How are you doing? I’m super busy at the moment and as usual working my diary around freeing up TV time for the football!
This weekend was no different, but Sunday had been blocked out for a while ahead of two must-watch fixtures… and boy did they not disappoint.
Well, unless you’re a Hammers fan.
Of course Tottenham supporters have come to expect a bad day out against their biggest rivals Chelsea.
And don’t say their biggest rivals are Arsenal… Chelsea and Spurs have a hate relationship far deeper than their North London neighbours.
I guess the most worrying thing for Nuno Espirito Santo has to be the fitness level of his players. Spurs were great in the first 30 minutes, high press, aggressive running, in the face of the European champions and looked by far the more likely to score, but (as was expected) a simple shuffle by Thomas Tuchel at half time (N’Golo Kante on for Mason Mount) made all the difference.
Well, that plus the puffing and panting opposition trying to keep up as Chelsea dropped a couple of gears. Could have quite easily been 5-0.
Was also curious to see Heug-min Son in the traditional No.9 role with a vacant Harry Kane more often than not looking more like a central midfielder.
The studio pundits were in awe of the Blues as they broke the game down, but to be honest I’m not sure I buy the “they stood firm in the first half” verdict.
I think we were awful. In fact, we were bad against Zenit St Petersburg in the Champions League and Aston Villa the week before that. While no team should rely on one player (I didn’t say anything about Ronaldo) and when Chelsea are on, they look like a well-oiled team.
Without Kante, it just ain’t the same. He’s simply that good for me. No doubt in my mind, the best in the world in his position.
Interestingly, the Sun newspaper ran an article on him a few days ago reiterating what a super human being he is on so many levels.
I love him, so small, so cute, but a footballing giant. Before his big move to London, at Leicester City he didn’t have a car, was happy to jog to and from his flat to the training ground. Possibly a throwback to his Malian roots?
As a kid he used to walk for miles every day with his father searching for valuable waste in litter piled beside the streets to help feed his family. Eventually he was convinced to buy a car for security reasons and being who he is, bought a Mini. The same type of car he drives today parked in-between teammates’ Range Rovers, Aston Martin’s and Ferraris.
He earns just under £300 000 a week (R6 million), but also insists on paying full taxes in the UK, unlike the majority of players who invest offshore to avoid levies.
What a top fella! It’s not unusual to catch him shopping at his local ASDA (similar to Shoprite) during the week, occasionally being noticed and more than happy to pose for a selfie. Anyway, I digress.
Before the Tottenham meltdown, West Ham v United turned out to be a cracker, a reminder that sometimes football is at its very best when it’s at its maddest… I mean the last part of the game had so much going on, controversial penalty verdicts, lucky moments, really unlucky moments and strange substitution decisions!
I think United are much like Chelsea at the moment in the way that they are getting results from average performances, however, they haven’t shown a performance anywhere near the quality of Chelsea or Liverpool (or City) when they’re on top of their game.
I joked before kick-off that we were about to be treated to another Fred and Ole Gunner Solskjaer-inspired outing, as it turns out it was just that.
And then still insist on bringing on Nemanja Matic?
Anyway, points on the board and points will be dropped at the top this weekend as Man City visit Stamford Bridge for the Saturday lunchtime kick-off (1:30pm).
“WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE, WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE!”
Stay safe people, please get vaxxed, let’s do the right thing for everyone’s health and get this country opened up again.
Chat next week.