5 Things We Learned From The Prem After Matchweek 1

Saturday mornings used to be the most enjoyable part of my week.

Now, I feel like I’m watching my ex-girlfriend. She’s moved on with her life. She hangs with a completely different crowd now. And to be honest, she’s sexier than ever. While I wake up early Saturday mornings, to follow live tweets about a visit from Rotherham, or a trip to Huddersfield. #LifeAfterRelegation

Having spilled my feelings and bitterness to you, here are the five things we learned from a thrilling opening weekend to the 2016/17 Premier League season.

1) Conte figured out how to sell soccer to Americans
It didn’t work when Will Ferrell and Mike Ditka tried it in the highly underrated cult classic Kicking & Screaming. But 4-2-4 is the formation that continually teases the audience “there’s going to be a goal here!” Antonio Conte got his winner courtesy of a hungry, and mildly less petulant, Diego Costa.

Chelsea very much look like a team prepared to wear down their opponents over the course of a match, and pounce when the time is right. How Italian of them. They won’t win matches by many goals, but they will win many matches.

Watching Eden Hazard and Willian come off in a 1-1 game must have had most Chelsea fans thinking, “oh God. This guy’s just happy to win one point on his debut!” But all three subs looked inspired and really upped the pressure on West Ham‘s tired defense. I didn’t think we’d ever see Victor Moses in a Chelsea shirt again. He didn’t look half bad! And I’m talking about his play! Those Chelsea tops are awful.

Chelsea probably could have been more creative. Despite James Collins‘ fine equaliser, West Ham really didn’t seem up for it Monday night. Conte’s side would have had the opportunity to create more chances with Cesc Fabregas on the pitch instead of one of either N’Golo Kanté or Nemanja Matic.

Lucky for Conte, he’s got about 55 more matches to play around with things.

2) Man United have got their swagger back
We knew Manchester United would be a different side with José Mourinho running the show. And while it was just the season opener away to Bournemouth, it was clear to see that United have this aura about them that they haven’t had since winning the title three years ago. Scary to think what they’ll look like once Paul Pogba reintegrates himself back in to the team.

You can already see Zlatan Ibrahimovic‘s confidence wearing off on his teammates. In two matches now, they’ve played with a composure that was rarely noticeable under LVG. Wayne Rooney wasn’t all that impressive, but he’s certainly been worse and if he gets his name on the scoresheet every time he plays a match like that, he’s going to keep his place in the side.

3) Wenger will panic buy on Deadline Day
Have we unknowingly stumbled on to a near decade-long conspiracy where Arsene Wenger leaves all his business until the last few days of the window so that Sky Sports can keep “Jim White Day” going?

I can’t remember the last time I didn’t read or hear “injury crisis” and “Arsenal” in the same sentence. There’s a great game show brewing at The Emirates: “who’s this guy you’ve never heard of before in Wenger’s XI?” That game works for reading transfer rumours as well.

Buckle up and prepare to read endless unknowns from the lesser televised regions of Europe linked with a move to the Gunners. Or, maybe Wenger will just wait for captain Per Mertesacker to return from injury in five months.

Certainly Rob Holding deserved a better debut than that? Word was Francis Coquelin had been training next to Callum Chambers in pre-season. That could be the centreback pairing when Arsenal visit champions Leicester in Saturday’s late kickoff.

4) Children’s crests are SO in right now
Not to enrage all you Manchester City and West Ham supporters. You’re an incredibly passionate and loyal bunch. Your teams have real history and tradition. So why on earth have the badges become so simplistic they look like they were designed on Snapchat?

5) Hull will not be relegated on zero points
Fueled by the last placed predictions of everyone from Hull to Hong Kong, and the presence of the champions in the first Premier League match of this new season, the Tigers showed us that magic isn’t reserved simply for Leicester. I thought a Leicester win was the lock of the weekend. Clearly I know nothing. And Claudio Ranieri meant it when he said, “staying up is the focus.”

NOTABLE MENTION
Pep Guardiola doesn’t have the Hart for Shrewsbury Joe. Really don’t know why he would wait til the start of the season to send that message to Hart, everyone watching, and most importantly, clubs with a goalkeeper to sell. Willy Caballero will do the trick for now. He genuinely appears to relish the role of sweeper keeper. But expect a bigger name to walk in to The Etihad before the window closes.

Jürgen Klopp didn’t realise he hired his doppelgänger when he convinced fitness coach Andreas Kornmayer to trade Bavaria for Merseyside. Or, more likely, Klopp knew that having Kornmayer around would help protect him from angry players and fans when these three-a-day training sessions put half the squad on the disabled list. One of them must drive a Saab still, right? #ArchitectsGlasses

Watch out Gary Lineker: Andy Townsend is coming for you mate! And he didn’t even need to take his clothes off.

