Plenty of teams have had a lot of joy this weekend, namely, Liverpool, Arsenal, Southampton, and Manchester United, with big results and a burgeoning goal tally. What that consequentially means, is that they made merry at someone else’s expense. T4O looks at all the duds who were used as step-ladders for the success of others in Premier League Game week 6.
Goal-keeper
Adrian
Might be a bit harsh, but considering the disarray in the West Ham defence to allow themselves to be pegged back by three goals vs Southampton at home, showed a lack of organisation. One most days, he’d not feature on this list, but that being said, West Ham aren’t exactly having the best of times. Let Charlie Austin’s shot go under his arms that opened the flood-gates.
Defenders
Danny Simpson
The former Manchester United academy graduate didn’t do much right this weekend, did he? Lingard was given the Freedom of Leicester City on his watch, and was culpable on more than one occasion.
Robert Huth
Another Leicester player who had an absolute mare. Known for his proficiency on set-pieces, he and his partner Morgan were caught flat-footed by a training ground routine of a corner. Poor show all around.
Ahmed Elmohamady
Not sure what the Hull City right-back was thinking. Could have tried to get in the way of Coutinho’s rifled in shot from the edge of the box, but took the split-second decision to opt to play volleyball on the goal-line, right in front of the referee. His red card saw any chance of his team taking any sort of a precedent, evaporate.
Branislav Ivanovic
Karma is a lady dog, as they say. From the school of Pepe, is one of those players who come out on the pitch with a clear intention of hurting his fellow professionals on or off the ball. Was duly punished by Liverpool at Stamford Bridge the past week, was more brutally exposed at the Emirates. The fewer of his kind here, the better.
Midfielders
Cesc Fabregas
After impressing vs Leicester City, the Spaniard was given the role of Chelsea’s creator-in-chief on his return to his former stomping grounds. What ensued was anything but picture perfect as he was made to starve of possession, and then trying too hard when he had it, and looked disinterested when he didn’t. Conte may need to a 3-5-2 to get the best out of him.
Tom Huddlestone
I was not quite sure he played until I saw him go over to Phil Coutinho after the final whistle to ask for the Brazilian’s jersey. Absolutely anonymous.
Danny Drinkwater
Danny was tasked to gain control over his former club, Manchester United’s midfield, instead was found chasing shadows.
Manuel Lanzini
Utterly wasteful in possession, set the tone for Southampton’s counter-attacks with his daft use of the ball. Such was his incompetency, Slaven Bilic yanked him off at half-time for Sofiane Feghouli.
Forwards
Diego Costa
Koscielny did a number on him. Taken a leaf out of Dejan Lovren’s book when Liverpool faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a week ago, the Frenchman’s silent warfare on the Brazilian bruiser off-camera, rattled, unnerved, and annoyed him in equal measure. Never managed to throw his weight around.
Wayne Rooney
Subbed on, in the 83rd minute as a token gesture, Wayne Rooney’s fortunes are waning. He makes the list by the virtue of how utterly well his team played without being slowed down by his lumbering, laborious presence on the ball.
