Erik ten Hag is on the brink after Manchester United suffered a heavy defeat to Tottenham, while Manchester City dropped points at Newcastle United.
Ten Hag on brink after shocking home defeat to Sours
It feels like embattled United coach Erik Ten Hag is a dead man walking. The stubborn United manager has spent over 600, 000 million pounds on assembling his squad and they look no better than when he started this ‘revolution’.
The buzz generated by the INEOS takeover has long since dissipated, replaced by the type of mournful resignation that has become synonymous with Man United. That first-half performance against Spurs- who themselves have come under a fair bit of criticism this season- was the stuff of nightmares.
Marcus Rashford gave the ball away cheaply in the 3rd minute and it led to Johnson’s opener. And was he bothered to fall back and potentially recover the lost ball?
Bruno showed why he is arguably the worst captain in United history, losing his head in a flying challenge that saw them finish the match with ten men. United were slightly better in the 2nd half but still could have easily shipped five or six (they ultimately lost 3-0).
Honestly, it almost felt like Spurs felt sorry for them at times. Kobbie Mainoo has gone from being arguably the most talented young midfielder in the league to looking like a jaded mid-table player in his late 20’s.
This side is created in Ten Hag’s image, and he still doesn’t have a clue what his first eleven is. Also, why was Amad not in that starting lineup? Is this part of some elaborate ploy of Ten Hag to get fired? Dreadful.
Arsenal and Liverpool take advantage of City slip
The news that Rodri- arguably the leading candidate for this year’s Balon d’Or- will miss the rest of the season has severely dented City’s title prospects. Sure, City gave negotiated notable absences in the past. This is different.
Guardiola reshuffled his pack quite adroitly for their tough trip to Newcastle, with Rico Lewis joining Matteo Kovacic in the heart of midfield. City dominated possession for large chunks of the match, taking a deserved lead through the exceptional Josko Gvardiol.
But Newcastle never gave in, with the ever-industrious Anthony winning and converting his own penalty. City pressed for a victory but will ultimately feel fairly content with a hard-fought draw (they have now negotiated tough away trips to Chelsea and Newcastle).
Arsenal were uncharacteristically open as they were given the fright of their lives at home to Leicester. The Gunners absolutely strolled through the first half, leading 2-0 at the break courtesy of goals from Martinelli and Trossard.
But the Foxes came out after the break with fire in their bellies, with James Justin leading the charge with a bullet header and a sublime long-range volley. Arteta’s side seemed to be running out of ideas but would find salvation in the dying moments of the match, netting a rather fortuitous two goals in stoppage time. It was a messy, fragmented showing but Arteta won’t be too phased by that. Liverpool were equally scrappy this week, having to dig in to take home three hard-earned points at Wolves.
They struggled to find rhythm in the match, with unlikely goal-scorer Ibrahim Konate giving them a barely-deserved lead in first-half stoppage time. Rayan Ait-Nouri took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to equalize in the 2nd half before a largely anonymous Mo Salah converted the match-winning penalty.
It wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing of performances but Arne Slot will be delighted to be sitting atop the Premier League standings.
Leverkusen out in defensive masterclass to stifle Die Roten
Xabi Alonso’s Werkself were made to toil hard in the first true heavyweight clash of the campaign, drawing 1-1 at the side best positioned to usurp their German crown: Bayern Munich. Kompany’s rampaging Bayern side monopolised possession in the first half, as Alonso’s men sat uncharacteristically deep, content to operate on the counterattack.
But it was Leverkusen who took the lead against the run of play, with Robert Andrich scoring from range after Aleksandar Pavlovic surrendered possession cheaply. But Die Roten responded almost immediately, with Pavlovic unleashing a rasping shot that beat Hradecky from distance.
I think Kompany will feel a bit perturbed that his free-flowing Bayern side couldn’t break down Alonso’s obstinate side in the 2nd half. Harry Kane failed to register a shot on target for the first time in his entire Bundesliga career. The Englishman also picked up an ankle injury that will likely see him ruled out of this week’s Champions League tie with Villa.
Flick honeymoon period comes to abrupt close
When it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That homespun homily has stood the test of time and Hansi Flick would have done well to pay heed to it this weekend. He shook things up unnecessarily as Barca travelled to Osasuna, with the electrifying pair of Yamal and Raphinha suddenly being dropped to the bench.
The continued injury absence of Frenkie de Jong was keenly felt as Osasuna seemed to run through the Barca midfield at will, securing a 4-2 win to end Hansi Flick’s 100% start to the La Liga campaign.
The talismanic Pedri was anonymous in midfield while the late introduction of Yamal- who still managed to score a wonderful goal- wasn’t enough to stem the Osasuna tide. It was a seismic result that left a window open for Carlos Ancelotti’s Los Blancos, who locked horns in what turned out to be a tempestuous Madrid derby.
The second half of what should have been an enthralling tie was delayed by 21 minutes, with a small section of Atleti fans hurling objects on the pitch. Militao gave Los Blancos the lead just after the hour mark before Angel Correa stunned Bellingham and co with a last-gasp equalizer (which will no doubt leave Hansi Flick feeling somewhat better about Barca’s pitiful showing at Osasuna).
Italian giants dominate Serie A
The upper reaches of Serie A is beginning to take shape, with the traditional giants of Italian football really finding their rhythm this weekend. AC Milan followed up their Derby della Madonnina triumph with a comfortable 3-0 home win over Lecce.
Theo Hernandez terrorized Lecce down that left-hand side while Pulisic continued to be at the source of everything good going forward. Inter were made to sweat as they travelled to Udinese, with captain fantastic Martinez popping up with yet another brace, helping the Nerazzurri secure a nerve-jangling 3-2 away victory.
Thiago Motta’s Juve ‘renaissance’ hit a major snag in recent weeks, with the Bianconeri registering three consecutive scoreless draws going into their home match with Genoa (which was played behind closed doors due to fears of crowd unrest). And Juve fans may have feared the worst following a tepid 0-0 opening stanza.
But the much-maligned Dusan Vlahovic was the catalyst for the Old Lady of Italian football, scoring a brace before Conceicao added some gloss with a late strike. Napoli regained their place atop the standings with a thoroughly professional 2-0 home win against Monza. Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a quickfire first-half double that gave Conte’s side the chance to idle home in the second.
Player of the Week- Cole Palmer
The English wunderkind was utterly sensational this weekend, scoring four goals in one of the most well-rounded performances you are likely to see.
His pace and ability to drift into pockets of danger make him the most dangerous No.10 in Premier League football. Chelsea may not quite have the cohesion to really mount a title charge this season, but they could very well turn out to be the kingmakers.
