EPL 2017/18 - Game Week 11

England won the European U-19 Championship with a 2-1 victory over Portugal (European Champions) in July their U-20 won the World Cup in June, the U-21 lost on penalties to Germany (again) in the semi-final stage in summer and now the U-17 won the World Cup in convincing fashion and a new star was born in Liverpool lad Rhian Brewster. Brewster scored back to back hattricks in the quarter-final in a 4-1 win over USA, again in the 3-1 win over Brazil in the semi-final and then in the final trailing Spain 0-2 they came back to win 5-2 where Brewster added another goal. Take nothing away from them, they faced the world's best teams and won! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfzsG5j_QOU (Rhian Brewster hattrick v USA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_2SnBy6CtA (RHian Brewster hattrick v Brazil)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNpIU5chcfk (Rhian Brewster goal v Spain)

The next question is not whether Rhian Brewster is the next Kylian Mbappe though Liverpool and Klopp must do all they can to keep him but whether England could keep, harness, develop and nurture these players from the U-17 to U-21 squads where in the next few years would be playing as seniors in the national World Cup team.  It has the backbone of a Golden Generation  but we all know what golden generation could become too. No other country has won three such tournaments before not even Brazil or Spain. The manner of the victory was even greater beating Brazil 3-1 in the semi-final and Spain 5-2 in the final are stuffs that dreams are made of. There must be plenty of belief, flair and composure even at that young age. The problem is clubs will splash the cash and buy out many young and talented players and then put them on the bench thus killing off necessary development, exposure, experience and enthusiasm. However, do not be carried away. Hope has turned into despair for England many times and too often. Now, take a look at another 17 year old Phil Foden from Manchester City who has the potential to be great. Brewster is the top scorer in the U-17 World Cup and has the potential to be a great goal scorer then Foden who was the U-17 World Cup Golden Ball winner as the best player of the tournament has the potential to be among world greats. Watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM9tfCUqv0Y (Phil Foden)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNeNAvSGYyY (Phil Foden, England U-17 v Spain U-17 World Cup Final)

The problem is that in the ultra competitive Premier League, the stakes are so high, manager have little time and much to loose by introducing new and young players or dare to experiment. This will lead to lost opportunities.

These junior World Cup stuffs were imagined by our very own FAS when Singapore hosted Lion City Cup for even younger teams of U-14 and U-16. Our imagination and standard have gone dry and beyond recognition. Our FIFA ranking has made it worse. Now back to the EPL. This week can be game changing. Imperious Manchester City will host an improving Arsenal. The other will see Chelsea welcoming Manchester United, Mourinho, Matic, Lukaku to Stamford Bridge. Arsenal and Chelsea must win to go nearer. 

Stoke City v Leicester City - One or two matches with good results and things do look a bit rosy. With Watford playing so well who would expect Stoke to win away? Leicester were even better as they have not lost for awhile and have won three on the trot. New manager Frenchman Claude Puel seemed to have introduced the type of play that the Foxes did wen they won the premier league. Stoke are getting back but the Foxes are unpredictable. 1-1.

Huddersfield v WBA - David Wagner lost his wager to his good friend Klopp. They have actually played a good first half but later caved in. We have to remember again that at this same venue this weekend, they had the Red Devils beaten. The Baggies have lost some momentum but they gave City the closest fight than anyone has this season but still in poor form having not won in five matches. Jay Rodriguez is back and may help WBA. 2-1. 

Newcastle v Bournemouth - The Magpies are sitting quite pretty in 9th and have twice the points of the Cherries. They lost 0-1 to Burnley away while Bournemouth played well but still lost to Chelsea at home. Bournemouth need to quickly change their current situation before it it too late. It really is not easy to be a top sportsman or sports team. I mean you have to not only be at the top but you have to very consistent. Just like playing golf. Bournemouth was wonderful last year but now Eddie Howe is having a headache. They have to get back their confidence. 1-0. 

Southampton v Burnley - The Saints have not been better under Mauricio Pelligrino, also an Argentina and Pochettino's namesake. His Southampton are lacking a cutting edge but are quite steady. Sean Dyche has made Burnley hard to beat and not only that, his team plays with a certain confidence. There is a chance for him to move as he was reportedly under Everton's radar. It is a big opportunity. Go for the challenge or stay and be happy and loved. This is what many of us faced in our career and life. There is no right answer but at least you must have or be given a choice. Make that choice and have no regret come what may. While Southampton are not winning most games they remain resilient and neither is Burnley easy to beat. 1-1.

Swansea v Brighton - Poor Swansea has many red marks under the L column. I think they play better than their results and position suggested. They gave Arsenal a good game last week but lost 1-2 away. Brighton are doing much better than pundits suggested at the beginning of the season and so far surprised more than a few people. Tammy Abraham has just been called up for England duty. He is the only bright spark for the Swans and may be inspired to score a winner here. Brighton are not a bad team but at some point Swansea have to win. This could be it? 2-1.

