It was a case of anything you can do, we can do better yesterday, as Man City’s outstanding win at Spurs quickly overshadowed by the subsequent events at Old Trafford. Wayne Rooney and Edin Dzeko both continue to look impossible in terms of Fantasy selection, while Ashley Young’s displays keep Nani firmly in his shadow. Samir Nasri had a dream debut for Man City, while elsewhere, Newcastle finally concede, thanks to a late consolation from Fulham’s Clint Dempsey. Here’s the Scout Notes on one of the most extraordinary days in Premier League history:
Rampant United
Wayne Rooney’s brilliant start to the season shows no sign of abating, while Ashley Young’s integration into the United XI has been seamlessly exhilarating. The pair grabbed five goals and four assists between them and tore Arsenal to pieces with a show of attacking brilliance- even with the likes of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand sidelined by injury, the home side’s superiority was overwhelming. Anderson and Tom Cleverley continue to excel in midfield, surely banishing any thoughts of a move for Wesley Sneijder once and for all.
Sir Alex Ferguson done well to downplay his delight at the 8-2 demoliton:
“We’ve had a couple of big results against them in the past, but when you see Arsenal’s team like that, we do expect to score goals. It was a funny game, a strange result but we can only do our jobs and I think the players kept it professional that way and did their best. We’re showing great energy at the moment and great enjoyment in our game, and that’s important.”
Gunners Torn to Pieces
Arsene Wenger’s selection problems were well-documented in the lead-up to yesterday’s game. Francis Coquelin was handed a start in defensive midfield for the Gunners and both Thomas Vermaelan and Bacary Sagna missed out at the back as the visitors deficiencies were ruthlessly exposed by an almost-cruel United.
Carl Jenkinson’s sending off means Arsenal have had a player red carded in all three of their games so far and further adds to Wenger’s woes. The Gunners boss admitted he was hurt by the defeat and insisted he will endeavour to boost the ranks before the end of August:
I am very open if we can find the right players. We have the money to sign players. If we find players who can strengthen our team then we will do it. But I am not the only one to work on the case, we have 20 people who are working on that. If we do not do it, it is because we don’t find them.
Spurs Hammered at Home
The rumoured arrival of Scott Parker at can’t come soon enough for Harry Redknapp. Yesterday’s game saw Niko Krancjar partner Luka Modric in central midfield and the home side’s lack of a naturally defensive-minded player in the middle of the park was exposed by a ruthless Man City. The corresponding fixture ended 0-0 last season but the 5-1 result reflected Tottenham’s lack of strength in depth as much as it showcased City’s array of attacking talents.
To add to Redknapp’s woes, Krancjar and Aaron Lennon both picked up groin injuries, while Rafael Van der Vart’s troublesome hamstring problems again played up. The Spurs boss is intent in adding more than just Parker to the ranks before Wednesday’s deadline:
“The place needs a little bit of a lift now, and I’ve told that to the chairman. I feel we have to freshen the place up a bit. We’ll get one or two more in.”
Nasri City’s Chief Creator at Spurs
Man City’s hammering of Tottenham saw Edin Dzeko pick up the plaudits, of course, for his four goal haul in the 5-1 win. Roberto Mancini praised the forward post-match:
“I was always sure that Dzeko would score a lot of goals for us. He always scored for Wolfsburg in everything that he played for. He was perfect, he was incredible.”
The performance of Samir Nasri was also exceptional- the Frenchman picked up three assists at White Hart Lane- incredibly, he had 1 assist over the course of the entire 2010/11 league campaign. While Nasri’s creative presence helped City cruise to victory, owners of David Silva will have taken note that the Spaniard failed to have a hand in any of the five goals- a clear sign he’s got competition as a midfield creator.
Yaya Toure once again played deeper, with Nigel De Jong still sidelined with a foot problem, while Roberto Mancini rotated both full-backs from the previous game- Vincent Kompany and Joloen Lescott look the only definite guarantee right now in the back-four.
Hodgson Unhappy
Roy Hodgson fielded the same starting XI for the third game in a row for the home tie with Stoke. The Baggies failed to find the net as the visitors grabbed a contentious last winner, with Hodgson fuming over what he perceived as raised studs by Ryan Shotton on Ben Foster in the challenge that led to Stoke’s goal:
Shotton’s foot was very high and he was leading with his studs. I’d have been happier maybe in some ways if I hadn’t seen such a clear foul…having seen a replay, I’m not very happy either that the goal has been allowed to stand.
West Brom visit Norwich in Gameweek 4 but Hodgson is uncertain over the availability of Peter Odemwingie. The striker suffered a slight recurrence of his ankle problem and wasn’t risked for yesterday’s game.
Pulis Glad of a Rest
Stoke’s trip to the Hawthorns saw Tony Pulis make four changes from Thursday’s Europa League win over FC Thun. Matt Etherington and Roger Huth, both suspended in midweek, returned to the first-team, while Matthew Upson and Thomas Sorenson made way for Jonathan Woodgate and Asmir Begovic respectively.
Yesterday’s game meant the Potters have now played seven games already this season and have chalked up five wins and two draws. Pulis is delighted the fortnight’s break will give his tired squad a chance to recuperate:
The international break couldn’t come at a better time for us after what has been a magnificent effort by the players in the circumstances. It’s been a very tough start to the season for us and we now have the chance to take a breath and get one or two players back from injury.
Pardew Hails Best
Alan Pardew’s side continued their winning ways with the 2-1 defeat of Fulham at St James’ Park. After last week’s 4-2-3-1 at Sunderland, Pardew went with a 4-4-2 yesterday- Demba Ba was once again benched, as Peter Lovenkrands joined Leon Best up front. In his first Premier League start of the season, the latter grabbed a double and earned the praise of his manager as the Magpies made it seven points from a possible nine:
I never really worry about his confidence. He kind of has that in abundance, which is not a bad thing for a footballer. I have known him for a long, long time and come up against him a couple of times and for me, he has never really had a run where he has said, ‘I’m the man’. He will get an opportunity now and he needs to prove it. He still needs to improve in some areas, but he was great today, especially in the second half.
Fulham not Firing
Martin Jol’s Fulham continue to struggle. It’s clear Fulham’s early start to the season is having a major effect on Jol’s first-team selection, with so regulars already sidelined with knocks. Clint Dempsey played up front again, with injuries to the likes of Bobby Zamora limiting the Cottagers options and the American grabbed a late consolation to breach the top-flight’s last remaining perfect defensive record.
Aaron Hughes returned to central defence, with Philipp Senderos benched, and John Arne Riise’s leg injury allowed Matthew Briggs a start at left-back. Steve Sidwell started in central midfield, with Pajtim Kasami playing on the left wing. Jol refuses to blame his side’s fixture schedule, though:
At times the freshness and sharpness was missing, but we can’t blame our involvement in the UEFA Europa League. We are a good team and we were on top of them today. We need to realise that when we have the ball we need to keep it. The result should have been better. We are creating chances but they are just not going in for us right now – that is an issue. The difference today was that they [Newcastle] took theirs.
