Premier League game week is has drawn to a close with as many questions popping up as answers. Liverpool now look on the brink following another winless weekend, while Manchester City finally lost to a dynamic West Ham outfit.
Bournemouth’s Matt Ritchie scored arguably the goal of the season while Leicester once again came back from 2-0 down to get a result. All that and more by Kevin Kelly in this week’s Talking Points column.
Liverpool Fail to Win Again
Liverpool failed to win again as they hosted Norwich City on Sunday afternoon, with the game ending 1-1 at full-time. Danny Ings broke the deadlock inside the second-half, having come on the injured Christian Benteke. Ings’ debut goal was of a sublime quality, which saw the Kop erupt into life.
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However, the Reds’ porous backline gave way to Norwich captain Russell Martin quickly, as the Southerners equalised to a deadpan Anfield. Brendan Rodgers’ job is now very much on the line, with Liverpool fans growing restless with the Rodgers.
Man City Finally Lose
Manchester City finally lost after five straight wins – a run which saw them keep five clean sheets. Kevin De Bruyne got a fine debut goal for Man City but it wasn’t enough to get a result against West Ham, who have no won at Anfield, the Emirates and the Etihad.
For all their spending power, Manchester City still struggle to come to terms with the demands of playing in the Champions League and Premier League. Juventus opened the wound in midweek and West Ham rubbed salt into it in agonising style, illustrating that City were still feeling the effects of that match in Europe.
Star Names Doesn’t Mean Star Quality
It has been a thoroughly odd season so far, with last season’s star name players often failing to produce the good, while the players of once little notoriety, now taking up all the headlines.
Last season’s star trio of Sergio Aguero, Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez have only two goals between them – Riyad Mahrez of Leicester and Bournemouth’s Callum Wilson have five apiece. It is early days, but the form of the lesser-fancied clubs and players is eye-opening.
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Nightmare in the North-East
What a terrible start to the season for the North-East duo of Newcastle and Sunderland. They thought last season was bad for both – well it’s looking even worst this time around. Newcastle boss Steve McClaren is clearly no miracle worker, while Sunderland’s squad looks substantially short on quality.
It would be a sad state of affair to see both go down given the vociferous nature of their support, but as it stands, it seems it could be curtains for both come May.