EPL 2021/2022 - Game Week 2
What a start to the new EPL season! Manchester United were the most impressive. Champions City limped out with an opening day defeat despite featuring 100million pounder Jack Grealish. The Six Million Dollar Man Steve Austin (Lee Majors) costs only 6 million back then but by today's value maybe worth like 40 or 50 million. If David Beckham was Golden Balls then Jack Grealish is the Golden Calves. Here is why...the greatest golden calves in world football since the days of Moses...
I think Jack's calves will give Phil Mickelson more than a run for the money.
Now look at Phil's.
It has also been heartening to see Spurs fans showing support in a pre-season friendly to Bukayo Saka who was racially abused. Also great credit to the Brentford fans who stood out to applaud him in person and Leicester players who warmly and personally welcomed back Raul Jimenez on the pitch for his absence last season due to a cracked skull. All in all it was a great weekend of EPL soccer last week. It was certainly great to see fans in stadiums supporting their teams again and I hope that will not cause the virus to spread further. We know how it feels playing to empty stadiums. WFH is like playing in an empty stadium too.
Game Week one has already seen some stellar action. 10 matches with 10 wins and losses. No draws. The biggest fixture this week will be Arsenal v Chelsea and another mouth-watering one is likely to be West Ham v Leicester. Bring it on!
Liverpool v Burnley - Liverpool looked content to let Norwich have the ball. Virgil Van Dijk and Joel Matip are finally back and they did not exert themselves too much but the midfield of James Milner (who is like 60 years old and still so fit), Naby Keita and Alex Chamberlain was a bit of surprise. Mane looked too eager to score after a poorer last season, Jota got his goal and Roberto Firmino already got on the score sheet 4 minutes after coming on only from the 61st minute but the accolades go to Mo Salah who broke another record of scoring on opening day for five successive seasons. It is unbelievable that he has now scored 118 goals in 186 games compared to Cristiano Ronaldo's 118 goals in 292 games. Watch Norwich v Liverpool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8lht4X6z-M
The Reds were not at their most impressive but they do not need to and pressed to cruised to a 3-0 win. It gets interesting here as Burnley were the team that ended Liverpool's 68 game undefeated record at Anfield last season. Anfield must be wary they could do it again.
Their 2 minute lead from a Tarkowski goal did not help them as they fell when Brighton hit back twice in the 73rd and 78th minutes. This time, the fans are back and Anfield will be different from last season. Liverpool's lack of big money signing may not be a bad thing after all. Just look at Barcelona now. They got Jota by paying a much smaller fee that overtime will cost more but Jota is very versatile and can operate in the middle, left or right and he scores goals and was already a seasoned EPL player. He shall now give serious competition to their front three and also dilemma to Klopp. Burnley won't be easy so Liverpool will have to battle for a win. 2-0.
Aston Villa v Newcastle - Villa surprisingly looked second best to Watford and only came back with two late goals after being 0-3 down at Vicarage Road. The loss of Jack Grealish will cause a bit of disruption and for them to settle down but time and tide waits for no man. The Magpies led West Ham twice at St. James Park with quite a good attacking display but came up short and collapsed in a 2-4 defeat. Allan Saint Maxima was lovely to watch as usual. When permanent signing Joe Willock is available they can get better. Meanwhile, Callum Wilson keeps banging in. He was scoring freely at Bournemouth and has been delivering for the Magpies. They will keep Villa busy but Steve Bruce is unlikely to be more adventurous like they did at St. James Park. Their last 4 scores were strangely identical. Villa won 2-0 at Villa Park and drew 1-1 at St. James Park and when they met the scores are not high with a max of 3 goals. Villa could just make it right this time. The Magpies have to wait. 2-1.
Crystal Palace v Brentford - Palace had no answer to Chelsea's dominance and was trounced 0-3. Surely they cannot let Brentford go home with three points and they would have been warned as their visitors sent Arsenal home (0-2). Brentford were organized, fearless and bold, thanks to their Danish manager Thomas Frank. Not many teams can beat Arsenal 2-0. The Eagles need to bounce back so do we see the qualities of Patrick Viera as a player in the manager in this London Derby? A win here and Brentford are among the tops in the table. The Eagles may not soar but they will be fiercer on home soil but I really thought Brentford could win this. 1-1.
