A few talking points from the Premier League’s midweek matches…
1. United stop boring, start drawing
After a performance that introduced Paul Scholes to a whole new range of emotions in the F.A Cup, Manchester United really needed to turn the style on at St. James’ Park. And that they did.
For 40 minutes or so.
Rooney’s cool penalty and even cooler set-up for Lingard were cancelled out when Fellaini provided a brilliant headed assist for Wijnaldum to volley home. Chris Smalling was then caught practising his mixed martial arts as he body slammed Mitrovic in the penalty area. The Serbian then did his best Rooney impression by slotting away from the spot.
Rooney then scored one of those goals that he used to score (a good one) but that was cancelled out when Dummet scored one of those goals that he never scores (one that goes in the net).
After the game Van Gaal, in a typically breezy and coherent chat with the press, said United could have scored six.
They didn’t though.
Further discussion points:
- Jesse Lingard’s celebration.
- That little run that Rooney did before scoring the penalty.
2. Liverpool remember how to do some stuff, forget the other stuff
It seems as if for teams playing Liverpool the only real tactic you need is to win as many corners as possible. Arsenal chose not to go down this route at first so a Liverpool victory didn’t seem too farfetched against the title-chasers. Especially judging by recent results against the ‘big’ teams.
But Simon Mignolet (and his trusted assistants Sakho and Touré) weren’t going to let it go down like that.
After Firmino put Liverpool ahead to round off a few minutes of ferocious pressure, the ever-improving Joel Campbell set up Aaron Ramsey who (despite probably almost definitely being the best goal scoring midfielder Britain has produced since Gerrard and/or Lampard) ran too easily past Sakho and put the ball into the near corner (where you should never be beaten) of Mignolet’s goal.
Firmino then one-upped himself before Mignolet did the same. Giroud then turned Kolo Touré, who seemed to age before your eyes as the Frenchman danced round him, to put Arsenal ahead. It seemed game over, another chance to put pressure on all ten teams chasing the Champions League lost. But luckily Joe Allen - fresh back from a stint of sleeping under a bus shelter - realised that the ball can move forward and put it into the back of the net. The Kop went wild. Klopp almost punched the fans. The Gooner supporting pub this writer watched the game in went quiet.
Further proof that Liverpool have the capability to score as many goals as they want as well as conceding as many as the opposition do.
Further discussion points:
- Did Firmino get his shirt back from the crowd?
- Did he get a new one?
- How many spares do you think they bring to games?
3. Andre Mariner’s understudy fluffs his lines
If for some reason you decided to scan Wikipedia for Graham Scott this morning you’ll have found a bio that reads “Graham Scott is a joke English football referee who primarily masquerades in the Barclays Premier League”. This was later changed to “An English Knob”.
Although almost definitely written by a reasonably disgruntled Swansea fan there isn’t a lot to argue with in that statement. Kyle Naughton made a great challenge on Yann M’Villa and was perplexingly sent off. This mistake went alongside a questionable penalty and two offside goals.
Scott was only recently promoted to the premier league and was a last minute replacement for Andre Mariner. Unlike Swansea, who still have a chance (albeit a small one) of staying in the Premier League, it’s not hard to see Scott making a swift return to the Football League.
Further discussion points:
- Defoe for England?
- Why this definitely won’t happen.
4. Dele Alli the real deal, Leicester City too
Screamers for England, stunners for Spurs, Dele Alli could soon be pushing Aaron Ramsey as probably almost definitely being the best goal scoring midfielder Britain has produced since Gerrard and/or Lampard. He had a host of good chances against Leicester but all failed to beat Schmeichel. It was his compatriot Kane (another who probably won’t be affected by endless comparisons to former greats) who had the best chance for Spurs and they looked the most likely to win it.
That was until Robert Huth used, in his own words, his “square head” to smash in a winner unmarked on 83 minutes.
It’s a cliché to say that title winners still grab points when they’re not playing well but there’s also a reason it is a cliché. So there.
Further discussion points:
- City will probably still win it won’t they?
5. Are Chelsea top four material?
On paper: Yes. Chelsea are playing good football again, Costa is running again (his desperate lunge for Willian’s cross before César ‘the man in the Iron mask’ Azpilicueta scored was not something he was doing when Mourinho still stood in the dugout), there aren’t many stronger teams player-for-player, and the league is so unpredictable that none of their rivals can ever guarantee three points.
In reality: Probably not. This highlighted by West Brom’s impressive draw at Stamford Bridge last night courtesy of two wonderful strikes by Gardner (he doesn’t score bad ones does he?) and Mclean. Chelsea host Everton, Watford and Manchester United in their next home games with a tricky detour via the Emirates in-between.
Maybe next year, Roman?
Further discussion points:
- Costa put his fist through the wall of the tunnel. So there’s that.
