EPL 2022/2023 - Game Week 3

The most shocking result of Game Week 2 was Manchester United's mauling by Brentford. It was a mauling by Bees not Rottweilers. In such a poor state of affairs the Glazers may finally bail out and if a really rich and good owner takes over, big changes could come and eventually benefit the club. Ronaldo's desperate attempts to escape Old Trafford has been nothing but unbecoming, laughable and very unsuccessful. This is due simply to his super high wages and he also creates tactical problems for teams. City once again cruised to a 4-0 win over Bournemouth. Arsenal were really good in their 4-2 win while Chelsea and Spurs played a dramatic game and Liverpool once again could not win and worse, were sent reeling with ten men. 

Thomas Frank and his men did a brilliant job and those who watched the game knew United are having very serious problems even if they wanted to sign players before the transfer deadline. Will top players want to join a team if they could that do not play in the Champions League? Most will not but a few still could but do they want to come and be part of a difficult problem? One or two may but only if they get loads of money. Are you then attracting the right players? No. You are then in no man's land. The long term project is to have a complete overhaul and rebuild. Crash, burn and rebuild. 8 or 10 years ago, I saw and pointed out that they will have issues going forward simply because their board and Sir Alex did not have a succession plan in place. I was laughed at and mocked. 

Needless to say, City are the team to beat. When Haaland didn't score De Bruyne did last week. He simply threw a shoulder to his right and continued to allow the ball to run and smacked it in with the outside of his right foot. The Gunners looked really good and even when Saliba scored an own goal they came back straight away and did it again through Martinelli after Maddison scored for Leicester. That was character. Can they sustain it? If they could, they will be challenging for top four or more. Chelsea were very good but their domination did not result in victory and instead allowed Spurs to come back dramatically. 

Last week I mentioned about Liverpool conceding too easily and so often conceding first and left chasing a game. Oops! They did it again! Nunez was silly to allow Andersen to provoke him and not that I condone violence or indiscipline, it wasn't even a proper headbutt and knowing that you will see red he should at least do a proper head butt like Zidane did at the World Cup. Haha. He not only put his team in a tough situation in that game but three more when the Reds are already down with ten injuries. Were Liverpool too intense and having the longest last season where they played every match in every tournament, had a short break and culminating in this situation. 

Despite being a very calm person, I did the same once in my younger days in an away match. The opponent was shoving me, snapping at me and kicking at my ankles the entire game and in one moment of madness I snapped and kicked him on his backside. Fortunately, I lived to tell the tale. Now for more EPL action this weekend. 

Spurs v Wolves - Conte's team looked great showing so far they could compete with the best but Wolves have been a poorer version of themselves this season. It should be a home win. However, Wolves' signing of Matheus Nunes for 42 million pounds was a statement of intent and a real adrenalin shot for them. I saw the lad play and he is some player. Kulusevski who was so effective last season has not taken off. Son Heung-Min has been rather quiet but Harry Kane did what Harry Kane does with that crucial header for a very late equaliser. Spurs are huge favourites here. 2-1. 

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa - Defeat to Arsenal aside, the Eagles are a well drilled and resilient side. This campaign gave them a tough start. Villa made significant improvements in their 2-1 win over Everton and Ings's goal was a delight. Probably this game would be close. 1-1.

Everton v Nottingham Forest - Anything goes here. Lampard's side showed grit but no result having lost their opening two 0-1 and 1-2. Meanwhile, Forest had a fantastic win over West Ham. It was their first goal and first win in the Premier League after such a long time. They have also been the biggest signing club with 16 new players. If the Toffees hope to get a win, Goodison Park v Forest is a good start. 1-1.

Fulham v Brentford - Brentford are a good side and currently they quite the real deal. The mauling of United was something. Now we know Fulham can only bully a team like Liverpool. The brilliant Mitrovic can't even score from the spot v Wolves and can they get a win at Craven Cottage? They could get stung by the Bees. 2-2.

Leicester v Southampton - Usually this would be a Leicester win but not so now. They are below par and without a win. Ditto Southampton. Brendan Rodgers and Ralph Hasenhutl are in a rough spot. The Foxes may even lose Fofana to Chelsea adding to Rodgers' woes. The Saint looked ordinary but against Leeds indicated they can sometimes get it right. 2-2.

Bournemouth v Arsenal - Bournemouth were totally swiped aside by a rampant City. Arsenal are free scoring and on song. Both play an open passing game so there will be goals. The Cherries did not add much to their team and just getting on. The Gunners are cruising to a new beat and are red hot with Gabriel Jesus strutting his stuff. 1-3.

Leeds v Chelsea - Leeds with 4 points in two games may be more than what they expected. Can they build from here? Chelsea must have been left gutted for not winning against Spurs at Stamford Bridge and will be all guns blazing at Elland Road here. This is a different kettle of fish as Chelsea are a couple of notches tougher than Wolves and Southampton. No overthink here even as Leeds look more organised. Chelsea to have a comfortable win. 0-2.

West Ham v Brighton - The Hammers probably could not imagine that after two games they were without a point and even without a goal. The Seagulls are undefeated and pose a real challenge here but West Ham must have been relieved with a 3-1 win over Viborg in the Europa Conference League with Scamacca scoring his first goal for them. Graham Potter's team have improved and sustained their performances so they will provide a good game here. Both seem evenly matched but West Ham had never beaten Brighton in ten meetings. 1-1.

Newcastle v Manchester City - Newcastle were so bad during the first half of last season but Eddie Howe have improved them beyond belief. Their game is now quite a baller but then they are now hosting City. Can St. James Park inspire them against Pep's team? While Erling Haaland's sheer physicality, movement and acceleration is something to behold, he only touched the ball eight times in the 4-0 thumping of Bournemouth but a player like him do not need many touches and when he failed to find the net, Kevin De Bruyne did and did you see that goal?!! Surprises can happen but City are overwhelming favourites. Newcastle being the richest club in the world would aspire to be like City some years from now. 1-3.

Manchester United v Liverpool - Abysmal. The Red Devils are not just a pale shadow of themselves. When you have saw them played and the results so far, you are asking "got shadow or not" (say it in Hokkien). Enough have been said so nothing to add here but they do raise their games against Liverpool but last season's 0-5 and 0-4 were all roti prata kosong. Liverpool have their own issues that give United some hope. No win in two games, have Liverpool;s title challenge ended? I have mentioned that they have often conceded first and drew a game too many but if they could start winning and playing convincingly again like they used to then things can be different and there is no better place to start than here. The knives will be out especially that Wolves have just announced the signing of Matheus Nunes from Sporting Lisbon for 42 million pounds who was a Liverpool target. 

United is having a nightmare start and you just do not know if they may get worse and Liverpool are not having their best of times by their usual standard so it will be interesting to see how these two will battle. Was a week's training enough for Ten Hag's men. Is he going to change his whole team, sign a whole new team or Hang Ten of them. There may just be too many questions at the moment. The latest signing of Real Madrid's Casemiro for 60 million pounds is no small thing and could help shore up things and was probably out of desperation, a pyrrhic victory. From De Jong to Rabiot and now Casemiro. It was not a plan. If Liverpool's concerns are just blips then United's are sinkholes. Luiz Diaz is why Liverpool will win. His goal last week was such a great one! Liverpool are still the better team but with an injury crisis what can Klopp conjure up. Liverpool is in great need for a win. A defeat would be the worst loss ever against a team in chaos. Liverpool have to seize the day and rise to the occasion or find themselves in a similar spot. 0-2. 

Watch Luiz Dias's goal:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uotAaUUCtvs (Dias's goal!)