It’s that time of the week again when I relay everything of note that has happened in the Premier League over the past seven days. And Manchester United/Jose Mourinho once again play a prominent role. “Stop right there. Didn’t you write up about Mourinho last week?” I hear you mutter under your breath. Of course. And every week previously.
That is why I’ll try and keep this short since this is obviously the major talking point at the moment. Man United were in Carabao Cup action against Frank Lampard’s Derby County on Tuesday night, where they drew 2-2 before going out on pens. Derby fans saw their team outplay Man United on their turf, and also witnessed a brilliant free kick scored by 21-year-old Liverpool loanee Harry Wilson.
Guaranteed that Gareth Bale won’t be on free kick duties anymore for Wales much longer.
The following day, a video emerged showing a ‘heated’ discussion between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho. Rumours are that Pogba posted something on Instagram during half-time on Tuesday that had irritated Mourinho. Before jumping to conclusions, the circumstances were unclear which means that there are plenty of ambiguities. Although let’s face it, they just don’t like each other.
Jose Mourinho has attempted to put the matter to bed. And also warned Paul Pogba that no player is bigger than Manchester United.
Spurs have flirted with the art of bottling for… their entire existence. They usually save falling out of the title/top four race towards the end of the season. This season, Spurs have cracked open that bottle early. And they came very close to doing it twice this week. Twice. At the Amex stadium, the crème de la crème of Premier League stadiums in terms of exterior design, Mauricio Pochettino’s men were cruising at 2-0 before a brief fightback from Brighton. A late Knockaert goal pulled one back for the hosts, but it wasn’t to be.
In the Carabao cup, they played out a 2-2 draw with Watford away at MK Dons (Or was it at home?) and overcome Watford on penalties.
Aaron Ramsey’s relationship with *some* Arsenal supporters has always been a strange one to me. The lad has won them two FA Cups after recovering from a horrific injury, and they still disliked him. They then spend a year begging for him to stay. The second that contract negotiations break down, he’s rubbish, again.
Notching up two assists against Everton last weekend in their 2-0 win wasn’t enough to convince them that he’s a top player. Some have even downplayed his FA Cup winning goals because it’s now become mainstream to belittle the world’s oldest cup competition.
Come back home to Cardiff, Rambo. We may be absolutely awful at the moment and conceded 12 goals in our last three games (including the 5-0 drubbing by Manchester City), however, we are YOUR club. That’s enough convincing, right?
*And that’s my hopes of a career in marketing out the window*.
As for Everton, preparations for their game at home to Fulham today has hit a snag. Ivorian six foot five Yerry Mina is out for at least another week after Bernard, who is so light that his only priority when there is a bit of wind is to remain on the ground, stamped on Mina’s foot in training.
Only at Everton.
Last season, West Ham struggled to score a single goal in over 200 minutes of football against Shrewsbury Town. On Wednesday, they scored eight goals in 90 minutes against Macclesfield. You wouldn’t think they spent £99m during the summer, would you?
Burnley’s winless run ended in convincing style by smashing Bournemouth 4-0. A brace from Ashley Barnes moved the striker ahead of defender James Tarkowski in the race to finish as the club’s top scorer. Things are clearly hotting up in Costa Del Burnley.
The match of the week came from Anfield, as Liverpool entertained Chelsea. Both sides rang the changes for this one, more so from the Reds. You know, because it’s a pointless cup. Despite dominating Liverpool in the first half, Chelsea fell behind courtesy of Daniel Sturridge’s acrobatic volley. It is weird how he could score all types of goals, yet he often misses empty nets.
Then Eden Hazard came off the bench and did Eden Hazard things. After Emerson’s equaliser, he continued to pull off several of his archetypal nutmegs. This included one or two in the build-up to his unbelievable winner five minutes from the end.
He and teammate N’Golo Kante have had worse week’s. Both were named in the 2018 FIFPro’s World XI on Monday, along with the usual suspects. David De Gea in goal was the strangest inclusion. Not because he did not deserve it. It’s because I cannot comprehend how Thibaut Courtois could possibly win the best keeper award, whilst also being simultaneously snubbed in the team of the year.
It’s not as baffling how Mohamed Salah won the Puskas award for a standard cut in and shoot goal in the Merseyside Derby.
And people claim that FIFA are corrupt. Cannot imagine why.
Have a great weekend everyone.
