THERE WAS A BUSY day of fixtures in the English Premier League today with eight games up for decision.
Well, there was supposed to be eight.
Unfortunately, ducks were the only creatures to enjoy any excitement at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland’s game with Reading was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
However, the games that did go ahead provided the usual mix of excitement and drama.
Swansea are really rather good
The Swans finished last season with a minus seven goal difference. They’ve begun this season scoring eight goals in ten attempts on target and have yet to concede.
Now, it has to be said, West Ham helped the Welsh side today, gifting them their first two goals.
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However, after a sluggish start, the home team began to play the kind of football that has seen them tagged Swanselona.
Michu in particular looked good, scoring his third goal in just two games but new boss Michael Laudrup must be happy with his entire team.
It’s early days yet, but if they keep playing like this, Swansea will banish the myth of second season syndrome for good.
Aston Villa look like a club in trouble
In fairness, Everton played well, but, even after two games, Villa look like a team destined for the Championship.
Coming up against a Toffees outfit who hadn’t won a game at Villa park since 2005 and who were coming off the back of an energy sapping Monday night win over Manchester United, most Villa fans must have thought today was an opportunity to claw back some of the ground lost in last week’s loss to West Ham.
Alas, by the time the home side actually got into the game, they were already 3-0 down.
It’s going to be a long season for Villa fans.
There’s something not quite right at Old Trafford
Manchester United emerged with a 3-2 victory over Fulham but they were far from impressive.
Having dropped Rooney from the starting eleven – and Nani from the squad – Sir Alex Ferguson put his faith in new boys Kagawa and Van Persie.
It looked as if it would be another one of those afternoons for the United faithful when Damien Duff justified his retirement from international football by scoring his second goal in as many weeks.
While United fought back through Van Persie, Kagawa and, bizarrely, Rafael it seemed as if normal service had been resumed.
However, far too often lately, normal service around Manchester United means throwing away games they are expected to win.
They held on in this, but it’s difficult to understand why the Premier League’s most successful club have not invested in a decent centre half.
Until they do, nervous afternoons like this one will continue to be the norm.
Premier League Saturday: Three things we learned today
THERE WAS A BUSY day of fixtures in the English Premier League today with eight games up for decision.
Well, there was supposed to be eight.
Unfortunately, ducks were the only creatures to enjoy any excitement at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland’s game with Reading was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.
However, the games that did go ahead provided the usual mix of excitement and drama.
Swansea are really rather good
The Swans finished last season with a minus seven goal difference. They’ve begun this season scoring eight goals in ten attempts on target and have yet to concede.
Now, it has to be said, West Ham helped the Welsh side today, gifting them their first two goals.
However, after a sluggish start, the home team began to play the kind of football that has seen them tagged Swanselona.
Michu in particular looked good, scoring his third goal in just two games but new boss Michael Laudrup must be happy with his entire team.
It’s early days yet, but if they keep playing like this, Swansea will banish the myth of second season syndrome for good.
Aston Villa look like a club in trouble
In fairness, Everton played well, but, even after two games, Villa look like a team destined for the Championship.
Coming up against a Toffees outfit who hadn’t won a game at Villa park since 2005 and who were coming off the back of an energy sapping Monday night win over Manchester United, most Villa fans must have thought today was an opportunity to claw back some of the ground lost in last week’s loss to West Ham.
Alas, by the time the home side actually got into the game, they were already 3-0 down.
It’s going to be a long season for Villa fans.
There’s something not quite right at Old Trafford
Manchester United emerged with a 3-2 victory over Fulham but they were far from impressive.
Having dropped Rooney from the starting eleven – and Nani from the squad – Sir Alex Ferguson put his faith in new boys Kagawa and Van Persie.
It looked as if it would be another one of those afternoons for the United faithful when Damien Duff justified his retirement from international football by scoring his second goal in as many weeks.
While United fought back through Van Persie, Kagawa and, bizarrely, Rafael it seemed as if normal service had been resumed.
However, far too often lately, normal service around Manchester United means throwing away games they are expected to win.
They held on in this, but it’s difficult to understand why the Premier League’s most successful club have not invested in a decent centre half.
Until they do, nervous afternoons like this one will continue to be the norm.
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Alex Ferguson Aston Villa Damien Duff Fulham Manchester United Michael Laudrup michu Premier League quality Swansea West Ham