The Weekend Review

The Van gets Moving

The thrilling game of football burst back to life again over the weekend, as we witness some enthralling matches. In the EPL the drama continues, teams struggle to grab early three points, they hustle to secure top places in the league table. Starting with Man U, they were 3-2 victors as Robin Van Persie scored his debut goal in his first start/first home game….and what a goal to start a new career. I whined over the loss of such talent- he can always turn half chance to a glorious beauty. He is so fortunate to have absorbed the pressure of the transfer and have scored early to shake off any chance of being jinxed like Torres in Chelsea. Wayne Rooney started from the beach, and did not stay long before he was inflicted with an injury that will rule him out form action for two months

Van Persie’s stunning goal was an equalizer to a Damien Duff's perfect strike some few minutes earlier. Then the team went on a rampage as another new signing, Shinji Kagawa, scored his first goal for the club to make the score line 2-1. Defender Rafael also got his name on the scoreboard, allowing Man U to run out 3-1 leaders at half-time. The second half was less eventful, aside from Vidic's comic own goal to leave the final scores at 3-2. With Wayne out for two months, Van Persie will be leading the attack, closely supported by youngsters like Chicharito and Welbeck.

Torrefic Hazard

Still on Saturday’s matches, Chelsea continued their winning as they easily dispatched Newcastle with two goals to nothing. Before the match, Newcastle were perceived to be a serious challenge to Chelsea; but the daunting attacking combination of Hazard, Torres, Mata, and Ramires seems too hot for their opponents. Torres provided an assist when his clever footwork in the 18 yard box produced a penalty. Hazard was then given his glory moment, as he stepped up to take the penalty which he struck well to give Chelsea the lead. That goal added a feather to his already flying career at his new club.

Hazard did not fail to return the favor to Torres, as he continued his graceful art of making fine assists. El Niño struck a wonderful goal to make the score 2-0. The goal marked the continued perfect run of the rejuvenated Torres as he has found the back of the net twice in three premier league matches.

At the other side of London, Arsenal's strikers have failed to find their shooting boots as they recorded another goalless draw at the Britannia against stubborn Stoke City. The result wasn’t much of a surprise to me as Stoke has always been a tough team under Tony Pulis, especially when playing at home. Moreover, Arsenal are still trying to blend the new attacking line. Although Carzola continued to show his quality, the team has failed to open a scoring account this season. But it must also be notice that the defensive aspect of Arsenal has improved, with most people giving the credit to new assistant coach, Steve Bould. But they need to start scoring as the game start teaming up.

Skertel Celebrates opener

Next week they will be lining up against Liverpool who have already found their shooting boots as they ended their match against defending champions, Man City, in a 2-2 draw. It can be said that Brenda Rogers' side were unlucky, as a careless ball from first half goal scorer, Skertel, caused them a massive three point. Skertel opened scoring with a powerful header in the thrilling match; but a rather questionable defensive frailty resulted to a Yaya Toure’s equalizer. Liverpool came back into the game with a brilliant free kick by Luis Suarez which caught Joe hart off-guard and slipped into the net through the bottom corner. With 2-1 up, Liverpool, seem to be in control until Skertel’s awful back pass gifted Tevez with an equalizer. The game then ended 2-2.

Other notable matches were the 1-1 draw between Tottenham and Westbrom. That result highlights another rocky coaching career for A.V Boas. He is yet to win a game as a Tottenham manager; this draw is followed by a loss to Newcastle last weekend. I hope he survives past January.

Swansea are also enjoying a fairytale beginning of the new season under new coach Landrup. Their 3-0 win against West Ham took their goal tally to Eight goals in two matches! How long this run will last…..we can only wait and see. In other results Everton triumphed over Aston Villa 3-1; Norwich and QPR that both suffer 5-0 defeat last week, shared points in a 1-1 encounter; Wigan undermined the loss of Victor Moses to win Southampton 2-0; while the fixture between Sunderland and Reading was postponed due to flooded pitch.

Mou Tots

Strolling over to Spain, the two giants of Spain- Barca and Real Madrid are having a contrasting start to the season. Barca, with the help of their talisman, Messi, came back from one goal down to beat Osasuna 2-1, with Messi grabbing another brace. But reverse was the case for their rivals Real, as they allowed Getafe to come from one goal down (scored by Higuain) and secure all three points. This result must be very disturbing to Mourinho as his team is yet to win a game this new season. Loads of questions must be running through his mind….will he be able to catch Barca as they seem to be running away with the league…. Over to you ‘Special One’… ‘Only One’

On the bright side, Tottenham and Real Madrid have come to an agreement on the transfer of Luka Modric. This morning both clubs released statement indicating that a £33m deal has been agreed on the Croats deal, subject to a medical. Am glad that’s the end to another transfer saga, and hope Modric will be the missing piece in Mourinho’s Jigsaw.

Let’s have your say on these issues and loads more….