Man United are back! Sort of…
It took four games of disappointment, desperation and despair but, four weeks and £150 million later, the Red Devils have a win.
Yes, some may say it was ‘only’ QPR, and once they fell behind, the visitors put up all the fight of an anaesthetised hamster. And yes, the QPR defence was often as solid as an ice lolly. But, if you put all that to one side, United were very, very impressive, and it looks as if there is more to come.
The match – eagerly anticipated due to United’s new boys and the return of Rio Ferdinand – was about as one-sided as they come. Angel Di Maria was simply exceptional, probably leading to some head-scratching, finger-pointing and soul-searching at his former club, Real Madrid, who saw it fit to let him go. On behalf of Man United fans, thank you, Real!
Tougher tests await Louis Van Gaal’s men, but this was a good start.
Chelsea look good. Ridiculously good.
I know these are early days, but Chelsea are starting to look like alien invaders from a Hollywood movie. Like in the movies, it seems no matter what the opposition do, their attacks are (mostly) repelled by a fancy force field (otherwise known as Thibaut Courtois), before a deadly laser beam (or Diego Costa) destroys their defences.
That said, the concession of six goals is probably enough to have left Jose Mourinho feeling like he has just stubbed his toe. If the Blues can sort that out (the defence, not Mourinho’s toe), the rest of the Premier League will find it difficult to keep them at bay.
Arsenal are, well…Arsenal
Pity the Arsenal fan. To the neutral, they seem to be perpetually three additions short of perfection and three injuries away from catastrophe. And now they have Danny Welbeck, a player who clearly has some of the qualities that they lack but is also, at times, guilty of the same wastefulness in front of goal which has undermined Arsenal title challenges since about 2006.
Against Man City, they played just how you would expect Arsenal to play. For long periods, they were the better team and played some genuinely lovely football, including two well-worked goals.
However, as is often the case, small mistakes let them down, with goals from a set-piece and a counter-attack leaving them with one point, when they should have taken three. In typically Arsenal style, their league season looks a little like an oxymoron; they are unbeaten after four games, but sit just seventh. How good are Arsenal? We still have no idea.
Man City and Liverpool are stuttering
Before you take offence, ‘stuttering’ does not mean ‘stumbling’! The season is barely underway, so there is time for this to change. Phew.
Both these sides were excellent last season, playing exciting, effervescent attacking football. This year, something seems to be missing. City played well in fits and starts at Arsenal, and a point at the Emirates is no disgrace, but they haven’t ‘clicked’ yet.
As for Liverpool, after playing brilliantly at Tottenham before the international break, they were as flat as a pancake against Aston Villa. The absence of Daniel Sturridge is unfortunate, but one would expect more from them at home against a side which, lest we forget, contains the much-maligned Tom Cleverley and Philippe Senderos. For what it’s worth, both players were excellent on Saturday. More on them in a moment!
Both sides will probably go on long unbeaten runs now to spite me, and although I expect both teams to be up there at the end of the season, there is room for improvement.
Aston Villa are looking good
Sign Tom Cleverley. Win at Anfield. Simple.
Four games into this season, and Villa sit second in the table and remain unbeaten. In recent seasons, Villa have often struggled (mostly at home) but been cut some slack due to the youth in their side. That youth is now reaching its potential.
Add the motivating/inspirational/terrifying qualities of Roy Keane, and all that talent could make a strong team. The oft-criticised Senderos and the experienced Ron Vlaar have also made Villa very tough to beat. Tough games are on the horizon, but it’s been an heroic start by the Villains. Sorry.
Alan Pardew is on the brink
Newcastle have picked up 18 points from their last 24 league games. Managers are often sacked without being given enough time to build their own team, but ‘Pards’ is under pressure after a mixed (at best) four years at the club.
The fans do not seem to be on his side, the luck is not with them, and the team is playing with all the enthusiasm of a child in a maths lesson. How much of that lethargy is down to the manager is open to debate, and things can change in an instant, but it seems as though Pardew is barely hanging on. Try not to be TOO upset, Toon fans!