I really enjoyed the Premier League Productions ‘Matchday Live’ half-time and post-match set up with just Townsend and former Canadian Owen Hargreaves standing in a poshy looking footballer’s cottage, speaking about Chelsea and West Ham like a couple of pros just bantering All that was missing was a couple of pints on that monitor/table. Though now that hosts have been replaced from host-worthy analysts, I better re-start the “backup” career plans…

2016/17 Premier League season preview (6-10)

10) STOKE
Since Mark Hughes took charge three years ago, they’ve become a team you’re surprised to see outside of the Top 12 at any point in the season. While The Potters have evolved to become strong Premier League regulars, the gap between them and teams chasing European places continues to grow. That’s not a hit on Stoke, but a fourth straight ninth place finish might be just out of reach this season.

Even with the additions of Xherdan Shaqiri, Bojan Krkic, Marko Arnautovic and Ibrahim Affellay, Stoke potted just 41 goals last season. Barring injuries, Affellay was quite unlucky last year, that number should increase this season. The addition of someone like Saido Berahino would certainly help, but Stoke’s efforts to free the 23-year-old from West Brom have gone for naught.

If Stoke can avoid their usual slow start to the season, they might just be strong enough to finish a couple of places higher should the bigger clubs not play to their potential.

9) EVERTON
When was the last time Everton started a season with this much confidence?

Luring Ronald Koeman seemed quite easy. With the ambition and investment on the blue side of Merseyside now, one can see why. Koeman will take home twice what he made on the south coast, a cool £6 million a year. And work under one of the men responsible for Leicester‘s remarkable title run, after Steve Walsh left The Foxes to become The Toffees first director of football.

Everton expected to lose John Stones eventually. No one could’ve expected any club to pay £50 million for him after the season he had last year. The Toffees have been able to reject massive bids for Romelu Lukaku, while spending to bring in Wales captain Ashley Williams, and Idrissa Gueye from Aston Villa who was one of very few bright spots for the relegated side last season.

This team has holes, but are guaranteed to be better defensively than the Roberto Martinez side that finished 11th. That alone should be worth 10 more points.

8) WEST HAM
New digs. New crest. New record signing. And Slaven Bilic says he’d still like five more players! Hammers supporters have plenty to be excited about this year.

The Hammers would have been the best story in the Premier League last season, had it not been for Leicester’s unthinkable title run. West Ham will be even more enjoyable to watch this season.

£20 million for Andre Ayew may seem like a lot when he doesn’t fit in to Bilic’s 4-2-3-1. Andy Carroll remains the first choice number nine, but he’s likely to only play nine league matches so it’s nice to have options. Sofiane Feghouli joins from Valencia to make West Ham’s right side nearly as deadly as the left, with Dmitri Payet working his magic in front of the incredibly underrated Aaron Cresswell.

Ownership has Champions League aspirations, and they may get there soon. But not this year.

7) LEICESTER CITY
Last season was truly magical. The Foxes claimed the title of “best underdog story of all time.” They inspired little clubs everywhere, and Claudio Ranieri must have had a proud father’s grin on his face every time he read a story describing Iceland as “the Leicester of The Euros!” But how can you match last season? You can’t.

Surely Ranieri doesn’t actually believe himself when he says this summer, “the goal is to stay up.” His level head is what lead Leicester through the marathon last year. Although maybe he’s had a look at the bookies lists. How disrespectful that Leicester are 14-1 to go down, but 33-1 to repeat!

The Foxes have spent an incredibly modest £27.5 million on four players this summer. Considering N’Golo Kanté went to Chelsea for £30 million, I thought surely Ranieri would go on a £50 million shopping spree. But that’s not Leicester’s style, and that’s ok. They just will not be able to fight wars on multiple fronts.

Leicester used just 27 different starting lineups last season. That was second-fewest among Premier League champions. The schedule will be grueling this fall. Injuries are bound to plague Leicester this time around. Ranieri is going to have become The Tinkerman again. They are considerably deeper than last season, but his squad just isn’t deep enough.

Ahmed Musa looks to be a great signing already, and Ranieri is confident Nampalys Mendy will be a suitable replacement for Kanté having worked with him at Monaco. This is before Mendy left for Nice and became club captain at the age of just 22. Now 24, no player will be under the microscope more in the first half of this season than Mendy. He declined a move to Manchester United to join new Saints boss Claude Puel at Nice three years ago. Now, he’s a £13 million man.

Keeping Jamie Vardy, Kasper Schmeichel and Danny Drinkwater is the equivalent of spending £125 million on new players because that’s surely what they would have gone for. But if Riyad Mahrez does leave before the window closes, it will have a massive ripple effect on the entire squad that will already struggle without Kanté.

6) LIVERPOOL
Many seem to think a full season with Jürgen Klopp at the helm will power Liverpool back in to the Top 4. They are close, and should be much better than they were for much of last season. But the Reds just aren’t there yet.

