High Fives: Things we learned from Premier League week #13

Another weekend of exciting & eye-catching football comes to an end. Some entertaining (and equally frustrating) draws, a couple of big wins & a shock result – we witnessed it all. Amidst news of Gary Speed’s demise on Sunday at the age of 42, it seemed all the more appropriate that the first game held since, was in his native Wales, with Swansea hosting Aston Villa at the Liberty Stadium.

So here are the five things we learned from the football action that took place this weekend -

1. Manchester City are not unbeatable

Starting off, I must admit this was by far the best game of the weekend. The football on display was brilliant, played at a very high tempo and epitomised everything we love about English football. Coming back to the game, I believe Liverpool would’ve won the game by a margin of two or three goals, had it not been for Joe Hart’s heroics. Dalglish was spot on with his tactics when he started five men in midfield with Luiz Suarez as lone striker upfront to combat Manchester City.

Apart from the goal from Kompany, Liverpool first got the bit of luck they deserved when Charlie Adam’s wayward shot was deflected by Joleon Lescott into the goal and then dominated the game for long periods. Had it not been for an inspiring performance from Joe Hart (including a one-handed save from Andy Carroll’s injury time header), the Premier League leaders would’ve easily lost by a 3-1 or 4-1 scoreline.

Mario Balotelli, who came on as a second half substitute, collected two yellow cards within twenty minutes to get himself sent off but an ultra-defensive approach thereon salvaged a vital point for the visitors. Liverpool must feel unlucky not to have grabbed three points, but their performance surely gives encouragement to their rival teams that City are not invincible after all.

2. Newcastle got very, very lucky

Hatem Ben Arfa makes a run with the ball into the box. Rio Ferdinand recognises the impending danger and brings down Ben Arfa with a brilliant tackle after having pushed the ball beyond him for a corner. However, the linesman inexplicably awards a penalty to Newcastle after having watched the proceedings from eight yards away. Everyone is dumbfounded, but Demba Ba sends De Gea the wrong way and duly converts from the spot after referee Mike Jones doesn’t overrule the linesman’s decision.

Thereafter, Manchester United launched a scathing counterattack on Newcastle’s defence but either lacked the clinical edge to finish their chances or were denied time and again by another top class goalkeeper – Tim Krul. Alan Pardew might have insisted that his side deserved atleast a point for all their efforts at Old Trafford, but he knows very well that had the Red Devils been at their clinical best, a rout could very well have been on the cards.

3. Mata’s the man who matters most

Chelsea’s biggest transfer coup during the summer was the young Spanish attacking midfielder Juan Mata, bought from Valencia for a hefty fee of £30 million. And how has he vindicated the faith shown by the club management in him till now. Playing in the hole just behind the striker or on the wings, Mata has tormented almost every defence he has come across in the Premier League. Against Wolves on Saturday, he played a major part in all three goals scored by Chelsea.

John Terry headed in the first goal from Mata’s corner, Sturridge tapped in a low cross from the Spaniard and finally Mata himself scored with an exquisite left-footed finish. Though initially brought to Stamford Bridge with the intention of releasing the goals inside Fernando Torres, Mata has been indispensable to the West Londoners and Andre Villas-Boas must ensure that his Spanish playmaker stays fit throughout the season if they are to challenge for the title.

4. Fulham impress as van Persie fails to score

As the game ensued at the Emirates, it seemed obvious that Arsenal were tired after the rigours of a midweek Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund. Striker Robin van Persie, who is in the form of his life, had a rare ‘day off’ as he failed to register his name on the scoresheet. Fulham’s organization, disciplined man-marking and effective counterattacks were indeed very good and only a rare defensive lapse towards the end meant the Cottagers had to be content with a point.

However, Martin Jol has quite a number of reasons to be cheerful after they ended the Gunners’ winning streak in the Premier League. Whereas Arsene Wenger needs to ponder over the composition of his side when Manchester City come visiting on Tuesday. With van Persie, Walcott and Ramsey looking rather jagged, it will be interesting to see what lineup Wenger will field in the Carling Cup quarter final.

5. Spurs are the ones to watch out for

No longer is it possible to ignore the magnificent run Tottenham Hotspur are on at the moment. This is no more the side that slumped to a 5-1 home defeat to Manchester City earlier this season. Deadline day signings like Emmanuel Adebayor (on loan) and Scott Parker have rejuvenated the side, very much evident at West Brom even when two of their biggest players van der Vaart and Modric were not playing.

Adebayor has provided the goals (he scored two on Saturday) that were lacking from the forward line last season while Parker has added the necessary steel to their midfield and liberated Luka Modric’s offensive capabilities. Many dismissed Harry Redknapp’s recent comments of challenging for the title, but it will be foolhardy on the part of their rivals to ignore the threat that can arise from White Hart Lane.