This premier league weekend proved to be a haunting one for many teams. Arsenal and United unexpectedly found themselves in that list. Arsenal were in a great form, handsomely defeating Manchester City at the Etihad and thrashing Aston Villa at the Emirates in consecutive game weeks earning 12 points from their last 6 premier league matches. While United were brilliant at Loftus Park to trash QPR and then completely outplayed Leicester City at Old Trafford the following game week. Their form earned them 9 points from their last 6 premier league games.
However things were awfully different this weekend. Arsenal faced Tottenham Hotspurs at the White Hart Lane. Mesut Ozil took the early lead at 11 min for Arsenal and things were looking good for Arsenal. But Arsenal's attack miserably collapsed then on. Tottenham created chances and kept Arsenal on their backfoot, but lacked finishing in the first half. David Ospina and Arsenal's back three were quite brilliant in limiting spurs attack but they couldnt hold them off for long. Spurs then scored two goal courtesy brillance from their academy player Harry Kane to seal the North London Derby.
Similar was the case at the Upton Park this Sunday where Sam Allardyce's men took on the Red Devils. West Ham took the lead through a brilliant goal from Cheikhou Kouyate early on in the second half.
Despite fielding a side that boasted the esteemed attacking talents of Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Angel Di Maria, Manchester United rarely threatened home goalkeeper Adrian as they failed to dislodge Southampton in third.
Blind cast himself as the visitors' unlikely goal hero two minutes into time added on, when West Ham were unable to clear Marcos Rojo's speculative punt forward.
Pundits and coaches have been so much talking about the weakness in the defensive strengths of these teams in recent weeks that attack has almost toiled up to nothing. Arsenal playing the likes of Oliver Giroud, Danny Welbeck, Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil were looking awful as ever. The idea of sitting back after taking the lead so early wasnt fitting well with the lineup Arsene Wenger was playing. Had he went on with the attacking mindset, Arsenal would continued their amazing run of form.
The story was pretty different at the Boleyn ground though. It wasn't tactics this time. It was something pundits and analysts are still trying to guess. Adnan Januzaj is going nowhere with his performances lately. Had Louis Van Gaal went on with Marouane Fellaini in the starting lineup, probably things would have been different. Radaemel Falcao created massive doubts about his stay at the Old Trafford with another shaggy performane. Missing a simple chance in the second half. He decided to hit his shot with the outside of his right foot when the left would have been better and did not even hit the target. Out in the right channel, Van Persie looked more dispirited than usual. It felt the pressure of conceding the goal was too much on the team that is being criticized being too fragile with the defence.
To round it off, it can be said that pressure of being defensively weak has caused up the attacking part of their games to crumble. Both of these teams are being lead up by two of the most experienced managers in the football world at the moment. It up to them to build back the required confidence inorder to revive the attacking threat in the respective teams. At the Midweek fixtures, Arsenal take on Leciester City, a side that is massively under threat of the relegation. While United take on Burnely, who looked good against WestBrom at the weekend.
Similar was the case at the Upton Park this Sunday where Sam Allardyce's men took on the Red Devils. West Ham took the lead through a brilliant goal from Cheikhou Kouyate early on in the second half.
Despite fielding a side that boasted the esteemed attacking talents of Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Angel Di Maria, Manchester United rarely threatened home goalkeeper Adrian as they failed to dislodge Southampton in third.
Blind cast himself as the visitors' unlikely goal hero two minutes into time added on, when West Ham were unable to clear Marcos Rojo's speculative punt forward.
The story was pretty different at the Boleyn ground though. It wasn't tactics this time. It was something pundits and analysts are still trying to guess. Adnan Januzaj is going nowhere with his performances lately. Had Louis Van Gaal went on with Marouane Fellaini in the starting lineup, probably things would have been different. Radaemel Falcao created massive doubts about his stay at the Old Trafford with another shaggy performane. Missing a simple chance in the second half. He decided to hit his shot with the outside of his right foot when the left would have been better and did not even hit the target. Out in the right channel, Van Persie looked more dispirited than usual. It felt the pressure of conceding the goal was too much on the team that is being criticized being too fragile with the defence.
To round it off, it can be said that pressure of being defensively weak has caused up the attacking part of their games to crumble. Both of these teams are being lead up by two of the most experienced managers in the football world at the moment. It up to them to build back the required confidence inorder to revive the attacking threat in the respective teams. At the Midweek fixtures, Arsenal take on Leciester City, a side that is massively under threat of the relegation. While United take on Burnely, who looked good against WestBrom at the weekend.
