Aftermath

Arsenal’s New Trio, Liverpool’s defensive woes, Valencia’s Impressive run, GHPL, More…

Defence Walking Alone

£150m spent across two summers and Liverpool still can’t sort their defensive troubles. I’ve never seen a team whose attack is a very stark contrast of their defence. This is what Liverpool are like, a free scoring team going forward but a very very loose end at the back. At wembley, they didn’t take too long to expose themselves. Two very similar defensive errors in the opening 11 minutes from Croatian international Dejan Lovren saw Harry Kane first score then set up another for strike partner Heung Min Son. After just 12 minutes, Jurgen Klopp’s men found themselves two goals behind with a mountain to climb. Salah pulled one back moments later but a Dele Alli volley just before the break restored spurs’ two goal advantage before star man Harry Kane put the final nail in the coffin to take the game out of liverpool’s reach. Take nothing away from spurs, they were superb on the day. Mauricio Pocchetino displayed another brilliant tactical masterclass as he seem to have become a bit confident with his newly found 3-4-1-2 formation after ditching his old 3-4-2-1. Pushing Alli back into a deeper role seem to have worked brilliantly as the attacker, who has struggled in recent times showed great tactical discipline all game and linked up brilliantly with Harry Winks in the heart of Tottenham’s defence. Harry Kane was at his brilliant best and his newly formed partnership with Son in attack seem to have added a very sharp arrow to Pocchettino’s quiver along with the selection headache it brings with it. Its all joy in the camp of the lillywhites and they would very much be in a buoyant mood ahead of their feisty encounter at Manchester United next week.

 

Arsenal’s New Front Three

Arsenal’s three big money forwards, Alexis Sanchez, Alexandre Lacazette and Mesut Ozil lined up together for the first time this season when they faced struggling Everton. The Sunday lunchtime kick off was a must win for both teams with the gunners looking for a response to last week’s poor display at Watford while pressure was mounting on Ronald Koeman after losing  5 of his last 7 EPL games. Everton got the lead in the 11th minute, totally against the run of play when a familiar foe was on hand to torment the gunners once more. 16 years ago, Wayne Rooney announced himself to the world with a stunner against Arsenal at this very ground. Some things don’t change,do they. That didn’t deter the gunners however as they continued to dominate the toffees and eventually got the eqauliser minutes before the break before putting up a very brilliant performance in the second half to put a total of 5 past the everton defence. Mesut Ozil put up a man of the match performance but it was the link up play between him, Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez , for the second goal in particular that caught the eye of the arsenal faithful. Everton couldn’t cope with the passing and link up play between the trio and the trickery of Alexis Sanchez . Early days yet, but the signs of a a potential deadly partnership is looking good. With the futures of Ozil and Alexis hanging in the balance, the Arsenal fans have no choice but to enjoy this period while it lasts.

Unstoppable Valencia

If you thought last week’s 6-3 at Betis win was amazing, then this week’s 4-0 win at home against Sevilla was absolutely outstanding. Valencia remain unbeaten in La Liga and remain second after a very dominant display against Sevilla . Goals from Goncalo Guedes(2) ,Santi Mina and The in form Zaza were enough to get the three points at the mestalla and extend the unbeaten run of Los Che to 9 games. the defensive pairing of Gabriel and Murillo seems to be getting better with every passing game . Also,the assured presence of Geoffery Kondogbia in midfield seems to have added a new dimension to the strength in the middle of the park. Goncalo Guedes has been a revelation in attack. A lot has been attributed to Valencia’s brilliant start to the season but it is worth noting the most important factor being the good work done by their technical team in the transfer window where they bought from established. Valencia’s signings this season were Guedes , Perreira, Gabriel, Kondogbia and Zaza, who made his loan move permanent. All are having a fantastic season and have contributed massively to the early season’s successes. It’s a long way to go but a top 4 spot, at least looks like a realistic expectation for Valencia. AMUNT!

