1. Phil Jagielka can shoot
Phil Jagielka managed to redeem some of the shame he brought on himself after his embarrassing performances at the World Cup with a belting last minute equaliser in the first derby of the weekend between Everton and Liverpool. The game wasn’t exactly a classic, so Jagielka’s thundering half-volley was a silver lining to an otherwise disappointing fixture.
Phil Neville said in his ‘Match of the Day’ analysis that he had never seen Phil Jagielka do anything like that before during his time at Everton. This will come as a surprise to absolutely nobody, given Jagz’s general reputation as a lumbering, graceless centre back, but it’s nice to see that he’s capable of a shot of such class.
— Everton Aren’t We? (@EvertonArentWe) September 28, 2014
2. Fat Frank flattens Hull to become Man City’s unlikely new talisman
OK, Chelsea don’t exactly look like they miss Lampard thanks to an embarrassment of riches in midfield, but Fat Frank has made a lot of us look like fools by proving he can still cut it in the Premier League with another goal to add to his collection.
Most surprising is the fact that Manchester City are relying on the 36-year-old not only to close out games, but to actively change them.
Although the politics surrounding the possible extension of Lampard’s loan deal are somewhat murky (at least according to an obviously bitter Arsene Wenger), City will want to hang on to the midfielder for as long as possible. Even if Lamps doesn’t have the legs to last until May, it would be worth it just to see him score another goal against Chelsea at the end of January.
3. Rooney’s suspension could be a blessing in disguise for Man Utd
Manchester United haters took last week’s shock defeat to Leicester as proof that their 4-0 trouncing of QPR had been nothing more than a red herring against the Premier League’s whipping boys.
Although Big Sam and his lapdog Kevin Nolan convinced themselves that United were lucky to bag three points after a late West Ham goal was ruled out for offside (watch the replay again, guys), United showed plenty of flair early on in the game and steely determination, following Rooney’s reckless red card. Yes, they’re light at the back, but Phil Jones, due back next week, is capable of forming a formidable partnership with Jonny Evans if the pair can stay fit.
Make no mistake, Rooney will be missed (his goal was sublime), but on the bright side, there’s now the tantalising prospect of three games with Juan Mata playing behind Van Persie and Falcao, and reminding us all of what he has to offer.
Juan Mata’s reaction to Rooney’s red card pic.twitter.com/PSrrvHe4eG — GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) September 28, 2014
4. Steely Spurs escape from the Emirates with a lucky point
Neither Arsenal or Tottenham have lived up to the standards demanded by their fans in recent weeks, and neither took the chance to prove their credentials in Saturday’s North London derby. Arsenal dominated possession and should’ve really sewn the game up. Having gone a goal down via Spurs’ international playboy Nacer Chadli, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saved Danny Welbeck from embarrassment with a clinical equaliser, after the new boy clumsily swiped at the ball from almost point blank range, making no contact whatsoever and ending up flat on his arse.
Although they clung on for dear life throughout most of the match, Spurs fans will be the most satisfied, not only for the point away from home, but for of the defensive resilience – most notably from a resurgent Younes Kaboul – that has been sorely lacking for much of the season so far.
Mauricio Pochettino still seems unsure of his best team, however, using trial and error system to select his centre midfielders. Ryan Mason – billed, somewhat cheekily, as the ‘Enfield Modric’ – looked like a genuinely exciting prospect in his Premier League debut, but it would be foolish to rely too much on such an inexperienced player (although he’s older than you may think at 23).
5. Man City’s Mangala is the Buffoon of the Week
Eliaquim Mangala must be the most relieved man in Manchester this week. After City cruised to a comfortable 2-0 lead in just 11 minutes against Hull, the £32 million centre back appeared hell-bent on dragging the Tigers back into the game.
Mangala first turned a Liam Rosenoir cross into his own net after 21 minutes of almost total anonymity from Hull, before rashly bringing down Abel Hernandez in the box 10 minutes later to level the scores, with Hull having barely registered a shot all game.
Fortunately for Mangala, however, Edin Dzeko managed to put the Sky Blues in front again in the second half, before Lampard sealed the deal late on to take the focus away from the clumsy Frenchman’s errors. His rashness and general confusion throughout the game didn’t go unnoticed by the Year Of The Wolf team, however, making him a deserved winner of our first ‘Buffoon of the Week.’
Alex Andrews & Connor Pierce
Filed under: Sport
