EPL 2020/21 - Game Week 10
RIP Great One
Diego Armando Maradona! There is none like him and never will be. His World Cup goal in 1986 against England where he dribbled half the England team to score may never be repeated. In the semi-final he did almost exactly the same thing to Belgium. He was pure genius and a magician. Geniuses see things that others don't. In soccer, they even know where their opponents are moving before their opponents themselves know it. That is how they create time and find space no matter how tight. All geniuses have flaws too and it is part of their personality and he has the child in the man. Think Paul Gascoigne.
All the world's best players may have some similar traits but are all different. Pele was probably the most complete with his goals, creation, movement, headers and being equally adept with either foot. Johan Cruyff was the conductor of an orchestra. Zinedine Zidane was a ballet dancer. Franz Beckenbauer was Der Kaiser. Cristiano Ronaldo the supreme athlete. When it comes to dribbling - I think of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, the original Brazilian Ronaldo and the other Brazilian Ronaldinho. It is no coincidence that Maradona's hero was none other than George Best as he was inspired by Best when he was young as he found Best flamboyant, exciting and inspirational. He then thought they were very similar players - dribblers who were able to create magic. Uncannily, George Best died on 25 Nov. 2005 at 59 while Diego Maradona died on 25 Nov. 2020 aged 60. Maradona also said that he could relate to Best as both were addicted to alcohol. Now this was the reason why defenders only saw George Best's backside seldom his face. Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJWWA-h_-5g (George Best)
His fellow countryman Messi resembles the closest thing to Maradona with their shorter build, impossible close control as if the ball is glued to their feet and superb dribbling. In fact, Messi scored a goal that was so similar to Maradona's. How about this goal for a 19 year-old Messi?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAehMNYw0ig (Messi)
Now Messi is a fantastic and unbelievable player but at Barcelona, the team carried him as much as he carried the team. As for Deigo Maradona, he carried Napoli at the time when AC Milan were the greatest team and he carried Argentina and the World Cup.
Ronaldo was also another phenomenal dribbler with his stepovers, control and lightning pace. Once he runs at a defence it would be very difficult to stop him!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctIA4BLrYwc (Ronaldo Luiz Nazario de Lima)
Then there is the cheekiness of Ronaldinho whose dribbling methods were very different. A great entertainer and a contortionist:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dBz4dTZocg (Ronaldinho)
If you take a look at all photos featuring Maradona with other top players, you will notice that he has always greeted them with arms wide open and he was often giving them a big hug. That is the warmth and love of the man. Above all, he was a great person and well loved by many. Perhaps Brazilian Ronaldo, Portuguese Ronaldo, Messi, Ronaldinho were inspired by Maradona like Maradona was inspired by Best. Soccer without such great players and characters like Maradona would be boring. Rest in peace great one. We need more players like you.
Finally, Maradona said that his English team is Liverpool as he watched how Liverpool conquered Barcelona at Anfield and with the way they played. RIP. Ad10s Amigo! YNWA!
Crystal Palace v Newcastle - Zaha has tested positive for Covid while the Magpies could only score when Callum Wilson is around. While Newcastle provided little resistance as they allowed Chelsea to swarm them, Palace surrendered 0-1 to Burnley who got their first win. Both sides have the lowest shots from open play so expect a dull affair perhaps. So a draw is a most likely outcome. If Callum Wilson is back he may get a much needed goal for his team. 1-1.
Brighton v Liverpool - What crisis? What derailment? The mighty Reds have done it again defying all odds! Without a host of their injured stars and Covid-stricken Salah they still dominated Leicester with 56% possession, took 24 shots to the Foxes' 11 and created 20 chances. The score could have been bigger than 3-0 and the naysayers were saying the Roberto Firmino was past his best and he promptly answered with a goal and Man-of-the-Match performance where he should have scored three! If this is a crocked Liverpool, the rest of the league should worry as they are now level on points on top with Tottenham and in the process stretching their unbeaten streak at Anfield to 64 games! No Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, no Thiago Alcantara, no captain Hemderson, in other words they were shorn of their top scorer, 3 first team defenders, 2 first team midfielders - no problem and Leicester were at the peak of their powers and looking like real challengers. James Milner is turning 35 soon and he was all quality. He started at right back and finished the game in midfield. 19 year-old Curtis Jones is going to have a bright future and played like he was there a long time. Diogo Jota continued his class acts and gave a MOTM performance and oh what a goal he scored and with it he set a new record becoming the first player in Liverpool history to score in his first four home matches. Jota's goal came after a sequence of an amazing 30 passes in build up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuprjgP0uyU (Jota)
Do your shopping right. Liverpool signed Mane from Southampton, Firmino from Hoffeinhem and Jota from Wolves - astutely put into a great system and added with great coaching. So many doubters over so many years, write off Liverpool at your own peril but things will not get easy as Naby Keita was injured and the Reds played Atalanta in mid-week and lost 0-2 after hammering them 5-0 away with a great show and visit Brighton in an afternoon game. Diogo Jota is gonna be a big star. He was good at Wolves and it was beneficial for Liverpool as he already knew this league so well but even the Reds would not have expected the way he has taken to his life at Merseyside. He has been nothing but amazing!
