Arsenal got lucky to even draw
For a team famed for possession football and well known for carving out chances and spurning them, it was strange to see Arsenal deliver what was almost a classic away day hit and run on Brendan Rodgers ailing Liverpool side. Arsene Wenger’s side of light weight schemesters (or the “balsa boys” as I like to call them) managed just 36% possession at Anfield and were subjected to 27 shots on goal, 11 of which were on target. In truth it was a disjointed, largely rancid performance that they almost got away because Liverpool do not possess either a centre back who can tackle, or a goal keeper who can literally save anything. As it was, a point was the least the home side deserved and they will take heart from an attacking performance that zipped and buzzed like last season, even if they lacked Suarez or Sturridge to finish everything off. Arsenal have QPR at home next, which is the top flight guarantee of three points, so there is plenty of reason for them to smile this Christmas time. Unless of course they lose, which if they defend as poorly as they did here again, they very well might.
The North East deserves more entertainment
In the 34 collective games this season both Sunderland and Newcastle have mustered together just 33 goals. Given both have solid, largely well organised defences (that Saints freak show aside); it’s probably fair for their fans to wonder what might be possible if they were capable of scoring more goals. The game yesterday exposed the flaws for all to see, with 31 shots and more bookings than efforts on target. Several, clear cut, whites of the keeper’s eyes chances were missed before Johnson finally struck late and swanned back to Wearside with all the points. For Pardew, it was another defeat in what looks ominously like the start again of “one of those runs.” Poyet meanwhile, must wonder what his team would be capable of if they didn’t have a strike force which has mustered together just 15 goals in the last 8,000 minutes. Just to put that into very little perspective, if they had just Sergio Aguero, they would have scored 75 goals over that same period…
Silva lining for City in striker shortage
They may be lacking up top, but City still showed Tyneside how to find the net this weekend thanks to an interchanging false 9 system and the abilities of David Silva. Both the Spaniard and Samir Nasri were superb in the dismantling of Crystal Palace on Saturday lunchtime; popping up all over the pitch to hurt the visitors where it mattered most. Granted Palace were obliging opponents, Neil Warnock has certainly taking the hand break of his troops since replacing Tony Pulis, but his teams remain brittle and hopeless when exposed to pace. He could also do with having a little more of a game plan than “give it to Bolasie, hope.” City on the other hand were somehow joint top for 48 hours, despite flattering to deceive for most of the season. With a festive schedule of West Brom, Burnley and Sunderland; the chances of being top on New Year’s Day remain a very real possibility.
How good could Edin Hazard be?
Edin Hazard is the best player in the Premier League. Only Sergio Aguero can have any real umbrage with that claim and his injury record is ultimately too poor to bear weight with the comparison. It’s very well being absolutely lethal, but when you only play half the time you’re going to make your manager nervous with every tackle you go into. Hazard is probably the best dribbler I’ve ever seen. Only Best, who I clearly never watched in my lifetime, and Lionel Messi in his pomp, look comparable to the method of dribbling Hazard possesses. He is quick, but he doesn’t power past players like Ronaldo, Bale and Robben with brute pace. He glides across the turf like a ballet dancer and can get past three or four players in a close space from a standing start. He can shoot from distance and from close range. He can head the ball, take a mean penalty and can cross a ball hard, stand it up or whip it in. He is, put simply, World Class. But, even in a team where he is probably the only player allowed “off the leash” - he is not truly, ever allowed off it. Hazard tracks back and does a lot of running in areas which don’t hurt teams. He has evolved into a superb all round player but one already starts to wonder what sort of attacking bounties he might be capable of if he played for a free flowing team like Munich, Real, Barca or even Manchester City. Hazard is young and on the verge of signing a massive new contract and he will almost certainly win trophies at Chelsea. But if he’s this good for a side that basically shuts up shop once they go 2-0 up in any game, one wonders if he’ll ever get itchy to go and play his football for a club which gives him limitless licence to thrill.
Will the first managerial casualty please stand up
With the first sacking of the season still to occur, I assess the five favourite contenders prior to the three games in a week festive bonanza.
Nigel Pearson
Pros: Attacking, expansive football. Unique desire to sit in the highest tier in the ground rather than the actual dugout. Earned promotion.
Cons: Continues to pick Paul Konchesky. Regularly sets up in a regimented 4-4-2. Hasn’t won a game in three months. Bottom and 5 points adrift of safety.
Steve Bruce:
Pros: Strong season last year and appears loyal to the club. Tactically sound and a proven man manager.
Cons: Winless in 10 games. Hasn’t scored in 7 of those matches. Spent arm and a leg on attacking players who so far, cannot attack. Unbelievably fat.
Alan Pardew:
Pros: In the top half of the table. Recently beat Chelsea. Known for long winning runs. Good motivator and, on his day, tactically very shrewd.
Cons: Despised by 75% of all fans. A complete and utter cunt. Known for long losing runs. On his day, tactically very naïve.
Brendan Rodgers:
Pros: Last season’s Manager of the Year. Desperately unlucky with lead striker being injured all season. Ability to play highly entertaining, flowing attacking football.
Cons: Signed Mario Balotelli. And 17 other duds. Total and utter inability to organise a defence in any semblance of a unit. Keeps picking Martin Skertel. Owners are itchy.
Harry Redknapp:
Pros: Charlie Austin at home.
Cons: Everyone else away.
Team of the Weak
Brad Jones – Has conceded 5 goals in two games whilst making one save. Which went straight to an attacking player. January can’t come soon enough.
Kelly – Torn apart by the twinkling nose of Nasri and Silva and looked every bit the Liverpool defender he once was.
Jagielka – Had a total mare and inexplicably got away with a stone wall penalty early on.
Coloccini – Looked far too fired up. Lucky not to get sent off. Conceded late winner.
Bardsley - Was given a torrid time by Hazard and Fabregas and could have been sent off twice.
Flamini - Looks a shadow of the defensive shield he was last season. Liverpool ran past him like he wasn’t even there.
Ramirez - In the team as the creative lynchpin. Created nothing.
Puncheon - Looked out of his depth. One free-kick was two pitches overhit. Booked.
Darren Fletcher - Hauled off at half time. It’s hard to think of a vice captain who a manager has so little faith in.
Ideye - Still yet to score and when you don’t do that against QPR you’re in real trouble.
Rooney - Played well creatively, but can anybody explain to me why the greatest English number 10 of our lifetime is playing in the Gerrard “retirement role” when he’s still in his twenties?
What you may have missed.
Either keeper making a save in the Man City/Palace match; LVG looking confused as to how his team still can’t pass the ball; Hull barely even trying to score anymore; Harry Redknapp not really giving a shit if Charlie Austin ever gets an England call up; Everton’s entire attack; Everton’s entire midfield; Everton’s entire defence; Spurs winning at home... just... to Burnley; Stewart Downing looking like he’s getting younger... and better... with age; a clean tackle in the Tyne-Wear derby; Cesc Fabregas growing his hair out and Jose Mourinho’s ridiculously amusing reactions to almost anything that happened during the match.
Merry Christmas, and tune in sometime over the festive period for my annual satirical look at the Christmas fixtures and my official team of the season so far.
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