Tim
Sherwood is a very unhappy man right now. Brendan Rodgers is battling to save
himself from being replaced by Jurgen Klopp while it’s down to two teenagers to
do the business for both Manchester clubs. As for Jose Mourinho? Well, nobody
really knows. It’s just another eventful weekend in the Premier League.
MARTINEZ
HEAPS MISERY ON MOURINHO
The
Premier League was back with a bang with all eyes were on Goodison Park to see
if Chelsea could turn around their dismal start to the season. In a match
deemed ‘The John Stones Derby’, Jose’s team went from bad to worse, with
Everton running out 3-1 winners in an enthralling tie. It was Steven Naismith,
on for the injured Muhamed Besic, who scored a hat trick to leave a beleaguered
Mourinho reeling. Matic’s wonder strike gave Chelsea a fighting chance, but
credit to Everton who impressed and clinched the three points with fight and
endeavour.
This
time Jose’s excuse was that his tactics computer didn’t work. A petty squabble
with Roberto Martinez over the post-match press conference running order has
also made headlines. He went as far to say that refugees are under more
pressure than him. The Portuguese claimed people will finally be happy to see
his supposed suffering, drowning in a sea of paranoia. With four points from a
possible 15, where does the Chelsea manager go from here? The big names are
still yet to get started and a lack of cohesion throughout the side is
desperately worrying for the reigning Champions.
Let’s
give credit where it’s due to Everton though as it certainly wasn’t all down to
a lacklustre Chelsea performance. The Toffees put on a passionate and capable
display, with star turns from youngsters Ross Barkley and, ironically, Stones.
As the pressure mounts, Chelsea face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League but
the real test is a clash against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Is the
problem really his players or is it time to hold his hands up and admit
responsibility? No more dodging, no more migrant comparisons and no more
walking out of interviews. Is the clock really starting to tick for Jose?
INVINCIBLE
CITY SNATCH LATE WINNER
Pacesetters
Manchester City kept their unbeaten run going with a 1-0 win in a feisty
encounter at Selhurst Park against a spirited Crystal Palace. City had the
strength in depth to cope with injuries pre match to David Silva and Raheem
Sterling, but star striker Sergio Aguero limping off after a tackle from Scott
Dann was a sight most City fans had feared. Enter Kevin De Bruyne, making his
debut after his megabucks move from Wolfsburg, and he helped pull the strings
and influence City to their fifth straight win in a row.
Jesus
Navas should’ve done better after he put his shot wide when he was through on
goal, but it was Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho who wrapped up all three
points for Manuel Pellegrini after coming off the bench to score a late winner,
with a typical poacher’s goal in the box. At points it threatened to boil over,
not least on the touchline, with Pardew and Pellegrini coming to blows. Although
the game had been a relatively even affair, City cranked the pressure up
throughout the second half and a late winner always looked likely in a
wonderfully open and entertaining encounter.
It’s
West Ham at the Etihad next in the League for City, but not before their
Champions League campaign gets underway, with a tricky home tie against last
season’s finalists, Juventus. Pellegrini will be happy to have Sterling and
Silva fit and available again, but Aguero’s knee injury is a big blow. Incredibly,
it’s been 450 minutes since Joe Hart has conceded a goal: City’s defence look
colossal. But Alan Pardew’s side can take solace in running the early
favourites close: Palace looked invigorated and it was a battle to the finish.
MAGIC
MARTIAL PILES PRESSURE ON RODGERS
It
was the battle of the history boys over at Old Trafford with Manchester United
taking on their old school nemesis Liverpool. Both sides desperately needed a
win after their pre-international break defeats- and it was the home side that
came up trumps. After a dour first half, United drew first blood with Daley
Blind breaking the deadlock. That lead was doubled by an unstoppable Ander
Herrera penalty, before a magnificent overhead kick by Christian Benteke
offered Brendan Rodgers a glimmer of hope.