Losing the Europa League final may yet turn out to be a blessing. The lure of Champions League football would have helped their business in the transfer window this summer, but it would have seen them forced to pay a premium and this squad still isn’t good enough to challenge on multiple fronts.

With Sadio Mané running around opposing defenders, Liverpool are far more balanced than they were last season. Georginio Wijnaldum is exactly the type of player that would have thrived at Klopp’s Dortmund. If he can find some consistency, he can be one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League. Much like Daniel Sturridge who is likely to spend even more time on the trainer’s table given the intensity of Klopp’s training sessions. They’re doing three-a-days! Who does that? Klopp couldn’t get Mario Götze from Bayern Munich, but he did lure their fitness coach and nutritionist to Anfield with praise from the German press. Liverpool players are reported to be, surviving and better fed.

I am excited for Liverpool fans this season. This team is capable of taking points off their rivals above them. Will Klopp endure a sixth consecutive cup final defeat? I don’t know if his heart can handle it.

Be sure to check back soon. My Top 5 predictions blog is coming later today!

3 Things We Learned From The Prem – Mar. 3

It’s weeks like these when I’m really happy I didn’t choose to be a “professional gambler” for a living…

1) Nobody wants to win the Premier League title
Arsenal‘s lack of desire will be the end of Arsene Wenger. Sick of hearing his club criticised for their “lack of mental fortitude”, Wenger sniped at reporters comparing their opinions to weather forecast. Yes, changeable and pretty flaky is also a brilliant way to describe the way Arsenal’s play over the course of the year. Wednesday’s loss to Swansea might actually be worse than losing to Manchester United‘s reserves. Sweet revenge for Ashley Williams who desperately wanted a move to The Emirates a few years back but Wenger scoffed at his £10 million price tag.

I thought a Tottenham win was the lock of the week. If going top wasn’t enough to motivate Spurs to find another gear and treat an away match like they’re playing at home, I don’t know how much longer they can actually challenge.

Manchester City were shambolic at Anfield. Would never have guessed they’d miss the chance to close the gap with Leicester dropping points on Tuesday. The Foxes were the only ones to show a real desire this week.

2) League Cup hangovers are as bad as any
Manchester has one of the best nightlife scenes in all of Europe. I didn’t know that included Monday and Tuesday nights though.

How can you compete with a team for 120 minutes, enjoy the euphoria of winning a cup final on penalties, and then get smashed three days later by the same club? Depth has been a concern for Man City every season. And while, on their day, City can look like the best club in the world, they can not do it consistently battling on multiple fronts.

They won another trophy on the weekend, but they most likely threw away any chance of adding another Premier League trophy to the cabinet this spring. A 10 point gap is nearly insurmountable for the best of teams. From what we’ve seen of City since Christmas, they’re hardly in that category.

3) Marcus Rashford needs LVG
Held off the scoresheet for the first time in his stellar one week career, Marcus Rashford showed plenty of quality and took another big step towards proving that he is a Premier League calibre player. Enjoy “Red Rash” for the rest of this season United fans. Because Jose Mourinho sure as hell won’t play him if, according to rumours of a pending three year deal, he takes over in the summer. Rashford is exactly the type of young player Jose is keen to staple to the bench and mentally exhaust to the point that Rashford considers another career path. Like becoming a singer, or a real estate agent.

NOTABLE MENTION
Credit to West Ham for denying Tottenham the opportunity to join Leicester at the top of the table. Slaven Bilic has rather quietly turned the Hammers in to a team your club is afraid to play. Nobody thought West Ham had a chance at finishing in a European place this season. The way they looked on Wednesday, West Ham just might be able to challenge both Manchester clubs for fourth place.

Juan Mata looked pretty good wearing that captain’s armband. Clearly motivated him to score that beautiful free kick. And he looks like a Mediterranean, follically comfortable Wayne Rooney.

5 Things We Learned From The Prem This Weekend – Feb. 29

1) Arsene Wenger hates football
Can you blame him? There is zero journalism behind that claim, but it’s a pretty fair assumption. The Frenchman has been close on several occasions since The Invincibles made him seemingly invincible. But Arsenal proved AGAIN, even with Manchester United‘s reserves in front of them, they can’t find another gear and couldn’t break their curse at Old Trafford. Where was the desire? Just one win in 14 trips north to the red side of Manchester. Unable to pull off a league double over United for the first time in nine seasons. And worse, unable to keep pace with their North London rivals who seem as hungry as Leonardo Di Caprio to tell you about the dangers of climate change.

2) Manchester United’s best player is 18 years old
Well, so much for the debate about “do United need Wayne Rooney as much as Wayne Rooney needs United.” You know who enjoyed that match even more than Spurs supporters and Marcus Rashford‘s mum? Chinese football. All of it. Anyone in the world’s most populous country that has anything to do with football. Because, what United and the rest of the world learned in Rooney’s absence on Sunday, was that United don’t need to pay over £300k a week for a player that used to score a ton of goals.

