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With Gameweek 9 being hyped around Manchester United vs Chelsea, the other matches in the Premier League as always did not disappoint with their buzz and doze of adrenaline rush. As always there were shock results, heartbreaks, goals galore, stunners and comebacks.From Esteban Cambiasso’s two yard goal miss to an astounding Sunderland defence, we take a look at the 5 major talking points of the Premier League weekend.
#1 Is Eliaquim Mangala worth 32m?
When Eliaquim Mangala joined Manchester City for 32 million pounds, it seemed as if the 'other team' from Manchester, has finally got their hands on a player who could eventually partner Vincent Kompany in defence. Martin Dimecheles was considered 'too old’ while Matija Nastasic slowly withered away from first team action under Manuel Pelligrini, as both players were not foolproof in defence and seldom displayed signs of genuine chemistry with the skipper.
Months into the season, partnering Vincent Kompany while positioned as the Left Center Back, life in the Premier League is proving to be difficult for the 23-year-old French International, who highly impressed critics with his performances at Porto.
Although Mangala had been solid against league leaders Chelsea, his performances recently have painted a big question mark on his price tag. The 23-year-old has been at the spotlight with defensive howlers only rivaled by a crumbling Sunderland defence.
The most expensive defender in Premier League history might not be worth the hassle, as Mangala can easily be held responsible for leaking as many as four goals in a short spell of six games. The Frenchman was at fault in West Ham's Booleyn Ground as he was shrugged off far too easily by a 'lightweight' Enner Valencia, leading to The Hammer's opening goal and it wasn’t the first such instance.
A nightmare performance against Hull City, where he was saved the blushes as the strike force outscored the Tigers, a midweek slip against CSKA Moscow, along with another futile performance against West Ham, has posted a big question mark on the former Porto player's credentials.
Although Manuel Pelligrini has supported Mangala and termed him as a 'good' player, the Argentine's patience could run out, and a surprise start for either Nastasic or Demicheles, might be the way out.
Even Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra also found it difficult to adjust to the rythm and tempo of the Premier League, only time will tell if Mangala could become as prolific and as solid as the former two.
#2 Southampton for Champions League?
For Ronald Koeman and his Saints, life is a box of chocolates. The Flying Dutchman, unlike his compatriot at Manchester United, can do nothing wrong. The one change that he initiated after the annihilation of Sunderland 8-0, rewarded him with a goal, in the 33rd minute. Although not many would have predicted a smooth sailing, after departure of instrumental figures such as Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana, it seems as if their deficit is filled in by prized assets in the form of Graziano Pellè and loanee Toby Alderweireld. Conceding a mere five goals, the Saints also flaunt the meanest defence in the Premier League, while boasting a fluid and penetrative attack.
Despite a narrow scoreline, the Saints regularly tested Asmir Begovic registering 5 shots on goal in the opening minutes of the match. A performance which showcased defensive solidity alongwith attacking fluidity led Koeman to his sixth win of the season leapfrogging Manchester City into the second spot.
Although the contingent which finished eighth last time around, has been more than impressive so far, amassing 19 points out of a possible 27, whilst sitting second on the league table, their impressive charade might be fueled out as the squad lacks depth and 'gamechangers' too elude them. However, a team which relishes on a mid-table finish would aim to collect as many points as possible, whilst taking one game at a time, and maybe, with eventual slipups like the one at Anfield and Booleyn Ground this weekend, the Saints could have an outside chance of finishing in one of the Champions League spots.
#3 Bony trump card for Swansea
As Two Wilfried Bony goals sunk Leicester City, Swansea put an end to their winless streak of six matches. A high flying performance by the Swans, meant a deserved three points, uplifting them to fifth, alongside Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal. However, with Everton, Manchester City and Arsenal next, the Swans would be looking to improve their Gameplan, which is set to be built around the imposing Ivorian.
Stealing the spotlight, Wilfried Bony has rightly justified his start ahead of Frenchman Bafetemi Gomis, and now leads the Swansea Goal Scoring records, alongside Miguel Michu with 20 goals. Operating in a 4-2-3-1, Bony often plays as a lone striker. Now, the advantage with a system like Swansea’s is that, in Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer, the Swans have two agile players, who can take on and beat players, before delievering the killer ball in, while Bony, who excels in the aerial department, thrives on crosses.
