A Day of The Red ( Card )

Match Day -2 of the English Premier League ( EPL ) was as intriguing as it gets, with its lows and highs matching torrid waves,  indisputable  drama, some controversies and of course some majestic play. It was a real treat for EPL fans across the globe. I wanted to pen down the summary of Match Day 2 on Monday itself, but had to wait for the Liverpool- Crystal Palace game which finished late last night. So good I waited I have to say.

The Red Highlights

The Chelsea- Tottenham duel at Stamford Bridge ( Chelsea’s home ground ) was slated to be an engaging affair. However what actually transpired was much more than just a well contested Football match. Players fought bravely on the pitch, but off the pitch on the sidelines the Managers of both the teams fought too, almost coming to blows and had to be separated twice. The flaring emotions from Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte reached such a degree that both eventually had to be Red carded by the referee. Managers getting Red Carded is a rare occasion, which unfortunately precipitated in an otherwise superb match.

Chelsea played brilliantly and twice went ahead but  had  their leads neutralised by a resolute  Tottenham Team, with the second equaliser coming in the dying minutes of the game from a Harry Kane header.  It was a painful blow for Chelsea. They were expecting to win the match but the resultant draw was difficult to take. But  Tottenham is one the best teams in the EPL and have great ability to score particularly when the chips are down. A great result for them definitely.

Darwin Nunez, Liverpool’s  new signing was Red  Carded in only his second game for the Club and sent off after  unnecessarily barging into  Joachim Andersen of Crystal Palace.  It was a costly error  for Liverpool in a game which they should have won. There were scores of missed chances from Liverpool ( throughout the match ) and in a superb counter attack Crystal Palace scored against the run of play. Liverpool huffed and puffed before Luis Diaz scored an absolutely majestic equaliser. Thanks to him Liverpool salvaged something out of the game. Liverpool have two hard fought draws from their first two games. These are early warning signs, but  can be dealt with.

Beware of the Gunners

Manchester City have started their Title  defence with purpose and authority as they steam rolled Bournemouth 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. They look in prime form, with a strong defence,  a brilliant goal scoring midfield and an enterprising forward line. Ilkay Gundogan started the scoring and then a Kevin de Bruyne classic made it 2-0. Phil Foden and an Own Goal from  Bournemouth did the rest. It will take something special from the rest of the teams to beat Manchester City.

Apart from Manchester City, the team which is looking fresh and dangerous at the outset is a new Arsenal. The Gunners as they are called are playing their best football in almost a decade. With  some fresh signings and a re-organised team it is not going to be easy to get past them. Their 4-2 win against Leicester City on  Saturday is proof enough. With Gabriel Jesus  and Martinelli, Arsenal now have some serious bite in their forward line. Gabriel Jesus scored two goals against Leicester, with the first being an absolute gem. A controlled and perfectly played deft right footer into goal.  Martinelli too scored a fine left footer. Though Leicester tried hard, they never looked like taking the game away from the Gunners. Beware of them.

United Embarrasement

After a poor first game against Brighton, Manchester United were expected to improve and win against a lively Brentford Team. The result was nothing short of  an embarrasement and further pain for United fans like me. It was a 4-0 drubbing. Two glaring errors from the experienced goalkeeper and one of the best in the world David De Gea, had Brentford pouncing on them and scoring and by the time the first half was over it was already curtains at 4-0. Manchester United just did not have enough to come back. They have yet to score in the first two games they have played. The team looks pale with drooping shoulders. Erik ten Hag, the new Manager would be a very troubled soul at this moment. Manchester United are playing Liverpool next is an added problem.

In the rest of the matches, Fulham drew with Wolverhampton, Brighton drew with Newcastle, Southampton drew with Leeds in a 2-2 thriller, Nottingham Forest won their first match beating West Ham and Aston Villa got the better of Everton. Three teams Manchester United, West Ham and  Everton ( they had a poor last season too ) have lost both their first two games and find themselves at the bottom of the Table. These are early days yet, but still lot of work to be done.

The Goal of Match Day -2

I have shortlisted 4 goals which I felt were the best on Match Day -2. The goal scored by Kalidou Koulibaly for Chelsea against Leceister was a real stunner. A fierce right foot from the edge of the box, meeting the ball at a difficult height,  had power and precision written all over it. Gabriel Jesus’ brilliant touch for Arsenal and  Kevin de Bruyne’s swirler from his right toe against a hapless Bournemouth was legendary. However the Goal of the  Day belonged to Luis Diaz for Liverpool. Diaz picked the ball outside an extremely crowded box, dribbled past a few defenders and then punched in a lethal right footer under tremendous pressure to beat the keeper’s outstretched left hand. It was truly sublime. What a strike. It was indeed a pulsating end to  Match Day -2. 

Keep reading and enjoying some fine moments of the EPL with me every week.  Who knows you might just fall in love with Football.