 

Oly,Tema Youth Relegated

With everything all but settled at the top quarter of the table, all attention was on the fight to avoid the drop into the wilderness ,which is the Division 1 league. 6 teams were in danger of finding themselves in the final 2 relegation spots after Bolga All Stars were relegated some weeks back. Liberty managed to stay up as they came back from a goal down to beat Kotoko 2-1 at Dansoman. Inter allies’ draw with accra hearts of oak was enough tosee them over the line. At Berekum, Chelsea beat Tema Youth 2-0 to send them back into the division 1 league. The real battle,however,  was at the bechem stadium as Bechem United welcomed accra great Olympics in a ‘winner takes all’ affair. All was at stake as the winner ensures safety whereas the vanquished suffers relegation. Veteran striker Ahmed Toure rose to the occasion and got a 4th minute goal which was enough to relegate accra great Olympics to the division one league just a year after being promoted. The second time in succession this has happened to the wonder club. It was a season filled with thrills ,chills and as usual, many many breaks. Congratulations to champions Aduana Stars and hopefully,we have an even better season next term.

 

Cavani Saves Neymar’s Blushes

PSG were down by a goal away from home and Unai Emery, in his normal fitted suit pacing up and down the touchline deep in thought about the situation at hand.Then in the 87th minute Neymar was sent sent off for a second yellow card because of his reaction after his marker caught him late. On a night where Marseille frustrated PSG throughout the game Neymar could not deal with the frustration and was sent off. The critics and pundits and rival fans alike grabbed their notepads and began writing their headlines. Then in added time PSG was awarded a free kick about 25 yards from goal. Cavani stood behind and slotted majestically to his left over the jumping wall and in via the underside of the crossbar. Unai Emery and the PSG bench was sent into ruptures, PSG had earned a point on a night when they should not have had any. The El Matador showed why he is still an important figure in this squad.

Manchester United Slip Up

Manchester United endured a really frustrating night on a wet Sunday afternoon against new boys Huddersfield. The collapse began  when in the 20th minute Phil Jones limped off with what seemed to be a hamstring or groin injury and his replacement Victor Lindelof’s first real test was when Tom Ince turned him inside out leading to Huddersfield’s first goal. Aaron Mooy robbed Mata of the ball in midfield and initiated the move that ended up in him scoring the rebound after De Gea saved firmly from Tom Ince’s shot. And when Depoitre slotted home from a Jonas Lössl clearance, United were doomed to a defeat and David Wagner and Huddersfield would end a long wait for a win against the red devils.Rashford pulled one back for Mourinho but Huddersfield held on well enough to get the result. Mourinho criticized the character of his players saying they did not want the win and praised Huddersfield for their character.

 

Hat-trick Depay

Yes, You read that right. Memphis Depay scored a magnificent hat-trick away from home in Troyes as Lyon hit 5 past them. All game the wonderful link-up play between Bertrand Traoe, Mariano Diaz and Memphis Depay allowed Depay to score past the Troyes keeper twice before he put the final nail in the coffin with a beautifully dispatched panenka penalty to seal the win.

 

Black Starlets Crash Out

The National U-17 team, the black starlets, crashed out of the world u-17 championships in Mali . The starlets fell short once again to their Malian counterparts for the second tournament in a row after the Malians defeated Ghana in the African edition. As disappointing as the result was, a lot of positives can be taken from the Starlets’ outing in India. What is needed is the progression to the U-20 and maybe there is actually a glimmer of hope for Ghana football.

 

Ronald Koeman Sacked as Everton Manager

The irony of Arsene Wenger costing a manager his job is still sinking in for some people but after that dismal results at home to Arsenal, Everton have parted ways with Ronald Koeman. Koeman spent large sums of money in the summer to what we assume to b a restructuring of the team. Things however didn’t go as planned and Fahrad Moshiri lost his patience.

The Best-Fifa Annual Awards Gala

Cristiano Ronaldo further beautified his personal locker with another award as football’s best player of the year now level with Messi with 5 each. After an impressive year with Madrid and Portugal, Ronaldo duly deserved the award.

 

Zidane won coach of the year for his phenomenal year with Real Madrid

Olivier Giroud also won the Puskas award for his magnificent scorpion kick against Crystal Palace in January this year.

Lieke Mertens was also awarded the best female player after her stellar year with Netherlands as they won the UEFA Euros tournament while her coach at the tournament Sarina Wiegman won the women’s best coach award.

Togolese striker Francis Kone won the fairplay award.Kone saved the life of goalkeeper Martin Berkovec, who almost suffocated by swallowing his tongue during a Czech league match in February.

The team of the year was also revealed at the cermony with Buffon taking the goalkeeper’s spot a backline which included Dani Alves, Sergio Ramos and Leonardo Bonucci. The midfiel comprised of Toni Kroos, Andres Iniesta and Luka Modric. Upfront, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar.

 

Eli Avot