EPL Game week 5 Winners And Losers – Rodgers humbled, City earn bragging rights, Wenger feeling smug and Moyes difficult to understand

Michael Laudrup

A rare sight in football is to see the opposition supporters give a team a standing ovation. But that was exactly what happened when the Swans took on Valencia during their mid-week European adventure. Swansea got a win against Crystal Palace and that was the best result as their next EPL match sees them welcome Arsenal. Unfortunately, this match might not get the same level of hype as the Manchester Derby got, but if there is a must-watch game next, it is this.

Laudrup has already achieved the unthinkable at Swansea, win a trophy. At this point, it is about maintaining a top 10 finish, trying to break into the top 6 and go on another thrilling cup run. Many people in England forget that he is a big deal. He was the overwhelming fan favourite to succeed the Happy One when he left Real Madrid. The expectation is that he is either going to be the next Barcelona or Real Madrid coach. Not a bad set of options to have and so far, he looks the real deal. He is proving to have an eye for talent and is capable of squeezing every available ounce of performance from his players. If we ever do a ‘Coaches on the Horizon’ piece, expect the retired Dane turned coach to head the list.

Everton F.C.

Watching Baines start everything that was good about Everton’s attack when they played West Ham had me wondering just what he must think of himself. By all accounts, he is down to earth and a consummate professional. The question I’m asking is; does he have individual ambitions as a player? Maybe raised in era where footballers seek out trophies and titles to ensure their legacy lives on, watching a genuine world talent refuse to make a move is confusing to say the very least.

Ashley Cole will continue to be England’s #1 for quite a while and Everton are years away from challenging for the EPL title – if that will ever happen in the near future. It is also curious that it was only Manchester United (read: his former manager) that ever made a move for him. His stats scream ‘the most consistent Left Back in the world’ and ‘one of Europe’s most creative players’ in terms of goal-scoring opportunities created. Seriously, what gives?

Everton are finally getting some sort of form going and while Lukaku’s capture on loan proved to be decisive in securing all 3 points against West Ham, Gareth Barry’s move to Merseyside has thus far had the most immediate effect on the team. Everton will not win the EPL title this season but by God they will make any team that play them work for any point they get.

Seasums Coleman – 5 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist. Keep an eye on this 24-year-old Irish international. His offensive output is dwarfed by Baines but he is exhibiting similar characteristics. If he ends up being half as good as Baines, Everton will have the best full-back pairing in the EPL without a doubt.

Wayne Rooney

The only Manchester United player to cover himself in glory.

LOSERS

Chelsea

Yes, they won against Fulham with John Obi Mikel scoring a rare goal, but Mourinho’s comment about Juan Mata left a bitter taste in the mouth of all Chelsea supporters, and indeed for neutrals everywhere. Mata is perhaps the only Chelsea player other rival fans will admit to liking just because his style of play is mesmerizing. I imagine this is what Abramovich thought he was getting when he paid a boatload of cash for Torres. Chelsea have proved that they can play attractive, attacking football and win major titles. The Happy One’s statement seems to indicate a return to the dark days when Chelsea won games by sheer force of will and forced opposition players into submission. It was never pretty, all those 1-0 wins, but to paraphrase the Happy One, ‘it’s all about who ends up with 3 points when the game ends’.

I am bemused by the reaction of most Chelsea fans. Had Benitez pulled such a move, he would have needed a police escort during training, at games and anytime he is in London. Can Mourinho win the title without Juan Mata in the team? Yes. But why should you relegate your star player from last season to bench duties? Is this all some mind games to divert attention to the fact that the team is lacking options upfront? Only the Happy One knows the answer to that.

Liverpool

There is a fine line between sounding confident and getting full of yourself. Brendan Rodgers’ statements before the Liverpool game when he suggested that his team was finally playing at a top level and could challenge for the EPL title was him starting to believe his own hype. The only game they dominated was their opener against Stoke and even then, they had shaky moments.

The argument is that good teams know how to win ugly but all Liverpool’s wins have been ugly and you cannot plan to win an EPL title on a decent 45 minute showing. This defeat should serve to humble Rodgers and force him to accept that his team is far from the finished article. They do welcome back Suarez so there’s no need for doom and gloom at Anfield just yet. The aim should be a complete team performance and Rodgers has assembled the cast, now to get them to each play their role.

It is worth nothing that Liverpool ended the match against Southampton with the team they should have started with. Enrique should have played instead of fielding a back four of centre backs and Sterling’s performance eclipsed Aspas who failed to match the injured Coutinho in terms of creativity and starting attacks.