug out, not an unfamiliar one, but not the usual red faced Scot. Moyes’ record at Anfield is horrendous, Liverpool fans will be hoping long may it continue. It was a tight affair with not too many clear cut chances but the quick reactions of Daniel Sturridge gave the home side the lead when he directed a Daniel Agger header into the back of the net. Once they got themselves in front, Brendan’s men seemed content to just close things up and play on the counter attack. As a defensive display, it was impressive, for Liverpool fans it doesn’t matter how it happens as long as 3 points is the outcome. Going into an international break played 3, won 3, scored 3, conceded 0. Any fan would take that, all day long. There’s a long way to go but Liverpool’s target hasn’t changed, Champions League qualification. Realistically, the equivalent of 25 wins will guarantee you a top 4 spot, Liverpool now need 22 more wins. David Moyes on the other hand said this performance was his side’s best of the season so far, fingers crossed for more of them David.
Elsewhere, there was also a North London derby to savour. AVB’s ‘new Tottenham’ versus Wenger’s Arsenal who for the days and weeks prior to the game were labelled as ‘not good enough’ for top 4 qualification. Arsenal won the game but don’t put the champers on ice just yet, there’s still a lot of questions to be asked of this squad. Ozil has been added since but as good of a playmaker as he is, defensively they are as a reliable as a lit match in a strong wind. As for Tottenham, their fans can be heard saying how it will take a bit of time for all their new players to bed in. I saw Tottenham beat Liverpool a few years back at Anfield and were a very attacking force with Van Der Vaart, Modric and Bale all combining well and the solidity at the back was the colossus that was Ledley King. When watching this London derby I asked myself is this Tottenham side better than that one? The answer I came to was no. They have added quality to their squad with the Madrid money but I just don’t see that creativity and attacking flair of the side with Modric, VDV and Bale.
Across the capital the day before Ian Holloway’s Palace got that awkward first win out of the way with a comfortable win over Di Canio’s faltering Sunderland. The Mackems really need to up their game if they are to make sure they’re not on after Match of the Day next season. Fabio Borini has been signed on a season long loan and he won’t have to worry about not knowing anyone there, everyone’s in the same boat if matters on the pitch are anything to go by. Their rivals Newcastle again made scoring goals look like witchcraft but managed to stick one in the back of the net to come away with the spoils against Fulham. West Ham went down to what seems to be an industrious Stoke City team under Mark Hughes. He’s got them playing some nice football, tough to break down and dangerous on the counter as Hammers fans found to their detriment on the weekend.
Hopeful title contenders Man City had somewhat of routine home win against Hull City Tigers (that will never sound right this isn’t the NFL). The focus at the end of the game was more towards how Hull could’ve come away from this with something and should tell you this performance by Pellegrini’s men isn’t going to strike fear into any of their rivals. But as we said earlier, 3 points is 3 points. Cardiff came crashing back down to earth after the heady heights of beating the citizens with a goalless draw at home against Everton. This was by no means a bore draw and was an entertaining game, many Everton fans will feel they should’ve had a penalty but I think Baines put the doubt in the referee’s mind by skipping over the previous trailing leg outside the box seconds earlier with ease. Delia Smith will be delighted with the solid start her side have had and this continued with a win against Southampton. No need for half time war cries or the first signs of a nervous breakdown depending which way you look at it, so Delia can rest at ease for now. Michael Laudrup’s Swansea picked up their first win in the league at The Hawthorns in a game they seemed to control from start to finish. West Brom don’t look the same team as last season and that can’t be down to the departure of Lukaku alone, something’s not quite right in the Midlands.
There has been a lot of reshuffling of the packs in the Premier League in this transfer window with the biggest deals being done at the end of the window, Arsenal signing Ozil and Man Utd signing Fellaini. Liverpool bolstered their defensive options and added Victor Moses to the squad while Everton brought in Gareth Barry, James McCarthy and Romelu Lukaku but also more importantly managed to keep hold of Leighton Baines. Victor Anichebe has gone on loan to West Brom which should make the chef in the canteen sigh at the thought of all the additional work for him that brings, Victor looking more Bulk than Hulk currently. The Baggies also bringing in Sessegnon on a permanent deal which should be a more goal fruitful deal. A lot of the movements of players in the league are literally players moving from one Prem club to another in hope of changing their fortunes in the most watched league in the world. Looking at all the clubs post transfer window I genuinely think there is no ‘top 4’ or anyone with a divine right to guarantees this season. If you want it enough, it’s there for you to take. Chelsea, Man Utd, Man City and Spurs are all in transition phases with either new managers or squads and it will take time for them to settle. The grip Man Utd had in dominating the league left with their talismanic whiskey swilling Scot, the Premier League is now there for the taking. Twenty teams, eighty boxes, one question…………who wants it the most?