I’m not saying Rashford is “the saviour” United have been searching for since Sir Alex retired. Nor am I saying England will win Euro 2016 this summer with Rashford, Jamie Vardy and Saido Berahino leading the attack. But it’s pretty remarkable, and a bit depressing if you’re a Red Devils supporter, that Rashford has scored as many goals in two matches as Radamel Falcao managed to bag in 29 games. The papers won’t let Jose Mourinho hear the end of it when he sends Rashford on-loan to Sporting Braga next season…

3) The King Power Stadium is the most atmospheric ground in all the land
Is there any place you’d rather be on a matchday? Everyone in that ground knew a winner was coming. The combined feeling of relief, joy and ecstasy when Leo Ulloa bagged the winner was transmitted through the TV as prominently as nonsense from the mouth of Donald Trump.

4) West Brom love to play entertaining football
Well, watch out on Tuesday Leicester! Tony Pulis has a new found affinity for entertaining, attacking football. Starting proven frontman is a key to capitalizing on tiki taka. Three goals in 19 minutes. Who are these Baggies?

5) Branislav Ivanovic isn’t completely useless
Well done to Fraser Forster for going 708 minutes without allowing a goal. After Shane Long put the Saints in front, I thought that was it for Chelsea. But I was wrong. And I was wrong about Branislav Ivanovic. Honorary armband or not, he still has value for a club like Chelsea. He just hated Jose Mourinho.

NOTABLE MENTION
I’ll end with the priceless advice Manuel Pellegrini left us with in Manchester City’s Capital One Cup triumph over Liverpool: Sometimes it is better to trust your Willy instead of your Hart.

5 Moves I Want To See On Deadline Day

Happy Jim White day!

5) Moussa Dembélé to Spurs
Because isn’t it hilarious when a club has two players with the same name? I am sure I’m not the only one that read that link this week and thought “when did Spurs sell him back to Fulham?” I haven’t watched much of Fulham since their departure from the bright lights of the Premier League, but The Cottagers seem hell bent on denying Tottenham the shirt printing nightmare of employing the name twins.

Easy to understand, Fulham may find themselves playing League One football next season if they don’t bulge the old onion bag on a more consistent basis. The 19 year-old French Dembélé has bagged 11 goals this season and will surely earn himself a summer move if the two London clubs can’t agree on something today.

4) Anyone of quality to Aston Villa
You knew that one was coming. Villa are apparently still hot for Arsenal‘s Mathieu Debuchy, and while the Frenchman would be a massive upgrade at right-back, it’s a goalscorer Remi Garde really needs to find before 23:00 GMT. But I fear he won’t be able to convince one, that anyone has ever heard of, that the cause is worth joining. He should take a stab at Aiden McGeady who is desperate for playing time ahead of Euro 2016. Doesn’t anyone have a phone number for Demba Ba?

Rumours of captain Micah Richards leaving for Sunderland are unsettling. I fear it will be an uneventful day in Birmingham. Unless Birmingham City re-sign Christophe Dugarry. He is only 43.

3) Loic Rémy to Newcastle
I enjoyed one of the best weekends of my life in Newcastle, but I don’t have as much of an affinity towards Newcastle Untied as my previous podcast predictions might suggest. I do however understand the devastation that losing both northeast giants and Villa would be for the English game. Loic Rémy still has plenty to offer, as he’s already shown on Tyneside. Steve McLaren has spent wisely since taking over and a move to bring the French frontman back up north should surely pull the Magpies out of this relegation dog fight.

2) Lavezzi to Manchester United
The fans are demanding action today, and Louis van Gaal is terrified he’s going to lose his job. He will by season’s end, which is exactly why sadly I think it’s unlikely United make a big move today. But since PSG‘s forgotten forward has decided that China really isn’t the place for him, despite the Asamoah Gyan-type money Beijing Guoan were prepared to pay him, maybe a move to Manchester is in the cards today. Out of contract at season’s end, he wouldn’t cost the premium that his quality should garner. And it’s no secret United are dying for a creative player that can electrify Old Trafford, like the good old days.

1) Neymar to Real Madrid
The idea of Barcelona selling the son of the world’s richest footballer’s dad mid-season is ridiculous. But the idea of Flo Perez throwing every commodity at his disposal for the apple of his eye (of the week) would keep the Spanish papers operating at pre-austerity measure highs for months. And since Real won’t have the usual luxury of buying whomever they like in upcoming windows, why not meet Neymar‘s €180 million release clause?

It may take less a few Mediterranean islands to convince the Brasilian to make the turncoat move Luis Figo made sixteen years ago. I think Neymar would love the opportunity to be the top man. Of course, that would mean Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Manchester United. And that, for any fan that enjoys watching Premier League football, would be magical.

