- Chelsea losing means this weekend could be crucial in the title race
- Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny were imperious for Arsenal
- It's good to see youngster Cauley Woodrow start for Fulham
- Jermain Defoe netted a double for his new side Toronto FC
Moyes has only made two big signings, but they are not working for him. He spent £27.5million on Marouane Fellaini, but he has never looked a United player. And I’m a big fan of Juan Mata, but you don’t spend £37m on a player and play him out of position.
Clueless: Danny Welbeck, Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney (left-right) look on after Liverpool's third
Frustration: Record £37million signing Juan Mata is being wrongly deployed on the wing
Down and out: The game was yet another nadir for David Moyes' troubled United reign
United have always had fantastic wingers but Mata is not a winger, and you make yourself look worse by playing him there. He needs to play in that No 10 position, but how do you sacrifice a man you’re paying £300,000 a week?
Liverpool had seven British players and thoroughly deserved to win. The way they swarmed over United was amazing. Jordan Henderson was key. He covers so much ground and has added brilliant passing.
Kop that: Liverpool, with Jordan Henderson (left) and Luis Suarez, overwhelmed United
City's power of 10
Whenever you win a cup or a league, there is normally one moment along the way that turns the momentum your way. When you look at Man City’s result at Hull, and Chelsea’s at Aston Villa, this weekend could be that moment.I said after City lost to Wigan and went out of the Champions League to Barcelona that if they only win the Capital One Cup this season that would be failure. But to play with 10 men for 80 minutes and win comfortably shows you how good they are.
Charging through: David Silva celebrates his goal for 10-man Manchester City at Hull
Missing in action: Misfiring striker Fernando Torres was poor again in Chelsea's loss at Villa Park
Jose Mourinho has made his defence formidable but they still lack that one striker up front who can change a game. Fernando Torres was poor again and if Eden Hazard doesn’t spark, Chelsea don’t have a forward man they can rely on. If they had a Diego Costa they would be 10 points clear.
Title race is hotting up
When Liverpool went 1-0 up at United, they went for the throat but it was a different sort of performance from Arsenal at Tottenham.They showed great resilience and Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker were magnificent at the back. I was critical of Mertesacker when he arrived in the Premier League, but I have to take my hat off to him now.
He is so strong, great in the air and dominates strikers. He’s a proper defender and was crucial in keeping Tottenham at bay. With Chelsea losing and Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City all winning, it was perfect for the title race. What a finale we are in for.
Lion's roar: Per Mertesacker has proven doubters wrong with another sterling performance at Spurs
On the up: Liverpool's win puts them in touching distance of the top of the Premier League table
Good show from Woodrow
Felix Magath isn’t afraid to throw his youngsters in at the deep end. After making his debut at Cardiff, Cauley Woodrow led the line again for Fulham at Craven Cottage.The 19-year-old has been on loan at Southend but now he’s started back-to-back league games and probably can’t believe what’s happened to him.
He held the ball up well and did a good job — now he just needs to grab a goal or two. Fulham’s goal difference is minus 35 and that could prove costly at the end of the season. Nobody wants to go down on goal difference.
Young gun: Fulham striker Cauley Woodrow challenges Newcastle's Fabio Coloccini
Super Sessegnon
It has been a rough few weeks for West Brom but winning at Swansea was a massive result. A few weeks ago the bottom three looked set, but how can you predict it now?All it takes is one loss and you’re dragged right back into it. It hasn’t worked for West Brom either, sacking Steve Clarke and bringing in Pepe Mel, but it was good to see Stephane Sessegnon back in the goals.
In action: It was good to see Stephane Sessegnon (right) back in the goals for West Brom
He made a decent start when he arrived from Sunderland and was playing well under Clarke. But he has been hampered by injuries recently, which is a shame because he is the kind of player who can make a difference.
He has pace and links the play well alongside the powerful Victor Anichebe. They are a handful for any defender.
Defoe at the double
I was pleased to see Jermain Defoe get his Canadian career off to a flyer. The striker scored two goals in seven minutes as Toronto beat Seattle Sounders 2-1.I don’t think you can be surprised by any transfer deal Tottenham make, but it was a shame to see him leave as he’s still a top goalscorer. Now the MLS will find out all about his talents.
On target: Jermain Defoe netted twice on his MLS debut for Toronto FC
Midfield dynamo
What a goal from Fabian Delph, and what an important win for Aston Villa. Chelsea will moan about some decisions but Villa played with great determination and thoroughly deserved their win. The performance was driven in that midfield engine room, and that’s no surprise when you look at the manager.Paul Lambert was a good midfielder and a Champions League winner and is doing a fine job developing his young players, none more so than Delph and his sidekick Ashley Westwood. Westwood doesn’t give the ball away and has got great drive in his game.
Cheeky flick: Fabian Delph pulled off a sublime piece of skill to hand Aston Villa a win over Chelsea
Although there was a lot of fuss around Delph at Leeds, he has struggled with injuries. Now he’s showing what he’s capable of. He has scored some great goals this season, but his finish against Chelsea was the best of the lot.
He started the move and finished it with a sublime flick. I was with the maestro Gianfranco Zola in the studio on Saturday and he was hugely impressed. Praise doesn’t come any higher than that.
No comments:
Post a Comment