West Ham v Liverpool - The Hammers haven't won in their last three league matches. They led Palace but allowed them a comeback with Joe Hart making some fine saves. Ayew scored a beauty and is the man to watch. The Hammers are not quite the same since last season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAHHx39yKyw (Palace v West Ham)

Liverpool ousted a stubborn and obstructive Huddersfield but had to endure a nervy 0-0 first half. It was until Daniel Sturridge scored a sublime goal that was the game changer. On Wednesday, Liverpool had 83% possession against Slovenia's Maribor but had to wait till Mohamed Salah scored in the 49th minute for his 10th goal in 16 matches. A great cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold was met by a brillinat flick from Salah.

What a player! The worrying things is they could not convert penalties anymore. Salah missed against Huddersfield and regular James Milner missed against Maribor. Even Emre Can scored an exquisite goal after a one-two with Milner and finally Sturridge scored from a fine cross from Moreno. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain feature prominently too. Another clean sheet and another 3-0 scoreline. Its now four clean sheets in five matches and scored 14 times except for that thrashing by Spurs. They may be back and Lovren could have been the problem. Karius played too. Maybe Liverpool has finally learnt how to play against parked buses. Liverpool must get a win if they want to stay in the hunt. 0-2.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3JhIYKVJes (Liverpool v Huddersfield)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96dY0Vu63mU (Liverpool v Maribor) 

Tottenham v Crystal Palace - Tottenham were unfortunate to have lost to United last week but their form or stature have not deteriorated and instead their stocks have risen when they had Real Madrid soundly beaten 3-1 at Wembley in the Champions League. Brilliant! Dele Alli bagged a brace and the second one was brilliant when he beat a defender twice to score and was at times audacious running rings around Real's expensive defenders. If Alli keeps his head an temper he is destined for greatness. Kane had an assist for Erikssen to score. When you can beat Real Madrid you can beat anymore. Real Madrid are La Liga champions and Champions League winner twice in a row. Real have been beaten only once in 22 European games and have not lost a single group stage game over 30 matches. In this situation, you may be thinking Tottenham in white were Real Madrid. Though Palace are an improved team now, it is bad timing to face Spurs. Watch the whole Tottenham team but keep y our eyes especially on Erikssen, Alli and Kane. A great team with superb individuals are rising. I could have said 3-0 but Palace have improved so. 2-0.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBfzBDS6eOg&pbjreload=10 (Tottenham v Real Madrid)

Manchester City v Arsenal - Leaders City are on 28 points after 10 matches meaning they are unbeaten with 9 wins and a draw. They are playing the best football out there with a balance team. United can park a bus but dare not play, Chelsea are having some problems, Arsenal can flow but are vulnerable, Liverpool have a great attack and until recently a defence that sucks and that left us with Tottenham who are as good as if not better than City and both Guardiola and Pochettino are great managers. For City to win 4-2 away to Napoli is not a stroll in the park. City have many options but two players who seemed to have finally come good are Fernandhino and Raheem Sterling where the former wins the ball and distribute to the rest and the latter who is now a regular scorer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1zNPY6FbaM (Napoli v Manchester City) 

Meantime, Arsenal with several changes to their lineup were held 0-0 by Red Star Belgrade. They have already qualified so perhaps Wenger was resting key players for this. The Gunners can handle teams like City better as they play a similar attacking game. City are stronger, more consistent, flowing and at the Etihad they have an edge. It could be 3-1 to City if Arsenal are not careful but the Gunners' record against City is quite good. I think at this moment City is a bit too good. 3-2.

Chelsea v Manchester United  - Chelsea were soundly beaten 3-0 by at Roma on Halloween.  Now he has to face the possibility of a parked bus and old boys that could hurt him - Mata, Lukaku and Matic. Conte may have overdone with his rotation policy for his defenders but his counterpart Mourinho who could be suffering from andropause when he started blaming his players. Will Herrera put in to mark Eden Hazard again? The interesting thing is that if Kante is back then there is a titanic battle in midfield where Kante goes against Matic where they once both combined to win the title. One is like a terrier and the other built like a Great Dane. It could be epic. Conte must hope the Hazard continue with better form and Morata will score while Mourinho will bank on Lukaku and Rashford. 1-1. 

Everton v Watford - The Toffees are in the worst phase for a long time. Led by Koeman, they were good last season. The big spending and changes came too quickly I supposed and affected the team. Now even David Unsworth is left too late to repair as Everton crashed 0-3 to Lyon and crashed out of the Europa at group stage. The Hornets have been a revelation this season but since their defeat by Chelsea, they have also lost 0-1 at home to Stoke. While Watford will be determined to get back, Everton must go all out to secure victory at Goodison Park. It has to start now. Can you imagine relegation. 2-1.