Five games into the season and we have our first sacking in the Premier League. Sunderlands woes deepen as the league blossoms into life with 28 goals scored over the weekend. Join us for discussion about the results, the tactics, and the departure of Palo DiCanio.
Another weekend wrapped up and it looks as though the Premier League has finally found a higher gear after a slow start. Goals galore, a total of 28 goals scored this weekend, including 5 goals a game in three fixtures.
Arsenal scored exclusively on set pieces against Stoke and John Obi Mikel netted his first Premier League goal after 185 games. You might want to do your reading quickly because these are at least two signs of the Apocalypse, time for week five of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Man City 4 – Man United 1
Good grief, football. Manchester City who looked labored at the start of the season have controlled the past few matches and delivered results you would expect from a team with such talent. United meanwhile have looked uninspired under the tenure of Moyes but capable enough, especially with Robin Van Persie up top, but fell woefully short in this match. The home side outplayed United throughout the match as the City team surged time and time again in waves of blue. The languid start to United’s season became much more difficult.
Arsenal 3 – Stoke City 0
Three goals, from three dead ball situations. The hype focus in the aftermath of this match has been on Mesut Ozil’s three assists but there was great diversity and good team play from this Arsenal squad. Honorable mention to Stoke who continue to transform their style and play entertaining football. More of the same please.
Crystal Palace 0 – Swansea City 2
Michu bags his second and Nathan Dyer nets his first for the season. The Welsh side look to have gained some momentum after a disappointing start. Another loss for Crystal Palace, though in truth they look the most likely of the promoted sides to go down this season.
West Ham 2 – Everton 3
Goals galore, and two sweet freekicks from Leighton Baines makes this match a beauty. The second win for Everton, coming off their 1-0 defeat of Chelsea, puts some wind in the sails of Roberto Martinez’s squad and makes Baines their top scorer of the season. Even a second yellow for West Ham’s Mark Noble could not drag this game down, though West Ham fans might disagree.
Newcastle 2 – Hull City 3
Hull City overtake Newcastle with their win, becoming the top promoted side at 11th place. Loic Remy bagged two goals to start his league campaign with Newcastle but it was not enough to stop the promoted side from equalizing and taking the lead through a fabulous strike from Nigerian forward Aluko. Huddlestone still remains the steal of the market for the promoted sides, though Danny Graham remains the butt of jokes, the poor man can’t seem to find the net.
Cardiff 0 – Tottenham 1
Cardiff may prove to be a tough side to beat at home so this may be harsh on Tottenham to mark this game down as Bad. But bad it was, Tottenham have a lot of top talent so it was a big ask for Cardiff to get the win, yet the Cardiff fans will be disappointed their side were unable to get a goal. Lloris made some truly odd mistakes and looked to be in such a quirky mood that the home team would have hoped for at least a goal. Tottenham looked much sharper on the attack but a late stoppage time goal against a newly promoted side will not be enough for the London side that hopes for Champions league qualification
Liverpool 0 – Southampton 1
Problems seemed lurking but never present for a Liverpool side who went into the weekend at the top of the table. Some spectacular saves from Simon Mignolet were coupled with head scratching decisions from the keeper when the ball was at his feet. Constant pressure from Southampton forced a great number of errors from the home side but Liverpool made plenty of problems for themselves. Iago Aspas has yet to find rhythm in the league and Coutinho out until the end of October means that a winning, yet unconvincing Liverpool side are eager to bring Suarez back onto the pitch. The Southampton goal was not especially pretty either, great result for the saints but one of the poorer matches of the season.
Norwich 0 – Aston Villa 1
A good debut goal for Villa’s replacement striker Kozak who scored just 90 seconds after replacing Christian Benteke. The ugly here is in the fan reaction to Chris Hughton, particularly after his substitution of Nathan Redmond with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” ringing out. The victory was bittersweet for Aston Villa as they await the results of Benteke’s scans.
West Brom 3 – Sunderland 0
I hate to take away from a West Brom victory, especially one where they tripled their goal total for the season. Even without the Sunday announcement of DiCannio’s departure from the club it was an ugly affair. While Tottenham and Manchester City saw their squads begin to sync with one another the 14 new arrivals for Sunderland still struggle to find fluency. The bitter icing on the cake, Sunderland are now the only side in the league without a win.