5 Things We Learned From The Prem This Weekend – Jan. 18

1) LVG’s self confidence swings on a pendulum
A month ago Louis van Gaal didn’t think he was fit for the job. Now after a five game unbeaten run, he sees his team in a title race. Not everyone else does, but just seven points back of Arsenal there’s plenty more reason to be optimistic at Old Trafford. Even nine points wouldn’t be insurmountable, I mean there is still plenty of football left to be played. But this team isn’t capable of winning the title. Even with Wayne Rooney‘s regained scoring form. He single handily can carry United to a Top 4 finish, and that is a title in itself.

2) Eight minutes of stoppage time is a real thing
Once found in only the degenerate tales of frustrated Qatar Stars League gamblers, Mike Jones showed us something as rare as a unicorn dressed as a Mountie. (That’s a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer, for those who don’t get the reference.) He didn’t see that John Terry was offside before he put his cheeky flick passed Tim Howard. But hey if eight minutes is the standard for a six goal second half, then I hope we see many more matches like that.

3) Leicester will play out the season like a Jose Mourinho side
If there was any doubt that Leicester have retired the swashbuckling, no fear football that had them top of the table at Christmas, Saturday’s trip to Villa Park confirmed it. The Foxes were the better side in the first half and deserved leaders, although they missed a penalty. Aston Villa were the better side in the second half, and should’ve had a penalty. How Roger East didn’t see Robert Huth throwing his sharp German elbow through the face of Libor Kozák as a clear cut penalty, I’ll never understand. But when the ball struck Rudy Gestede’s hand in the build-up to his equalising goal East could’ve blown up and stopped play. So maybe Villa are finally going to get some good fortune they’re long overdue.

But what surprised me most was Leicester’s lack of urgency in the final 10 minutes. Vardy had a real chance to win it, but apart from that Leicester seemed fully content to wait for a counter-attacking opportunity. There was no rush to get the ball back in play or pressure Villa off it. Exactly the opposite of the team that ran the table in the fall. But fully reflective of a side that will only take calculated risks to protect their position. Claudio Ranieri won’t see Saturday’s match as two points dropped, but top spot regained. He should be disappointed.

4) Arsene Wenger thinks far more of football fans than he should
The Frenchman has been around long enough to know that no matter how much Premier League match tickets cost, a large percentage of attending supporters will never be mature role models. Stoke’s chants of “Aaron Ramsey, he walks with a limp” rattled Wenger to the core. Or, maybe he was taking a page out of Jose Mourinho‘s book and distracting attention from how poorly his team played. The Britannia is a difficult ground to win at, but after watching Leicester drop points at Villa Park on Saturday, Arsenal need to play with a lethal urgency and control what they can if they’re going to be champions come May.

5) Spending money is scary. But you’ve got to do it
One can only imagine the relief Eddie Howe felt when Benik Afobe found the back of the net on his Cherries debut. The future England boss hasn’t hid his concern about Bournemouth‘s record spending this month. And while the £10 million it cost to bring Afobe down from Wolves will only be justified when they stay up come May, Bournemouth showed just how much better they are than Norwich and continue to pull away from the bigger, more established clubs whose struggles seem never ending. Sunderland.

NOTABLE MENTION
Swansea did something few others have been able to this season: shut down Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney. It’s a massive three points for a club that may not regret sacking Garry Monk mid-season after the odd, yet incredibly exciting appointment of Francesco Guidolin. But I think Swansea will rue the decision to sell Jonjo Shelvey to Newcastle. He seems exactly the type of player you want in a desperate fight. He’s walked right in to Steve McLaren‘s side and will most certainly help Newcastle in theirs.

Full credit to Mark Bunn for making the very most of his opportunity with Aston Villa toiling away at the bottom. Having hardly seen any action since leaving Norwich in the summer, Bunn followed up a fortunate clean sheet with an admirable performance against a title challenger. His penalty save on Riyad Mahrez yielded one of the loan positive Villa appearances on MOTD all season.

Kevin Mirallas is a game changer. On his day. I’ll never get tired of seeing quality goals like that. Mirallas is a player that deserves more regular football, but if he can’t earn it consistently at a club like Everton, he’ll struggle to get in to the Belgium squad this summer.

5 Things We Learned From the Prem Midweek – Jan 14

1) Leicester won’t outscore their opposition by two or three anymore. But they’ll still win
What do you think your bookie’s odds would have been on the headline “Robert Huth wins it for Leicester“? Hell of a goal from a defender that didnt’t threaten enough for Mark Hughes‘ liking. It doesn’t matter how they win anymore, as long as they continue to take points off the teams around them. Wednesday’s match at White Hart Lane was far more important for The Foxes’ top 4 aspirations than for Spurs’. Largely because since the start of the Christmas period Leicester have looked like a team fully aware of their position; less willing to play wide open and free.

