The Barclay’s English Premier got off to a reasonably slow start today, compared to that of even our local football league the PSL! The PSL saw a total of 16 goals, with the English sides on mustering up a measly 11. One could say the South African game is catching up quickly, which it is, but the truth is their defences are 10 times less immune to goals, than that of the organised EPL sides. We are right up there when it comes to technique, yet quite a way behind when it comes to tactics and concentration levels! But, enough with the boring stuff, let me move on to part 1 of my EPL weekend wrap!
The New Ball
The Official Barclay’s Premier League Ball 2011/12. There are 3 colour variations and I quite like the design too!
Featured Match
Liverpool vs Sunderland
Adam and Cattermole were both great on the day and stood out for me!
I only got home just before the second half, as I was making a return to the game myself today for my boyhood side, Camps Bay FC. Watching the highlights I could see that King Kenny’s new look side were up for it right from the start! Suarez got a penalty very early on, only to blast the ball into row z from the spot. The gaffer gave debut’s to 4 of his new signings including Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Henderson and Luis Enrique, who signed from Newcastle just yesterday. Charlie Adam looks a very good buy and as Sir Alex Ferguson says, his ability from set pieces is worth £10 million alone! He proved that yet again today as he supplied Suarez with a sublime ball into the danger zone to give them the lead on 12 minutes.
Luis Suarez made up for early his penalty mis,s by scoring a glancing header at the near post just moments later!!!
Yet again The Reds possession never turned in to goals and they were stunned by a more vibrant, more aggressive Sunderland side. Their worries got worse when debutant Sebastian Larsson hit home a cracking volley in mid air at the back post! It kind of reminded me of one of my favourite old Brazilian players, Rivaldo. Now that man scored some sublime goals! Liverpool forced a few good saves out of the Sunderland keeper Simon Mignolet, but it was no use. Another one of those days for Liverpool and they will be far from happy with just a point at Anfield!
Above: Larsson’s goal was sublime, the perfect example of how to do the Rivaldo scissor’s kick! Below: Luis Suarez battles for possession with ex United boy Phil Bardsley.
Wes Brown was phenomenal for Sunderland, in a back four consisting of 3 ex Man Utd boys… Make that four if John O’Shea returns from injury in time to face Newcastle next week. Will he be played centrally alongside Brown, or will that finally give Kieran Richardson the nod to ply his trade further forward, where he is clearly better suited? I have a sneaky suspician he may partner his old team mate Wes Brown at centre back 😉
“Their front two are very different players – Carroll is big and strong while Suarez is very tricky.” – Wes Brown
Blackburn vs Wolves
Blackburn went down at Ewood Park to a gutsy Wolves side. I had my eye on Jarvis the young lad at Centre Mid for Wolves since last season, and, he is proving to be a bit of a handful for opposing sides. He won the penalty by beating ex Galactico Selgado with pace, who was also notably responsible for both Wolves goals. Does he have what it takes to last the whole season?
Fletcher rises above and exposes Selgado to equalise for Wolves. That’s 5 in 5 for the striker now, after ending the season with 4 in as many games last time out!
The talking point here though is not even the penalty, it is the Zinedine Zidane style volley that won it for the boys in orange. After the penalty was saved, the ball never really got cleared and eventually found it self wrap around the wrath of Stephan Ward’s left boot! I had to include the highlight clip below for you to show you how perfect his technique was…
QPR vs Bolton
Nothing like a real hammering from an average side to welcome you back to the top flight 😉 Of all people, centre back Gary Cahill opened the scoring with a spectacular curling effort into the top corner for Bolton. From there on it was downhill and when Muamba slid the ball into the net it was curtains closed at 4-0! Bolton are sitting on the top of the Premier League for what can only be described as premature, ha ha. They do however have a very nice looking starting 11 if they can stay away from injuries, and, more so sharks that are after their star Cahill…
Gary Cahill is the spine of Bloton and if he leaves it will definitely take some shopping/adjusting to replace him!
Newcastle vs Arsenal
Once again Arsenal disappointed the Gunners faithful with a very below par performance. Granted it was the first game of the season and the boys have not reached peak fitness yet. Arsene Wenger left Captain Cesc Fabregas and fellow French star Samir Nasri out of the squad altogether, which can only mean that deal’s are almost done with Barca and Man City respectively for the influential pair! If Wenger thinks that he has any chance of qualifying for Europe without those two in his lackluster squad, he is dreaming.
They lacked that killer instinct in the final third and having new signing Gervinho see straight red for retaliation, only adds to the gaffer’s woes… Joey Barton had his part to play in the fixture, pulling Gervinho up from the floor after he was said to have dived in the penalty are. The Ivory Coast ace was man handled and reacted, which only saw Barton see yellow, whilst Gervinho on the other hand wasn’t so lucky. I guess he won’t be slapping players again for a while 😉
Seeing Red on your debut for your new club is never a good start. Especially because the meet Udinese and Manchester United in their next two fixtures. Eish!
Other Results
Fulham 0 – 0 Aston Villa
Wigan 0 – 0 Norwich
Today see’s title holders Manchester United travel to West Brom as they begin their pursuit for their 20th Domestic title! Chelsea take on a strong, physical Stoke side who are never easy to breach, but I have a bet on the United Blues double so hoping they actually get a result 😉
Can Fergie’s new batch of youngster bring home the 20th domestic title, or do they need to sign one more World class player to finish the puzzle?
Today’s EPL Fixtures
Stoke City vs Chelsea
WBA vs Man Utd
I like the new ball too. It’s like they know Chelsea are going to win the league. If you don’t know what im talking about look out for our new away kit.
Oh yeah I saw that, pretty similar 😉