Kolkata: The Premier League in the third week continued to grace the football fans across the globe, as the top teams had a mixed-bag results but the minnows startled the fans with some brilliant performances. Here goes a round up analysis of the third week by www.xtratime.in .
Jose Mourinho magic continues
Mourinho’s Manchester United has been getting better and better and had made an imperious start to the season with back to back 4-0 victories, but there were still question marks surrounding them given the quality of the opposition. Leicester were the first real test many said prior to kick off. Their counter attacking ability would make them the first to really test the United defence, or so we thought.
Jose Mourinho’s side kept the Foxes fairly quiet in an attacking sense, and goals from Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini, both of which came off the bench, secured a 2-0 home win for the Red Devils.
Heading into the first International break, United have most certainly been the best team in the first three games. Of course, there are still questions regarding how they match up against the top six, but for now they look like a team that can go all the way.
Leicester have shown enough to safely say they will have a solid season. Yes, they have two defeats already, but both of them were against top six opposition. It will be interesting to see if Riyad Mahrez will stay at the club, or has he played his last game for the Foxes?
Problems for Arsenal?
When Arsenal took to the field to face Liverpool on Sunday, many expected a high scoring competitive contest, much like their most recent meetings. What we got was a massacre. Liverpool ran out 4-0 victors in a very one sided match which could have easily finish six or seven nil if not for Petr Cech in the Arsenal goal. Roberto Firmino opened the scoring before Sadio Mane made it two. Further goals from Mohamed Salah and substitute Daniel Sturridge completed an easy victory.
The scoreline and nature of the defeat is bad enough for Arsene Wenger, but what was really concerning was the performance. Liverpool are known as quick starters, yet there was nothing done to counter that. The defence was non-existent, and the midfield was unwilling to help them out.
Going forward, the Gunners were hardly firing too- they did not hit a single shot on target the whole game. They were poor all round and wee lucky Liverpool did not score more. Question marks remain over the future of some of the players at Arsenal, including Alexis Sanchez.Investment may be needed to cover any leavers.
Liverpool will be gutted there is an International break as they have built up some good momentum after a poor opening game. Once again they looked very sharp going forward, and if they can bring in a top class defender, then they could challenge for the title.
Wembley is becoming an uncomfortable Home for Spurs
Saturday
Bournemouth 1-2 Man City
Crystal Palace 0-2 Swansea
Huddersfield 0-0 Southampton
Newcastle 3-0 West Ham
Watford 0-0 Brighton
Man United 2-0 Leicester
Sunday
Chelsea 2-0 Everton
West Brom 1-1 Stoke
Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal
Tottenham 1-1 Burnley
The Premier League returns on September 9th