Some say football is life; the question is “how do you argue against such a claim that has proved itself so plausibly over time?” For some of us this is what we live for, to experience the beauty of the game and to savour the grandeur of its unpredictability. The last weekend in the premiership would be any genuine football follower’s dream day, where the stage was so well set up with intriguing features such as: noisy neighbours transforming in to genuine championship rivals; the underdog pip title favourites; seeming minnows go to a celebrated slaughter ground and come out alive with a gleaming point for their pains; giants who once sank regaining vigour and potential; a tale of two strugglers- a question of who wanted it more. I could go on and on and on; Intrigues, intrigues, and more intrigues. Such is an apt description of what went down on premiership match-day nine.
Manchester United versus Manchester City Match [1 - 6]
The famous Manchester derby could not have played out with more intrigues than we witnessed on this day, with the score-line totally unbelievable. In what was only Manchester city’s second win in old Trafford in thirty-seven years, the ones referred to as the ‘noisy neighbours’ transformed in to genuine title contenders handing both Sir Alex Ferguson and his team their worst ever home defeat till date. Which better opponent could have been poised to end the Manchester united run of nineteen consecutive home league wins than Manchester city?
A game that started out as a repeat of the ceremonial season opener- the community shield game where Manchester united came back from two goals down to take the title after scoring three goals. Revenge could not have been sweeter for Manchester city and to have handed it out in such fashion and venue spoke of style and class, speedily announcing city’s arrival at the helm of English football.
The win took them five points clear with an extra five-goal difference cushion. The enigmatic and controversial Mario Balotelli had mistakenly burnt down his house on the eve of the match - a freak firework accident leaving Roberto Manchini with a million questions. Instead of lament, he decided to take out his pain on Manchester united scoring the first two goals in what was to turn out a rout in the end. Next thing he went to the fans to celebrate with his shirt up and the underwear unveiling this question in print “Why always me?” only him would be in the best position to answer that.
The remaining four goals were scored by players fast coming into their own, namely Edin Dzeko- a brace, Kun Aguero and the in-form David Silva. Darren Fletcher pulled back a consolation goal around the eighty minute mark, but it was too little on the day to salvage such a humiliation from a city neighbour or share bragging rights. Ferguson has since referred to the day as his worst ever in football both as a coach and as a player.
QPR versus Chelsea [1 - 0]
The stage was set for Chelsea to go second on the league table right after the Manchester united loss to their city neighbour, but QPR had other ideas. In what turned out to be QPR first win over Chelsea in sixteen years, an underdog really got one over a title favourite. Before the end of the first forty-five minutes, Chelsea was a goal down and two men short; something absolutely unthinkable before the match began.
As much as Chelsea struggled on the day trying to exhibit that extra stuff of champions, there was only going to be one winner and it was QPR. Never an easy task when a team of nine men had to stand against a full squad of eleven inspired men. Some say the referee was a bit too harsh in sending off Bosingwa and then Didier Drogba, but it just seemed like another day at work for referee Chris Foy. Chelsea were left to rue what could have been, three points worse and a minus one goal difference for effect.
Arsenal versus Stoke City [3 - 1]
The third consecutive win for the gunners and another back to back home win against such spirited opponents such as Stoke City. It was a case of the fading giants looking like they are coming back to their best potential. Although it wasn’t to come easy as everyone has now come to know that in Stoke city, there lies a tough customer, and to get a win you would have to grind it out.
That is exactly what Arsenal had to go through even with the luxury of playing at home, needing a cameo appearance from the now magical captain Robin Van Persie to claim maximum points, as he scored a brace and spared the gunners a few blushes. Gervinho also proved quite lethal on the day proving to Arsene Wenger that he just might be a viable striking option.
Analysing an Arsenal game would never be complete on a day without mentioning their defence, a perpetual problem. On the day, they seemed to get their acts right although conceding the now ‘standard’ give-away goal they have developed as a habit. Overall they did well, and the few shortcomings were drowned by the joy of the win.