Conservative football continually yields results for teams at the top. And Italians. Can’t blame Ranieri for adopting that approach. While the swashbuckling entertainment has taken a back seat, what’s still there is a determination to outwork their opponents at all costs. Who to replace Mahrez and Vardy with in my fantasy team is a scary question…

2) Horrendous January weather provides brilliant matches
The first thirty minutes at Anfield on Wednesday was some of the very best football I’ve seen all season. Liverpool started the match like a house on fire, forcing Arsenal to unleash their title worthy quality. It wasn’t easy, and in the end it wasn’t enough. But Liverpool’s drive got the best out of Arsene Wenger‘s men. Even in a title chasing season, a point at Anfield, in a thrilling back-and-forth match like that, is nothing to hang your head about. Unless of course, that’s the match where you can circle with conviction as “the one that cost you the title at season’s end.”

3) Manchester United’s success depends on Wayne Rooney
I didn’t think Rooney had any quality goals left in him. Did you? Small sample, but he’s looked better over the last two weeks than in the last two years. Four goals in three matches since the turn of the calendar has United fans hoping The Boy Wayne can return to a fraction of the man that scored 27 Premier League goals four seasons ago. If United are to finish in the Top 4, he’ll need to. The Red Devils aren’t about to return to the high scoring, entertaining football fans are demanding. But without Rooney’s contributions, they won’t collect the results needed to keep pace with the aforementioned Leicester and Spurs. Just eight goals shy now of Sir Bobby Charlton‘s club record 249 goals, I’d be surprised if he hasn’t broken it by the beginning of March.

Goals will come from elsewhere, but no player is more important to that team that Wayne Rooney. That’s largely the reason this campaign has been such a disappointment up until now. Having lead 2-0, and given Newcastle’s position in the table I can understand why Captain Wayne is frustrated with Tuesday’s result. But that was a cracking game of football and Newcastle fully deserved to come away with something.

4) Roberto Firmino is the real deal
I’m not saying Liverpool have solved their “striker problem.” But the Brasilian has continued to improve since Klopp‘s arrival and that second goal not only showed the quality his capable of, but the adjustments he’s making to score more regularly in the Premier League.

5) Aston Villa can win matches
I’m not naive to think they’ll win their remaining 17. Palace were bloody awful. But for once, Villa attempted to create chances and work for a result. Even if they blatantly lack the confidence and composure required to make the right decisions and succeed at this level. Villa fans should be inspired by Remi Garde‘s willingness to make changes, even if they’re not always the right ones. Putting Mark Bunn in for Brad Guzan and keeping captain Micah Richards out of the squad sparked the rest of his unit to step it up. Garde’s increasing trust in Carles Gil will only yield more goal scoring opportunities.

Villa host Leicester in the late kickoff on Saturday. A team that was not far off their current position just a year ago. Not to mention one that has scored just once in their last four. ‘Ave a right go Remi! You’ve really got nothing to lose at this point.

NOTABLE MENTION
Thank goodness for Liverpool that Joe Allen has returned from his loan with your sister’s boyfriend’s band. I didn’t even recognize him!

Brendan Rodgers couldn’t fit Christian Benteke into the squad and Klopp seems even less willing. Lots of clubs are shopping for a centre forward this month. Should LFC consider letting him go? I would absolutely love to see him go back to Villa on loan. Benteke worked his ass off wearing that shirt, but strikes me as someone that would simply be too proud to return.

Andre Ayew‘s goal to put Swansea in front 2-1 was the definition of ‘determination.’ He’s going to need to string together a few more like that if Swansea are going to stay up. I had been saying all season they’re too good to go down. But after watching Sunderland stroll in to Wales and win 4-2, I really don’t know anymore. Might regret shipping Jonjo Shelvey out.

5 Things To Watch For In The Prem On Boxing Day

1) Which Liverpool side will show up for Leicester?
Remember when Jürgen Klopp’s side beat Man City 4-1, at The Etihad last month? Liverpool have won just once in the league since and only thanks to a James Milner penalty against Swansea, the week after. Not exactly the model of consistency.

While LFC have played more inspired football since Rodgers was sacked, they’re still a mess defensively. Which should have Jamie Vardy and Riyadh Mahrez licking their chops as they go to bed Friday night.

2) Can Arsenal avoid a repeat of last year’s New Years Day nightmare?
Last year Arsene Wenger‘s men travelled down to the South Coast with title aspirations, an easy task ahead in the last 16 of the Champions League and an injury crisis threatening to derail it all.

This year, only the Champions League task is different. But Arsenal‘s chance of lifting the Premier League trophy come May has never been better. They can’t afford another 2-0 loss.

3) What’s good for the Guus is good for the gander
It’s a cliche my grandfather often used, and one I haven’t heard in years. It means “justice has been served” or “one got what they deserved.” Roman thought leading his champions to the club’s worst ever league start was enough for Mourinho to lose his job. Chelsea supporters clearly didn’t feel that way.