Brighton have been playing well without the results to show and managed one win and now added a second win away to Villa. Again they played well even as Villa have more possession and 15 shots a them so in other words they have outplayed their opponents and lost. All they needed was to score and win and Graham Potter knew well that all they have to do is to stop conceding easy goals and to take their chances. I have said Solly March is very good and he proved that once again with a goal of beauty. The Seagulls will surely threaten Liverpool here. But amazingly Liverpool kept a clean sheet against Leicester's potent attack. This was achieved without the colossus Virgil Van Dijk, no Gomez or Trent and not even Captain Jordan Henderson. Liverpool did not complain and keep moving on. They deal with life's problems by finding solutions. If we were to adopt the same principles, we will achieve the same in life. Once again , they have confounded their doubters but after hammering Atalanta 5-0 away they lost to them 0-2 at Anfield. How will Liverpool respond? The Reds have not lost to Brighton since they joined the Premier League so it was six wins. It will not be that clear cut as Liverpool's battered team has to work for a win. Graham Potter's Seagulls play a progressive brand of soccer but there isn't enough quality throughout so that they falter when bringing the ball out to their opponents but they look more dangerous when being pegged back with their counters. With Tariq Lamptey suspended they will miss his attacking qualities. Liverpool will still have key players missing in defence and midfield but in attack you may find Salah, Mane, Firmino and Jota playing together. Salah and Mane seemed is little off form but Firmino appeared back to his best and Jota is on fire. It can be a frightening thought if they get their act together especially with an early goal. 1-3.
Manchester City v Burnley - City are having an indifferent season and the 0-2 defeat at Tottenham left them with a tall task and 8 points behind the leaders. Of course they dominated 66% possession and took 22 shots and created 19 chances. The slump has continued. I feel that Pep Guardiola has not adequately replaced his key players. Their back line was differntly since Vincent Kompany left and and made worse when Laporte was injured. Leroy Sane has left too and no one was even close to Fernandinho. Gabriel Jesus is very good but he is no Sergio Aguero. Burnley secured their first win at last 1-0 over Palace and England goalkeeper was once again named Man-of-the-Match. City will swarm Burnley for sure and Nick Pope need to win another MOTM for the Clarets to survive a badly-hurt City but Burnley have not beaten City since the 70s. After the humilation by Spurs expect City to have a strong response. Watch for Phil Foden, he has been excellent for both England and City where he scored and was MOTM away to Olympiacos. CIty previously won these ties 5-0 but they have not been as prolifice. 3-1.
Everton v Leeds - This will be my match of the week. Dominic Cavert-Lewin scored within less than a minute and got a second by the 29th minute bringing his season's goals to 10. What a player he has become! The big question was by leading 3-1 how did the Toffees allowed Fulham to mount an almost complete comeback? The Cottagers got so much of the ball in the second half with 54% possession. Scored another goal almost immediately after missing their penalty. I think it was probably due to Rodriguez and Richarlison being taken off. These two are fundamental to DCL's goals who besides his shots and great headers is beginning to score those Filippo Inzaghi goals. With Lucas Digne out, they will miss his foraging runs, crosses and aggression. Arsenal's visit to Leeds was indeed like what Arteta once said - a visit to the dentist. Leeds had 66% of the ball, 25 shots and 16 chances created. The fact that Bernd Leno was MOTM showed how many saves he made. Leeds dominated even before Nichola Pepe head-butted Alioski. It was a game that Leeds should have won as they did everything right but score in a 0-0 draw which saw Leeds hit the Gunners' stanchion 3 times. Patrick Bamford deserved to score too. So two lesser know strikers are among the top scorers will be there to outdo one another for their team and also two top Master managers will try to outwit the other - Carlo Ancelotti v Marcelo Bielsa. It could be a high scoring draw. 2-2.
WBA v Sheffield United - Even a penalty awarded and ruled out by VAR made the referee changed his mind and once again WBA lost to United 0-1. Now they are the only teams to not have won a game this season but hosting the Blades that have been blunt and also without a win anchored at the bottom. Chris Wilder was touted to be the manager of the year last season and he rightly deserved such accolades as he is the architect of Sheffield United's rise. He is now in the same situation as Eddie Howe when he was with Bournemouth. WBA have just a goal in six games and have not scored in their last three matches. Sheffield United scored 5 but like their host have not won yet. Which team will break the duck? Both teams are sorely lacking goals in them so a scored draw is better than a goalless one? 2-2.
