EPL 2013/14 Mega Thread - Previews, Reviews and General Discussion/Banter

[Tominator]

GAMEWEEK 5 WRAP


Norwich 0-1 Aston Villa

Very disappointing performance for Norwich at home, going down to Villa in a game they should have won. Their form so far this season has been patchy at best, despite some signings that promised much. Robert Snodgrass missed a 6th-minute penalty which could have put the Canaries 1-0 up. 28 minutes in, things looked good for the home side when Villa's main man Christian Benteke was subbed off with a hip injury, but his substitute Libor Kozak scored just 2 minutes after coming on. Despite both sides having chances to score after that, Villa kept their first clean sheet in 26 games to get the win.



Liverpool 0-1 Southampton

Disappointing performance from a home side. Liverpool started the game in a flurry, creating several chances, but the defensive wall of Nathaniel Clyne, Jose Fonte, Dejan Lovren and Luke Shaw proved unassailable. Steven Gerrard nearly took the lead with a trademark free-kick, only to be denied by arguably the save of the season so far by Artur Boruc. Liverpool were frustrated in their attacks, and it was Fonte who scored for Southampton early in the second half to give them the lead. Disappointing for Liverpool but full credit to the Saints.



Newcastle 2-3 Hull

Loic Remy scored twice on his home debut for Newcastle, both times giving the lead to the Toon. But Hull were persistent and kept coming, through goals to Robbie Brady, Ahmed el Mohamady and a stunning volley from Sone Aluko. Brady was immense in midfield, providing chances to teammates and creating ones for himself. The game was very attacking, as both sides were vulnerable defensively. Remy had the chance from six yards out in injury time, to complete a hattrick and level the scores, but he just volleyed wide, and Hull came away with a shock win.



West Ham 2-3 Everton

Jussi Jaaskelainen was at his best early on, keeping out Kevin Mirallas' goal-bound shot. Minutes later, Ravel Morrison scored his first PL goal to give West Ham the lead. Mark Noble scored a penalty before being he was sent off late on, which gave Everton the extra man and Leighton Baines' - by far the best man on the pitch - scored two free kicks to keep Everton in the game, not to mention his attacking runs down the left coupled with fantastic defensive pressure. Baines' second came after Noble was sent off, before loanee Romelu Lukaku was at his brilliant best to score on debut and give the Toffees the victory.



West Bromich Albion 3-0 Sunderland

The game that proved to be Paolo di Canio's last as Sunderland manager. They never looked switched on really, and West Brom ran over the top of them once the Black Cats were reduced to 10 men, with late goals to Liam Ridgewell and Morgan Amalfitano to follow from Stephane Sessegnon's opener. Sessegnon - who was on his WBA debut - did not celebrate out of respect for his former club, after leaving Sunderland on Deadline Day. The late goals came after Steven Fletcher went down with a shoulder injury, and Sunderland had used all their subs. Di Canio stood defiantly in front of his fans at the end of the game, but it would prove to be the last time, as he was sacked on Monday.



Chelsea 2-0 Fulham

A cruisy game for the Blues with goals to Oscar and John Obi Mikel sealing the win over Fulham. Incredibly, it was Mikel's first goal for the Blues, in over 182 appearances, and didn't he celebrate it! Surprisingly, and perhaps worringly, Jose Mourinho left out Juan Mata and David Luiz - there has been negative publicity about their relationship with Mou, are they being excluded like Kaka and Iker Casillas were under Mourinho at Madrid? I personally think Mata should leave Chelsea.



Crystal Palace 0-2 Swansea

Comfortable win for the Swans and could easily have been by more. Michu scored his third goal in six days to put Swansea 1-0 up after just 90 seconds, similar to how Jonjo Shelvey scored against Liverpool. It was nearly 2-0 a minute later after Palace conceded a bad corner, and Chico hit the woodwork. Palace's chances were few and far between, and they just looked outclassed by the side that beat Valencia 3-0 midweek. Michu nearly made it 2-0 before Julian Speroni made a brilliant save to keep out Angel Rangel. Just after half-time, Nathan Dyer scored to make it 2-0, and from there the Swans never looked back.



