With the exhilarating and goal-laden Match Day 11 coming to an end and the International break settling in to disrupt the momentum and excitement building up in the League, we take a brief look at the 3 talking points from last weekend’s action.
BEST SEASON FOR CHELSEA TO HAVE AN EUROPEAN BREAK
There was anguish and disappointment all around the club as a Jose Mourinho horror show left them well outside the contention of a European spot last summer. It was the infamous 3rd year of the Special One’s reign in his 2nd term at Chelsea and somewhere in the back of their mind the fans knew things would not be as rosy. But that setback seems to be passé now with Antonio Conte getting his stuff spot on at Chelsea.
With the Premier League to focus on, it is evident Chelsea are clicking and pretty well at that. A month and 11 days without conceding a goal and playing attractive football. This is a Chelsea we don’t recognise and the club would agree, although they would have loved to be in the Champions League, this season of transition is the best one to have missed out on it.
RAMPANT LIVERPOOL FAVOURITES FOR THE TITLE?
Liverpool are on a goal scoring spree and it is hard to see a side who can stop them in the Premier League at this moment. The front three of Coutinho, Firmino and Mane have developed an excellent chemistry reminiscent from the Sterling, Suarez and Sturridge partnership, only it seems to be better.
Liverpool have no European distractions and with this being Klopp’s first full season in charge he has the team which he can call his own now. On current form, perhaps their biggest Achilles heel is their defence which is just not good enough but only time will tell how much it will cost them when it comes to winning titles.
MIDDLESBROUGH DIG DEEP
It was the third successive positive result for the Teesiders who are slowly but surely finding their feet in the top flight of English football. Aitor Karanka’s men had an adventurous summer transfer window and while their immediate start was sprightly, they lost their fizz too early. But there seems to be a definite game plan and the subsequent successful application of it.
A draw at the Emirates, a 2-0 win over Bournemouth and a draw at the Etihad. What more could you ask for? If Boro can keep up these performances and attain an equilibrium of sorts, top-flight safety is a guarantee.
