The eyes of one billion people (According to Martin Tyler anyway) were firmly on the Merseyside and Manchester derbies last Sunday. It was such a huge double for Sky, they justified their ‘Super Sunday’ tag they use. And even I was looking forward to it. That is despite , having more important things to worry about, such as making sure I meet my essay deadlines by regularly staying up until the early hours of the mornings.
Prior to the game, Jose Mourinho was looking very approachable while being interviewed by Geoff Shreeves for Sky. Nearly 2 hours later, he was the victim of a brutal attack by the Manchester City players. Allegedly, Jose had milk launched into his face after confronting the City players for over celebrating their 2-1 at the home of their quiet neighbours. However, it was little more than a rumour. Apparently, it only semi-skimmed him.
Manchester City’s gulf in class between them and the rest of the league has been evident throughout the season, and no less so against United. They followed that up in South Wales, with a routine 4-0 win at Swansea City. Nearly 11 years after City came into existence, I’d challenge you to name a better team, but I would dismiss them all.
Late goals at Selhurst Park has become a recurring theme since Roy Hodgson took the hot seat, displaying a stronger mentality under the new man. It’s even more impressive when they couldn’t hit a cow’s arse with a banjo under the stewardship of Frank De Boer. For goodness sake, they’re playing Christian Benteke up top! He was a cracking striker at Villa, we all know that. But he wouldn’t get on the bench at Cardiff City (Omar Bogle is on fire and a fit Kenneth Zohore is brill) at the moment. Following Tom Cleverly’s sending off, another couple of goals just before the final whistle handed Crystal Palace the three points over Watford.
West Ham’s park the bus tactics has been deployed over the last 3 or 4 games, and very successfully. An early goal from Marko Arnautovic saw off Chelsea, with Hazard and co. unable to break the Hammers down. A win for them, but a win for football? Not for me. We all see the game differently. Some prefer to win ugly, others by attacking teams through playing football on the floor. Can we not see the likes of Moyesy mix it up a bit? By all means, clear your lines, defend from the front, and attack from the back. However, we could see more pushing up a little bit, and not relying on the sole striker to close defenders down with little help from teammates.
A great call from referee Craig Pawson in the Merseyside Derby to award a penalty for Dejan Lovren’s slight nudge on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, led to a reporter feeling the full force of Jurgen Klopp’s rage. The German rested several key players, and was punished by none other than Scouse Wayne Rooney to earn a 1-1 draw for Everton. Lovely jubbly.
Until next time.