Playing for 90’s Premier League Talking Points column, wherein co-editor Kevin Kelly brings you all the latest discussion points from the weekend’s action, including how Leicester City continue to defy the critics.
Leicester Remain Electric
They may have only drawn on the weekend, but once again Leicester City defied their critics, proving they are the real deal. Ending 1-1 at home to Spurs, Claudio Ranieri’s men were defiant against last season’s fifth place team with Riyad Mahrez once again on the score sheet.
The Algerian international has been the player of the season so far, wherein he has four goals in three games for the Foxes. The former Le Harve winger has scored a goal on average every 62 minutes so far this season. Elsewhere players such as Marc Albrighton have impressed, resulting in Leicester with seven points from nine; already looking too good for a relegation battle.
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Mahrez claimed Leicester are a more sophisticated team under Claudio Ranieri than controversial predecessor Nigel Pearson.
“Claudio is a very good manager,” said the Algerian midfielder. “He gives us his experience, especially on a tactical level. We are better this year in that aspect.
“The manager is helping me a lot, helping me to be more direct and he is very happy for me and for the team. We have to keep going like this.
“I am more confident, particularly as I keep scoring. In your head, you grow in confidence and you can show this out there on the pitch. We need to keep going like this.”
Chelsea Still Ragged But Off The Mark
It wasn’t pretty but Chelsea have finally won a Premier League game, on the third time of asking. A John Terry red-card cemented what has been the toughest week of the players life on the pitch since his penalty miss that night in Moscow in 2008.
A goal for Costa will have pleased Mourinho as much as anything, with his star-striker having begun the season in a frustration and lumber form. Eden Hazard got himself an assist, indicating he may be getting into the groove of things too; though Nemanja Matic remains a shadow of the player who dominated midfield’s 12 months ago.
West Brom will feel unlucky to have not got a point from the game; yet Tony Pulis’s substitution’s following Terry’s red negated any hope of using the extra width in the game. Mourinho’s men now have a week’s training before they play at home to Crystal Palace, with the Portuguese maestro surely looking to re-cement a winning mentality into the Premier League champions.
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United Need Big Changes
It may be seven from nine points available for Louis Van Gaal’s Manchester United, but they’ve only scored one goal from their own player – with Kyle Walker’s own-goal securing three points on the opening day. The 0-0 draw with Newcastle on Saturday cemented what many have long-thought; Manchester United need a better centre-forward than Wayne Rooney.
The anomaly of Wayne Rooney is indeed complex and therefore hyperbole is all too inevitable. He will likely end England and Manchester United’s all-time top goal scorer in the next 12 -18 months, yet his inability to lead the line, especially solely on his own, cannot be denied.
The striker has only had more than one shot on target in a Premier League game since April; a harrowing stat. Louis Van Gaal needs to replace Robin Van Persie immediately, in order t provide the Merseysider with the support he not only requires, but deserves too.