Chelsea 2 – Fulham 0
Hard to put a game with 2 goals into the bad category, especially when this celebrates the first goal from Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel. But it was an ugly match all around. Chelsea looked sluggish on the ball and continue to lack the cutting edge in the final third with their passing and their shooting. Fulham, I fear, will often be in the Ugly section but a Chelsea squad at home should have done much better. The dismal play could be heard in the silence around Stamford bridge throughout the first half of this match.
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Ajax player Christian Eriksen has had a medical at Tottenham; the deal has been labeled “as good as done” and is reportedly worth 11 million Euros.
Arsenal have re-signed central midfielder Mathieu Flamini from AC Milan on a £50,000 per week contract, marking only the second incoming player for the Gunners since the summer transfer season started. While any signings are good for Wenger’s side, which has suffered injuries across all positions, Arsenal will likely need more substantial signings in order to undertake successful Premier and Champions League campaigns.
Liverpool have placed a 23 million Euro bid for Ukrainian forward Andriy Yarmolenko, and are also considering PSG player Mamadou Sakho.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho continues his quest to assemble a dream team by signing former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o for one year.
Erik Lamela has signed to Tottenham Hotspur.
David Moyes’s former club Everton has rejected Manchester United’s £36 million bid for players Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines. However, Fellaini has apparently told Everton boss Roberto Martinez that he wants to leave the club.
Richard Vaz Te, forward for West Ham, has submitted a transfer request resulting from his belief that he is not being used appropriately by Sam Allardyce, despite his impressive goalscoring record.
Liverpool is hoping to sign Aston Villa backup keeper Shay Givens.
Manchester United have submitted a 30 million Euro bid for Athletico Bilbao’s Ander Herrera. David Moyes is seemingly keeping his options for midfield open, especially if Man U’s bid for Marouane Fellaini is unsuccessful.
West Brom is hoping to regain some striking power lost following the departure of Chelsea loaner Romelu Lukaku, and Steve Clark is reportedly looking at Chelsea’s own Victor Moses to fill that gap.
Romelu Lukaku is reportedly being eyed by Arsenal, but a move seems unlikely given his run of form while on loan at West Brom.
Both Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil, with the Manchester side apparently to offer £43 million for the Turkish international.
There is much speculation over the future of Fernando Torres in Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea squad. Chelsea has a formidable striking force including Demba Ba, Romelu Lukaku and Andre Shurrle, the last having been signed just this summer. Rumors point to Torres’ possible return to Liverpool.
FInally, an interesting match from the Championship between newly promoted Yeovil Town and Birmingham City:
The Wayne Rooney transfer saga is potentially wrapping up as Jose Mourinho, following his team’s goalless fixture against Manchester United, told reporters that the final decision regarding Rooney’s rumored move from Old Trafford to Stamford Bridge was up to no one but Rooney himself.
Perhaps linked to that rumor is whether Juan Mata will end up at either Arsenal or Man U, although Mourinho has insisted that Mata is going nowhere.
In the only piece of truly confirmed transfer news this Monday, Stephane Mbia has been loaned from Harry Redknapp’s freshly relegated QPR to Sevilla.
David Moyes is looking to raid his former side Everton for talent, preparing to offer a £20 million bid for Belgian national Marouane Fellaini ahead of Manchester United’s upcoming game against Liverpool.
Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye is closer to joining Arsenal pending a follow up bid of £13 million after Alan Pardew vehemently denied the Gunners’ initial £11 million bid.
As a prospective replacement for Cabaye, Newcastle has set their sights on Wigan midfielder James McCarthy.
Newly promoted Crystal Palace are apparently gearing up to lodge bids for two players from two newly relegated sides – a £750,000 offer for Reading’s Jimmy Kebe and an undisclosed amount for QPR’s bad boy Joey Barton.
Good chance
Wait and see
Skeptical
Gareth Bale is close to completing a £93M move to Real Madrid. This has been an increasingly prolonged story, so hopefully this is, truly, the end.
To fund this splurge it’s likely Real Madrid will have to sell players and Arsenal are ready to make a £40M bid for Karim Benzema. Arsenal are also preparing a bid for winger Angel DiMaria.
There are reports that Manchester United are closing in on a £77M move for Cristiano Ronaldo.
Tottenham aren’t done spending their ‘Bale’ money as they prepare a £5M bid for Bulgarian playmaker Todor Nedelev.
Arsenal are close to re-signing midfielder Mathieu Flamini. The defensive midfielder moved to AC Milan in 2008 but is now a free to find a new team. It seems he’s settled on Arsenal.
Liverpool will make another bid for Tiago Ilori. This time they will offer £6M for the Lisbon defender.