Southampton v Manchester United - Referee David Coote was at it again over a penalty decision for WBA which even Rio Ferdinand criticized as disgraceful and the Red Devils depended on Bruno Fernandes and a penalty to beat WBA 1-0 at home. That was discomforting. United won 1-0 against WBA with again another hand-ball penalty with the hop and shot by Bruno Fernandes. They were also saved by VAR when the referee awarded a penalty to WBA before changing his mind. A rejuvenated Saints team awaits. Southampton were last held by Wolves at the Molinuex. This Southampton side hunt in packs rather they play like dogs chasing a bone and have been very effective. Not only that, they are now playing an exciting style when they were previously dull. Once again, on paper United are too strong. If the Saints could nullify their threats, avoid giving them a penalty they could get an upset. United bashed Instanbul Basaksehir 4-1 on Wednesday so they could be back to their best? This is a season of upsets and surprises so could this be one? 2-2.
Chelsea v Spurs - Chelsea were very good and easily won 2-0 at Newcastle. They were in control throughout and now sits 3rd. When Spurs downed City 2-0 it was a pure Jose Mourinho masterclass. They have only 34% possession and had 4 shots at goal while creating 2 chances and scoring twice against City's 22 shots and 19 chances created. Again Son scored - in the 5 the minute, Harry Kane provided a vital assist for substitute Lo Celso to get the second as they continued to defend so stoutly and now occupy 1st position - a master stroke. I have said from the beginning that this cold be Spurs' season but the coming fixtures will offer real assessment of their title credentials - Chelsea (away), Arsenal (home), Liverpool (away) and Leicester (home). Going by how they have handled City and the other games, they should have no fear. Every talks about how good Kane and Son have been but that one player who has been crucial to Spurs is one that many hardly has overlooked. In fact, I did not notice him as much when he was at Southampton and he is Pierre -Emile Hojbjerg. He has biting tackles, breaks up their opponents' play and gets possession and goes into 3R - Reduce the opponent's danger, Reuse the ball and Recycle possession. He is clearly the reason how Spurs are not leaking and Mourinho has landed himself a player Spurs needed. How clever. Spurs have a poor record at Stamford Bridge but Mourinho outsmarted Guardiola last week. Both defence have improved but there could be fireworks in this London Derby with great attacking play from both sides. Chelsea has a deep squad and the attacking talents to call on but if Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min are back to their best it could be a thriller. Do not discount Jose Mourinho pulling one over his former player Frank Lampard. 2-2.
Arsenal v Wolves - The crisis continues for the Gunners as they hit a 34-year scoring low. The Gunners were overwhelmed by Leeds and were lucky to get a point in a 0-0 draw at Elland Road as Leeds rocked them. Nicolas Pepe who was sent off restored some belief when he scored and was MOTM away to Molde in the Europa but with Partey already out and Bukayo Saka injured and Pepe suspended Aubameyang and Lacazette will need to be at their sharpest to tame Wolves who are not so easy to break down but this season Wolves have not been as good as they should be. It is one that the Gunner could win. Last 5 times they met - (older to latest) Arsenal 1 Wolves 1, Wolves 3 Arsenal 1, Arsenal 1 Wolves 1, Wolves 0 Arsenal 2. Wolves may play for a draw and may get it. 1-1.
Leicester v Fulham - Leicester looked proper title challengers and many expected them to beat a Liverpool side that have had many visiting the hospitals than the soccer pitch for sometime. They have jut been brought down to earth once again just like last season against Liverpool. They are still a very strong side and it may be a bad time for Fulham to visit. Fulham were second best to Everton until Scott Parker made three crucial changes after which they had Everton on the back foot. They are beginning to improve so could be a nuisance in this game. The Foxes just came back from an away 3-3 draw with Braga in the Europa with both Harvey Barnes and Jamie Vardy scoring. These two are like Kane and Son and they will trouble many teams especially Fulham. 3-1.
West Ham v Aston Villa - Both teams have improved so much from last season and now playing so well and with full confidence. They are so much better in defending. Good quality in midfield and are scoring well. That makes it a hard call to pick a winner as both are equally good to win it. West Ham will miss Michail Antonio and Villa will miss Ross Barkley. Pablo Fornals and Jarrod Bowen will provide the width and crosses for Sebastian Haller who scored the winner in their last match so Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings will have to nullify that threat. Upfront as usual Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins will be their dangerman. 2-2.
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