Leeds v Everton - When Luke Ayling scored the equalizer, you would have thought Leeds were back on and take the game to United. They did continue to battle and to attack but it sparked the reverse and they ended with a heavy 1-5 defeat at Old Trafford. Everton actually struggled against the Saints initially but three second half goals ensured Rafa Benitez's got off to a resounding start and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored again. Given the constraints upon him in terms of new signings, Benitez has been brilliant. Most of the players are there with the addition of Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray that did not cost as much as many others but are proven players and that were smart buys. They look solid all round and the Toffees may be better than what most think. Bielsa versus Benitez will be interesting. Leeds need to avoid the second season syndrome that has haunted many promoted teams. If Kalvin Philips plays, he would linked up defence to attack and will increase their chance for at least a point if not to win. Last season Leeds lost 1-2 at Elland Road and won 1-0 at Goodison Park. Leeds have lost only 6 times at home last season and are capable of winning proper on a good day and this could be that good day. Patrick Bamford has also singed a new 5-year contract and he will look forward to make it a good day. 3-2.
Manchester City v Norwich - Pep Guardiola once called Spurs the Harry Kane team which incensed Pochettino. Now that he has yet to sign Kane, it is all the more important to City to have him as the toothless Champions fell to Spurs in London last week. It appears that City should sign Son too. The only shining light was Jack Grealish who did quite well in his debut. You see Guardiola loves very nimble players and have failed to replace Aguero or reinforce his midfield and may have an uphill battle this season but it is still too early. Some times your dream signings or dream team can be a nightmare. Grealish's time will come for sure but it is going to be different when he was at Villa. The Canaries were brave and played a spirited game at Carrow Road as host to Liverpool but to now visit City is like frying pan to fire but City are having questions of their own to answer. I like Todd Cantwell. He was so good when Norwich was in the Premier League 2 seasons ago and he is still so good now. I thought he looks and plays like Steve McManaman. Still to falter to the Canaries at home is too tall a tale. Last season, City cruised to a 5-0 win but be warned that Norwich avoided defeat 4 out of 7 times and in 2019 stunned City with a rousing 3-2 win. City should register their win because thier defeat to Spurs is bad for Norwich. 3-1.
Brighton v Watford - Brighton must ensure that they continue in this vein of playing well and winning as much of their last season they often played well but drop points but this Watford side with a home kit that look like bumble bees actually stung like hornets as their nickname suggests. They have some capacity to spring surprises. The Seagulls are a very consistent side as every season for the last few seasons they have been at 15th to 17th position on 36 to 41 points and scored 34 to 40 goals and only won 9 games each season. There is a glass ceiling for them to break. As you can see they need goals and last week's winning start coming from behind was extremely important. The key for both is consistency and if they keep up then they will do well this season. Head to head last season, Brighton drew Watford 1-1 here but won 3-0 away. Could be an interesting game like last week's opener for both. 2-2.
Southampton v Manchester United - The finest victory on day one was Manchester United. I was saying right up to mid-season last year that if he kept going, he was going to be player of the year but he faded late in the season. I am referring to Bruno Fernandes who made it look so easy to score a hattrick from midfield. Paul Pogba had a good start to the campaign with four assists which may be equal to some kind of record. I really think the United and England has a most wonderful finisher in 19 year-old Mason Greenwood. Jadon Sancho made a cameo and if they could keep things going, the Red Devils are in with a shout. United fans should be excited. Watch United v Leeds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2DXdB6wmRE
Southampton led at Everton but lost 1-3. They have a good manager in Ralph Hassenhutl but they have sold their best striker Danny Ings and their best defender Jannik Vestergaard and released Ryan Bertrand. Every season, they have played some brilliant football and also struggled badly and also at least one game where they would be completely wasted 0-9 mostly recently to Leicester City and United. United are arguably a better team than the one that won and Southampton are weaker. How will this work out? The Saints will play a different game to the one at Everton with a deep lying defence with their only boost from captain James Ward-Prowse signing a 5 year contract ending speculation of his move away. This is a game where individualism could win it hence the signing of Jadon Sancho whom Southgate refused to use when he was at his disposal. Surely it will be a bit of a breeze for United. Do take note that before that calamity, the Saints often gave United some problems. Past matches were often close affairs. 1-0, 0-0, 2-3, 1-2, 1-1 at the St. Mary's. Watch Mason Greenwood. If the supplies come his way, he will put them away. 1-3.
