Mid-Week Review

The Premiership is just one week old and has sprung up surprises which many did not expect to witness. iSport’s Pulasta Dhar was one of the witnesses and shares his views.

Sunderland have been recruiting top class talent over the summer in the form of Loric Cana, Lee Cattermole, Darren Bent and Paulo da Silva. They were up against a team which has been coming from behind to win since their last 2 matches and they made it 3 this midweek. Sunderland scored first, raising doubts on the fragility of Chelsea’s defense. Bent proves he was worth his £10 million price tag as he made 2 goals in the same number of appearances. But well, they were playing the Blues. The team had been tinkered since last week, and Ancelotti played a diamond formation which worked wonders when Ballack and Lampard got into their stride. Ballack poked in from an Ivanovic flick, and Lampard scored from a penalty after Drogba was fouled in the box. Deco finally got on the scoresheet with a brilliantly placed outside-of-the-foot goal. Ancelotti couldn’t be happier, and there were positives to take in the defeat for Sunderland, especially the combativeness of Cana and Cattermole.

Wigan could not have asked for a better start. Beating Villa away was a massive acheivement and it seemed Wolves paid visit at exactly the right time. Football is unpredictable and the fact was proven once again. Wolves opened their account and recorded a first away win in the Premiership since the 60’s. Nice way to start the league for new signing Milijas who set up the goal, and as for Wigan, they should have done much better. They are clearly missing Valencia and Cattermole.

Birmingham was praised for their direct football against Man Utd in their first fixture. They were up against a suffering Portsmouth and it was a match that Birmingham must have thought they could win. And indeed they did. Larsson set up McFadden for his first goal of the campaign and the 3 points will do a world of good for Alex McLeish. As for Portsmouth, my prediction is that they will play Championship football next year.

Now comes the shocker! It was clearly a wonderful midweek for the promoted teams. Wolves and Brum had already recorded victories, and all eyes were now on the fortress of Burnley, where Manchester United were expected to walk over them. Burnley fans always set up a wonderful atmosphere at home, and the possession of one of the top young managers in the game Owen Coyle at the helm is a jewel in their otherwise sheenless crown. The football he has brought to Burnley has been beautiful, direct and absolutely Total!! And you might never have guessed that United will have fallen in their trap. Blake scored a stunner and United tried their best to equalise. Carrick scuffed a penalty and started Michael Owen missed a host of chances. One might just think United are missing their old no.7.

You might think I must be crazy, but Tottenham look serious contenders to break into the top 4 this season. Excellent backup in defense, midfield and attack make the squad look very very formidable. Harry Redknapp has made his squad very balanced torres in all areas and his iron-hand control over them might prove a decisive factor in their performances. Hull City were welcoming Spurs and also managed to score. But Spurs played wonderfully, cruising to a 1-5 victory helped by a Defoe hat-trick, Palacios scorcher and a Keane goal. Tottenham in 5th gear people!

After opening with a defeat, Liverpool were expected to win and the did it with style. Stoke tried their best to keep them at bay, but Gerrard, Kuyt, Torres and a first from Glen Johnson helped make it 4-0. The only negative was the very apparent absence of Xabi Alonso. The creative spark was amiss even though the score might reflect something else.