Five talking points from Game week 9 in the Premier League

Torres makes hay and is it finally time to drop Hart?

Torres with the winner

After a stop-start career so far at Chelsea, Torres is finally looking like the player they brought from Liverpool. The arrival of Jose Mourinho has instilled some new found belief into Torres and is looking more and more capable of leading the plethora of attacking talent that is behind him. The goal against City showed that Torres was willing to chase lost causes and do everything that was possible to create a scoring opportunity, something that was missing his play until now.

Whilst Torres certainly will claim the goal, the reason he got it was a result of yet another blunder by Joe Hart. In an otherwise assured performance, Hart’s fault at the end of the game, cost City the game. The worrying thing for Pellegrini is that this has become a frequent occurrence and there have been too many lapses in concentration and the reasons for keeping him in is wearing thin. After the game, Pellegrini refused to publicly back Hart and he might well be tempted to drop him after his latest error, even if only to make a point.

Sunderland finally get their first win and things are finally starting to look up on wear side

Sunderland: Finally back

Sunderland came into this game in a run of form that would have seen them finish as the worst side to have ever played in the Premier League. Their form book read, eight games, seven defeats and 20 goals conceded and the man who kept them up last season, sacked, only to be a replaced by a similar eccentric coach.

So, you would have been forgiven for thinking that Newcastle United who were coming into a bit of form, would just run away with the game. But as they say, the form book goes out of the window in a derby and Sunderland managed to claim their first win of the campaign against their bitter rivals. Although Newcastle edged the possession, Sunderland were clinical in their finishing and two goals from Steven Fletcher and substitute, Fabio Borini were enough to send the Stadium of Light into ecstasy. The Black Cats will be hoping for a few more nights like these before the season is out.

Is it time to take Southampton seriously?

Southampton: Springing up surprises

On the face of it, it is a no-brainer. Almost one-fourth of the season gone and Southampton are sitting pretty in fifth place, above both Manchester clubs. They are solid at the back and are playing some attractive football to boot. They have already racked up six clean sheets and their record of just three goals conceded is second best in all of the top European leagues, only Roma, who have conceded just one goal can claim to have a better defensive record than the Saints.

And whilst it is true that there are always surprise packages that start the season really well, West Brom last year and Newcastle the year before, the Saints look like they might well have the staying power to last longer than most. Their game is built on a rock solid defense and as they say great defenses win Championships. And whilst they aren’t going to win the League, there is a very good chance that they end the season by qualifying for Europe.

De Gea and Szczesny prove that patience pays

Wojciech Szczesny

Whilst it is true that Goalkeepers tend to mature later than outfield players, their job description means that, although that is the case, they aren’t given too much leeway. And last season, both De Gea and Szczesny were singled out for criticism as keepers who were error-prone and some even went onto say that they didn’t have what it takes to cut it at the top level.

Whilst only a fool would argue that they didn’t have the physical attributes to make it as a world class keeper, the things that they lacked was proper judgment and a level of consistency. But, those are traits that can be easily learnt on the fly and both of them, have shown that, given time and enough opportunities, they can make a name for themselves in the highest level. Both David De Gea and Wojciech Szczesny made few outstanding saves over the weekend to keep their sides in the game showing that if you are willing to take the time, you’ll always reap the rewards.

Liverpool and Tottenham continue their scintillating start, but in contrasting fashion

Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge

It was the Luis Suarez show against West Brom as the Uruguayan was at his clinical best as his hat-trick was enough to see off a West Brom side who came into the game, high on confidence after defeating Manchester United at Old Trafford just about a month ago. But at Anfield, there was no repeat of that performance as Luis Suarez stole the show by putting on a master class in finishing and helping Liverpool to their sixth win in nine games, which sees them sitting pretty on third place.

Just behind them, are Tottenham who managed to beat Hull City at home, but only just, thanks to a Soldado penalty in the 80th minute. After the game, Spurs were booed off the park by their fans and AVB went onto criticize the fans after the game for making it hard for the players in their own turf. But, the fact of the matter is that, with all the creativity at their disposal, Spurs should be winning games like these with consummate ease and not laboring to a 1-0 win thanks to a penalty. Although they are sitting pretty in fourth place, a lot of work has to be done, at least on the attacking front, if Spurs are to be considered legitimate contenders for the League title.