The English Premier League ( EPL ) is in the midst of a hectic schedule with Match Day 4 and Day 5 completed within a week and Day 6 is starting tomorrow. However in the 20 games played over the last 6 days, normalcy is beginning to settle in and there is a sense of calm after a frenzied start . The Big Boys are getting into their groove and the new entrants to the Premier League have begun to face a bit of heat. Of course there are a few surprises and ups and downs still which is the beauty of this contest.
Not sure which Chelsea will Turn up
After a shocking loss to Leeds Utd on Match Day 3, Chelsea played host to Leicester at Stamford Bridge ( Chelsea’s home ground ) and then visited Southampton to play an away game at the St Mary’s Stadium. At Stamford Bridge a supreme Raheem Sterling scored twice for Chelsea and though they were left stranded with 10 men ( C.Gallagher getting a red card ) for most of the match, they still somehow held on and emerged victorious by 2-1 against the extremely misfiring Foxes ( Leicester City ). At Southampton Chelsea looked pale, a bit different from the one at Stamford Bridge. An impressive Southampton scored two superb goals ( the one from the young Belgian R.Lavia was a treat ) and cancelled out Raheem Sterling’s effort to register an important 2-1 victory. Chelsea appear rather chequered in their 5 games so far and to be fair a bit inconsistent. They face West Ham tomorrow who had two good games recently and would not be easy push overs. Lot of work to be done by Thomas Tuchel’s side.
Three on the Bounce
Manchester United after losing their first two games have won their next three( vs Liverpool, Southampton and Leicester ) and given a massive respite to Manager Erik ten Hag who was under immense pressure. The owners and Fans too have heaved a sigh of relief. The team is looking good with a tight defence but need to score more freely. However a tough test awaits them this Sunday in the form of a belligerent Arsenal who are on a roll.
A Goal Storm at Anfield, Liverpool
A hapless Bournemouth suffered a 9-0 defeat at the hands of a resurgent Liverpool at Anfield. Goals just poured on. It was a red storm. Poor Bournemouth were more like spectators with an extremely incisive Liverpool recording their first win of the season on Match Day 4. On Wednesday night too ( Day 5 ) , Liverpool scraped past a vastly improved Newcastle with a 2-1 win, scoring the second goal seconds before the long whistle. They just snatched away Newcastle’s point. So two wins from two games augurs well for Liverpool. They are getting their act together.
Arsenal and Manchester City : Entertainment Galore
Thumping wins for Arsenal and Manchester City are proof enough of their domination. Arsenal have won all their 5 matches and are looking the best in several years. Jesus, Odegaard and Martinelli are in prime form scoring some brilliant goals as a good Fulham and an off colour Aston Villa found out on Day 4 and 5. Can Manchester United stop them on Sunday will be seen in a mouth watering clash at Old Trafford Manchester.
On the other hand Manchester City’s golden boy Erling Haaland is on a scoring spree with 9 goals already in the first 5 matches with two back to back hat tricks in Manchester City’s well fought 4-2 win against Crystal Palace on Day 4 and a 6-0 pounding of the new entrant Nottingham Forest on Day 5. Manchester City are up against Aston Villa tomorrow and look to seal their 4th win of the season
Some Positive Impressions and Some Worries
I have been very impressed by Southampton, Crystal Palace and Newcastle in particular. They have some serious speed and some coming of age goal scoring prowess. Brighton is doing well too and are a good steady side. Tottenham is as usual in the top 3 with Harry Kane finding the net on a regular basis. Leeds United too are looking better than last year. West Ham have also played well in their last two encounters. Fulham have re- entered the league with purpose and one of my favourites Brentford ‘the bees ‘ are not looking bad either.
Wolverhampton need to start scoring and winning. I feel they are too defensive. For Everton and Aston Villa, two good sides, the situation looks a bit worrisome. Bournemouth and Nottingham are experiencing some new entrant blues, but the team which really needs to kick on is Leicester City. The Foxes as they are known have shown a timid display. They are not scoring that well with their legend Jamie Vardy looking a bit slow and rugged in front of the goal. They are depending hugely on James Maddison, who is delivering but the ask is too high. Leicester find themselves at the bottom and need some strategic rethinking to get out of the rot.
Goal of The Week
A lot many goals have been scored since last Saturday. I have shortlisted two of them. Raheem Sterling’s first goal against Leicester at Stamford Bridge was an absolute gem. Raheem displayed excellent control on the ball moving to his right with a bit of a dribble, avoiding a slew of defenders and then striking a controlled right footer, which lobbed and curled just out of reach of the Goalkeeper. It was a brilliant piece of work. However the Goal of the Week for me was the one scored by R Lavia for Southampton against Chelsea. The young Belgian looks a future Star to me. A right footed ripper from outside the box was a thunderbolt of an equaliser from Southampton. The shot had both precision and ferocious power and for me the Goal of the week.
EPL, what a contest . Some fading stars, some ruling the skies and some battling to ascend.
The write-up on the EPL- matches( days 4 & 5) by Riz Khan very incisively views the game scenario between different teams at different places.
I am really enamoured by the writer’s expert opinions on the participating teams, the feats of some outstanding players and Riz’s implicit suggestions/advices on their performance and playing strategies.
I wish all fans of the game would avidly read and enjoy his lively views on the EPL as it progresses.
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