The EPL Weekend-Round 5

Another weekend, another round of astonishing football action.

 Let's start with the last fixture of the weekend, Manchester City v Chelsea. Last season i didn't like how Mourinho approached away games against the big teams, and ultimately it cost Chelsea the title. Chelsea were too negative and there were games you felt they would have won had they gone for it especially against Manchester United and Arsenal away. Against City this weekend Mourinho again went defensive. From the onset it was clear he wanted a point. It was an odd choice considering Chelsea have been the team to beat this season. They gave City too much respect. City were the better team up until Zabaleta was sent off. Chelsea then dominated the game for 4 minutes leading up to Schurrle's goal before once again retreating and trying to hold on to their slim advantage. Against the 10 men Chelsea could not hold on and in the end it was Chelsea legend Lampard who broke the Blues hearts with a well taken strike after some good work by Milner. Mourinho will argue that a point away to City-arguably their biggest rivals, is a good point but you just feel the 3 points were there for the taking. Hazard was dangerous every time he ran at the City defence. Mourinho brought old boy Drogba late on and once again his performance was summed up when he sent a good free kick high into the stands. He clearly is past his best and cannot deliver. City played well and it was an improved performance from their recent matches. Kompany was so composed and nullified the Chelsea attack threat. He comfortably controlled Costa and showed why he is the best center half in the EPL. Yaya Toure looked like the player we know he is and controlled midfield well keeping Fabregas and co. quiet. Mangala had a good game and he will only get better. But my player of the match was James Milner who had such an effect on the game both defensively and offensively, his run and cross for Lampard's goal was simply magnificent. It's a wonder City were thinking of selling him in the transfer window. He is an effective utility player able to slot into  any position in defence, midfield and also chip in with assists and the occasional goal.

Arsenal got back to winning ways with a comfortable win at Villa. The game was decided in 6 crazy minutes when Villa totally collapsed. The game was actually balanced until Welbeck's incisive pass set up Ozil for the opener. Wenger had played Ozil in wide positions in earlier games but chose to deploy him behind Welbeck in a more central position and he flourished. Welbeck is starting to enjoy his game and if he can combine his hard work with goals then he will prove a good buy. It was a good weekend for Arsenal as their top four rivals, United, Liverpool, Everton and Spurs all lost. Ramsey didn't have a particularly good game by his high standards but in the end those around him produced the goods. A bonus for Arsenal was that there were no fresh defensive injuries.

Manchester United had a weekend to forget. Nothing in the first half suggested that Leicester would get anything from the game. In fact up until the controversial first penalty for Leicester, United were cruising. The penalty decision was definitely wrong but even so you would expect a United side with such quality to still win such games. Rafael's retaliation was uncalled for and it brought back memories of a Champion's League quarter final match against Bayern a few years when he got himself sent off and allowed Robben to knock out United. From then on, United were shambolic in defence. Louis Van Gaal still has a lot of work to do in defence. To further compound matters, Blacket was sent off and will be suspended, Evans was injured afresh and Jones is still recovering. I wont be surprised if Blind starts at center half next weekend against West Ham. United forward play also went flat with the withdrawal of Di Maria for Mata. LVG obsession with making everybody happy got the best of him as there was absolutely no reason to make that change. United's next game was 7 days away so why the need to rest Di Maria. In deed Mata's error led to the fourth goal. David De Gea has potential to be a great keeper but his below par performances have gone unmentioned so far. You would struggle to remember the last time De Gea made a penalty save or even a game changing save. His reputation was built around him being a shot stopper and his penalty saving heroics. That looks a distant memory now. Maybe it's time he got some competition.

Liverpool's performance was abject to say the least. West Ham thoroughly deserved their win and could have won by a bigger margin. The Reds face an uphill task to finish in the top four if the performances this season are anything to go by.  The back line is so porous that every time West Ham came forward you felt they could score. Sorensen for me is not World class. He does not command his area the way Hart or Howard would and his decision coming for crosses is poor. Brendan Rodgers isn't sure whether to play with a back 5 or back 3. Sakho, Skrtel and Lovren are weak. Gerard is still relied upon to provide the midfield spark when it's obvious his best years are behind him. The only players who came out of this match with their reputation intact were Sterling and Balotelli. Liverpool brought in a lot of average players after selling Suarez but now that they are there, Rodgers has to get the best out of them. Service to Balotelli must improve. The number and quality of crosses coming in not good enough. Liverpool need to start improving sooner rather than later.

My Team of the week
Mannone
Reid
Kompany
De Laet
Betrand
Ozil
Di Maria
Milner
Hazard
Vardy
Cisse

Player of the week
Milner

Have a sporty week :)