Blackburn Rovers versus Tottenham [1 - 2]
The pressure keeps mounting on Steve Kean and his men as they conceded another set of three precious home points to Tottenham. Blackburn has got to realise that sparks of good performance just won’t do it, as Tottenham continue their quest to return to the champion’s league with unique victories both home and away.
The Tottenham team deserved praise on the afternoon, especially Van der Vaart for converting the brace, sealing the game for his side. It must be said that claiming three points at the home ground of Blackburn who could be very stubborn customers on their is quite commendable.
Bolton W. versus Sunderland [0 - 2]
This game in particular, a case of two strugglers and that aptly describes the drab performance all through the first half of the match with both sides playing as if there was not much at stake. Prior to the game rumours were out that Steve Bruce could lose his job if he lost the second of two deadline games, the fist one being the loss at Arsenal the previous week. The bite from his side just could not confirm the latter news. Although all of that was to change in the second half, as their attitudes showed more aggression and on the day they happened to want the win more than their hosts. Two goals in the last nine minutes of the game acquitted them alright, thanks to Sessegnon and Bendtner.
Bolton wanderers were handed out their fifth consecutive home loss, asking real questions of Owen Coyle and his side. Dropping points especially at home does not do anybody any favours. The heat is on, and Owen Coyle must try to find a solution before it is too late.
Liverpool versus Norwich [1 - 1]
To have gone to a slaughter ground like Anfield, the Liverpool fortress and come out with a draw, new boys Norwich should be highly commended especially with the plethora of stars Liverpool had available on the day. The same score-line happened to be what premier league giants Manchester United thankfully left with the previous week, and to have achieved the same feat for Norwich was no mean achievement.
So far in the Premier league Norwich has given a good account of itself, but it must be said that while Kenny Daglish’s project for the reds is still very much on track, they must learn to claim maximum home points as such dropped can only come back to haunt the team in the final reckoning.
Fulham versus Everton [1 - 3]
Two late goals from Louis Saha and Jack Rodwell sealed Fulham’s fate handing Everton their first ever win in craven cottage. Fulham only have them to blame as they could have sealed the game with begging chances not converted. Everton continue their away form magic of previous years, as they have now built a record of tricky guests for any home side in the premiership, the top four inclusive.
Fulham would feel very unlucky after such a competitive game, the least they should have gotten was a draw, but goals determine these games as they painfully had to learn, if you do not score then be ready to take the fall.
The Rest of the Bunch
Wolves versus Swansea City [2 - 2]
Swansea City would definitely take the away point almost as a loss after they gave away a healthy two goal lead in the dying minutes of the game; again another top level lesson for them -that at this stage, you either seal it or protect what you have.
Wolves coach Mick McCarthy cut a picture of one with very mixed feelings after the game, both with the relief of a rescued point while at the same time being quite crossed with the behaviour of the team fans on the day. Wolves salvaged a point from an effectively drab performance at home.
Aston Villa versus West Bromwich [1 - 2]
The baggies went to Villa Park to claim their first win in thirty-two years over a formidable opponent. They also had the one man extra advantage fully in their favour as Aston Villa had to live with referee Phil Dowd’s controversial red card handed out to Chris Herd.
Villa had gone ahead, but lost the game to two come-back strikes by West Bromwich giving Roy Hodgson something to cheer following a second consecutive win after claiming the scalp of wolves last week. It would only be proper to spare Alex McLeish some thought as he tried to make his side recover from the heavy loss to Manchester City last week but it was not to be.
Newcastle versus Wigan [1 - 0]
Newcastle showed the original stuff of champions after having to dig in to their bag of tricks to pull of a win on a day they did not exactly deserve all three points. Wigan had a fair performance on the day, but Newcastle reiterated the point of remaining unbeaten so far in the season.
Speak of a side riding quite high on confidence at the moment, a good enough compensation for their troubles in recent years that saw them sink in to relegation before staging an immediate come back the next year. Credit must be given to Alan Pardew and his side so far for their recent exploits, fast transforming St James Park in to a fortress.