Barclays Premier League
The English Premiership had one of its amazing Saturdays it is known for.
The day started with the NORTH LONDON DERBY at White Hart Lane where Spurs's talisman Harry Kane's double sealed the day with the second one coming in late in the game. Arsenal took early lead at the 11th minute of the game when Mesut Ozil finished a volleyed ball. Spurs then amazingly took control of the game and had some go's at the goal. Arsenal's Keeper David Ospina had a brilliant day with the gloves despite leaking two goals. Arsenal were simply outplayed by Ryan Mason's brilliant touches and Harry Kane at the other end finished two good assists. With Roy Hodgson in attendance, the England boss just might have to consider including Kane in his next squad.THEREFORE Tottenham ended the day as winners with the scoreline
Tottenham Hotspurs 2-1 Arsenal
The second fixture was Aston Villa taking on the leaders Chelsea. Jose Mourinho came to Villa park looking for his first win.
The Blues took the lead almost immediately through Eden Hazard but the Villans struck back through Jores Okore straight after half-time, ending their goal drought just short of 11 hours of play.But Chelsea's quality told and Branislav Ivanovic secured the points with a powerful finish in the 66th minute. Aston Villa looked a more composed side coming from their 5-0 away defeat at the Emirates. The match also saw a much awaited debut of the Blues Colombian Janurary signing Juan Cuadrado who came on the 80th min in the place of Willian. The victory makes Chelsea 7 points clear of Manchester City who sit at second position.The Villa park thriller ended with Chelsea as winners with the scoreline
Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea
Manchester City misery at Etihad Stadium continues as they only manage to secure a draw against the tigers courtesy a late free kick goal by James Milner.
Still without Yaya Toure, Manuel Pellegrini's men were unimpressive throughout and conceded not long before half-time when David Meyler capitalised on the rebound from a Gaston Ramirez effort that hit the post.
However, the Champions dominated the second half proceedings, and managed to level things at the death courtesy a brilliant free kick goal by James Milner.
Despite managing to rescue a point, it wont be wrong to say that it was below par performance from the champions and Yaya Toure is being missed a lot during this crucial part of the season.
Though denied a fifth win of the Premier League season, Hull clambered out of the bottom three on goal difference above Burnley. Things ended at the Etihad with the scoreline
Man. City 1-1 Hull City
The derby day's second was the Merseyside derby where Everton clashed with Brendon Rodgers men. The red's captain and veteran player Steven Gerrard was to be featuring in his last of the Merseyside Derbies.
The visitors created more chances and went closest to a breakthrough when Jordon Ibe - making only his second Premier League start - rattled the post with a drive from distance midway through the first half.
Steven Gerrard, featuring in what could be his final league derby, also went close on a couple of occasions but even the introduction of Daniel Sturridge early in the second half could not help Liverpool to find a winner.
A tense affair threatened to boil over 12 minutes from time when a disagreement between Muhamed Besic and Ibe sparked a brief altercation between the two sets of players. Referee Anthony Taylor cautioned Besic, Steven Naismith and Jordan Henderson before tempers were calmed.
Things ended the Goodison park with the scoreline
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
Other Scores
Leicester City 0-1 Crystal Palace
QPR 0-1 Southampton
Swansea City 1-1 Sunderland
Matches Yet To Be Played
Burnley - West Bromich Albion
Newcastle United - Stoke City
West Ham United - Manchester United
The English Premiership had one of its amazing Saturdays it is known for.
The day started with the NORTH LONDON DERBY at White Hart Lane where Spurs's talisman Harry Kane's double sealed the day with the second one coming in late in the game. Arsenal took early lead at the 11th minute of the game when Mesut Ozil finished a volleyed ball. Spurs then amazingly took control of the game and had some go's at the goal. Arsenal's Keeper David Ospina had a brilliant day with the gloves despite leaking two goals. Arsenal were simply outplayed by Ryan Mason's brilliant touches and Harry Kane at the other end finished two good assists. With Roy Hodgson in attendance, the England boss just might have to consider including Kane in his next squad.THEREFORE Tottenham ended the day as winners with the scoreline
Tottenham Hotspurs 2-1 Arsenal
The second fixture was Aston Villa taking on the leaders Chelsea. Jose Mourinho came to Villa park looking for his first win.
