Analysis EPL 14/15: Week 3

The EPL entered its third phase and The Writer offers his brief analysis on all those 10 matches played. The biggest shock came from the Etihad where ManCity was beaten at their home…

Burnley vs Manchester United

Boring boring boring Manchester United. Not Arsenal anymore. The Red Devils can’t score in this match, even with all their star players of Rooney, Van Persie, Mata, and Di Maria playing from the start. The 3-5-2 system still haven’t work. It may be a bless for United to have this international break of 2 weeks to tweak their current system a little bit. Burnley was also the factor contributed to the draw. Their attacks for these last 3 opening games were very poor. Although they managed to have a try or two at United’s goal, it was still not up to the EPL’s standard. On another day, United might have won this game. Burnley need to improve their attack and maybe using corners as source of goals.

Manchester City vs Stoke City

Well well well. This was a surprise indeed. A full throttle City who defeated Liverpool on Monday earlier, was so unlucky in their attempts on Stoke’s goal. Yaya Toure’s efforts may have resulted in ManCity’s win if all of his three chances being converted into goals. City was not poor but just pure unlucky. However, Stoke was immense in their play. They took their only clear chances to a very good effect. Mame Diouf saved their day. In all, this was just a blip for City and there won’t have to be any panic button to press.

Newcastle United vs Crystal Palace

One of the blockbuster games of Week 3. Not because of the clubs that were involved in it. But because of the scoreline and the high level of intensity shown by both teams. Newcastle’s wonderkid, Rolando Aarons were the star of the match. He showed a confident performance by scoring one and assisting one. He looked to be another Raheem Sterling, young and small but very confident in playing. In truth both teams must be very disappointed in getting out this match by just one point. They both showed a real attacking display and the resurgent Wilfried Zaha is finally back where he really belongs.

QPR vs Sunderland

Finally, QPR ditched their previous formation of 3-5-2 and used 4-4-1-1. And this resulted in the first win for QPR this season. Charlie Austin managed to get out of the departed Loic Remy’s shadow and scored the solitary goal of the match. Things may improved more for QPR and owner Tony Fernandes looked happier than ever. Sunderland gave a good fight but they need to replace Steven Fletcher in the starting line up because he looked really low in confidence at this moment.

Swansea City vs West Brom

Swansea continued their impressive form by being the only other team to get full 9 points other than Chelsea. Once again, Nathan Dyer popped in the early goal like last weekend. His form dropped last season but for the two seasons before that, he was like he was currently. Full of running and having a sharp eye for goals. If he continues like this, Roy Hodgson may finally go to the Liberty Stadium to watch him play and may select him for England. West Brom maybe the latest team to suffer in the hand of Swansea, but their overall play was no good. Debutant, Brown Ideye was uninspiring in leading the attack. And they suffered when their defense had an off-game too.

West Ham vs Southampton

Mark Noble proved that his England snub was wrong by scoring the first goal of the game. But that was it for West Ham. In the end, they got another boo sound from their own fans after surrendering that lead and then losing by 1-3 margins. Southampton started the game late but managed to stamp their mark. Ronald Koeman got his first win and Graziano Pelle got his first goal in English game. Generally, it was a happy day for the Saints.

Everton vs Chelsea

Second blockbuster game of Week 3. Like Mourinho said, both teams didn’t have a good defense on that Saturday night. That was the game for attackers, as nine goals were exchanged between both teams. Diego Costa showed why he was the hitman that Chelsea really needed and Steven Naismith scored for the third game running, The only bad thing about this game was Diego Costa’s behavior towards the Everton players. He should never provoke Everton and showed disrespect to them. People may have a bad perceptive about him after this.   

Aston Villa vs Hull City

Hull City suffered a double disappointment in one week. Their elimination from the Europa League was a case of so near yet so far. Then came Villa to put another salt in the already painful wound. The usual suspects of  Gabby Agbonlahor and Andi Weimann put any Hull's hope of a revival win to bed. They scored with a solitary goal from Nikica Jelavic as the only consolation from Hull. The world looks bright in Villa Park under Paul Lambert and Roy Keane.  

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool

Liverpool showed that they are still better than Spurs and Spurs was fortunate to just concede only 3 goals. Raheem Sterling, Mario Balotelli, and Daniel Sturridge had a very outstanding game and Dejan Lovren showed class in stopping Emmanuel Adebayor until the final whistle. Spurs had no answer to Liverpool efficient play and they must improve their performance against bigger teams after this if they want to achieve a top 4 finish. If not, Spurs is just another outsider to the Champions League this season.

Leicester City vs Arsenal

Arsenal gave a subdued performance at the King Power Stadium. Mainly because of injuries to the first team players and the game they played against Besiktas on Wednesday earlier. Yaya Sanogo was chosen to lead the attack and he was only good for the Sanchez's goal that he assisted. Arsenal needs better target man. Leicester on the other hand gave the same spirited performance. The combination of Leo Ulloa, Riyad Mahrez, David Nugent, and Jeffrey Schlupp was much better than before and they may ended up as winner soon if they continue like that. Ulloa got 2 goals now from 3 games, not a bad return for the Leicester's record signing.