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HERE ARE THE PREMIER LEAGUE'S BIGGEST TALKING POINTS FROM THIS WEEKEND

HAMMERS BURST CITY’S BUBBLE WITH CLASSY AWAY WIN

It was a week to forget for Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City. Unbeaten after five Premier League wins, it was same old City in the Champions League, when Juventus came from a goal behind to win 2-1. After taking the lead through a towering header by Vincent Kompany, who was only too happy to use Giorgio Chiellini as a climbing frame, the captain went off injured and City capitulated, with errors from defenders Eliaqium Mangala and substitute Nicolas Otamendi leading to both goals.

Most people would’ve punted for the home win on their accumulators when West Ham visited the Etihad given City’s League form- how wrong they were. Early goals from Victor Moses and Sakho left the home fans stunned. City, with Kompany and the mercurial David Silva (injured in the warm up), showed shades of what went wrong for them last season. A defensive shambles, lack of organisation, leadership and a certain Spaniard pulling the strings in midfield, it was down to record signing Kevin De Bruyne to impress, pulling a goal back just before half time.

After the break City huffed and puffed but they couldn’t blow the Hammers’ house down for love nor money. Registering 27 shots, West Ham goalkeeper Adrian pulled off a string of mesmeric saves to deny the home side the equaliser they so desperately searched for. It was an accomplished away win from Slaven Bilic’s side, whose smash and grab tactics early on left City stunned with a mountain to climb.

City remain leaders of the pack, but United are now just two points behind them. A stunning 4-1 Capital One Cup win at the Stadium of Light against an abysmal Sunderland side will go a long way to ease any nerves that may have crept in and boost confidence, but it’s a tricky trip to White Hart Lane next on Saturday to see if Pellegrini’s side can return to form in the League.

HOMETOWN GLORY FOR MOURINHO’S CHELSEA

After a dismal start to the season, Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea have enjoyed a winning week to ease the pressure and get their campaign back on track. When Eden Hazard missed a penalty early on in their Champions League tie against Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Portuguese must have feared the worst. But his side went on to brush aside the visitors with a comfortable 4-0 win, with goals from Willian, Oscar, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas.

It was just the confidence boost Chelsea needed, but the real test was always going to be Arsenal in the League. A fiery encounter was guaranteed, but nobody could’ve quite expected the two red cards that followed. Antagonist extraordinaire Costa was at his villainous best, deploying his trademark wind-up tactics to Arsenal defender Gabriel, who responded with a petulant kick out a la David Beckham vs. Diego Simeone in the World Cup 1998.

After the break Kurt Zouma headed in from close range to give Chelsea the lead and a Calum Chambers own goal from Hazard’s shot sealed the three points for the Blues for only the second time this season. Arsene Wenger’s misery was compounded when Santi Cazorla saw red after receiving a second yellow card. Despite Arsenal going down to nine men, the game for the best part had been wonderfully open and free flowing, but will Wenger be left to rue the day he didn’t spend any of the £200 million sat in the bank on at least a striker, with Arsenal looking remarkably short up front.

The win was vital for Mourinho, who will be comforted by big performances from Zouma, Fabregas and Hazard in particular. Their early season hangover seems to be lifting, but Jose’s headache will linger after news that the FA have decided to charge his striker Costa with violent conduct. He will now miss the next three domestic games, starting with their League Cup match against Walsall. It’s Newcastle away next for Chelsea on Saturday: with their title rivals stuttering, Jose will be hoping his side can continue their return to form on Tyneside, albeit without their main striker.

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HERE ARE THE PREMIER LEAGUE'S BIGGEST TALKING POINTS FROM THIS WEEKEND

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. 

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 THE PREMIER LEAGUE IS BACK, BUT WHO HAS IMPRESSED SO FAR?

So you’ve waited all Summer for the football season to get underway and just as the tans start to fade and weekly match days become the norm again, a pesky international break crops up and ruins it for everybody. Well, everyone apart from Jose and Brendan. They are probably grateful for the break and a chance to regroup.

Although it’s only four games in, it’s been an interesting start to the Premier League season. Teams have flourished, teams have floundered and teams have definitely struggled. With the transfer window now closed until January, clubs will have to make do with the squads they have got to mount their title challenge. Sorry Arsene.

At this point in the campaign the League always springs a few early surprises, with Crystal Palace, Swansea and Leicester City sitting pretty in the Champions League automatic qualifying places, playing stylish, attractive and more importantly, winning football. That’s testament to how indifferent a start the ‘big guns’ have had, as much as it is a compliment to said teams.

There may be 34 games left to play, but which of the top teams have caught the eye and which have left fans scratching their heads or turning to multiple Jager bombs.

Manchester City

League Position:              1st

Goal Difference:              +10

Points:                                  12

Next Three Fixtures:      Crystal Palace (a)              West Ham (h)                    Tottenham Hotspur (a)

Top of the class so far, Manuel Pellegrini’s men have enjoyed an impeccable start to the season, winning all four games played without conceding a goal. Sheikh Mansour splashed the cash during the window, signing Fabian Delph, Raheem Sterling, Patrick Roberts, Nicolas Otamendi and Kevin De Bruyne, and strengthening the squad so significantly has already paid dividends.