The Blues took the lead almost immediately through Eden Hazard but the Villans struck back through Jores Okore straight after half-time, ending their goal drought just short of 11 hours of play.But Chelsea's quality told and Branislav Ivanovic secured the points with a powerful finish in the 66th minute. Aston Villa looked a more composed side coming from their 5-0 away defeat at the Emirates. The match also saw a much awaited debut of the Blues Colombian Janurary signing Juan Cuadrado who came on the 80th min in the place of Willian. The victory makes Chelsea 7 points clear of Manchester City who sit at second position.The Villa park thriller ended with Chelsea as winners with the scoreline
Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea
Manchester City misery at Etihad Stadium continues as they only manage to secure a draw against the tigers courtesy a late free kick goal by James Milner.
Still without Yaya Toure, Manuel Pellegrini's men were unimpressive throughout and conceded not long before half-time when David Meyler capitalised on the rebound from a Gaston Ramirez effort that hit the post.
However, the Champions dominated the second half proceedings, and managed to level things at the death courtesy a brilliant free kick goal by James Milner.
Despite managing to rescue a point, it wont be wrong to say that it was below par performance from the champions and Yaya Toure is being missed a lot during this crucial part of the season.
Though denied a fifth win of the Premier League season, Hull clambered out of the bottom three on goal difference above Burnley. Things ended at the Etihad with the scoreline
Man. City 1-1 Hull City
The derby day's second was the Merseyside derby where Everton clashed with Brendon Rodgers men. The red's captain and veteran player Steven Gerrard was to be featuring in his last of the Merseyside Derbies.
The visitors created more chances and went closest to a breakthrough when Jordon Ibe - making only his second Premier League start - rattled the post with a drive from distance midway through the first half.
Steven Gerrard, featuring in what could be his final league derby, also went close on a couple of occasions but even the introduction of Daniel Sturridge early in the second half could not help Liverpool to find a winner.
A tense affair threatened to boil over 12 minutes from time when a disagreement between Muhamed Besic and Ibe sparked a brief altercation between the two sets of players. Referee Anthony Taylor cautioned Besic, Steven Naismith and Jordan Henderson before tempers were calmed.
Things ended the Goodison park with the scoreline
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
Other Scores
Leicester City 0-1 Crystal Palace
QPR 0-1 Southampton
Swansea City 1-1 Sunderland
Matches Yet To Be Played
Burnley - West Bromich Albion
Newcastle United - Stoke City
West Ham United - Manchester United
Its match day 24 in the premier league season of 2014-15 and some might fear that Europe's finest football league competition might be losing it's competitive essence this year with Chelsea and Manchester City going nip and tuck for the title. Football pundits have already put their bets on Jose Mourinho's men as they lead the table with 5 points clear of the Citizens who sit at number 2 on 48 points. But this year's league hasn't been near to the premier league title races of the last 3-4 years. For instance, in 2013-14 Arsenal was top of the table for the majority of the season(128 days to be precise) but ended up in their traditional spot(4th) while the title was up for grabs for Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Liverpool luck ran out as their veteran man slipped along with their chances to win the league. Similarly Chelsea was stunned at Villa Park and Stadium of Light to end up at third positon while Manchester City were crowned champions.
However, the story hasn't been anywhere near SOFAR. Currently Manchester United sit at 3rd and expected to finish the same but the end of the season. The Saints have surprised many of their critics by managing to be in the top four but crucial injuries to Jay Rodriguez, Shane Long, Maya Yoshida,Mane and Morgan Schneiderlin means Ronald Koeman would have to out of this world to be in the top four by the end of February. Arsenal who sit at 5th are behind Southampton on goal difference and are expected to finish in a top 4 position yet again.
HOWEVER, the bottom three of the table is expected to be a thriller this time yet again. Currently Leciester City sit at the bottom of the table with 17 points. While a manager less QPR is finding itself in a heap of trouble sitting at the 19th with 19 points. Last Years FA cup finalists HULL City are sitting at 18th with 19 points with the aid of the goal difference.
However, the story hasn't been anywhere near SOFAR. Currently Manchester United sit at 3rd and expected to finish the same but the end of the season. The Saints have surprised many of their critics by managing to be in the top four but crucial injuries to Jay Rodriguez, Shane Long, Maya Yoshida,Mane and Morgan Schneiderlin means Ronald Koeman would have to out of this world to be in the top four by the end of February. Arsenal who sit at 5th are behind Southampton on goal difference and are expected to finish in a top 4 position yet again.
HOWEVER, the bottom three of the table is expected to be a thriller this time yet again. Currently Leciester City sit at the bottom of the table with 17 points. While a manager less QPR is finding itself in a heap of trouble sitting at the 19th with 19 points. Last Years FA cup finalists HULL City are sitting at 18th with 19 points with the aid of the goal difference.