Analysis EPL 14/15: Week 2

The EPL Week 2 has been completed and The Writer offers his brief analysis on all those 10 matches played. Tottenham Hotspur was the big news for Week 2 as they finally managed to score big just like what they always did not so long ago. 

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

Earliest game of this weekend. But both shared the criticism from the fans because it looked like they played for the draw. Fans showed their frustrations in having to pay a high ticket price but only to watch a boring dull game. Both teams showed lack of urgency in finding the net and both played safe football. Emmanuel Riviere once again failed to lead Newcastle's attack. Newcastle had a wonderful setup of midfield plays but every time their strikers failed them in failing to convert the chances created into goal. Aston Villa meanwhile was in a confident mood as their own defense has improved and become less vulnerable. Phillip Senderos looked so eager to perform to play alongside Ron Vlaar week in week out. Good job Lambert and Keano! 

Chelsea vs Leicester City

In the end Chelsea won. That's what matters. But The Writer feels more interested to talk about Leicester. They played with no fear in the first half because they have nothing to lose. Media will not criticize them if they lose, and in fact  media will praise them if they gave a fight. That's what they did! Three players in particular impressed The Writer. Leonardo Ulloa, Riyad Mahrez, and Andy King. King was the common performer for Leicester since last season in Division 1. However, Ulloa and Mahrez were the newcomers. They played last Saturday like they are a seasoned pro for the club. Ulloa was outstanding in holding up the ball, coming deep to get the ball up, and feeding the more well positioned teammates to attack Chelsea. Meanwhile, Mahrez was a magician. He dribbled, did tricks, and made Cesar Azpilicueta looked like a toy. The Writer is very excited to see him perform for the rest of the campaign.

Crystal Palace vs West Ham

Crystal Palace was doomed again. They really need a manager fast. Someone needs to save them as they are actually a decent team and not deserve to be relegated. On the other hand, West Ham surprised everyone with their new playing setup. The Writer has suggested West Ham to play Mauro Zarate and other better strikers than Carlton Cole in his pre-match predictions. It's proved right. Zarate is a player eager to perform. His overall play and his goal was magnificent. West Ham need his flair and imaginations this season to stop the boo boys.  

Southampton vs West Brom

Another game with a zero scoreline. But Dusan Tadic was the star man again. The Writer has known of his existence since playing him in the game of Football Manager, but never know of his real capability real life. He looked a good replacement for the departed Adam Lallana. Tadic surely can lead this new Southampton attack to a greater height. And just like The Writer predicted, Saido Berahino will get lost in an away game. Although he was excellent last week, he failed to perform against Southampton. Berahino is still far from being the new hope of England.   

Swansea City vs Burnley

Gary Monk proved again that he is a great manager in the making. He managed to beat the 'Ginger' Mourinho and his Burnley team. Nathan Dyer provided the solitary goal but Danny Ings of Burnley also came close to equalize. In any given day, Burnley can make this game a draw or a win, if not for some of their bad luck. Swansea fans will be very happy because they will not expect their team to be this good in this early season. The gossip of their former Spanish stars making havoc and disrupt the dressing room harmony is beginning to make sense. Now some fans may say, "Michu who?, Chico who?". 

Everton vs Arsenal

Mikel Arteta did not manage to return to his old home as the Gunners' captain.  He is currently injured. How unfortunate and some may say lucky too! Because his current team was nearly being humiliated by his former team, if not for Everton's now common inability to give a 90-minutes concentration and finish the game early. The gave away a precious 2-0 lead. But in truth their game was better than Arsenal. Steven Naismith showed that he can score goals just like when he was at Rangers once upon a time. Romelu Lukaku also starting to readjust to his old tune and Seamus Coleman is a becoming an unsung hero for Everton. No one will wonder why he was selected as the best right back in EPL last season.

 

Hull City vs Stoke City

Hull City and Stoke City scored the third draw of the week but they managed to get a goal each. James Chester's sent off unbalanced the game but in the end the numerical advantage did not put Stoke City in a strong position whatsoever. Once again Bojan failed to score and it's becoming a boring wait to see him break his English duck. To be fair to Bojan, his Stoke teammates also failed to perform in these 2 games played. When all click later in the season, everyone will see the real Bojan. Whether a hit or a flop Bojan.  

Tottenham Hotspur vs QPR

The Writer's prediction on the need for Harry Redknapp to seriously reconsider using the 3-5-2 formation is true. It really was a fragile formation and against Spurs, they have been exploited. Rio Ferdinand must be anxious to avoid being another Ferdinand flop like his brother, Anton. But last season's more famous flop, Erik Lamela of Spurs, showed his real class against the Hoops. He continued his last Europa League form by giving a wonderful performance. The other one Eric also continued giving a high class performance. Eric Dier scored yet again and this time with a header. Spurs have began to produce their performance of old. Fast paced and ruthless in front of goal. Next game, hopefully the next Erik (Christian Eriksen) will show his undoubted class to complement his other same-named teammates.

Sunderland vs Manchester United

The Red Devils were yet to wake up from their slump. Marcos Rojo still does not being declared fit to help his new teammates. So, ManUtd started with the same group of players, but have RvP and Antonio Valencia to improve them. They scored early through Juan Mata but in truth, they rarely got hold of the game completely. Their defense was an accident waiting to happen and looks very vulnerable. Any formations LVG going to use after this are of no use if he doesn't buy a better centerback. And any 56 or 75 million investment on Angel di Maria after this will also be no use if they keep conceding goals at the back. Sunderland will be proud to match Man Utd's game just like last season.

Manchester City vs Liverpool

Even if Mario Balotelli played this game, Liverpool will still loose. Liverpool defense have not improve much from last season's record breaking achievement in goals conceded. The new boys of Dejan Lovren and Alberto Moreno failed miserably. Of all three goals that they conceded, the left side of the defense was the culprit. Moreno played like an all-rounder. He played in all position, but rarely in the left back position he was tasked to fill. The effect was having an empty space for the City player to exploit. And they did! Thank you so much Moreno! Lovren on the other hand often played like Phil Jones of ManUtd. Always rushed to the City attackers with no certainty. The effect was the center of Liverpool defense being wide open with only Skrtel and the hapless Simon Mignolet to save Liverpool's net from further humiliation. Steven Jovetic was chosen as the man of the match for the two goals he scored but he was so good too in overall display. Last season's poor debut season show for ManCity was just a blip for a player of his world-class talent.