A feeling about Fellaini
ANCHESTER United fans have been buying Marouane Fellaini wigs with their new Belgian showing signs he can add a cool head and quality passing to the midfield just in time for Sunday’s derby against City.
Last season’s champions and runners-up meet at the Etihad Stadium, hoping midweek Champions League success can ignite their domestic campaigns after some uninspired performances from both in their first four games, each taking just seven points.
While Wayne Rooney’s return to form in Tuesday’s 4-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen stole the headlines, Fellaini’s physical presence and ability to hold the ball in his first start since signing just before the transfer deadline added a new dimension.
It was no coincidence that a side who had not scored in two of their past three league games, and only netted from set pieces in the other, were suddenly able to put together more meaningful charges forward with the big Belgian on the pitch.
Similarly, City, who had failed to repeat the scintillating showing of their seasonopening demolition of Newcastle United, rediscovered some attacking flair in a stylish 3-0 win at Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.
“It will give confidence for all the players,” said City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
“We have the derby next Sunday, and always winning away in the Champions League, scoring three goals, having at least three or four more chances to score and a clean sheet – I think it will give all the players a lot of confidence.”
City midfielder Yaya Toure, who like Fellaini offers a towering presence, creative instinct and ability to read a game, scored a sublime goal at Plzen, and it could well be the battle between these two powerful players that proves key on Sunday.
It will be the first Manchester derby for both clubs’ managers,
Mand they will be aware that City hold a slight advantage in recent years, having taken 10 points to United’s seven in league encounters in the past three seasons.
The return of captain Vincent Kompany, who made a successful comeback from a groin injury on Tuesday, will offer the hosts a further boost.
This fixture two seasons ago, which City won 1-0, proved decisive as they went on to secure the Premier League crown on goal difference from their neighbours.
It is far too early in the season to be talking of the title race, but it is nevertheless a crunch game with both sides keen to establish dominance over their opponents.
Early season pacesetters Liverpool, who are unbeaten with 10 points from four matches, host Southampton tomorrow but have suffered a blow with midfielder Philippe Coutinho ruled out until the end of next month with a shoulder injury.
They are, however, full of confidence over the form of striker Daniel Sturridge.
He has netted in all their league matches this season, and will be keen to keep up his scoring escapades before the return of Uruguay striker Luis Suarez from a 10-match ban, which comes to an end after this game.
Later tomorrow, Chelsea host Fulham in a west London derby eager to make amends after suffering their first league defeat of the season at Everton last weekend, and losing at home to Basel in the Champions League.
Everton, the only unbeaten Premier League side along with Merseyside rivals Liverpool, travel to West Ham United who are proving miserly at both ends of pitch.
North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, who both have nine points, are in action on Sunday, with Arsene Wenger hoping for more magic from record signing Mesut Ozil when they host Stoke, and Andre Villas-Boas taking his team to Cardiff.
Early season strugglers West Bromwich Albion (two points) and Sunderland (one) meet at the Hawthorns tomorrow, while fellow slow starters Crystal Palace entertain Swansea on Sunday. – Reuters
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