The Tide has turned Erik’s Way- EPL Match Day 6

The Match Day 6 at the English Premier League ( EPL ) threw up some interesting results, some spectacular football, alongwith some average play. Some good recoveries, some quick counters, some exceptional saves and some prolific scoring. Let’s have a peep into  Day 6, 3rd-4th September at the EPL.

Gunners Flayed at Old Trafford : The Big News

Riding high with 5 wins out of 5, the undefeated Arsenal visited Old Trafford this Sunday to lock horns with a resurgent Manchester United, with the odds heavily in favour of the Gunners. However, the hosts were ready for a fight and put on a show which was not only delightful for a Manchester United fan, but a strong statement, that Manchester United have turned the corner under Erik ten Hag and are serious contenders now. Gunners did try hard, had their chances, dominated the second half, but Manchester United came up trumps with a 3-1 scoreline. Two brilliant goals from Marcus Rashford in the second half in pulsating counter attacks and a lovely goal by Antony in the first half neutralised Bukayo Saka’s effort for Arsenal. It has to be said that Manchester United defended stoically, the midfield was remarkable, particularly on the counter attacks and the speed and finishing  by Rashford was truly exceptional. 4th straight win for Manchester United. Beware Crystal Palace, they are playing host to Manchester United coming Sunday. It would not be wrong to say that the Tide has turned Erik’s Way, from downright hopelessness to a seemingly formidable future.

Foxes Sinking – Brighton shining Bright

Leicester City ( The Foxes ) with 4 consecutive defeats were  looking for some redemption as they travelled to Brighton & Hove Albion for the weekend fixture at the latter’s Falmer Stadium. The Foxes began with a bang with K. Iheanacho ( brought in place of the tiring Jamie Vardy. I had suggested this in my last post )  scoring in the 1st minute of the match. However the tables turned dramatically post an own goal from the Foxes in the 10 th minute. There was no looking behind for an extremely impressive Brighton who drilled in 4 goals after that with a hapless Leicester City crumbling under the pressure. A. Mac Allister was the hero for Brighton as he scored two magnificent goals with the help of some brilliant midfield play and incisive passing which caught the Foxes defence napping, which is in dire straits and needs to be fixed. With a 5-2 scoreline Leicester now have recorded 5 losses in 6 games and find themselves at the bottom of the table while Brighton moved to a well deserved 4 th position. The Foxes were Champions not so long ago about unfortunately find themselves with a searing headache this year.

The Bees Sting at the Community Stadium

They may not be the biggest Club and may not boast of expensive marquee players, but  the Brentford Football Club from London, has a big heart, some outrageous tenacity,  soaring ambitions and some serious sting. The Bees are here to stay and they showed what they can do when they hosted Leeds United at the Gtech Community Stadium their home ground. To be fair, Leeds played well and scored two lovely goals and kept most of the possession, but Brentford attacked at every opportunity with their forwards latching on to the long balls supplied from their deep defence to keep the pressure on Leeds and more often than not succeeded. They  scored 5 times to decimate Leeds 5-2. Ivan Toney, the 26 year old from Northampton was brilliant with a hat trick of goals ( the one from a free kick was simply remarkable ). Brentford are now placed 8th behind Liverpool with 2 wins, 3 draws and one loss.

The Big Boys Held but Spurs are Steady

Liverpool who had won their last two games and were looking to push forward in their campaign travelled next door to their city rivals Everton who were hosting them at Goodison Park. It was a strange game with both sides having several chances to score. The woodwork and the cross bar of either Goals were struck several times with Salah striking it in the dying minutes too. Yet there were no goals. Goalkeeping  was exceptional particularly with Pilkford for Everton in terrific form. Everton were the happier side with a goalless draw snatching a point from Liverpool, who would be regretting their lost chances. It was a fast paced exciting game, but no goals.

Manchester City, who have begun their campaign superbly, were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa. Manchester City were the dominant side but failed to capitalise on a host of chances. Erling Haaland scored his 10th goal in 6 matches for Manchester City. Aston Villa somehow held on and scored late to equalise. A game of missed opportunities for Manchester City and  some solace for Aston Villa.

The Spurs ( Tottenham Hotspur ) have been a steady side and are going ahead with their campaign without any fuss. Winning matches with utmost precision like a silent predator. They brushed aside a spirited Fulham 2-1 at their home ground with goals from Hojberg and Kane cancelling out a superb Mitrovich goal for Fulham. The Spurs are now in 3rd place in the table tied at 14 points with Manchester City and just a point behind Arsenal, the table toppers. It is also important to note that the Spurs alongwith Manchester City are the only two teams who are yet to lose a match this season.

The Other Fixtures

Chelsea got the better of a struggling but steadily  improving  West Ham at Stamford Bridge after being a goal down in the 62nd minute.  Chigwell and Havertz scored for Chelsea to seal a 2-1 victory. Not a very convincing performance from Chelsea but they still would be happy with the 3 points. West Ham under David Moyes have lots of work to do.

In the battle of the new entrants Bournemouth edged past Nottingham Forest 3-2  in a good game at the City Ground, home for Nottingham Forest.

Southampton losing to Wolverhampton by a solitary goal was a bit of a surprise. I have been impressed by Southampton’s dynamic play, which appeared to be a bit blunted by Wolverhampton’s strength, their defence. It is very difficult to pierce the defensive Wolves. If  only  they could spend a bit more and get a couple of good strikers, the Wolves  would be  a handful. 

Finally  Newcastle played a Goalless Draw with Crystal Palace and shared points.

The Goal of the Week

Ivan Toney of Brentford and A. Mac Allister of  Brighton were the pick of the players this week with both scoring some stunning goals. It was a difficult decision to make for the Goal of the Week and so I decided to share the trophy with both Toney and Mac Allister. Both of them scored from a Free Kick just outside the box. Both very similar. The placement, power and control was all written over them, as the balls sailed over the wall and into the net. The Goalkeepers just didn’t have a chance.  Two fabulous goals from two very promising players.

The English Premier League is a tough test. The ones most focussed and resilient, survive.

And as I post this article on my blog, the news of the sacking of Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea’s Manager has trickled in. The new owners of the Club have bid him goodbye.