ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE REVIEW

After two weeks of International break, the English Premier League recommenced last weekend with thrilling and exhilarating performances from some clubs. 

Here is a review from match 12:

The day started with Arsenal welcoming Tottenham Hotspurs to the Emirates stadium in an early kick-off. A game which would have a significant impact on the top halve of the table.

The game started in high tempo with both teams poised to score first. The game was very open and the two teams created very good chances some of which were squandered and the two goalkeepers were up to the task when called upon to keep their sides in the game. The break through came in the 36th minute when Ozil's free-kick found Mustafi who's headed effort came off the post and into the back of the net.

Arsenal kept mounting pressure on Spurs even though Spurs also created some chances of which they should have converted. The Gunners doubled their lead five minutes after when Alexis Sanchez controlled Alexandre Lacazette’s low centered cross and fired high into Hugo Lloris’ net.

In the second half, both both keepers played their part in keeping their side in the game with Cech denying Dier before Son blazed over late on. This results leaves Arsenal with just a point behind Tottenham and three points behind Chelsea.

Chelsea, Liverpool and league leaders Manchester City all had a 3:00pm kick-off. Manchester City continued their brilliant start to the season with a 2-0 win over Leicester City. A goal apiece from from Gabriel Jesus and Kelvin de Bruyne was enough to fetch them three points and keep them on top of the league.

Chelsea were 4-0 winners over West Brom who are one point above relegation. A brace from Eden Hazard and a goal each from Alonso and Morata who obviously is proving his worth gave Chelsea the victory. Chelsea are in third place just a point behind Manchester United. Meanwhile the results leaves West Brom owners with no choice than to show Tony Pulis the exit.

Liverpool welcomed home Southampton in a game which was hype the media due to the involvement of Virgil van Dijk. Southampton has been a team Liverpool have struggled to beat in recent years having failed to score against them talk of beating them in four meetings last season.

The game commenced in a low tempo with both sides looking dodgy. Anfield was at its fullest capacity and one could hear "You'll Never Walk Alone" ring around the stadium.  Liverpool created most of the chances which they could not convert until the 31st minute when Gini Wijnaldum's pass found Salah who has been on top form since joining Liverpool. Salah scored with a terrific strike from twenty yards out. Ten minutes later, Salah registered his second of the day with a cool finish from an incisive Coutinho pass. Coutinho later finished the game off in the 68th minute after Firmino's effort ricochet off Fraiser Foster and fell on his path.

Manchester United later in the day beat Newcastle United at home by 4-1. Goals from Anthony Martial, Chris Smalling, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku nullified a Dwight Gayle opener. United currently are second on the table, eight points behind Manchester City.

In other encounters, Burnley beat Swansea City by 2-0, whiles Crystal Palace shared a point in a 2-2 draw with Everton. AFC Bournemouth beat Huddersfield by 4 goals to nil.

Elsewhere, Watford defeated West Ham United on Sunday afternoon by 2-0 leaving Moyes gutted in what was his first game in charge of West Ham United. Briton & Hove Albion drew 2-2 with Stoke City on Monday night.

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REVEALED: WHY KLOPP REJECTED MANCHESTER UNITED

In the year 2014, Jurgen Klopp was at the helm at Borussia Dortmund a team he built and was noted for their gegenpressing which Klopp calls the "heavy metal football". Watching Dortmund play when Klopp was their manager was exhilarating.

At the time, Manchester United were looking for a Moyes' replacement after he had an ardent time at the club. It then turned out that United did actually pitch for Klopp which he turned down. In his new KLOPP BRING THE NOISE,

Raphael Honigstein has revealed why Klopp turned the offer down. He stated, "'Klopp gave the offer serious consideration, but found Woodward’s pitch ‘unsexy’, he told friends.'

 

According to Honigstein, Ed Woodward who is the executive vice chairman of Manchester United, likened Old Trafford to the Disneyland, saying,  'Woodward told Klopp Old Trafford was ‘like an adult version of Disneyland, a mythical place where the entertainment was world class and dreams came true’.'

Liverpool fans would be head over heels should they get to know this but must also be thankful as well as grateful to Ed Woodward for pitching badly.

As to whether Klopp made the right decision, time will tell.

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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND UP: HOW THE BIG GUNS FARED

The Champions League did take up last week with most of the big teams yearning to win their matches to either place them in an advantageous position or cement their place in the knockout stage.

Whiles there were encouraging result for some teams, others were very disappointing.

Here is the round up of the Champions League.

Manchester United made sure their place in the round of 16 was guaranteed by beating Benefica 2-0 in Group A. An own goal from Svilar and a Blind penalty was enough to secure their win. The scoreline leaves them in first position and having qualified for the next round with two games to spare.

In Group B, Paris St Germain where runaway winners scoring five past Anderlecht with Baryern Munich beating Celtic 2-1. This puts PSG on top of the group with 12 points with Bayern having 9 points, three points behind PSG.

Chelsea are having a problem of their own in Group C. having been tipped as favourites to qualify in the group, things are becoming a bit stiff on their path. Chelsea traveled to the Stadio Olympico only to be beating by a scintillating and nifty Roma by 3-0. Leaving Chelsea frustrated at the end of the game. Atletico Madrid also suffered a one all draw which has made it difficult for them to progress to the next round of the competition even though the group is still open. 

Group D was a group of stalemates, where both Barcelona and Juventus who are favourites of the group drew against their opponents. Barcelona is top of the group with 10 points and Juventus sits just behind them on 7 points.

Liverpool were comfortable winners over Maribor at Anfield goals from Salah, Emre Can and Sturridge were enough to secure three points. They currently sit on top of Group E with 8 points and are one win away from cementing their place in the knockout stages.

