Quick Six: Manchester United’s woe, Suárez returns and the other storylines from the Premier League weekend
2. FULL RETURN, FULL PRODUCTION FROM LUIS SUÁREZ
Wednesday’s loss at Old Trafford turned out to be a trial run. Today’s Brendan Rodgers stayed with his 3-5-2 formation, and it paid off. The forward tandem of Luis Suárez and Daniel Sturridge came good with three goals in Liverpool’s 3-1 win at Sunderland.
Credit Rodgers with sticking with a system that didn’t work mid-week, electing to focus on the huge, long-term benefit of the set-up: Finding a way to get this two big scoring threats working together. Last year, Sturridge was much more productive playing through the middle as opposed to the wide position he often occupied when Suárez was available. By moving away from his 4-3-3-variant while sacrificing one at the back, Rodgers has chosen a system that can preserve a three-man midfield while accommodating his most-dangerous players. Also important: It keeps Philippe Coutinho in the middle (in the spot currently occupied by Victor Moses) when the Brazilian returns next month.
The main caveat here: Sunderland’s bad. Really bad. Kevin Ball produced a win mid-week, but on Sunday, their Di Canio form returned. They didn’t provide much of a test.
In that way, today’s game may have been another trial run for Liverpool, albeit with better results than Wednesday’s.
3. RAMSEY’S ASCENT CONTINUES FOR ARSENAL
In a game where Arsenal’s front-six had trouble maintaining a hold on the match, their defense deserves some credit. Of Swansea’s 10 shots (three on goal), only three came within the 18-yard box. Contrast that with Arsenal, who saw seven of their 10 shots come within Michel Vorm’s penalty area. The result was a 2-1 win at Swansea City, leaving Arsenal alone atop the Premier League.
It’s another example of what we saw in Champions League two weeks ago. Somewhere along the way, Arsenal’s developed an ability to win games they don’t control. Granted, it’s been a while since the image of the possession-dominant, imposing Gunners was actually true. But since when does Arsenal only see 42 percent of the ball and not only win but win relatively comfortably?
Getting performances like Aaron Ramsey’s helps. Setting up the first while scoring the second, Ramsey is now second in the league in goals (four) and assists (two) – statures that arguably understate his contributions. His performances have made him one of the league’s best players as well as one of its most timely. On Saturday, his contributions tipped a game that went into halftime nil-nil.
In all competitions, that’s eight goals in nine games. Ramsey’s previous career high was four. That hints this pace won’t persist, but only 22, it’s clear Aaron Ramey’s ascent continues.
4. HULL, CARDIFF CITY CAST DOUBT ON PRESEASON GLOOM
As the Bluebirds emptied their pockets before Deadline Day, the pessimism surrounding last year’s Championship winners started to fade. A preseason of predictions that all three newly-promoted sides would go down gave way to a sliver of hope for Cardiff City. In that sense, it’s not shocking that Malky Mackay’s team sits 11th. That they’ve only lost twice in six after Saturday’s 2-1 win at Fulham is still worth noting.
More surprising, however, is what’s going on at Hull, where the Tigers sit seventh after Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham. Though Steve Bruce’s early hire last year helped them earn automatic promotion, the Tigers failed to convince at the end of last season, leaving a summer without major signings hinting at instant relegation. With 10 points through six rounds, Hull’s let their results address our doubts.
Crystal Palace, 19th after Saturday’s loss at Southampton, hasn’t shown as strong as their fellow promotees, but they’ve seen two established Premier League sides join them as relegation favorites. Sunderland, last with one point, have to identify a new leader before they can truly regroup, while Fulham’s loss to Cardiff City makes Martin Jol’s position an increasingly tenuous one.
5. MARTIN JOL THE NEXT TO GO?
Hired before the 2011-12 season, Martin Jol made an immediate impact at Fulham upon his return to the Premier League. Immediately implementing a style that differed from Mark Hughes’s, Jol took some short-term lumps to have Fulham playing some of the league’s most aesthetically-pleasing soccer by year’s end. The Cottagers seemed ready to push on.
Then came last year’s stall, one in where Fulham wasted all the momentum they accrued during the former Spurs boss’s return. At year’s end, a team coming off back-to-back top-half finishes had dipped to 12th.
After six rounds this season, the Cottagers sit 18th, their only win coming on opening day. Then, their only shot of the game allowed them to get full points despite being outplayed by Sunderland. In their five other games, Fulham’s 0-4-1 while providing no reason to think things will get better.
Of course, things could get better. Just because we don’t see the potential doesn’t mean it’s not there. But looking broadly at Martin Jol’s time at Fulham, the trend is a downward one, and at some point, the Cottagers have to make a move. With the team playing poorly and sitting 18th, you can’t help but wonder if that point is approaching.
6. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TALENT, NOT CHAMPIONS LEAGUE RESULTS FOR SPURS
It hasn’t been pretty, but to a certain extent, you have to give José Mourinho some credit. His team’s trip to Old Trafford? He got a point, taking a 0-0 from the defending champions. And Saturday’s trip to White Hart Lane? The Blues got a valuable 1-1 from Spurs.
Contrast that with what Spurs have done in their two most important games. At Arsenal, Tottenham allowed their rivals to hold serve, Spurs’s 1-0 loss leaving them empty-handed coming out of the Emirates. And Saturday, at home against Chelsea, they failed to take full points.
Big picture, these aren’t terrible results, but for a team aspiring to Champions League, they’re not encouraging ones, either. At some point, you need to take points from the teams you’re fighting for a top-four spot.
At home against Chelsea, they had points taken from them. Combined with their loss at Arsenal, we see a still-gelling Spurs squad failing to snag important points.
