A weekend with proper results shows
that the ill effects of internationals are over and clubs are stretching their
resources to gain maximum points. After five weeks, the EPL point table talks a
lot about the way it is scaling up. The worst losers of the first week
positioned in the top of the table and the present champion is struggling to
cope up with the pressure. The week produced maximum number of goals in a week in this season -29 goals. Five week is not enough to judge the season and
predict how the point table will look at mid May 2014.
Surprising result of the week was Southampton’s
away victory over Liverpool, and it was unexpected too. The ‘Reds” were
enjoying a high-flying start until the game that includes defeating Manchester
United at home. All these success stories were without their main striker Luis
Suarez who is serving his ten match ban. Southampton had different plan and
they properly curtailed the flowing attack of Liverpool and made their winning
goal just after the half-time break, through defender D. Lovren.
Fascinating results were the fight
backs of Everton and Hull City in their away matches against West Ham United
and New Castle United respectively. Both teams won with a margin of 2-3. Steve
Bruce played for Manchester United and managed Wigan, Birmingham, Sunderland
etc., lead Hull, the newly joined EPL team to new heights. When David Moyes
left Everton to Manchester United, the pundits had written off Everton even
from the first half list in the result table. Shrewd management of resources is
the key element of the success of Everton. Roberto Martinez learned and tried
it at Wigan and made it marvellous.
Disastrous result was the defeat of
Sunderland (3-0) margin by West Bromwich Albion. The result angered the
visiting fans they turned against the Sunderland manager Paulo Di Canio. His throat
cutting gesture towards the supporters made the situation worse and it ended up
in sacking of the manager eventually. He becomes the first manager to resign in
this season.
Challenging return towards victory was
the performance of Aston Villa. They defeated Norwich at Carrow Road with a
solitary goal. It was not the attack of Villa created the result and it was the
contribution of their defence. The defenders and midfield hung on the thing
margin made by their striker L. Kozak. After defeating Arsenal in the beginning
day, Villa forgot their way to victory. The result against Norwich will be
enough to regain their confidence.
Saddest on one hand and brightest on
the other, was the outcome of the Manchester Derby. Those who supports the
champions, it was a sad result and for those who supports Manchester City it
was a very bright result. City routed the United for 4-1 and produced a
successful attacking football against the champions. Credit should go to
Manchester cities game plan, coherence in their attack and team work, and
lethal finishing. Though out the game, Manchester United was shadow of its
self. They failed to do justice to their talent, depth and the name they are
carrying with. Instead of giving a proper fight, they meekly surrendered from
the beginning onwards. Only positive point in the match was the performance of
Rooney. He tried to inspire his team and fight back at least in the last
quarter. I don’t want to take credit from Manchester City for their best
performance so far. When they are in flow, it is difficult to stop them and
they proved it.
Everyone will blame Moyes for the
defeat but it is wrong. Manchester United is in a transition stage. They have
to change the structure of the team into the new manager’s mould. It will take
little bit time. Sir Alex faced this in his beginning years but he successfully
developed a team in his way and succeeded in all competitions for many years.
Moyes has that element in him but require little more time.
NB: After five matches, most successful team is not Manchester City or
Chelsea or Arsenal or Tottenham or Liverpool. It is Everton. They faced big
teams but not defeated by anyone.
