’Pool are the only real threat to City slickers
WITH THE English Premier League kicking and screaming back into action across the water, nothing that happened in the opening weekend would force me to reassess my pre-season predictions.
While I’m all too aware of the folly of drawing definitive conclusions after just one round of matches, the early signs are that things will go along the expected lines.
As they strutted to a pretty convincing win over Arsenal, Manchester City gave the impression that they will be a cut above the rest again.
Pep Guardiola has his players all singing off the same hymn sheet and new signing Riyad Mahrez was able to seamlessly slot into the formation without the side missing the beat. They could even afford to have the best midfielder in the league, Kevin De Bruyne, warming the bench for an hour, while they continued to dazzle with some beautiful football.
Even Raheem Sterling, who couldn’t hit a cow’s backside with a banjo for England in the World Cup, showed he hadn’t completely forgotten how to put the ball in the onion sack in a performance full of pace, persistence and promise.
If any team can bridge the gap, Liverpool are the best equipped and are by far the most likely to be breathing down the necks of the champions. Jurgen Klopp finally appears to have pieced together a jigsaw that has his own stamp on it and against West Ham on Sunday they were a joy to watch.
They look like a team that are thoroughly enjoying their football and in Salah, Mané and Firmino they possess an attack that will again get a hat-full of goals, and while they weren’t really tested at the weekend, you’d have to imagine they’re going to be a bit more solid at the back.
Impressive midfielder Naby Keita looks a brilliant addition for last season’s Champions League finalists, and he could be the key that will lock tighter defences in the tougher tests that lie ahead.
When the injury-plagued Daniel Sturridge managed to hit the back of the net seconds after entering the fray, there was a fleeting feeling that maybe, just maybe, this would finally be their year.
That said, Manchester United beat the hapless Hammers 4-0 in their opening fixture last season and were almost immediately lauded as champions-in-waiting, so it’s certainly too soon to be getting carried away.
Speaking of the Red Devils, after a pre-season full of frustration at least they had an opening day win to smile about, although there wasn’t a huge amount to suggest they can make a sustained title challenge in their 2-1 triumph against Leicester City at Old Trafford.
Like much of last season, they struggled to fully impose themselves on the game at times and were relieved to hear the final whistle after Jamie Vardy’s late goal set up a nervy finish.
The enigmatic Paul Pogba, following on from a good World Cup, looks like he could be finally capable of delivering consistently. The only question is whether he wants to do it at United, and in particular under moaning Mourinho.
The manager is certainly not a happy bunny, even more cantankerous than usual. It’s a complete contrast to what’s going on with Guardiola on the blue side of Manchester and definitely doesn’t seem like an environment that would allow talented players to flourish.
As for the other contenders for Champions League spots, Chelsea certainly looked good in their first Premier League match under Maurizio Sarri and have the players to challenge, but it’s difficult to get too excited about a 4-0 win over a Huddersfield Town side who look one of the more likely candidates for relegation.
They should be good enough for fourth, or possibly even manage to overhaul Manchester Unit- ed for third.
Spurs are another side that will just be glad to get off to a winning start as they huffed and puffed to a 2-1 victory over Newcastle, but their lack of activity in the transfer market will surely come back to haunt them if any of their key players face a spell on the sidelines.
As for their fierce rivals Arsenal, this season will be all about consolidation, because Sunday’s match against City illustrated they are a long way behind the best.
The league table will show that the gap in class is a yawning one come the end of the season.