It was a massive “Super Sunday” and after Man City’s 6-0 annihilation of Watford on Saturday, the pressure was cranked up a couple of notches before the early kickoff at the Bridge.
OK, Watford ain’t Real Madrid, but the way the Citizens dismantled them was impressive.
It was the first time I’ve really seen them click as a unit.
Yeah, they smacked a gutless 10-man Liverpool last weekend, but Sunday’s performance was more like the type we’d expect from a squad worth hundreds of millions playing under Pep Guardiola.
They looked smart, quick and skilful and it could just be that at last the team is playing for the coach, with his philosophy firmly blueprinted on the pitch.
Despite more or less every voice in football writing Arsenal off, I was sure it was gonna be a close one against Chelsea and it proved to be just that.
We were all shocked to see Alexis Sanchez benched, but let’s face it, Monsieur Wenger got it spot on.
This was an Arsenal without flair players (Mesut Ozil injured) and it was exactly what they needed to break Chelsea down with a much more physical approach.
The game could have gone either way, but for me the Gunners probably edged it.
I Tweeted after the match that if Chelsea were offered 10 points ahead of Leicester, Everton Spurs and Arsenal, I’d have traded my kids in for it!
Disappointing that we didn’t beat ‘em, but we all move on. Stoke away next week, keep the faith lads.
Of course, the second half of Sunday was at Old Trafford and the return of the Roon… it was lovely to see the reception he got and the standing ovation he was given by the home fans as he was substituted.
UNITED REUNION: Wayne Rooney, left
He cut a frustrated figure during the game, often isolated and often searching for the easy pass he was so spoilt with over his years at United.
Antonio Valencia’s opening goal will be considered as one of the best this season no doubt. But for the good part of the following hour, it was a performance Jose Mourinho would have found very average.
It was only in the closing 10 or 15 minutes when United ramped it up, that they were able to put the game to bed.
But onwards they march, toe-to-toe with their noisy neighbours…
It really does feel like that’s a likely scenario for this season moving forward.
Well, more football this week as the League Cup incorporates top-flight sides in Round Three and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of starting line-ups are fielded.
The pick of the bunch has to be Leicester v Liverpool tonight (8.45pm). I’m sure Kloppy’s gonna stick in at least seven or eight first-team regulars, while the likes of United (tomorrow 9pm) against Burton, will more than likely switch all 11 with Mourinho thinking about the bigger picture.
FRUSTRATED: Reds boss Jurgen Klopp
In the Premier League this weekend, Liverpool travel to Leicester, which should be a tricky one for them, as will be Chelsea at Stoke and Red Devils’ trip to Southampton.
The season’s got off to a great start, mad goals, lots of controversy and mid-season pressure already full on.
The pressure’s also building in the “Blue Whistle Challenge” (Fantasy League).
I’m 135th on the table out of 342 teams, and shipped Sergio Aguero last week, before Saturday’s hattrick and assist…daaaamn! Shows how much I know about football.
Blue Whistle Challenge Fantasy League Top 5
(code to enter: 530020-242269)
Roger De Wet – James De Wet Points: 325
Tika-Taka – Ashley Landt Points: 325
Red Army Syndicates – Wahabie Ajam Points: 323
Multiple Scoregasms – Liam Charles Points: 321
Nick Fury’s Avengers – Nick Flandorp Points: 318
We’ll be awarding a prize to the top team at the end of every month