What a season they are having Manchester City, wining 13 matches in a row in all competition. In this kind of form nothing stands their way. Napoli was one of the hurdles they strolled past by scoring four with Napoli scoring twice. This gives them a hundred percent win record and puts them in the knockout stage of the Champions League.

In Group H, Real Madrid's frustrating start to the season  continued with a demoralising lose at the Wembley Stadium where hosts Tottenham Hotspurs beat them by three goals to one (3-1). A brace from Dele Ali and a Christian Eriksen goal was all that was needed to dispatch Madrid with Ronaldo scoring a consolation. This is arguably their worst start to a season with Mardid coming into the game having lost 2-1 to Girona. The scoreline against Spurs leaves Real Madrid in second place of the table in Group H, three points behind Tottenham who are on 10 points.

In the same group, Dortmund recorded a frustrating 1-1 draw with Apoel Nicosia. that leaves them on third place of the table with two matches left to play.

It would be interesting to see what happens in the remainder of the matches as well as which teams will place first in their group so they avoid some of the big team.

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IS KLOPP THE RIGHT MAN FOR LIVERPOOL?

For the past twenty seven years Liverpool fans have been persevering and sometimes agitating for a manger who would win the Premier League title. Two years ago, Fenway Sports Group, owners of the club, recruited one of the best football managers in the world in the person of Jurgen Klopp.

A dawn of new era it was to many Liverpool fans. Klopp is known for his successful spells at Main 05 and Borussia Dortmund where he won and defended the Bundesliga with the latter. This aroused the Kopites.

If Klopp's words on the first day of his interview are something to go by then, he wanted to change the attitude of Liverpool supporters. Changing them from "doubters to believers". In fact, he actually thrived in winning the hearts of Liverpool fans.

Liverpool indeed are a joy to watch when they are on top from under Jurgen Klopp. Last season, the Kop really believed when they were second on the Premiere league table getting to December. Then in January things went from bad to worst with Liverpool losing and drawing here and there in that month.    

This season was one of which Liverpool had much expectations due to how they finished last season in style. But it has turn to be  one of those seasons again with Liverpool losing 5-0 against Manchester City and just last week Klopp's side suffered their second heaviest defeat of the campaign against Tottenham Hotspurs. A Harry Kane double and a goal each from Son and Dele Ali was all Spurs need to thrash Liverpool. 

Then comes the question, "is Klopp the right  man for the job"?

Some Liverpool supporters have started calling for his sack while others believe he should be given time. Whether he be sacked or given some time, time will in itself tell. 

Considering the potential move of Klopp's star man Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, Liverpool are really in for another battle. Should he leave whether in January or the summer, Liverpool needs to replace him. Would it mean Klopp would be building his side again?

If so, Kopites are patient people, most of them would like to wait but till when? Liverpool fans desperately want and need the premier league trophy. Unfortunately, this season won't bring them that they have to wait for another season. 

For how long would they have to wait?

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THE FALL OF THE GHANAIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

I probably was too young to follow football in Ghana in the late 80's and early 90's but not the 2000's. In as much as I was just a boy in the early 90's, I have been very fortunate to have my dad and other elderly of society who tells me stories of Ghana football of the early 90's.

The Ghanaian League was so attractive in the 90's that not even the flair and panache of the

 then Italian soccer and German football could sway Ghanaian football fans from watching the local league.

There were exciting players who graced the Ghanaian football turf in the 90's and the early 2000's. Players such as the current Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah, Mohammed Gago, Frank Amankwah and Samuel Johnson. to mention a few were scintillating and joyous to watch.

                                                                                  Frank Amankwah

Coming into the 2000's, then came to light players like Emmanuel Osei, Charles Asampong Taylor, Jacob Nartey, Joe Hendricks and Godwin Ablordy.

                                                                             Charles Taylor in Hearts of Oak colours.

Ghana football ,in fact the local league to be precise was like a movie which always keeps its viewers in suspense. One could not predict the results of the league matches in those days not even that of GHAPOHA versus Okwahu United or that of bitter rivals Sekondi Eleven Wise nicknamed "the Western show boys" versus Sekondi Hasaacas who go by "HASMAL....we go do".

The local league was watched with both excitement and anxiety since one cannot tell whether his team would win even with the team ahead until the final whistle is blown.

Just a little over a decade and the local league is a pale shadow of its former self hence finding it difficult to compete with even some of the leagues on the continent talk of that of the world.

What has changed?

 Many believe football is a science and if so then it must be abreast with its technological advancements. 

To start with, whilst we are in the 21st century, our football pitches look like that of the 19th century.
The famous Accra Sports Stadium which is nicknamed "the nations Wembley" appears to as be though it has been their cattle to overgrazed the pitch. The pitch looks like that of a division one league training pitch.

Players struggle to control balls and passes laid to them, talk of showing of their dazzling skills and flair. 

                                                                                        The famous Accra Sports Stadium

As the pitch has been an issue, officiating is worst. To err they say is human but Ghanaian officials keep erring week in week out. Something that has raise many eyebrows of Ghanaian football fans. 

Teams, players and supporters alike keep complaining and lodging complaining about the officiating of referees. Even players and fans shout and show gestures of dismays on the field of play whiles clubs keep lodging their complaints to the Appeals Committee of the Football Association.

This and other factors have contributed to the fall of the Ghanaian football league with either little or no patronage from our supporter.

What can be done?

For every problem there is a solution. The Football Association must ensure our football pitches are up to the standard of the best leagues in the world which would do for the start.

Referees must be punished when found guilty of poor officiating either by demotion to lower leagues or receiving ban for some months if possible years.

Doing the above would not only start to attract despondent fans to watch our matches but will also woo sponsors to our local league.