There are rumors that Cardiff City have made a bid for West Ham’s Ricardo Vaz Te. Sam Allardyce has quickly and harshly shot these claims down.
Galatasaray are interested in Chelsea’s surplus DM Jon Obi Mikel. The midfield bruiser will cost the Turkish side £10M.
Manchester United are preparing for a third Chelsea bid for Wayne Rooney. Their first two bids of £20M and £30M were rejected but as the Rooney situation prolongs they may consider parting with the unhappy striker.
Napoli have had a £10M bid for Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel rejected. No easy buckets.
Manchester United are trying to assuage their injury concerns in the defense by bidding £2.5M for Martin Dimichelis. Atletico Madrid are said to be looking for a bid in the region of £4.5M.
Everton have joined Swansea and Tottenham in the battle for Blackpool winger Tom Ince. He will cost these clubs £8M.
Scott Sinclair has signed for West Brom on loan. Big ups to the Baggies:
Crystal Palace have made a £2M bid for St. Etienne winger Yohan Mollo.
Liverpool are close to agreeing to a £10M deal for Derby midfielder Will Hughes. The midfielder is also being pursued by Arsenal and Chelsea.
Arsenal are set to get a bit of revenge on Liverpool for their handling of the Luis Suarez debacle by beating the Reds to Sporting Lisbon winger Diego Capel. Capel will cost either side £6M.
It seemed a forgone conclusion that Willian would be moving to Tottenham, but Chelsea have made a £32M last minute bid in an attempt to convince the Brazilian to move to Stamford Bridge rather than White Hart Lane.
The Luis Suarez drama isn’t over. With Arsenal lodging outrageous bids for Real Madrid players, the Spanish club may have the money to buy Luis Suarez from Liverpool. We’ll see if Real has more luck in their pursuit of the Uruguayan than Arsenal did.
Rumor going around that Lucas Podolski will go on loan to Schalke. I’m gonna say, not likely.
AS Roma are interested in signing Chicharito Hernandez. It’s unlikely United would part with the striker.
Good chance
Wait and see
Skeptical
Unsurprisingly, Arsenal have been linked to a host of players after their embarrassing loss to Aston Villa over the weekend. Most recently they’ve been linked to a £17.2M move for Geoffrey Kondogbia.
Arsenal have also been linked to a £25M move for Swansea’s Michu. Arsene will have to do some panic spending towards the end of the month and the Spaniard would provide another attacking option up top.
Newcastle United have turned down a £10M bid for Yohan Cabaye from Arsenal. The Magpies are hoping to get £20M for the French midfielder.
Schalke right back Atsuto Uchida is ALSO an Arsenal target.
Let the fight begin! Tottenham and Liverpool are battling it out for Anzhi Midfielder Willian. Bid between £25M and £30M are expected to be lodged in the next few days.
West Brom have bid for Marseille 28-year-old Morgan Amalfitano.
Everton have continued their dogged pursuit of James McCarthy and have lodged a £15M to bring the Wigan man to Merseyside.
Newcastle will need to shell out £8M to sign Lille’s exciting young midfielder Florian Thauvin.
Norwich want Bolton striker Johan Elmander as well as Brescia’s Andrea Caracciolo.
PSV teenage winger Zakaria Bakkali has sparked a transfer battle between English powers Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal.
Fulham have signed Scott Parker. Congratulations Fulham supporters:
Chelsea want to sign young French defender Eliaquim Mangala from Porto. Barcelona are also said to be very interested.
Manchester United will submit a bid of £35M for Everton pair Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines by the end of the week.
After the injury to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsene Wenger is ready to take Barcelona winger Christian Tello on loan for the season.
AC Milan and Liverpool are tussling for the signature of Mamadou Sakho. Liverpool have made an £18M bid whereas AC Milan want the defender on a season long loan with an option to buy.
Roma’s Pablo Osvaldo has joined Southampton for a fee of £15M. Congratulations to Saints’ supporters:
Valencia have confirmed that Liverpool will sign Aly Cissokho on a season long loan:
Arsenal have also made an enquiry for Juventus’ Paul Pogba. They are also interested in Micah Richards and have not given up hoping on Luis Suarez.
Darren Bent is looking forward to a season long loan at Fulham.
Etienne Capoue completes his move to Tottenham. With the addition of the midfielder AVB looks to end the Spurs’ transfer window with a dangerous squad
Dear Arsenal, why can’t things be simple. Luis Gustavo may yet be snapped up by Wolfsburg but Arsenal still have a chance to get the bruising midfielder. With recent injuries, a slew of sales, and no purchases the Arsenal senior squad is in need of an addition.
