CounterAttack series is here again and my word, the week wheezed past filled with an action and drama packed week of footy. Football is an art, forget the naysayers! They’re on a long thing.
I was at the island this weekend for an all action radio soccer analysis session tagged ‘Total Football’. As the earliest game of the weekend started, I could only hope that the weekend games would be a far-cry from what the midweek games were.
One could only imagine Rafa’s worst opening days were behind him when an accurate Fernando Torres pass found Juan Mata who slotted home convincingly. It was the first chelsea goal under the still budding, unwelcomed Benitez era and who better than two spaniards to spare the spanish manager his blushes, however not forgetting victor moses in the build-up to the goal.
Juan Mata had dominated the first half, but asides a free-kick that rattled the crossbar with veteran keeper beaten, he was made peripheral after the break. Mohamed Diame hassled the chelsea midfield somewhat neutralising the powers of chelesa’s anchor men. The Blues had no answer and a defensive breakdown was inevitable as Westham showed more desire and stability eventually leading to the a 3-1 win for Big Sam’s men.
Manchester City welcomed David Moyes men knowing a win would take them to the premier league summit, at least temporarily with the manutd game coming much later.
Rarely do we see teams strengths become their weakness. But Manchester City’s expensively assembled squad, which undoubtedly provides Mancini with a variety of options and obviously a big factor in their title win last season *one could say they bought the title*. But Mancini’s inability to find a winning formula and a perfect combination of his striking options have often been their weakness this season.
Getting a positive result against David Moyes’ men entails a team’s ability to curtail a certain Belgian beast in the form of Marounne Fellaini, a task even the champions failed to execute. So often have Everton maximised their aerial prowess and it yet again paid dividend, a winning formula that has dealt fatal blows, most notably on the two Manchester sides.
Tactical breakdown: Everton aerial prowess is sure to unsettle any back four at its best. This their strongest weapon, with Fellaini’s ability to bring a floated ball down with his back to goal, therefore creating space for runners in-behind and arriving midfield players. City’s rearguard were set for a torrid 90mins as the belgian beat Joe hart at the second time of asking, after the england shot stopper spilled the initial header.
Everton’s strength became their weakness as few would agree with the referee’s decision to award City a penalty, certainly not David Moyes, as expressed his discontent at the decision. Fellaini was judged to have brought down Edin Dzeko in the penalty area. Carlos Tevez did the rest and City were level.
1-1 it finished at the Eithad stadium, taking Mancini’s men 3points behind the Manchester neighbours prior to the Manchester derby.
Arsenal have epitomised inconsistency as a series of hot & cold performances see them 15 point behind league leaders Manchester United. At this point it seems Arsene Wenger is out of ideas on where the problem really lies in this Arsenal side.
The visitors started the game with real intent as Arsenal’s midfield couldn’t get hold of the ball as a result of Michael Laudrup’s side impressive passing and confident play at the Emirates.
Arsenal never really got going and they would be punished by Spanish striker michu with two late goals, the second courtesy of a slip by Carl Jekinson. With appeals for an Arsenal penalty turned down by Mark Clattenburg it finished 2-0 at the emirates as the fans booed both manger and players off the pitch.
Manchester United’s ability to outscore their opponents was yet again the deciding factor in their away game against Reading. The first-half ending in an amazing 7goal thriller.
Tactical breakdown: Reading play two wide men with two strikers upfront the winger often hugging the touchline providing the team with an expansive play and service from the flanks. They did so successfully, to the extent that all three goals came from deliveries from the flanks (two from Nicky Shorey’s corners). By fielding two wingers and two strikers,
Reading were better positioned to push United back, force more corners and send in more crosses – amounting to 34, including those from set-pieces. But the weakness of Reading’s boldness was that, particularly with their wingers staying so wide, it left them outnumbered in midfield. That was a contributory factor in three of the goals they conceded.
4-3 it ended in favour of the visitors courtesy of a brace from Wayne Rooney with Anderson and Van persie scoring one each, which sees them extend their lead at the top by 3points owing to City’s failure to beat Everton.
Here are other results below:
West Ham 3 – 1 Chelsea FC
Fulham 0 – 3 Tottenham
Liverpool 1 – 0 Southampton
Manchester City 1 – 1 Everton
QPR 1 – 1 Aston Villa
Arsenal FC 0 – 2 Swansea City
West Bromwich 0 – 1 Stoke City.
YubbyThePundit is a weekly analyst on
#Totalfootball with host Mozez Praiz (Supersport tv presenter) on Smooth 98.1fm.
Follow @YubbyThePundit on twitter
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