Moreover, with Gylfi Sigurdsson playing behind the Ivorian, signs of chemistry and understanding have surfaced, as the Icelander assisted Bony for his first goal, against Leicester. With Jonjo Shelvey sitting at the pivot, the Englishman can always find either of the two wingers or Bony himself, with his long through ball, which could result into a more organised counter attacking system.
A more attacking change could be the introduction of Gomis alongside Bony in a two striker system, as both the players have an imposing physical presence and a penchant for headed goals.
With Bony leading the front line, chances are that the Swans could hold any of the three high flying teams, with an upset very likely on the cards. It can be rightly said, that the Bony Trumpcard which flushed Leicester City could probably be the ace to render the chances of victory for the three teams.
#4 Midfield light at the end of Manchester United tunnel
A Robin van Persie equaliser in the dying embers of the game, secured a point for the hosts, who now sit eighth in the league, against leaders Chelsea. Riding on a van Gaal masterstroke, United pulled off arguably the best performance of this season. Their midfield which was accused of leaking goals, erupted to life and irritated the Chelsea duo of Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas, which was later reverted into a trio with the inclusion of John Obi Mikel.
Lining up in a 4-3-3, Man United, started with Marouane Fellaini, Daley Blind and Juan Mata, in the midfield region. While Fellaini did a solid job on Cesc Fabregas, closing down and imposing his physical presence on the Spaniard, Daley Blind controlled the tempo of the game with his regulated passing. An irritated Chelsea pivot, reverted to fouls as Nemanja Matic often found it difficult to tune into United’s tempo.
Fellaini, who was also operating as a centre-midfielder, linked up play brilliantly and was often seen carrying the ball forward himself. With the midfield finally clicking, United registered a massive 19 shots as compared to Chelsea’s 9. While dominating possession, United also intercepted balls, whenever they lost their share of it. Perhaps adopting a 4-3-3, might be the way out for United, as this tactical reform has produced their best performance of the season so far.
With Manchester City next, Louis van Gaal would be hoping for another decent performance by the midfield trio of Fellaini, Mata and Blind as they face another ‘baptism by fire’ in the form of Yaya Toure and Fernandinho.
#5 Champions League could be a dream for Tottenham
A 4-1 drubbing by Manchester City, followed by a 2-1 defeat against Newcastle United, this gameweek has left Spurs 11th in the league table, five points adrift of the Champions League berths. A leggy Spurs side took the field, with their recent Europa League endeavors being dubbed as the antagonist. While the hosts created chances and outshone the visitors, lack of clear goal scoring opportunities, alongwith sheer complacency infront of goal, sunk the Supr’s ship. From the days of Harry Redknapp, Champions League has eluded the North London side and with rising competition in the Premier League, chances of not qualifying run high. An eleventh position does no justice to the Spurs Dream, who although do not lack squad depth, miss the integral chemistry.
Registering 17 shots, whilst only 2 at goal also points out to the fact that Spurs lack a clinical striker and goalscorer. Emmanuel Adebayor or substitute Roberto Soldado, might not be the answer to their goal-scoring worries.
While Roberto Soldado has withered away since joining Spurs, Adebayor scores the occasional goal, sidelining himself from the drama. 10 shots from outside of the box, also point out to the fact that Spurs did not penetrate Newcastle deep enough.
Defensively, the side operated as a unit, but two individual errors led to two Newcastle Goals, on the counter attack. If Champions League, is to be made a reality, goal scoring ratios alongwith clean-sheet ratios, have to be increased.
With Aston Villa, Stoke, Hull and Everton, next, Mauricio Pochettino's side would be looking to cement themselves defensively as well as create chances while going forward, if they are to grab all 12 points and put an end to their barren run of points.
With Liverpool, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United, Southampton, all gunning for that fourth place finish, a slip up, even at the early stage might prove to be crucial and could amount to near Champions League evasion.