Darren Bent has has reportedly arrived at Fulham for a medical. The expensive striker is one that Aston Villa would be all too happy to sell as Lambert moves forward with his young squad.
Arsenal have supposedly increased their bid for Suarez to ￡49m. Given all the noise coming out of Anfield it makes the bid seem asinine, if true.
Non-Suarez news from Anfield, Brazilian midfielder Willian may join the exodus from Anzhi Makhachkala for a suggested ￡30m. The Brazilian himself declared he hopes to receive a transfer offer from a club and cited Liverpool as his example. Truly his hope to play in red or good marketing?
Eto’o continues to woo Chelsea by declaring interest from Manchester United. Given how stingy the Blues are with contracts for players over the age of 30 I just have trouble seeing how this transfer could work out.
Hull City have swooped in on Spurs midfielder Tom Huddlestone who did not quite fit into AVB’s style at White Hart Lane.
United have reportedly reached out to Real Madrid for either Luka Modric or Mesut Ozil. Aaaaand moving right along
Southampton are ready to make a splash for Roma forward Pablo Osvaldo
Roberto Martinez states that he is convinced Leighton Baines will remain at Everton despite interest from Manchester United.
Marouane Fellaini, concedes Mr. Martinez, may yet be reunited with former manager David Moyes at Old Trafford
Chelsea, who have been reportedly interested in Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira may miss out as the German international has been linked with a move to star studded PSG
Tottenham have been busy this transfer window and it looks like the Roma forward Erik Lamela (previously linked with Arsenal) has become Spurs’ top target. Nothing is a done deal but AVB has been aggressive this summer, and Spurs could use some dynamism up top to replace the ever odd Emmanuel Adebayor
Stuart Downing, Daglish’s ￡20m signing has moved to join other King Kenny Alum Andy Carroll at West Ham for a speculated ￡5-6m fee
Carlo Ancelotti might be trying his hand at the mind games (or perhaps it is just the rumor mill playing mind games) by declaring he is not interested in Spurs star Gareth Bale. This transfer has just about gone stale but I wouldn’t put it past Madrid to surprise us.
Seems Arsenal have upped the ante by raising their bid to ￡17.2m for Bayern midfielder Luis Gustavo. Reportedly the bid has been accepted by the club, which would make this Arsenal’s first purchase of the summer should the trade go through.
West Brom have completed their loan deal with Udinese for the Czech forward Matej Vydra. The 21 year old scored 20 goals in 40 appearances while on loan with Championship side Watford and has the big shoes of Romelu Lukaku to fill.
Tottenham and Hull city looking at Championship strike Troy Deeney
More news from White Hart Lane as it seems the Portugese defender Fabio Coentrao may be trading in his white Real Madrid kit to…er a white Tottenham one
Samuel Eto’o is apparently the Blue’s backup if Manchester United truly adamant that Rooney will not go for any price. The 32 year old has bags of quality and pace still but also requires bags of cash (currently makes ￡17m a year). Still the financial collapse at Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala provides an opportunity for a cheap transfer.
Man City are reportedly preparing to bid on 21 year old Greek defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos (say that ten times fast) and 32 year old Paolo Cannavaro. After releasing Kolo Toure on a free and with young star defender Matija Nastasic out with injury the powder blue back line needs reinforcing.
Alan Pardew Joe Kinnear has turned his eye towards France Belgium to bolster Newcastle’s forward line with reported interest in Genk’s 24 year old striker Jelle Vossen
Chelsea get back to their usual ways and send out 19 year old right back Wallace to Inter Milan on loan
Liverpool may get to keep their poisoned chalice. Twitter is breaking with news that Luis suarez will be remaining at Liverpool. This certainly adds another twist the Uruguan’s summer drama but may be the striker hedging his bets. My condolences to the Arsenal fans.
More news from Anfield, Rodgers has reportedly targeted Anzhi midfielder Willian for a ￡30m transfer. The Russian yard sale continues as the club suffers from club restructuring.
QPR’s hopes of signing Tottenham striker Jermaine Defoe have been ruled out by Villas-Boas who declares that both Defoe and Sigurdson are a part of his plans
More news from Russia as Arsenal look to bolster their back line with the addition of Christopher Samba. Given the injury to Vermaelen and the financial situations of the Russian club it is hard to rule out this move.
Stateside Hooligans 