After two rounds of the English Premier League, the major summer signings have showed some eye-catching performances.
The new Chelsea is surprisingly unstoppable. Their opponents for the first two games were relatively weak, but then they ran into Newcastle United. The Magpies gave Di Matteo’s team a real game on Sunday, but ended up being thoroughly defeated. The combination of Torres and Eden Hazard was just amazing. The Belgium wizard has been phenomenon since arrived in England, and he is worth every penny Abramovich paid for him. With two penalties, one goal and four assists in a mere three games, the contribution from Hazard is certainly admirable.
Phenomenal summer signing Eden Hazard celebrating with Fernando Torres
While Chelsea’s summer signings have put in an immense performance, Manchester United new recruits Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa have also been prominent additions. Their goals helped the Red Devils beat Fulham at home. However, the scoreline of 3-2 was by no means convincing, especially given Fulham hasn’t scored a single goal in their last five trips to Old Trafford. The Man U defense is still alarmingly sluggish, largely due to injuries.
Man United edged closer to Man City thanks to defeating Fulham. Bluemoon’s trip to Anfield was “the most difficult game since I arrived in Premier League”, according to Yaya Toure, City’s defensive midfielder. Liverpool under new manager Brendan Rodgers was playing a flashy style with fluid passing and a high defensive line, together with constant pressing up front. This made the game a difficult one for City. Mancini should count himself lucky with the 2-2 draw. If it wasn’t for two individual blunders from Red defenders, he would have left empty-handed.
Young and ambitious Liverpool celebrating a goal against Manchester City
Wenger wasn’t as lucky as Mancini though. The hole left by Robin Van Persie seems too big to fill. Giroud, Podolski and Cazorla, Arsenal’s three major summer signings, couldn’t turn possession into goals at Stoke City’s Britannia Stadium. The Gunner’s goal drought has now lasted for 180 minutes. Arsenal’s next game is the match of round 3 – they will visit Anfield to challenge Rodger’s team. Both teams are yearning for their first win of the season, but based on the current performance, it is Wenger who should be more concerned.
Two matches without one goal, no wonder Wenger looks worried. The next game is against Liverpool, could that end the goal drought?