Saturday Guus Hiddink will step in that Chelsea manager’s box for the first time in six years. But unlike last week when his lot of underachievers played to their potential, The Blues have a competent opponent to deal with. Watford come in with one of the hottest strikers in football at the moment, looking to win five in a row.

You can argue that despite their diabolical start, Mourinho didn’t deserve to be sacked. But is Hiddink the one that can serve justice? If he can’t on Saturday, he may never win the support of the Chelsea faithful.

4) You know what they say about a rainy Boxing Day at Stoke
Winless in six, losers of three in a row, with a fan base quickly beginning to believe a manager they once despised is the only one to lead them back to the promise land. Desperate times Louis. Remember what Mark Hughes’ did to their last visitors from Manchester?

It’s the early kickoff Saturday morning, but there’s enough reason for both United fans and the neutral to wake up for it.

5) How many can Man City put passed Sunderland?
Big Sam knew this job would be one of if not the most difficult he’s had. The schedule makers haven’t made it any easier. After inspiring Chelsea, Sunderland will hope to avoid boosting Man City‘s confidence ahead of their title deciding trip to Leicester on Tuesday. Younes Kaboul‘s hamstring injury has made life even more difficult for the Black Cats. Sergio Agüero has scored just seven times in 11 appearances. Not very good numbers compared to this season’s leaders from swashbuckling super powers Leicester and Watford.

This is exactly the type of match where Citeh prove how dangerous they can be. I don’t like to make predictions, but if you’re the betting type it would seem pretty safe to take the over.

5 Things We Learned From The Prem This Weekend – Aug. 24

Most weeks I will post this before the Monday fixture, but this week I just had to wait. And wait. And wait. And wait. Seriously, how was there not ONE goal scored at The Emirates yesterday?

1) Man City look like champions
The Premier League season is a marathon, not a sprint. But after three challenging fixtures to open the season, City look as strong as ever. It’s easy to look at the team sheet and think “of course this team should take 9 points from 9,” but trips to The Hawthorns and Goodison are not easy. Did I mention they made the champions look like a newly promoted side? Citeh have improved on every level. It helps that Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure are playing like it’s 2012 again. But MCFC deserve all the plaudits they’re getting at the moment. Sure, I’m not about to “crown their asses” to quote Dennis Green, but 9 top flight wins in a row is nothing to take lightly. Also, the first time they’ve done that since 1912. Expect Manny Pellegrini to bring that up if and when he’s on the hot seat come winter. Watford at home this weekend. Make it 10.

2) Just when you expect boatloads of goals, here’s a scoreless draw
Give me slippery conditions with two teams boasting goal hungry frontman, unflattering backlines, and two managers who can never be accused of playing for the “easy result,” and I’m betting the over every time. But as I’ve discussed before on this blog, I may just be the worst gambler in the world. Arsene Wenger‘s gamble of sticking with Petr Cech has clearly paid off. The former Chelsea #1 completely redeemed himself after his nightmare debut. Liverpool should have bagged two, if not three yesterday afternoon. Olivier Giroud has done nothing to shut up his critics, begging for Wenger to sign a world class striker before Monday’s deadline. Riyad Mahrez anyone?

3) Bournemouth belong at this level
What a way to earn your first win in the Premier League! Eddie Howe‘s men were finally rewarded for their efforts by treating us to the type of show we haven’t seen since Blackpool were up. Chaotic defending included. The match wasn’t as close as the 4-3 scoreline would suggest.

4) Christian Eriksen is more important to Tottenham than we thought
Without the magical little Dane, Harry Kane experienced what life was like for Christian Benteke and Darren Bent for years at Villa. Kane was alone, in 90 degree weather, for 90 minutes. Érik Lamela again proved that Daniel Levy considerably overpaid for him. Not only did the Argentine fail to contribute anything in place of Eriksen, 19 year-old Dele Alli completely outshined him.

5) Costel Pantilimon isn’t a useless giant
Without the Romanian in net against Swansea Saturday morning, Sunderland lose again. He made several key saves in addition to his early candidate for stop of the year when he denied Bafe Gombis his brace from close range.

NOTABLE MENTION
If Gomis is going to score every week, he has to get a new goal celebration. He’s ruining the Lion King for men with young children.

Pedro is going to prove he’s even better than we knew he was at Barcelona. I see him much like Luis Suarez when he moved to Liverpool from Ajax. A player who you knew to expect a lot from, but who could deliver more than you even dreamed of. If only he could play centre back as well…

West Ham had better hope that gambling on Slaven Bilić pays off. Back-to-back losses at home has West Ham fans fearing the worst. The Hammers don’t look anything like the side that beat Arsenal on matchday one. Kevin Nolan started up front next to Diafra Sakho FFS! Could you imagine what would happen in the East End if West Ham were relegated before moving in to the Olympic Stadium?

