EPL 2021/2022 - Game Week 7

What a spectacle Game Week 6 has turned out to be! Every week has its own excitement, drama and shenanigans but Game Week 6 has the most of everything! It began with Chelsea's 0-1 defeat on their home turf to City despite winning all the previous encounters. It was not just that Pep Guardiola and his team has learned how to restrict Chelsea on the wings but they did it with conviction with more possession, xG, shots and chances created. That is a big signal to the rest that it has to take a very good team to displace them. 

Manchester United's collapse at their own Theatre of Dreams (seldom referred to recently) to Aston Villa,  was not quite unexpected. We saw how good Villa were when they trounced Everton. While I knew Villa could score and give United a hard time, I was thinking a draw is highly possible but given the Red Devils' famed attack, they could still outscore Villa. United were saved by a late Lingard goal against West Ham and an even later penalty saved that gave them a lucky win. History was about to repeat itself but Bruno Fernandez fluffed his line from the spot. Credit to Villa's Argentinian keeper Emiliano Martinez whose mind game of walking up to Fernandes and Ronaldo to urged Ronaldo to take it instead of Fernandes.

Norwich remained at the bottom having lost 0-2 to Everton and are one of 5 teams without a win that included Southampton, Newcastle, Leeds and Burnley above them. Leeds continued their dismal result despite pecking West Ham back and taking the lead in the first half but hail Michail Antonio as he once again gave the Hammers victory with a 90th minute goal. Leicester are in a surprisingly poorer situation compared to their last season. Once again old man Jamie Vardy at 34 rescued them. He actually scored three including an own goal but his two other were special and clinical. 

Watford and Newcastle played an exciting game which ended 1-1. What a goal from Sean Longstaff and what a plyer Allan Saint-Maximin is. So too Ismaila Sarr who has been on such goal-scoring form. The drama of drama was at Brentford. The newcomer playing Liverpool for the first time was 'bloody good". Kudos to Danish manager Thomas Frank who frankly as he is, is going to build the Bees to be more than a team that can stay in the Premier League. They are going to take the scalps of a few top teams and many point from the rest. His team played with a great spirit, they have a solid defence and they score! They have a plan, have character and were simply fearless, going toe to toe with Liverpool unlike some bigger teams who would park a bus. I am a fan and I am going to buy their kit. 

What crisis at Arsenal? The Gunners were so vibrant and confident from the start and Spurs were already crushed 0-3 well before half-time and especially very good were youngsters Emile Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Saka! Even goalie Aaron Ramsdale did very well. They are back and I am happy for my long suffering Arsenal fan friends. 3-1 against London neighbour was impressive but it was the way they played that was truly a huge moment. It was a young team that made Aubameyang like an old man. The Arsenal elevator at B1 has gone up and the Spurs' elevator has gone down and both are at level 6 now. As Arteta heaved a sigh of relief, Nuno has just got a big headache as Spurs' first half was shambolic. Meanwhile, Southampton dominated Wolves but the latter won through a goal from Raul Jimenez which was his first after a long term serious head injury. 

In Game Week 7, we will have to ask if the Ronaldo and Lukaku bubbles have burst. Besides these two, will the rest of the top scorers maintain their exploits - Mo Salah (5), Michail Antonio (5), Jamie Vardy (5), Bruno Fernandes (4), Ismaila Sarr (4), Lukaku (3), Son Heung-Min (3), Ronaldo (3), Mane (3), etc. In this week's biggest game, will Liverpool and Man City cancel each other out and will one of them surge further up the table. 

