So, are you a Manchester United fan….if so….tough week for you coming up. In the first significant upset of the new season, Brighton & Hove Albion took down mighty Manchester United 3-2 today. A shocking upset really. Any way you look at it, quality of the players, coaching pedigree, team payroll….Manchester United were clear favorites. But as we have discussed many times, the Premier League is hard….top to bottom is full of quality teams. If you don’t bring it on a certain day, expect to get beat. Brighton finished 15th in the table last season, 3 spots clear of relegation zone, while Manchester United finished 2nd in the table…and qualified for Champions League. Manchester upgraded their team and spent big money over the summer. MU did not play with passion or energy today. Brighton was flying around the pitch all day. Maybe a few fortunate goals, but really, a well-earned victory. You never felt Man U were in charge and dominating the game.
Jose Mourinjo is now officially on the hot seat, 2 weeks into the season. A great coach, but he has the reputation of wearing out his welcome with players and fans.
His coaching career has many short stints..Porto for 2 years, Chelsea for 3 years and then rehired later and lasted 2 years, Inter Milan for 2 years, Real Madrid for 3 years, Manchester United now in his third year. He has many titles, many trophies but also many crash and burn years as well. Big clubs, big ego, big results, but as well, big disappointments along the way.
Match Week 1 Recap
-Tottenham Hotspur make it two straight wins to start the season with a solid 3-1 win over newly promoted Fulham.
-Bournemouth and Watford also score back to back wins to start the season. Both teams looking dangerous and are sides the top clubs do not want to play right now.
-Manchester City looked dominating in their 6-1 win over Huddersfield Township. Sergio Aguerro is fit and off to a blazing start to the season. He hit for three goals today and is off to an early lead in the Golden Boot competition. Even without their best player, Kevin DeBruyne, who is out for 3 months with an injury, Manchester City look unbeatable. Mark down Match Week 8 game with Liverpool as the first real chance to take down the Champions. Very likely they enter that game 7-0.
-Chelsea withstood their early season test with Arsenal to log a 3-2 win. A tough game for both teams trying to re-establish their place in the top echelon of the Premier League.
-Other winners include Leicester City and Everton.
-One game to play tomorrow with Liverpool taking on Crystal Palace.
Race for the Champions League Top 4
There are 5 teams all tied at the top of the table with 6 points. With Manchester City and Chelsea leading the table based on Goal differential. Watford, Tottenham and Bournemouth round out the top 5. The Liverpool vs. Crystal Palace winner will join this group at 6 points.
Relegation Zone
Four teams have not earned a point after Week 2 and are tied for the bottom with West Ham United and Huddersfield Township in the last two spots, joined by Fulham and Arsenal. A few teams just unfortunate to have a really tough 2 week schedule swing. Arsenal and Huddersfield having faced both Manchester City and Chelsea to start their seasons.
Week 1 Highlights
Game of the week. Chelsea vs. Arsenal. A really great game to watch. Action all over the pitch. Great goals. Great almost goals, lots of shots and a little drama as well. This one could have had a lot more goals. Chelsea fortunate on a few misses, but also left a few goals on the pitch as well. Their second half dominance earned them a well deserved 3 points. Arsenal with a bit a bad luck so far this year. A very dangerous team and Chelsea happy to get the win and move on.
Match Week 3 Preview.
Game of the Week. Manchester United vs. Tottenham. This is a big game for Manchester United. After losing in Week 2 and now playing a top 4 side. Another loss would put them at 3 points after three matches and in a bit of a mini-crisis. A solid win puts them right back on track. Will they rebound? Will they go deeper into Funk city? Will Mourinjo spontaneously combust if they lose two in a row? Must see TV next weekend!
Another update tomorrow after Liverpool’s game.
Check back in!