Claudio Ranieri has clearly adopted the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach to managing. The Italian saw no need to make any changes to a team that won their opening two matches. The manager formerly known as ‘The Tinkerman’ fielded the exact same lineup for the third straight game. Prized signing Gökhan Inler sat on a bench amongst £30 million worth of talent. This is Leicester City we’re talking about! TV money had changed England as we know it.

I really think Liverpool will regret shipping Mario Balotelli off. I don’t know if he’ll bag 20 goals for Siniša Mihajlović. In fact, I expect the two to have a real tear up before Thanksgiving. Canadian Thanksgiving. But I do think that given the chance, Balo will prove his worth and that Liverpool will struggle to score goals for much of the season.

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5 Things We Learned From The Prem This Weekend – Aug. 9

Sure, it feels like last season just ended. And yes if you live in a particularly colder climate like I do, it signals the premature end of summer. But damn it feels good to have Premier League football back. Saturday mornings mean something again.

Petr Cech is not going to win Arsenal the title
I didn’t need to watch Sunday’s nightmare to know that. I was so puzzled by how many people picked Arsenal to end their title drought because of the acquisition of a once world-class keeper. Petr Cech does not deserve to be rotting on Chelsea’s bench. But he is not as sharp as he was three years ago, and certainly not the final piece to make a contender a champion. Gooners got a tough dose of that Sunday morning. Arsene Wenger can blame Arsenal’s “defensive lapses” all he wants. The reality is, he is banking on a declining goalkeeper to build brand new relationships with men in front of him who quite often, don’t know what they’re doing.

Philippe Coutinho will make Liverpool fans forget about Raheem Sterling
The Brasilian’s impact has long been underrated on Merseyside. Liverpool did not deserve anything more than a point from The Britannia. But that moment of brilliance should’ve been worth four. Coutinho is Liverpool’s most important asset, though Brendan Rodgers would love Jordan Ibe to be looked at that way. Perhaps in time. For now, as Liverpool learn to send crosses in for a more than capable frontman, in Christian Benteke, it has to be more than comforting to know that Coutinho can turn the match on it’s head given the right opportunity.

Chelsea will be pushed to repeat
The intensity Swansea showed even before Chelsea went down a man, was inspiring. Jose‘s Blues are going to have to work for every W this season. Signing Asmir Begovic will look like a masterstroke now. Away to Man City Sunday morning, Chelsea will need to put themselves in a better position so they’re not solely relying on the counter to create.

Sergio Romero was not a useless signing
And here I thought Sam Johnstone was going to start the season! Tottenham deserved to take a point away from Old Trafford. But the Argentina #1 denied Spurs the satisfaction, and rewarded LVG for signing him two weeks ago. Anyone other than a 100% committed David de Gea is a step down, but Romero is a very good shot stopper. And that backline is going to allow him to face plenty more than just the four that Tottenham put on target Saturday. But it doesn’t matter, because unlike last year, LVG’s side started with a win. Having said all that, I don’t see how the Dutchman can let the transfer window close without adding another frontman. They can’t possibly expect to compete on multiple fronts with just Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay. Depay is a winger! Marouane Fellaini has proven he can play up top. But he shouldn’t be relied upon. Go out and do some more useful business Louis. Start by getting bodies in return for de Gea, Valdes and Anders Lindegaard.

Aston Villa might just be alright this season. Who woulda Gestede?
It’s just one match, against a newly promoted side that most expect to go straight back down. But starting a seemingly doomed campaign with three points on the road is the best thing Timmy Sherwood could’ve hoped for. Rudy Gestede will never be Christian Benteke. But having scored 20 headed goals in the last two seasons, his new teammates can at least provide him the same service. Making the transition easy on everyone else.

NOTABLE MENTION
Doesn’t Jose Mourinho have any sympathy for the all bullshit Eva Carneiro has had to deal with touching John Terry and Ashley Cole for all those years! What could any team doctor do to deserve such a public scolding?

It’s remarkable that anyone could make their Premier League debut at the age of 16. But how many kids even dream their first chance would come with 79 minutes playing at The Emirates? Beating Arsenal. The most telling thing about Reece Oxford to me, is how Slaven Bilic described his mental makeup: “If Messi was in front of me, I’d be more fazed than Reece.” Out of the Europa League. Start the league with an away win. Slaven can do no wrong in the East End!

Crystal Palace benefited from referee Simon Hooper‘s decision to rule out Cameron Jerome‘s goal, but Norwich still would’ve fallen on Saturday. The gulf in class on display was massive. And to think Alan Pardew looked insane for taking the job at a club that had gone through managers quicker than Toronto FC. And I still can not believe Yohan Cabaye plays his football at Selhurst Park. Soccer has changed.

Gabby Obertan is still playing Premier League football. Wow.

Southampton could play in MLS with that away kit. I actually quite like it, and The Saints of course are always entertaining to watch. Might regret not adding Graz Pelle to my fantasy team. C’mon Saido Berahino!