Kudos must go to City’s regulars who, invigorated and refreshed, have stepped up to the mark. Aleksandar Kolarov, Bacary Sagna, Eliaqium Mangala, Fernandinho and Yaya Toure have all contributed to the team’s fine form, along with a point-to-prove captain Vincent Kompany and the ever-magical David Silva. Sergio Aguero has yet to really get going- and that’s ominous in itself. Collectively, City look a force to be reckoned with and have set the standard for the season.

They are the team who could’ve least done with the international break to keep the momentum going- and it will be intriguing to see if their run continues with a trip to Selhurst Park ahead this weekend to play in-form Crystal Palace. West Ham will be no pushovers too after their recent 3-0 win against Liverpool and Spurs need the points as much as anybody at the moment. Consistency is key- if City keep it up, their title rivals will be chasing their shadow for the rest of the season.

Manchester United

League Position:              5th

Goal Difference:              +1

Points:                                  7

Next Three Fixtures:      Liverpool (h)                      Southampton (a)             Sunderland (h)

It’s Louis Van Gaal’s second season at the helm of United and he’s off to an indifferent start. 1-0 wins against Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa were followed up with a home draw to Newcastle and a 2-1 defeat away to Swansea. Performances have been flat and uninspired, with Wayne Rooney failing to impress, leaving question marks over the forward’s form and future.

That’s not to say there hasn’t been activity in the transfer market at Old Trafford. With Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Javier Hernandez, Nani and Robin Van Persie amongst the names departing, Memphis Depay, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Sergio Romero and #DeadlineDay sensation Anthony Martial are all new arrivals hoping to help Van Gaal secure his first Premier League trophy. But the rumoured £58 million price tag paid for 19 year old Frenchman Martial has been ridiculed mainly because the striker is largely unproven- and immediately under a lot of pressure to deliver the goals in United’s quest for the title.

The question marks lie predominantly over who provides the creativity- and the goals. Memphis has been hit and miss so far, but Ander Herrera and Juan Mata are more than capable of conjuring up match-winning moments of magic. United are light up front and will be casting glances towards Rooney and Martial to deliver. With a testing fixture against Liverpool next, it’ll be a measure of the manager as to how his team respond post-break to get their trophy challenge back on track. It’s a different era at Old Trafford to when they won it with the kids, but Van Gaal will be hoping he has enough quality to mount a significant challenge, particularly to the noisiest of neighbours, title and borough rivals, City.

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DEFIANT JOSE DELUDED AS CLASSY CITY RUBBER STAMP TITLE INTENTIONS IN ETIHAD THRILLER

Jose Mourinho will have you believe that Chelsea’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City was a ‘fake result’. He will also try to convince anybody who is subjected to listening to him that his side were the better team in the second half of the game.

Despite his best intentions, these two outlandish statements alone are proof that Jose isn’t always capable of manipulating the media. His bullish remarks not only lack integrity but also fall completely into the realm of nonsensical. For this was the day when the manager of the Champions substituted Mr John ‘Captain Leader Legend™’ Terry for the very first time. A day where he stood on the touchline perplexed with not much of a Plan A, let alone a Plan B. A day where City played his team completely off the park. 

At one point, in fact several, Jose remained frozen to the spot, looking around him, dreaming up excuses.  It was a day where appealing for free kicks, waving invisible cards and hacking opposition players down with ill-timed tackles in a bid to aggravate led to nothing but a crushing defeat. Where Cesc Fabregas could have bothered to turn up, Branislav Ivanovic was completely out of his depth and Eden Hazard looked bloated from overindulging post-title win. Chelsea were lethargic, lazy and lacked ideas and direction. City were anything but.

 

Jose may have been able to deflect any criticism after Chelsea’s title defence began with 2-2 home draw to Swansea onto club doctor Eva Carneiro, but here there was nowhere to hide. Despite his desperate attempts to make poor JT the scapegoat this time, a move that made no sense seeing as Gary Cahill is equally as slow and was left on the pitch, the Champions were left brutally exposed by a City side who were not only physically superior but were stronger in every position on the pitch. The 3-0 score line was far from a fake result. In fact it doesn’t tell the whole story. It should’ve been a lot more.

Manuel Pellegrini’s only change from the side that beat West Brom 3-0 was to bring Sergio Aguero in for Wilfried Bony upfront. As soon as Martin Atkinson blew his whistle to declare the day’s proceedings open, City were a force to be reckoned with. Aguero, Golden Boot winner last season and human assault rifle, almost scored within the first minute but Chelsea’s second choice goalkeeper Asmir Begovic stood firm. This became a running theme throughout the first half, with the Bosnian thwarting Pellegrini’s smiling assassin time and time again. Chelsea’s defence were ran ragged and were repeatedly bamboozled by the pace of Raheem Sterling, the trickery of David Silva, the power of Yaya Toure and the sheer wonderment of Aguero. Assertive and professional to a tee, City’s focus was unequivocal. They meant business.

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