Both Manchester clubs took hold of the top two places in the EPL last weekend, and even though we are only two games into the season it looks like the pattern has been set for the season.
City appear set to be the entertainers this year with a 3-2 win at Bolton to follow their opening fixture 4-0 win last week. United meanwhile sent a warning sign to their cross city rivals with a comfortable 3-0 win over Spurs.
With so much focus on new signings and huge spending, it’s refreshing to see United continuing to use home-grown players with Jonny Evans, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck all starting against Spurs. Welbeck in particular was impressive scoring the first and making the second with a cheeky backheel.
Chelsea and Liverpool followed up disappointing opening day draws with solid but unspectacular wins. Chelsea dominated against West Brom, but not before conceding a shock early goal, whilst Liverpool will have enjoyed their 2-0 win at Arsenal who continue to show worrying signs of the end of an era. The Gunners have been without a trophy for several years and recent form suggests that it could be a long wait for the next prize. With Fabregas already gone, and Samir Nasri on his way out this week, it must be worrying for Arsenal fans that manager Arsene Wenger doesn’t appear to be working overtime to bring in new players.
Also on the self-destruct path Blackburn manager Steve Kean guided his side to another defeat, then offloaded his most consistent midfielder on Sydney FC, whilst Sunderland’s Steve Bruce is challenging him in the first for the sack race (having fielded a side including 2 defenders and 8 midfielders in the mid-week cup loss to Brighton), and Newcastle United have joined the fun despite beating their most fierce rivals at the weekend by offloading their best player colourful midfielder Joey Barton to a rival club on a free transfer. Pure genius.
This weekend sees in form Manchester United beating an on out of sorts Arsenal, whilst City will be heaping Manchester misery on Spurs. Chelsea will be hammering newly promoted Norwich and Liverpool will be raising expectations of a revival with a home win against Bolton.