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Did we just witness the birth of a new star in Manchester?
Adnan Januzaj was given his first Premier League start ahead of the likes of Valencia, Kagawa and Young and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. The Belgian scored a brace and completed the comeback against Sunderland on Saturday. The second of his goals was a sumptuous volley that was a reminiscent of a certain Van Persie’s strike last year.
Before Sir Alex Ferguson left, he gave him a squad number and was full of praise for the Belgian teenage sensation and said “Adnan is a very good technical player” and that he had “good balance and acceleration.” The man from Brussels showed every bit of that technical prowess with that second goal and Moyes would be well to tie him down on a long term contract before long. Is Januzaj the latest in a long line of gifted United wingers, only time will tell.
Are Suarez and Sturridge the best strike partnership in England right now?
Liverpool have had a long line of famous strike partnerships and if Suarez and Sturridge keep up their current form, it looks as if they’ll join that list before too long. Sturridge was the man who got them the goals early on in the season and when Suarez finally came back, it looked as though the Englishman would be relegated to the sidelines. Instead, the duo between them, have already managed to strike up an instant rapport.
In the two games since Suarez’s return, the duo have already combined for a total of five goals and two assists between them and that number is only going to increase. What is striking about this partnership is that both players are scoring and creating in equal amounts, which is a refreshing change and one that bodes well for Liverpool’s season.
West Ham upset the applecart and give AVB something to think about
Tottenham came into this London derby against West Ham with one of the meanest defenses in all of Europe, having conceded just two goals in six games this season. But during a splendid 15-minute spell in the second half, the hammers scored three, with Ravel Morrison’s solo goal the pick of the bunch as they tore the Spurs defense apart.
The hammers came into the game against Spurs, having won just one of their opening six games whilst scoring just four goals in the process. But the formbook went out of the window as Ravel Morrison stepped up to the plate and helped West Ham thrash Tottenham 3-0 and in the process heap more misery on AVB. The Portuguese manager is under a lot of pressure already, with his side unable to score too many and a humiliating home defeat would have been the last think he would have wanted. And it might just force AVB to rethink his strategy.
City break the Everton jinx, whilst Chelsea leave it late
City came into the game against the toffees having won just two of their previous 12 meetings and were looking to set the records straight. They managed to do just that, thanks to a Sergio Aguero brace, which helped see off Everton. Whilst Pellegrini would no doubt be happy with his player’s performances, he knows that consistency is key. Having set one record straight, he will be looking to improve on City’s away form as they face a tough road ahead.
They say the cream always rises to the top and it was never truer than in the game against Chelsea and Norwich. For large chunks of the second half, it looked as though Norwich might just come away from the game with a point. But such is the quality of the current Chelsea squad that Mourinho was able to send on Hazard and Willian in the second half, both of whom scored a goal apiece and helped secure the three points for their side. With all of his attacking players in such good form, Mourinho now has a problem of plenty. That is certainly one problem he would love to have.
Can Southampton get into Europe this season?
Southampton’s fourth win in their opening seven games sees them occupying a top four spot right now. Whilst it is unlikely that the Saints will stay there and get into the Champions League, they might just make into Europe. Their side are built on a rock solid defense which has conceded just two goals in the league so far, only Roma have conceded fewer goals in the major European leagues.
With their attacking slowly kicking into top gear and the emergence of some quality young home grown players in James Ward-Prowse, Jack Cork and Nathaniel Clyne, the sky is the limit for the saints. With some shrewd summer acquisitions, Pocchetino has proven himself to be quite astute in the transfer market and if his side keep playing the way they are right now, they might just finish the season, playing in Europe.
