A quarter of the way into the season and the Premier League is already serving its ‘Specials’ menu.
The usual dosage of stunning goals, controversial refereeing decisions and media pantomime has been provided, along with managerial feuds and feisty tackles aplenty.
However, somewhat surprisingly for so early in the season, there has also been a great selection of matches, with the first nine game weeks seeing 259 goals hit the back of the net, or should I say – given the introduction of goal line technology – cross the goal line.
Here is an overview of the top five games of the season so far.
5 - Manchester City 1-1 Chelsea
It was the dark romance of this spectacle which made it compelling, despite the sparing point that it saw the two best teams in the league pitted against each other. Pellegrini and Mourinho are far from chums, yet the dormant media rivalry between the two managers and their teams ahead of the game deceived 90 minutes of eruption on the pitch.
After City right-back Zabaleta was shown a second yellow card in the 66th minute, a sweeping counter attack from Chelsea five minutes later saw Schurrle score to send the Chelsea travelling support barmy. Yet these fans were left red-faced as Chelsea legend Frank Lampard stunned Chelsea by sticking away a 12-yard finish typical of Lampard in his prime, five minutes from time, for 10-men Manchester City to salvage a point.
4 - Southampton 8-0 Sunderland
Defying the doubters since the first weekend, a constant increase in performance levels lead to Ronald Koeman’s dynamic Southampton side punish a lackadaisical Sunderland team 8-0 in game week eight. In what the Black Cats manager Gus Poyet described as the “most embarrassing game” he’d been involved in during his career as a player and manager.
Yet the truly dismal display of Sunderland was not to take away from the superb fluidity and clinical nature of the Saints side. Following a comic book-esque own goal to open the floodgates, front man Pelle netted twice and playmaker Tadic assisted four and scored one in a resounding victory.
Social media has a field day following the defeat, with much of it focused on Koeman’s pre-match assessment of Sunderland, saying “It will be difficult because Sunderland are strong opponents with a good defence and organisation.” Bit off with that one.
3 - Everton 3-6 Chelsea
The Victorian structures of Goodison Park were frail after a nine-goal thriller saw fans’ heads go back and forth as if they were in the stands at Wimbledon. Following two goals in the opening three minutes, Chelsea looked to have the game in their hand, yet Mourinho’s typically solid defence seemed to concede as a reaction to scoring.
After a flurry of five goals between 67-77 minutes, the score stood at 3-5, as Diego Costa prevailed to make it 3-6 – scoring his second of the game 89 minutes after he netting his first. This game showed that Chelsea not only possess the best defence in the league, yet also one of the most threatening attacks to compete with Europe’s elite.
2 - QPR 2-3 Liverpool
Late goals epitomise the brand of the Premier League: excitement, fighting to the death and pure drama. This game had plenty of them. However, it was the complexion of the first 85 minutes and not just the last five which made this game so attractive. QPR, rooted to the relegation zone, took the game to Liverpool from the first whistle and created many chances to take the lead before Dunne scored the tenth own goal of his career to put Liverpool in front.
After Vargas equalised on the 87th minute it appeared QPR were set to finish the 90 minutes with a point, but for Coutinho to regain the lead for Liverpool. Having seemed to have squandered their chance in the game, QPR then remarkably equalised again through a Gerrard own goal. But even more astonishingly, Liverpool then attacked amidst QPR jubilation to score, sealing three points on what was a poor display from Rodgers’ men.
1 - Leicester City 5-3 Manchester United
This was as much a game of football as it was a 90 minute advert for the Premier League. Newly promoted Leicester were facing a United side buoyant from their first win of the season the previous week against QPR. United looked to consolidate their form after two beautifully crafted goals from van Persie and Di Maria yet this feeling of comfort was transient as Ulloa pulled one back before the break.
Leicester, soon pinned down to 3-1 after the break, then rallied Manchester United with a superb display of attacking football. A controversial penalty was awarded to Leicester, which was converted to make the scores 3-2, before Cambiasso netted an equaliser to send the King Power stadium into bedlam. A fourth from Vardy – which made a mockery of the United defence – followed by a professional foul from Blackett which brought another converted penalty made Leicester claim one of the best results in the club’s history.
Phenomenal goals, attacking football, contentious decisions, penalties, red cards and an underdog phoenixing to win. What more could you ask for?
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Source: DSG