Arsenal 3-1 Stoke

What a player is Mesut Ozil. The German provided the assists to all three of Arsenal's goals - albeit all came from set pieces - and was at his dominant best once again, picking up MOTM honours. Goals to Aaron Ramsey, Per Mertesacker and Bacary Sagna gave Arsenal a comfortable win, while Geoff Cameron managed to score for Stoke. Arsenal's only downside came from the late out of Theo Walcott, whose injury sustained in the warm up will keep him out for 2-4 weeks. But there is plenty to be excited about for Arsenal fans - is this the season they finally win a trophy?



Cardiff 0-1 Tottenham

Great game for Cardiff but Tottenham came away with the win, through a goal to Paulinho in the dying embers of injury time. The man of the match was without a doubt David Marshall, the Cardiff goalkeeper keeping Tottenham at bay when all defenders were beaten. Tottenham created countless chances but were constantly thwarted by Marshall. Aron Gunnarsson had the chance to win it for Cardiff in the 82nd minute, but skied his shot when he found space, and was one of Cardiff's only chances for the game. But they could not hold out, with substitute Erik Lamela providing a low cross for Paulinho, who's neat finish sparked wild celebrations for the Tottenham players.



Manchester City 4-1 Manchester United

Manchester is blue. The 166th Manchester derby was the first for managers of both clubs, but for David Moyes it was one to forget. City were awesome - United were just not switched on. Robin van Persie's late withdrawal rocked United, but popular player Shinji Kagawa was not picked. I have personal doubts over whether Moyes is the man for the job, but I'll give him time before making a judgement. But United ought to stop putting in such unconvincing displays like that. City went ahead through Sergio Aguero as they took advantage of United's slack mentality. Goals within 60 seconds before and after half-time to midfield maestro Yaya Toure - who totally dominated Marouane Fellaini - and Aguero again made it 3-0, before Samir Nasri made it 4-0 just 50 minutes in. City had chances to make it 5 or more, but could not take advantage, and United began to wake up. Wayne Rooney was by far United's best, and it was his free kick that dipped, curled, bended its way into the net. But it was nothing more than a consolation goal, in a game that reminded us of City's quality and United's fraility in the post-SAF era.

[specky92]

I thought Walcott just pulled out because he was feeling sick,  :o

[Cicjose]

Kagawa hasnt been able to settle in United.... shouldnt have moved to the EPL

EPL doesnt suit too many Asian players

[lolrocket]

Kagawa hasnt been able to settle in United.... shouldnt have moved to the EPL

EPL doesnt suit too many Asian players

Park ji-sung and Sun jihai were pretty successful. Besides it's hard to settle when you're hardly getting played

[Tominator]

Kagawa hasnt been able to settle in United.... shouldnt have moved to the EPL

EPL doesnt suit too many Asian players

Park ji-sung and Sun jihai were pretty successful. Besides it's hard to settle when you're hardly getting played

Moyes ignored the perfect chance to play Kagawa in behind Rooney. Not sure why Welbeck was preferred, given he'd only just come back from injury, and Kagawa wasn't even brought on as a substitute

[CrowsFan]

Tottenham well on top of Chelsea at the moment :)

[Nige]

Tottenham well on top of Chelsea at the moment :)

Fought back a little later in the first half, missed a few golden chances though...  :(

[Nige]

JOOOOOOOOOOOOOHNNNN TEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYY!!!

[Nige]

That was a bullshower second yellow for Torres...

[Vinny]

Which game do you all recommend now? :)

[CrowsFan]

That was a bullshower second yellow for Torres...

I dunno, in normal speed you can see why it was given. Jumping towards Vertonghen and leading with his arm. Refs only get one look at it so they have to make a judgement call, they don't get the benefit of replays and slow motion ;)

[elephants]

I'm going out now but my unbias (I'm trying) thoughts on the game:

Spurs deserved to be 2/3 nil up at HT
Chelsea fought back well
Vertonghen is a diving dog (I tried haha)
Torres & Mata were great tonight
Spurs will have a good season

Mike Dean for MOTM after saving Spurs from being torn apart by Torres!

[Wes Mantooth]

YID ARMY!!!!!

[PowerBug]

Wtf is going on at Manchester this season?!?! Both losing matches they shouldn't be.

At least Arsenal are staying strong, despite the first week hiccup. :)

[Nige]

That was a bullshower second yellow for Torres...

I dunno, in normal speed you can see why it was given. Jumping towards Vertonghen and leading with his arm. Refs only get one look at it so they have to make a judgement call, they don't get the benefit of replays and slow motion ;)

That is true. :(