Fans were served to another round of pulsating football as
the English Premier League threw up three days of drama and entertainment. Manchester
United and Arsenal won while Aguero and Man City taught Chelsea a few
footballing lesson.
1. Aguero is still the best striker in the world
There has been so much focus on the likes of Benzema, Higuain and Cavani making big money transfers to big European
clubs, yet on the back of his showing on Sunday, Manchester City’s number 10
reminded everyone who cared to watch that he is still the finest goal-getter in
the business.
In a frantic first half when he could have easily grabbed a
hattrick but for Begovic’s brilliance, Sergio Aguero time and again tortured
Chelsea’s Gary Cahill and John Terry with his sleek movement and incredible close
control.
His goal, under the close scrutiny of four Chelsea players
was calmly and expertly taken. Mourinho had to, for the first time in his Blues
career, remove Terry at half time to save him from further Aguero torment. It
was a masterclass display and a preview of what we are to expect from him this
season, should his legs permit.
2. Mourinho’s Chelsea not ready to retain the league
The keys to winning the league for the Blues last year was
enjoying a convincing start and avoiding serious injuries to star players, bar
Diego Costa.
Following a mediocre 2-2 draw at home to Swansea last
weekend with a 0-3 drubbing away to Man City shows this season is not playing
to script.
Costa is not fully fit yet. Falcao is no longer the striker
he used to be. Hazard’s form is far from the one that earned him the best
player award last term. Chelsea’s bench is light even with the likes of Mikel
and Cuadrado on it. And opponents seem to have deciphered how to keep Fabregas
quiet.
On Sunday at the Etihad, Mourinho was left frustrated as his
side had to wait till the 70th minute to register their first attempt at goal. They
had a large chunk of the possession at different points in the game but created
very few chances.
At least one more exciting forward needs to join the
Stamford Bridge giants before the transfer window slams shut or Mourinho may be
chasing the rest of the pack all season.
3. Claudio Ranieri has rediscovered his magic
Well, may be the Italian never lost it. He did creditably
well when he managed Chelsea and later Juventus but going down two steps or
three to handle a ‘lesser’ side like Leicester was always going to be risky.
City barely escaped relegation last season after embarking
on a seemingly impossible run of games that fetched 15 points from a possible
21.
Two wins in two games played so far reads a different story
for the Foxes and means they will be sharing top spot for another week with
former champions, Man City.
A 4-2 defeat of
Sunderland on the opening weekend and a surprising 2-1 away win at West Ham,
Arsenal’s conqueror, indicate Ranieri’s return to the Premier League could be
magical.
4. Arsenal enjoying some break
Coming from a shaky opening weekend that saw West Ham sprung
a surprise win at the Emirates, Arsenal needed to win at Selhurst Park. 2-1 they
won but it could have been very different as Crystal Palace may rightly believe
they deserved at least a point. The Gunners got a lucky second goal, with
Alexis Sanchez forcing a deflection off Damien Delaney. Moments earlier, however,
Connor
Wickham could have put the Eagles ahead with a header that left Petr
Cech rooted but came back off the post.
Again, Arsenal could have ended the game with ten men but
the referee opted to pardon Francis Coquelin when a second bookable offence for
a pull back seems more likely. Wenger, sensing trouble, didn’t waste time in hurling
him off minutes later. Lucky, lucky Arsenal.
5. Manchester United are title contenders
Six points. Two wins. Two goals scored. Two clean sheets.
And a massive five points above defending champions, Chelsea. Manchester United
have every reason to be optimistic this season.
Critics may point fingers at the team’s disjointed play,
lack of pace and strikers’ drought, and they are right, yet Van Gaal may just
have at his disposal a team capable of winning the Premier League title. If his
team could play ugly and still win, who would be able to stop them when the
beautiful football return to old Trafford and Rooney and Depay click into gear.
Maybe, just maybe, Blind is not that bad at centre back.
Should Pedro and Otamendi be convinced to join the Reds,
Manchester United would be tough to play against.