Matchday 5 was turned out to be one where new records were
created and once again the Barclay’s Premier League showed why it is considered
as the most competitive league among the top leagues of the world. Of the teams
seven tipped to be contenders for a top four finish only Arsenal managed a win
while all City and Chelsea drew while Everton, Tottenham and Liverpool lost. But
the result of the weekend was Manchester United getting “outfoxed” by newly
promoted Leicester City and that too after taking a 2 goal lead, twice.
Man Utd Outfoxed:
In my week 2 review I had written that against Chelsea at
the Bridge the foxes had come to play and could have scored first. Against United
too they had a lively start and missed a couple of tight chances Vardy, Ulloa
and Nugent causing problems in the United backline. Louis Van Gaal ditched his
favored 3-5-2 for a 4-4-2 diamond with Rooney playing as the no 10 behind
Falcao and Van Persie, Mata was the unfortunate one to be dropped. It didn’t take
long for the star studded forward line to get their act together as Falcao’s
pin point cross was headed in by Van Persie, whoever said Falcao couldn’t assist.
The second goal came moments later courtesy the most expensive player in the
BPL. Rooney played in Di Maria who showed great class to deftly chip it over
the advancing Schmeichel Jr and add another contender for goal-of-the-season. The
foxes, who have been playing a very fearless brand of football that has seen
them snatch points off Arsenal and Everton, hit back straight from the kickoff.
Vardy shrugged off Rojo on the right and his cross from the bye-line found
Ulloa to make it 2-1. United, though, kept up the pressure and Falcao and Blind
had shots blocked while Rojo headed over from another Di Maria cross.
After the break Rooney and Di Maria’s shots were thwarted
but Ander Herrera scored his second in as many games from the edge of the box
to restore the two goal advantage the assist again coming from Di Maria. What followed
was 23 minutes of complete meltdown by Man United that left everyone stunned. First
Rafael was unfortunate not to be given a foul when Vardy had clearly pushed him
off the ball and in his impetuosity he fouled Vardy inside the box. Mark
Clattenburg immediately pointed to the spot and from there David Nuget made no
mistake. 2-3 became 3-3 two minutes later as Cambiasso fired a piledriver through
a crowded United box for his first BPL goal. United brought on Januzaj and Mata
for Falcao and Di Maria in an effort to shore up the midfield but 15 minutes later
Rojo and Mata tried to play a one-two but Mata was dispossessed by De Laet and
as Rojo had already overlapped there was acres of space for him to make a run
and play in Vardy who scored past De Gea. Five minutes later the final nail in
the proverbial coffin arrived when young Tyler Blackett was red carded for
shoving Vardy in the box, Ulloa converting the resulting penalty. This is the
first time that United have lost in the BPL after taking a 2-0 lead.
United’s strength is their attack and they will score goals,
lots of them. But the defense is light to say the least. Rojo will take time to
adjust to the pace of the Premier League, Rafael is yet to show maturity and
will make the odd rash challenge under pressure and the center backs do not
have a leader that can hold the line. Young Blackett has shown promise but
would have benefitted playing alongside a Vidic, Johnny Evans unfortunately doesn’t
offer the same assuredness. I stilll cannot understand why they did not choose to sign Eliaquim Mangala. The lack of the quality defensive midfielder also
showed as Leicester’s counter attacks left Utd short of numbers at the back
when they poured forward in search for goals. 5 points from 5 games is one of
United’s worst starts ever and worryingly they are yet to face any of the other
six teams in contention for a top four finish.
Chelsea 1-1 Chelsea
at the Etihad:
It was billed as the clash of the contenders but as such
high profile matched usually turn out to be it was more of a game of chess
between two master strategists and I got most of the team selections right in
my preview for this match. Chances were few and far between as Chelsea spent
most of the afternoon defending and City were unable to find a way past
Mourinho’s well drilled defensive unit. Chelsea’s midfield had to join in the
defensive duties leaving Costa isolated up front for much of the game where
Eliaquim Mangala and Vincent Kompany kept him under check.
The game changed when Zabaleta was sent off after clattering
into Costa who also got a yellow card for lashing out at the Argentine. With 25
minutes to go Chelsea went on the attack and a lovely criss cross run by Hazard
found Schurrle, who had made an almost mirror image run, at the far post to put
Chelsea into the lead. Another quick move and Fabregas found Costa at the edge
of the box but his left footed shot taken on the turn came off the upright. When
Chelsea should have attacked and killed off the game they inexplicably sat back
and tried to shut shop. Frank Lampard, on as a sub, made one of his trademark
runs into the box and latched onto James Milner’s cross to smash it home. Alas, he doesn’t
play for Chelsea anymore. Never has a player been so heartbroken to score a
match saving goal. The game ended at that scoreline but the traveling Chelsea fans
continued to sing Frank Lampard’s name and he went across to acknowledge it and
say goodbye. He will always be Chelsea’s favorite son. Chelsea became the 39th
different club against whom Lampard has scored in the BPL, a record.
Jose Mourinho will see it as a point gained while Manuel
Pellegrini will rightly see it as 2 lost as his team dominated the game for
long periods but couldn’t score. Heartening for him will be the performance put
in by Milner and Mangala and also Yaya Toure back to some form.
With Liverpool, Tottenham and Everton losing to West Ham,
West Brom and Crystal Palace respectively Arsenal moved up to fourth with a win
at Villa Park, three goals in the space of four minutes proving to be enough. They
will, however, be severely tested as they play 4 games in 13 days and with 6
first team players out any additional casualty could prove to be their undoing.
Chelsea have firmly put themselves in contention for a top four finish while
City are favorites to challenge them for the title. Who will be the other two
teams to make it is still to be answered.
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