The current situation at Manchester United doesn’t look good for new manager David Moyes. The Red Devils’ visit to Sunderland last weekend was another example of United’s struggles this season with the EPL’s bottom club scoring early to take the lead and United rarely looking like coming back until an 18-year-old saved them.
Adnan Januzaj burst into the spotlight with his Sunderland show
Adnan Januzaj, who hasn’t even decided his national allegiance yet and is eligible to represent as many as four football associations, netted a double in the second half for United to help them beat the Black Cats 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. Two eye-catching strikes also earned him his first Belgium senior call-up early this week, which he has rejected for the time being.
Aside from Manchester United, another two struggling super clubs grabbed full points last weekend. Chelsea beat Norwich City 3-1 away in a game which highlighted José Mourinho’s ability to make game-changing substitutions. The manager put on Oscar and Eden Hazard with the score locked at 1-1 and both scored goals to seal a crucial victory. Nevertheless, the Blues’ reliance on the scoring ability of their midfielders was again exposed with none of their three orthodox strikers – Demba Ba, Samuel Eto’o or Fernando Torres – having contributed any league goals so far. The strikers from Manchester City have been more efficient in front of the goal and both Álvaro Negredo and Sergio Agüero scored in the 3-1 win against Everton, putting their mid-week Bayern Munich disaster behind them.
Arsenal’s winning streak ended at West Brom
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal, two clubs flying high at the moment, lost points. West Brom released a DVD to celebrate their 2-1 victory at Old Trafford the week before and their good form continued as they drew 1-1 against Arsenal, ending the Gunners’ 10-game winning streak. Their North London counterparts were also erratic in a 3-0 defeat at home against West Ham United, a result which shocked everyone.
At the top end, Liverpool faced off with battling Crystal Palace and managed an easy win with Daniel Sturridge, Luis Suárez and Steven Gerrard on the score sheet. The Reds and Arsenal currently sit top of the Premier League, equal on points and goal difference. The unexpected name in the top four after seven games is Southampton. After a 2-0 win at home against Swansea City, the south coast club are now only two points adrift of the leaders and enjoying a rare glimpse of life in fourth place.