Manchester United v Everton - The Red Devils have an exciting group of players but they are not a team. I have told you from day one that while Ronaldo will score he will just usually wait for the ball and then to score. There was a joke that Aston Villa goalie Martinez said when interviewed that his playing style is the same as Ronaldo - wait for the ball in the penalty box. The home defeat to Villa was painful but after the loss to Young Boys, they fortunately bounced back and exacted revenge on Villareal at Old Trafford whom they have lost to on penalties in last year's Europa final but it took a come back win and a very late 90+5 minute Ronaldo goal to win it. The lucky devils have David De Gea to thank for his numerous saves on the day. So Ronaldo is still a big thing when it comes to goals but still United have lost 3 of their last 5 games. Last season's bubbles for the Toffees has gone flat but Benitez has steadily made it for things to go quite well. They will be alright if they don't play like they did against Villa. They are level on points with United and just tree goals short of their host. United have not lost a home game to Everton in 7 games but are now without Harry Maguire. Everton have been missing the very good Dominic Calvert-Lewin. So this would have taken out a good battle between these two and equal themselves out. Richarlison is also not available but Rafa's teams have often been well drilled. 2-2.

Burnley v Norwich - Burnley are scrappers. They will give any team a proper bar fight. For the Canaries, Wake me up when September ends may be their song. Since two seasons ago till now when they are back to Premier League football, Norwich have lost 16 times in a row! Plus Burnley have not lost a home tie to Norwich in their last 6 meetings does not look good for the visitors. These bottom duo are without a win with Norwich even without a point but history favours the Clarets. When will Norwich win or get a point? 1-0.

Chelsea v Southampton - Last weeks 0-1 lost at home to City is a setback albeit a minor one. They will bounced back strongly even without Kante who is Covid positive. Southampton, Brentford, Norwich, Newcastle, Burnley and off-form Leicester. This will ensure top spot in the weeks to come. However, UCL holders Chelsea crashed to a 0-1 defeat to Juventus who outshone them. That twice beaten in two games and Lukaku did not score in three games. The Saints have lost key players and not made significant signings yet they they have held United (1-1), City (0-0) and West Ham (0-0). That is enough evidence what they could do but then losing 0-1 to Wolves at home is throwing a spanner in the works. However, the Saints are better than you thought and they have not lost at Chelsea in their last three visits. There may be another surprise here unless Lukaku gets a goal or two. If Chelsea do not win here, it is really a confirmed slump. 2-1.

Leeds v Watford - Watford are Watford. Tough to beat, capable of more but still in and around the same position but in Ismaila Sarr, they have a very good player who since last season in the Championship have ben increasing his tally in assist and goals. Leeds' second season syndrome does not look like going away but this is a big chance at home to get their first win of the season. Leeds conceded goals last season but they could score more but this time they have scored a lot less and conceded even more. The Hornets have not only not lost but have won four in a row against Leeds and they are always awkward opponents to face. It depends on how Leeds sort out their issues. 2-2.

Wolves v Newcastle - You won't know what to make of Wolves this season. Playing well and lost. Not playing well but won. Newcastle is an irony for many seasons now without a clear journey. A hated owner, a not so well liked manager but at times played some very good football. It is also always a delight to watch Allan Saint-Maximin who may be the best one on one player in the league. He just simply weaves through opponents. Some big clubs may come knocking on his door soon and Newcastle will have none like him to get some points. When both sides met in the past it was often 1-1. The key question is if Newcastle will defend to get a point or do they see a chance to win for the first time in their season? I thin k they will cancel out one another. 1-1.

Brighton v Arsenal - Brighton are having a marvellous season. Arsenal were at the races and like race horses when the gate opens when they dumped Spurs. Another win will confirm that they are really back to their best. Traditionally, it was often a tight game whenever they have met in the past. Usually, 1-1, 2-1 or 1-0 to either team. In 19/20 season, Brighton won both home and away 2-1. Last season, Arsenal won 2-0 and 1-0 home and away. Prior to these were 1-1 draws. Arsenal are on  a roll at the moment but the Seagulls have been impressive. It is a game both sides could win on the day. 1-1.