Wolves v Spurs - Spurs had problems even before a ball was kicked in the absence of Harry Kane but credit to the Cockerels with an important opening day win over the Champions! Son Heung-Min, what a player! Always great to watch Son play as he always plays with a smile on his face and boy how good was he when yet again he cracked one in this time with his left foot. He is a slayer of giants and champions. Spurs new manager Nuno Espirito Santo now leads they flying Spurs to visit the Molineux to play his old team. Lucas Moura was brilliant for Spurs and so too Japhet Tanganga. There is no doubt about Dele Alli's talent and once he gets his application right, he would serve a treat. Spurs kept a clean sheet and it was against City. What an important win and great start when everyone is writing them off. Harry Kane who missed the opening game may be back. Will he be fielded? It makes no sense for the sage surrounding Kane. It is better for Daniel Levy to sell him especially there was rumour City may table a 150 million pound offer. Kane is 28 and his value will drop from next season so this is the best time to cash in. There have been many opinions on this but opinions are like ass holes - everybody has one. Kane was the only man who led the Premier League in goals and assists in the same season last year - 23 goals, 14 assists. Nuno Espirito Santo is a very good manager and shall continue to be so. The only regret may be the loss of Erik Lamela. He will manage the rest well. However, a 0-1 defeat at Pacos De Ferreira in the Europa was damaging. It is a season of drama at Tottenham. First game against City was where Kane was supposed to be headed but didn't materialised and now its their manager in the spotlight to visit his previous team. Wolves have 17 shots at Leicester but only 3 on target which looks like pre-season form. Spurs look better than Wolves but at the Molineux, they could take a point. 1-1.
Arsenal v Chelsea - Poor Arsenal and Arteta. Failure to make good at newly promoted Brentford and now to face the European Champions. Arteta may not be the problem but he does not seem to have found any solution. He must have been hoping for his team to play like Brentford. Time is not on their side as they next plays City after this. The pressure and heat is on the Gunners and their manager. Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah was among their best players and he had such a goal to boot. Another England debutant soon? Marcos Alonso scored a great free-kick goal. Arsenal will need history to throw them a favour. Last season, Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup, won this tie 3-1 and won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge but if Lukaku plays, he will terrorize the Gunners' defence. The Blues can't take it for granted though yet it appears like lambs going to the slaughter house. Its either Arsenal will raise their game to epic proportion or more calamity awaits. Tuchel will make sure Chelsea take advantage of the current situation but Chelsea has a history of cursed no. 9. Remember Radamel Falcao, Chris Sutton, Tony Cascarino, Mateja Kezman, Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata, Fernando Torres - all with huge reputation but did not really take off and some fared worse. Beware Lukaku. Arsenal were not hopeless as they created the chances but just did not convert them plus they have a thing with Chelsea recently. They can do better if Saka, Aubameyang and Lacazette play. 1-1.
West Ham v Leicester - What a comeback for the Hammers at St. James Park! This was that West Ham side of last season so it looks like they will continue and David Moyes' success last season was no fluke. Michail Antonio has been in a rich vein of form since last season and is continuing it. From Fornals, to Bowen to Benrahma, Soucek and Rice, even Cresswell, everything is coming up roses. Antonio is the most underated striker in the league and in England like his captain Mark Noble. A very proper player.
Watch Newcastle v West Ham:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP2hwLpKLaU
Leicester won thanks to yet another goal from 34 year old Jamie Vardy but I was not too impressed but Vardy is an amazing player and Rodgers and Leicester know how to win. Vardy has scored many wonderful goals for Leicester and I always remember the one he scored for England against Germany and Neuer who at the time was perhaps the world's best goalkeeper. Watch it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCvPPGY8aUY&t=2s (Vardy)
Not even Messi or Ronaldo have or could do that, maybe they could too but that is why Vardy is special - supreme confidence, pure ability and determination and speed of thought. From factory worker playing soccer as a hobby to such great heights. Respect. Just take a look at his goal last week versus Wolves!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rqjh1DkSM0 (Vardy goal)
Do watch out for Harvey Barnes who at 23 made it to England's initial Euro squad but dropped out due to injury. He is important to Leicester that was why he was given a new 4-year contract. A very interesting player to watch and a bright future ahead. Last seasons' head to head favours the Hammers who won 3-2 and 3-0. This match will show us an idea how far this teams will go from here as they were next to each other last season - the Foxes in 5th and the Hammers in 6th. Could be an intriguing match. 2-2.
Have a great weekend!
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