Manuel Lanzini v Liverpool
With brand new expensive attacking talent in the shape of Roberto Firmino taking his place in the Liverpool lineup, it was good to see a real ‘diamond in the rough’ absolutely storm-it during West Ham’s superb 3-0 victory at Anfield.
Whilst their in depth footballing knowledge can be questioned, explaining to the suits at Fenway Sports that Argentine Manuel Lanzini cost his side close to zilch (in BPL terms), will make for a rather awkward Skype conversation for the famed Liverpool transfer committee.
A loan signing from Al Jazira in July, Lanzini proved a painful thorn in Brendan Rodgers’ side with his tireless running and clinical finishing . The former River Plate player helping his sides cause by converting a Cresswell cross for the opener, then robbing Dejan Lovren to set up the second.
In an undeniably entertaining post match interview, Slaven Bilic purred over his star player;
“Manuel was fantastic and not only because he scored a goal, Defensively he not only covered the left-back, Gomez, but he cut inside on Coutinho and Milner when he went outside.
He was great. When he came in some of the people who were not for him and were for other players were slagging him off and they said he looks more like a jockey than a football player. Maybe, but he rides the challenges.”
Noticeable mentions for: Yannick Bolasie v Chelsea, Scott Sinclair v Sunderland
Dejan Lovren v West Ham
In an interview with the Liverpool Echo post match, Dejan Lovren said he wanted to hide “under the table” after his blunder in Liverpool’s crushing 3-0 defeat to West Ham.
Just as the man was gaining plaudits for his early season form, Lovren had Liverpool fans holding heads firmly in hands when he somehow allowed Lanzini to rob him right near the byline for West Ham’s sucker-punch second.
Whether Rodgers employs a zero tolerance ‘play the ball out at ALL times ‘ policy within the clubs remains to be seen. What we do know is the Croation international will do well next time to listen to the ‘just put it out’ mutterings reverberating around a nervy home contingent.
Have a look right on 2:30 for the harrowing moment.
Chelsea 1-2 Crystal Palace
What with his questionable touch line temperament and ‘geezer-esque’ leadership approach , it’s fair to say Alan Pardew will never convince everyone of his management abilities.
It could be argued, had they got the same tune out of this Palace side, perhaps other British managers, such as Norwich’s Alex Neil or Bournemouth’s Eddie Howe, would be lauded far more enthusiastically than the former Newcastle manager currently is.
What is certain is Palace’s attacking energy was simply too much for a beleaguered Chelsea yesterday afternoon.
Damien Delaney bossed Diego Costa to within an inch of his life, even the Spaniards harshest critic could have felt pity for the man (almost).
James Puncheon looked like a player triple his current value, whilst Yannick Bolasie, hurting from the loss of his father, played like the Palace cult legend he will no doubt become.
Not to mention the fear in defenders eyes whenever new signing Bakary Sako lined up an effort on goal with that absolute cannon of a left foot.
Chelsea’s midweek video analysis of the match will make painful viewing for Branislav Ivanovic, who’s defensive talent has receded almost as aggressively as his hairline.
The visitors having both wing backs in attacking positions for the winner, one of which finishing it, spoke volumes of the ballsiness of their performance.
Pardew for England?
Anyone?….
Tim Sherwod deciding to take his frustrations out on his water bottle
Speaking to the clubs official website, Tim Sherwood gave us a stark warning not to take mid match frustrations out on inanimate objects.
Incensed that his sides penalty appeals had been turned down following Carles Gil’s in the box tumble, he mused;
“I’ve done my hamstring. I never did it as a player, I have now done it as a manager,”
“I was going to kick bottles forward but there were too many people so I thought I’d be polite and backheel them and snapped my hamstring. It feels bad,”
“I must have looked like a spoiled brat. I tell my kids not to behave like that. Before today I thought I had calmed down.”
Gomis v Manchester United
Whilst the goalkeeping was woeful, Ayew’s pass for his strike partner Gomis was pure fantasy football.
Skip to the 2:20 mark for the moment of inspiration.
The question remains, what Champions League sides bench will the Ghanaian be sitting on next season?