ARSENAL BEAT FULHAM TO STAY TOP OF THE LEAGUE

 

Fulham started the evening the brighter of the two with 54% possession in the first five minutes. Arsenal gradually warmed themselves into the game.

Arsenal were in total control of the game with their first chance of the game coming in the 15^th minute. It was all Arsenal in the first half with nothing to show for in terms of goals.

 

Ben White picks up the first yellow card of the evening after a tactical foul to prevent a Fulham counterattack. Close to the end of the first half, an incident between Jesus and Palhinha saw the two players picking up yellow cards.

Fulham created few chances in the early stages of the second half. They got their reward in the 56^th minute through a Mitrovic goal. Fulham were then happy to sit back and catch Arsenal on the counter.

The introduction of Eddie Nketiah in the 61^st minute and a little tweak in formation gave Arsenal numbers in the Fulham penalty area. Arsenal kept pressing and pressuring the Fulham defence until they had their equaliser via a Martin Odegaard's deflected shot in the 64^th minute. The home supporters were vociferously edging their team to go for the win.

 

Gabriel scored the winner for the gunners from a corner kick in the 85^th event though his celebration was halted for a VAR review. The goal stood and the league leaders went on to win their fourth game of the season.

 

Manchester City might be right behind Arsenal and may catch up but for now let’s seat back and enjoy what Mikel Arteta is cooking.

 

 

 

LIVERPOOL THRASH BOURNEMOUTH IN A NINE GOAL THRILLER

 Having drawn two and lost one of their first three games, Liverpool were under pressure to win at all cost if they are to compete for the prestigious premier league title.

                   Photo credit: Liverpool  FC

From the blast of the referee’s whistle, Liverpool were on the front foot. The Anfield crowd were behind the players front onset. The boost from the crowd, the sheer hunger from the player resulted in a blistering start from Liverpool.

The first goal was registered in the 3^rd minute by a Luis Diaz header. Three minutes later Harvey Elliot add to the tally with a beautiful curler. It was all Liverpool with the pressing, hunger, and zeal.

Alexander-Arnold made it three for Liverpool in the 28^th minute before Roberto Firmino added the fourth after three minutes. At this point, Bournemouth were no match for Liverpool. Van Dijk scored Liverpool’s fifth minutes before halftime. It was poetry in motion from Liverpool in the first half. The last time Liverpool led 5 nil at half-time at Anfield was in 1958.

 

The tempo of the game dwindled in the second half after Liverpool had scored their sixth goal kind courtesy an own goal. At this was a walk in the park for Liverpool. Firmino scored his second and Liverpool’s Seventh in the 62^nd minute.

Klopp introduced Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic and James Milner in the 70^th minute for Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino. 

Fabio Carvalho scored his first goal for Liverpool in the 81^st minute and Liverpool eighth. Luis Diaz scored his second of the game and Liverpool’s ninth in the 85^th minute and it was all Liverpool until the end of the game.

This was Liverpool’s first 9 nil win since 1989 when they beat Crystal Palace 9 nil.

SOUTHAMPTON VS MANCHESTER UNITED MATCH REPORT

 Southampton and Manchester United opened match day 4 of this weekend of premier league actions. United started the brighter side of the two but Southampton grew into the game as the play went on.

In the first half of the game, Manchester United created three chances but were unfortunate not to bury them. Southampton had bodies on the line to clear every shot on target. The superiority in possession in favour of Manchester United illustrated how superior they were in the first half even though Southampton had some threatening counterattacks.

In the second half, Manchester United continued where they left off. Their efforts were rewarded in the 55th minute with a goal from Bruno Fernandes. United’s first away goal on the road since April this year.

Southampton upped their tempo after falling behind and there was an appeal for a penalty in the 58^th minute which was reviewed by VAR and was not deemed a penalty. Southampton looked the dangerous side in the second half. 

Erik Teng Hag’s introduction of Casemiero and Fred gave United numbers in midfield and behind the ball. Southhampton’s best chance was in the 93^rd minute but the effort was cleared off the line by Diogo Dalot.

Manchester United held on to win their second match of this season. Their first back-to-back win since February and United’s Second clean sheet since in fifteen games.

There were three yellow cards in the game all going to Manchester United.  Diogo Dalot, Bruno Fernandes and Fred received were yellow carded.

WHERE IS IT GOING WRONG WITH LIVERPOOL?

In the past few years, Manchester City and Liverpool have set the pace in the English Premier League. Howbeit, this season appears to be indistinct for Liverpool. Even though, it is just three matches played.

Liverpool are seven points behind Arsenal and five behind City, a situation they will not be proud of I believe. Three things come to mind when looking at Liverpool’s horrendous performance this season; Klopp’s 433 formation, Mane’s exit, and the Midfield dilemma.    

The 433 formation has been Klopp’s preferred formation over the last three to four seasons even though there have been in-game formation changes.  Liverpool have thwarted teams with this formation and have won some titles with it. Nevertheless, I fear teams especially those in the premier league have figured it out and I believe it’s high time Klopp changed the formation.

Mane’s exit came as a surprise to many Liverpool supporters although I believe Klopp and Liverpool were in the known. Mane’s last two season at Liverpool was not one he could boast of as a player in terms of performance. There were highs and lows in his performances but Mane was key to the Liverpool attack. Last season for instance, when he was deployed as the false nine, he produced some astounding performances. Players do come to football clubs and go but clubs must prepare for the departure of instrumental players. As to whether Liverpool were prepared for Mane’s departure is a story that would unfold but with time.

Liverpool’s midfield has been under severe scrutiny for some time now. Their midfield options look depleted anything there is an injury. It is easy to admit Liverpool’s midfield is made up of talented players; most of them are injury prone. One can talk of Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita who are prone to injuries. Signing a midfielder should have been a priority, unfortunately; Klopp claims to be happy with his squad once again. Clearly, Liverpool’s midfield lacks creativity, and this has been proven in most of their games. Aside from Thiago, and largely Fabinho and Keita there is no creativity in midfield for Liverpool. Whether Klopp is satisfied with his squad or not he needs that creative midfielder who can change the fortunes of a game with incisive and instinctive passing.

The season is young and Liverpool would definitely improve on their abysmal performance. They would have to work their socks off to be in the title race. I am not writing them off the title race but to win the premier league requires more than just passing the ball around and from side to side. Liverpool have a good manager in Jurgen Klopp and their fans can trust in him to turn things around sooner than later.