Last week saw plenty of surprises in the Barclays Premier League, including Manchester City shipping seven goals past Norwich City.
Elsewhere, Arsenal handled Liverpool rather easily in a top-of-the-table clash at the Emirates, and Newcastle upset mighty Chelsea.
What will this week bring? Here are five matches to keep a close eye on.
Sunday programming alert: Sunderland vs. Manchester City (Sportsnet, 8:30 am ET), Manchester United vs. Arsenal (Sportsnet, 10:30 am ET) and Swansea vs. Stoke City (Sportsnet, 10:30 am ET). | Sportsnet World Online | TV schedule
Sunderland vs. Manchester City
From Stadium of Light, Sunderland – Sunday
The Black Cats look like a deer caught in the headlights of an 18-wheeler coming in at full speed. Gus Poyet hasn’t been able to stop the rot on Wearside, having only collected a solitary victory in three matches. Sunderland is one point off the foot of the table, so the timing of Manchester City’s visit to the Stadium of Light could not be worse, especially with the visitors being fresh off scoring seven goals against Norwich City last weekend and five in a mid-week Champions League contest. Not that there is ever a good time to face City, though, rather surprisingly the Black Cats have won each of their last three home league matches against the Blues.
However, a clean sheet is probably not in the cards with this group, especially against the Premier League’s scoring leaders. Both clubs will be fielding their reserve goalkeepers on Sunday, as Costel Pantilimon is set to make his third consecutive start ahead of Joe Hart, who has been benched by Manuel Pellegrini. Keiren Westwood is an injury doubt for Sunderland, after being forced off in last week’s loss due to a nasty collision with Hull City’s Paul McShane. Back-up Vito Mannone is likely to make his second consecutive start of the season, having played in the mid-week Carling Cup victory over Southampton.
Manchester United vs. Arsenal
From Old Trafford, Manchester – Sunday
So many talking points ahead of kickoff at Old Trafford, I’m not sure where to begin. It might still be early days, but this fixture will be season defining for United, as a loss would place them 11 points adrift of the league leaders. But a victory would deliver a decisive blow to their rivals and reignite their own title aspirations. Despite playing out a disappointing scoreless draw mid-week in Spain against Real Sociedad, David Moyes has enjoyed his best spell as United manager in recent weeks. The comeback 3-2 victory over Stoke City – which the Red Devils comically celebrated like a cup final – was followed by an impressive 3-1 win away to Fulham, with the partnership of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie rightfully earning much of the plaudits. The Red Devils have only lost one of their last nine league encounters with Arsenal (six wins and two draws), which gives the hosts a significant psychological advantage on Sunday. Rooney has scored more goals against Arsenal (10) than any other Premier League side, and RVP netted in both matches last season versus his former club.
Both of Arsene Wenger’s last two visits to the red side of Manchester ended in defeat, losing 2-1 last season, and who can forget the embarrassing 8-2 drubbing suffered the previous year. Arsenal have only won three times in the Premier League era in United’s backyard, and interestingly enough, on two of those occasions the Gunners ended up winning the title (97-98 and 01-02). The win last week against Liverpool strengthened Arsenal’s credentials as realistic contenders for the title, though three points at Old Trafford would be even more significant and should silence any remaining nay-sayers.
Saturday programming alert: Watch Liverpool vs. Fulham (Sportsnet) and Crystal Palace vs. Everton (Sportsnet World). Coverage begins at 9:30 am ET/6:30 am PT. | Sportsnet World Online | TV schedule
Crystal Palace vs. Everton
From Selhurst Park, London – Saturday
I know what you’re thinking – the Eagles are a mess. From top to bottom, this is not a Premier League quality team. Palace has three points from 10 matches, and nothing suggests they are going to turn this around in the near future, especially without a permanent manager. Crystal Palace has been running on autopilot since Ian Holloway resigned, and the team he left behind has proven to be vastly inferior to the standards of top-level football. This will be Keith Millen’s third match as caretaker manager – overseeing two defeats without a goal scored – and it’s hard not to feel sorry for him. The only hint of positive news heading into this encounter with Everton is that it takes place at Selhurst Park: Nine of Palace’s 10 Premier League victories have come on home turf, the latest being against Sunderland in late August.
Toffees supporters are enjoying life under Roberto Martinez, and not only for the results, but more importantly the style in which the Spaniard has implemented. Everton is currently on an incredible run of four hours without conceding in the league, and the prospect of adding an additional 90 minutes to that streak is highly likely, given their host’s abysmal attacking prowess, and the consistency of the Toffees’ defence (Seamus Coleman, Sylvain Distin, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka). All four have played every minute for Martinez in the league this season.
Liverpool vs. Fulham
From Anfield, Liverpool – Saturday
Fulham manager Martin Jol travels to Merseyside on seemingly borrowed time, as the voices for his sacking begin to get louder from a growing collection of frustrated supporters. The Cottagers’ recent 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United highlighted obvious defensive frailties, as the back four clumsily struggled to keep their shape and a straight defensive line. All three goals can be credited to a horrible attempt at an offside trap. On the opposite end, Dimitar Berbatov (one goal in nine games) and Darren Bent (two goals in eight) continue to be inconsistent, though, Berbatov has an impressive knack of scoring against Liverpool. Fulham has kept three clean sheets in their last five visits to Anfield, but judging by their defensive performance last week, the task of keeping Daniel Sturridge and Luis Suarez off the score sheet might be a tad optimistic.
It’s business as usual for Brendan Rodgers and Liverpool as they attempt a quick rebound from the 2-0 humbling defeat suffered at Emirates Stadium last week. The three-man back-line that has worked so well for Rodgers was completely exposed, with Kolo Toure, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel teaming up for a calamitous horror show. Daniel Agger has patiently waited on the bench for a chance to re-emerge into the first team, and he might get his shot this week. Liverpool clearly laid an egg against Arsenal, but it would be premature to count them out of the title race based on one bad game. One slip up won’t define any team’s season, especially this early. With Philippe Coutinho returning to the line-up after a lengthy spell in the treatment room, a key weapon has returned to Rodgers’ holster.
Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion
From Stamford Bridge, London – Saturday
For the first time ever, Jose Mourinho was at a loss for words and absent of excuses to explain the reasoning behind a humiliating performance. No one would have expected the Blues to crash and burn at St. James Park last weekend, none more so than Mourinho himself, who reacted by questioning his players’ mental strength and warned he would not tolerate complacency following the final whistle which confirmed the 2-0 defeat. Chelsea wasted an opportunity to close the gap on leaders Arsenal and take sole possession of second spot, having dominated possession but unable to do anything constructive in the final third of the field. The striker dilemma has risen to the surface once again, as Fernando Torres will miss the match due to a thigh injury suffered in training, stifling his recent good form with another unlucky knock. The Spaniard missed Chelsea’s mid-week Champions League victory (3-0) versus Schalke at Stamford Bridge.
The Baggies arrive in London on the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over league whipping-boys Crystal Palace last week, rebounding from a poor showing at Anfield in their previous fixture that ended a five-match unbeaten run. Saido Berahino has been the surprise revelation in his first full season with West Brom after spending the majority of his time on loan in the lower leagues. The English forward has scored six goals in nine overall appearances. Despite winning two of their last three matches against Chelsea in the league, the Baggies have lost their last seven at Stamford Bridge.
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