The EPL Weekend-Round 11

Another weekend of English Premiership Football bonanza.
Manchester United managed to scrape a win over Palace at Old Trafford.  If the victory was labored, the relief was almost palpable as United got their first win in four games. It is a measure of how much The Red devils have fallen that a one-nil home win over Palace would be celebrated in the manner in which it was. But then again this season has seen reduction in the gap between the 'top' teams and the supposedly 'weak' teams. Anybody can beat anybody as Arsenal, Man City and Spurs found out. United once again had a patched up central defense pairing following injuries/suspensions to Jones,Smalling, Rafael and Rojo. 
Rooney's return relegated Mata to the bench. United defensive problems have been well highlighted this season but lately i think the attack has been more of a problem. United have only conceded 2 goals in their last 3 games- 2 of those games against Man City and Chelsea. During this period, United have only scored twice. This is meagre returns for an attack force boasting the likes of Rooney,Mata,Van Persie,Di Maria, Januzaj. It is worth noting that this has coincided with Di Maria's dip in form. Prior to this period, he was the focal point of most of United's attacking play. Falcao's persistent injuries have robbed Van Gaal of options upfront and you get the feeling when he is fit, he will get plenty of time to prove he is worth his salt. Nobody doubts his abilities but the injuries will deny United the prospect of reaping maximum from his loan spell.
Januzaj's progress has been very slow and for me he shouldn’t be starting games. I would be very surprised if he started the next match against Arsenal especially if Rafael and Valencia are both fit.

At Arsenal, the perennial 'Wenger out' sentiments have started. Swansea were the latest team to expose Arsenal's defensive frailties. The Gunners are really missing Koscielny because i think without him Mertesacker is just not the same player. Monreal has been filling in at central defense and he clearly doesn't relish playing in that position. If only Jenkinson was still around as cover in the right back position then Chambers would deputise for Koscielny as he is a natural center back. As it is Arsenal have to do with Monreal. Welbeck did score a hat trick recently but he has now gone 5 matches without a goal in the EPL. Welbeck will always elicit mixed feelings because he can be exciting and disappointing at the same time. He missed a good chance against Swansea but then did very well to provide an assist for Sanchez. Alexis Sanchez is Arsenal's best player this season by a mile.The amount of goals and assists he has contributed would make every Arsenal fan cringe at the thought of him being injured. Arsenal next play Man United and that is a big game. The Gunners will be hoping they have a few of their players back from injury.

Liverpool's bad season shows no sign of improving. The Reds lost for he 5th time this season against Chelsea and you wonder where Brendan Rogers goes from here. Liverpool's problems lie in the quality of players they have. I think they are simply not good enough and those that performed last season like Henderson were performing beyond their abilities. A lot of the Liverpool players over-performed last season. Sterling at times looked like an equal to Messi and Ronaldo. There was even talk of Real Madrid being interested. This season has brought them back to the level where they actually are. Against Chelsea it was not that the players were not giving their best, they were but their best was simply not good enough. To add insult to injury, the players recruited in the summer are average at best.Their leaky defence has not helped matters and it's about time Rodgers considered dropping the suspect Lovren for Kolo Toure. Lucky for Liverpool, and United, Arsenal and City, top four is still a realistic target with only Chelsea and Saints looking consistent so far.

Manchester City have been going through a torrid run of form and this weekend was no exception. QPR exposed City's defence time and time again. In the end City were lucky to get away with a draw. With the gap between them and Chelsea growing to 8 points, Pellegrini is now under real pressure. This is despite Sergio Aguero's amazing run of form. You wonder where City would be without the Argentine's contribution this season. City have not progressed from last season and it would take a remarkable turn of events for them to catch up with Chelsea. Mangala has not impressed since his expensive acquisition and his cohort Demichelis did not fare any better. City have also been guilty of squandering a lot of chances in front of goal. They are not as clinical as they ought to be.With Silva still out injured, Dzeko joining him, Jovetic unable to show consistency, Toure and Nasri still searching for form, the gap between City and Chelsea will surely increase.

Chelsea continued their good run of form with a deserved victory over Liverpool. Quality-wise i don't think Chelsea are that way ahead of their rivals. Man for man, City and United are arguably better especially from midfield moving forward. The difference is in the confidence, organization and discipline. And that is why Mourinho is a good coach.Unlike Van Gaal, Wenger, Rodgers and Pellegrini, he has been able to have a consistent first 11. When Chelsea plays, you always know it's going to be Terry, Ivanovich, Cahill and Azpilicueta at the back, Matic, Fabregas, Oscar, Hazard, Wilian/Ramires and Costa upfront. With Arsenal, City, United and Liverpool, you are never sure who is going to start. Of course  Chelsea have been lucky to some extent with injuries but playing with the same people around you creates an understanding. Football is a game of surprises but it is hard to imagine Chelsea not winning the title this season with the kind of form and consistency they have shown.

Team of the week
Guzan, Janmaat, Collocini, Collins, Azpilicueta, Matic, Wanyama, Montero, Sigurdson, Aguero, Long

Player of the week
Sigurdson

Have a sporty week ;)