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Following England’s disappointing international break, which produced two successive home defeats for the first time since 1977, the domestic campaign returned with plenty of controversial refereeing decisions, 30 goals, blockbuster derbies, and comical goalkeeping calamities. It could only be week 12 of the Premier League.
Everton and Liverpool delivered one of the most entertaining Merseyside derbies in recent memory during Saturday’s early kick-off, with Kevin Mirallas grabbing one of Everton’s goals in a six-goal thriller (3-3). The 26-year-old scooped the Squawka Man of the Match award with a Performance Score of 67, although the former Olympiacos forward was lucky to make it to the end of the first-half, following a rash and ill-timed challenge on Luis Suárez.
Mark Hughes guided Stoke City three points clear of the drop following their 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Sunderland, even though the Black Cats finished the match with greater pass completion (85%), tackle success (83%) and possession totals (51%) than the hosts. Elsewhere, Newcastle United picked up their third win in a row, inspired by Loïc Rémy’s goal inside the opening two minutes.
Crystal Palace’s win at Hull City means that they’ve now picked up four points from their last two games ahead of Tony Pulis’ arrival. The Eagles completed 68% of attempted passes, scoring the game’s only goal from a modest two shots on target.
Pressure continued to mount on Martin Jol as Swansea City secured a 2-1 victory at Craven Cottage, Arsenal moved four points clear at the top by defeating Southampton 2-0, and Chelsea ran riot over rivals West Ham United. Frank Lampard scored two goals in his side’s 3-0 win, ending a run of 10 Premier League appearances for Chelsea without a goal.
Sunday’s action saw a lacklustre Tottenham Hotspur succumb to the scintillating and succulent attacking powers of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Manuel Pellegrini’s team picked up the greatest Performance Score (535) of the weekend, scoring six goals from 14 shots.
Finally, reigning champions Manchester find themselves off the pace in sixth place, having dropped two points away at Cardiff City.
West Ham United fielded a 4-2-4 formation versus Chelsea, although from the way the two ‘strikers’ – Kevin Nolan and Ravel Morrison – retreated to defend central midfield, you could quite easily describe their shape as 4-6-0.
Modibo Maïga and Carlton Cole sat on the bench in a surprising move by Sam Allardyce. A move that, by all accounts, left a large number of home fans scratching their heads. In fact, having gone behind by two goals to nil, a deafening chorus of boos filled Upton Park when Allardyce substituted Jack Collison and Joe Cole before half-time. An act of power and authority? Possibly. But there’s something fundamentally wrong with a tactical strategy when a manager removes two players before the end of the first half.
Negativity to one side, Chelsea’s relentless pressing and sharp one touch passing was a joy to behold.
The Blues were direct and quick on the counter – as they have been for large parts this season – aided by the relentless and unselfish work rate of Oscar. The Brazilian midfielder completed six tackles and three key passes, harassing and pestering West Ham’s defence into mistakes throughout the final third.
Oscar also managed to score a goal via a delightful and exquisite team move.
John Obi Mikel positions himself in central defence, which in turn allows Gary Cahill to carry the ball forward. Mikel regains possession and instantly sprays the ball horizontally to César Azpilicueta down the left flank. John Terry receives the ball, and Frank Lampard fires a direct pass into Eden Hazard’s feet. The tricky Belgian then hastily flicks the ball around the corner to Oscar.
Plenty of available space, interchanging between the lines and intelligent passing; José Mourinho should revert to the 4-3-3 formation more often.
Crystal Palace picked up their first away points of the season by defeating Hull City 1-0 on Saturday, thus ending Steve Bruce’s five match unbeaten home run.
The match may not go down as one of the Premier League’s classic encounters – no shots on goal throughout the first-half – however, following Palace’s abject start to the 2013-14 campaign, Tony Pulis will be delighted to take control of a side with increased morale, however slight.
Tottenham Hotspur conceded six goals in a league game for the first time since the 6-1 defeat to Chelsea on 6 December, 1997.
Manchester City ran riot throughout the 6-0 home victory, creating a greater number of chances (12) from 50 fewer completed passes.
Swansea City (550) completed the most passes of any team in Europe’s top five leagues, controlling their 2-1 victory over Fulham with a possession total of 58%.
Napoli (537), Real Madrid (518), Lyon (506) and Bayern Munich (488) achieved the greatest amount of passes in their respective domestic leagues, however the European quartet failed to match Swansea’s proficiency.
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