Premier League: Gameweek 2 - Talking points

Another exciting weekend of Premier League football concluded with Manchester United’s 0-0 draw against Chelsea. So, let us look at the five major talking points from the weekend.

Is Sturridge the best English striker in the league?

Daniel Sturridge of Liverpool

With 12 goals in 13 Premier League starts since joining Liverpool in January, the question of whether Daniel Sturridge is the best English striker in the league doesn’t seem out of place. After all, ever since his move to Anfield – of all the players who have played more than 1,000 minutes, only Christian Benteke has a better minutes-per-goal ratio in the Premier League than Sturridge.

Whilst England aren’t really blessed with strikers and Danny Welbeck, Rickie Lambert, Andy Carroll and Jermain Defoe have all had a chance to prove their worth to the side, it shouldn’t be too long before Roy Hodgson does the same with Sturridge, especially if he can keep up his scintillating form over the course of the season.

Is Hart running of time?

Joe Hart of Manchester City

It wasn’t too long ago that Joe Hart was the first name on the team sheet, for both club and country. But after a season that was filled with more than a fair share of mistakes, Hart looks like he is carrying from where he left off last year. After allowing James Morrison’s early shot to slip in for Scotland’s opener in the friendly at Wembley, Roy Hodgson hinted at the fact that Hart might not be the undisputed No.1 for too long.

This weekend, again, old frailties reemerged as he made a hash of Peter Whittingham’s corner that led to Frazier Campbell’s goal. Hart is forcing his manager Pellegrini to defend his position and providing the Chilean with a headache that he could definitely do without.

After the match, Pellegrini was again forced to deflect the blame elsewhere, as he said: “It doesn’t matter who is guilty. Defending set pieces is a duty for the whole team, not just the goalkeeper or the defenders.” One gets the impression that it won’t be too long before Pellegrini will run out of patience and excuses. And with Ben Foster in such fine form, it looks as if his England place too is under threat.

Rooney dominates headlines yet again

Wayne Rooney of Manchester United

Going into Monday night’s clash with Chelsea, all the talk was about how Mourinho was going to table a third bird for the unhappy England international and lure him to Stamford Bridge. There were also those who questioned whether Rooney might start the game. But, once the game started, Rooney was central to all of United’s attack and was the sole sparkling gem in an otherwise dull game devoid of creativity.

Right from the very first minute, Rooney set the tempo for the game, with his closing down and haranguing the Chelsea players into submission. Whether it was make a last ditch slide take towards his own corner flag or setting up Welbeck with a slick through ball, Rooney was here, there and everywhere. On the back of this performance, he will no doubt dominate the headlines, but for all the right reasons this time.

Race for the final CL spot will be exciting

Lukas Podolski of Arsenal

After contrasting starts to both their seasons, Tottenham and Arsenal were hoping for a victory this weekend and both got what they wanted. Both clubs know that the top three is all but taken by the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea, and the final CL spot will be what they will be fighting for and on the evidence of this weekend, it looks as if that fight will go down to the wire.

Tottenham have won both their games, courtesy a couple of penalties from their summer purchase, Roberto Soldado and look like they have a very strong midfield, even with the imminent departure of Bale to Madrid. Although Arsenal lost their opening game to Villa, this weekend showed just why you can never count Arsenal out, as they beat Fulham thanks to a Lukas Podolski brace.

If they sign a few more players, especially the ones being mentioned in the papers, they look set for a stellar season and a fight to the end for the final CL spot.

Alan Pardew might have bitten more than he can chew

Alan Pardew of Newcastle United

Whilst Newcastle were never expected to get the better of Manchester City, the manner of their opening week defeat left Pardew with a lot to ponder about. This weekend, Pardew would have hoped for the perfect tonic, but a nervy 0-0 draw against West Ham would have been the last thing that he would have wanted.

Newcastle’s best player on the park, was left-back Davide Santon and that says a lot about them. Whilst they looked better in defense after their 4-0 drubbing at the hands of City, they still don’t look like the side of a couple of years. Alan Pardew’s side have forgotten how to win at home and have resorted to too many aimless long balls and couldn’t find a way through the Hammer defense. And as Yoan Gouffran’s missed a stoppage-time sitter, Pardew knew that he will have a lot of work to do, if Newcastle are to get over their horror show from last year.