There were plenty of things to choose from for this week’s Super Six after an exciting weekend of football from the Premier League and elsewhere, but I’ve picked out what I believe to be the six funniest things to laugh at from the recent footballing action.
6. Making an impact from the bench
First, we take a trip to Germany and the Bundesliga.2 for Friday night’s clash between Holsten Kiel and VFL Bochum (don’t worry, I’ve never heard of them either). VAR has been extremely controversial in the Premier League at times and it appears to be no different with our German compatriots, as Holsten Kiel midfielder Michael Eberwein managed to give away a penalty without even being on the pitch. Eberwein controlled a ball that was heading out of play before it crossed the line and was subsequently punished by VAR, allowing Bochum to score a penalty.
5. Southend
This isn’t the first time Southend have featured in this column, and the way things are going for them at the moment, I doubt it will be the last. The Shrimpers recently hired Sol Campbell as manager and he witnessed his new side lose 7 (seven)-1 at home to Doncaster in midweek, while also having two players sent off. Campbell’s first official game in charge didn’t go much better, with the League One side losing out 3-1 to Ipswich at Roots Hall. Those results leave Southend second bottom of the third division, having amassed just five points in their opening 15 games.
4. Spurs/Serge Aurier
Spurs love to bottle a lead, don’t they? Having shocked almost everyone by taking the lead at Anfield after just 47 seconds, Pochettino’s side returned to normal service with Liverpool scoring twice in the second half to win it. Serge Aurier’s challenge on Mane for the home side’s second-half penalty was just plain stupid but he continues to be picked in the starting eleven. The loss means that Spurs are still without an away victory in the league since January and slip to 11th in the Premier League.
3. Arsenal football club
Arsenal love to keep their fans entertained as you never really know which Arsenal to expect. This weekend they went above and beyond by bottling a 2-0 lead at home to Crystal Palace, even having the nerve to score what looked to be a perfectly legitimate goal late on, only for it to be ruled out by our beloved VAR. Another thing which stood out was club captain Granit Xhaka reacting to fans who were booing him off as he was being substituted, by returning the favour and throwing the Arsenal shirt to the floor. Another stellar choice by the popular Unai Emery
2. Manchester United
Even when Manchester United win we can still find things to take the mick out of in this column. United missed not one but two penalties in their weekend game with Norwich. Marcus Rashford was first denied by Tim Krul after his tame effort was comfortably saved by the Dutchman – who was definitely not off his line in any way. Anthony Martial took over from Rashford for the second penalty but was also denied by Krul. That means that before the end of October, Solksjaer’s side have already missed FOUR penalties this season. Time to bring back Rooney?
1. Southampton
There was only going to be one winner this week realistically. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or you actually hate football and you’ve no idea how you’ve stumbled upon this article, then you will know that Leicester inflicted the biggest ever home defeat on Southampton on Friday night, winning 9-0 at St Mary’s. Jamie Vardy and Ayoze Perez both hit hat-tricks as the home side collapsed after Ryan Bertrand’s early red card, although they weren’t much good before that either. The good news for Saints fans is that it’s probably never going to get worse, the bad news is that their next two games are both away to Manchester City. I can only imagine Ralph Hasenhüttl inspiring his team with the classic Football Manager team talk: good luck lads, you’re going to need it out there.