Crystal Palace v Leicester - The Eagles have only won once, drew thrice and lost twice but Patrick Viera has done a fine job. They will get better. Where Leicester are right now is a bit of a shocker. They are a proper side that was going to get even better and they are leaking goals and more often than not chasing games. The Europa defeat to Legia Warsawa saw them at the bottom of the table after two games. The poor form continues but the Foxes are unbeaten versus Palace in their last four meetings. Brendan Rodgers will have to sort just what is plaguing them even when Vardy is scoring for fun. 2-2.

Spurs v Aston Villa - To steal a win at Old Trafford was special. Very special not just for the result but for the way they played. In contrast, their host Spurs were horrible especially in the first half against their bitter London rival Arsenal last week. What was Nuno thinking as they simply allowed the Gunners to steamroll through the middle. How did Spurs even top the table after the first three games? Now that seems a long time ago. So this is a very important match for Spurs a t home but they are coming up against a team on form. History favours Spurs strongly. Plus Spurs roared back with a 5- hammering of Slovenian team Mura with Harry Kane scoring a hattrick and he only came on in the 59th minute with goals in the 68th, 76th and 87th minutes. No doubt it was only Mura and in the Europa Conference but winning and goals surely brings back confidence. It is like Villa have only beaten Spurs every seventh time they meet. Villa won the last meeting 2-1 and it was that 7th game. Can this pattern go on forever?  No. Spurs may have found some mojo in their big Europa triumph but Villa are really playing so well. 1-1.

West Ham v Brentford - Giddiness is the word for Brentford. What a team and a fine manager! If you talk modern lingo, sustainability is now in fashion. There is nothing to suggest that West Ham could not sustain their fine form since last season. They are entertaining, free flowing and second only to Liverpool for goals and level with Manchester United. The Hammers do give a feeling now that they could get a result against any team but like Liverpool they haven't played Brentford for the longest time. A 2-0 Europa win over Rapid Wen saw them topping their table too. Brentford are are tough team to play but it is hard to see the Hammers beaten these days. Either a West Ham win or a high score draw. What do you think? 3-2.

Liverpool v Manchester City - Liverpool must have learned about their kryptonite at Brentford. Two lessons. One on playing a team like Brentford with two quick and aggressive forwards where they played direct, pumped long and high ball into their penalty area and the other being about more clinical finishing. They created a wealth of chances but somehow converted only three but credit to Thomas Frank and his boys who dared to play and took the game to Liverpool. Where many teams including big ones would play with caution or park the bus, they went toe to toe. No big name signings for the Reds but if they could keep the players injury and suspension free they could still be in with a shout. When Salah and Mane did not score, Jota did. Salah and Mane also took turns to score sometimes together. When Firmino came in, he score. He scored twice against Porto in 5 minutes. The first where he rolled the ball past Porto's stranded keeper from 30 yards out and the goalie running back only to see the ball trickled past the goal line was special. He is not finished yet. What about young Curtis Jones who is so cultured. He scored too and played a MOTM game at Porto. 5-1 away win at Porto is not your regular cup of tea and they did it without Trent Alexander-Arnold who is injured and again may not feature here so if he likely replacement is old man James Milner, how will he fare. He has been outstanding when he played including keeping one of the most difficult winger to play against in Palace's Zaha and he will be up against Jack Grealish this time. The Porto performance was as cold as beer with lots of froth where you could lick your lips thereafter. 

City are still the team to beat. What does this mean? Does it mean that they are so good that when you beat them then you could win the title or simply they should be beaten. Save for Messi's brilliance, City did dominate PSG with more of everything except that they could not score and let in two. Is Ruben Dias still the same as last year's Footballer of the Year? Was missing out on Harry Kane a failure to plan then it is a plan to fail. 

Liverpool lead the table with City in second, just a point behind. It will decide who goes top and in the longer term an indication who could win the title. Its not a title tilt, maybe just bragging rights. With a game of such magnitude, they can either be a very tight game or one that has a shock ending. It changes only when unfortunate things happen but both have too much respect for each other so it may turn out to be a patient game but Liverpool look good for a home win. 1-1.