Brady’s brilliance excites Ireland fans
ARSENAL’S TITLE HOPES were dealt a blow by lowly Norwich City on Sunday afternoon – and Ireland’s Robbie Brady was the Gunners’ chief tormentor.
A few eyebrows were raised when the Canaries forked out £10 million for the Dubliner’s services during the summer but Brady’s form has justified the hefty price tag. He’s now developed into one of Ireland’s most exciting operators.
On a day when an array of attacking talent was on display, Brady shone, head and shoulders above everyone else, and starred for the hosts as they earned a valuable point.
It was an imposing display by Brady. Not only was his set-piece delivery a potent threat but his energy, industry and flair in open play caused Arsenal no end of problems – most notably for the equalising goal.
It was a performance which reinforced his credentials and one which will genuinely excite Martin O’Neill and Irish fans. But, on this occasion, Brady operated further forward and not in the left-back position he’s been used in during international games.
With Ireland’s options limited, Brady may have to occupy that role but if Brady is to replicate this kind of form in a green jersey next summer, O’Neill may have to seriously think about using him further forward.
Is Jose Mourinho losing the Chelsea dressing room?
Eden Hazard and now Diego Costa. Jose Mourinho is in serious danger of losing the Chelsea dressing room, if he hasn’t already done so. The Chelsea manager denied suggestions of a rift between himself and Costa and expressed happiness with how his decision to drop the striker for the trip to White Hart Lane worked out.
The Spanish international was seen arguing with Mourinho during the midweek win over Maccabi Tel Aviv and was then dropped for this afternoon’s 0-0 draw with Tottenham.
Costa didn’t participate in the warm-up and proceeded to throw his bib in his manager’s direction when Mourinho opted to introduce Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the closing minutes.
Hazard, who himself has seemingly fallen out with the Chelsea boss, was Costa’s replacement. The Belgian’s relationship with Mourinho is thought to have broken down in recent weeks after Hazard found himself on the bench for crucial games.
Perhaps the most telling moment of the afternoon was John Obi Mikel’s reaction to Costa’s show of petulance. The Nigerian midfielder couldn’t contain his laughter, almost like a giggling student at the back of a class who has little respect for the teacher.
Mourinho may have claimed he made up with Costa with ‘kisses and cuddles’ but it may be too late for that. Is his relationship with some of his star players now broken beyond repair?
Klopp gets Liverpool moving in the right direction
Liverpool were far from their best earlier but it was the type of game they could well have lost in previous seasons. The Reds came out of the traps quickly against Swansea but were unable to find the breakthrough and were left frustrated for large periods.
While wins at Chelsea and Man City can be title-winning results, it’s home fixtures against lower-ranked opposition which can define a season. For so long, Liverpool were vulnerable in these games. Man United have endured the same problems, most notable during David Moyes’ reign, since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
But today there was an added resolve and determination about the Reds. They were much the better team and dictated proceedings for much of the contest – but they lacked a killer instinct in the final third.
Their last Premier League outing ended in defeat to Crystal Palace, three days after a Europa League trip to Rubin Kazan. On this occasion, there was no slip-up as James Milner’s penalty ensured the hosts converted their superiority into points.
And with Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge both returning to action, it’s been an excellent week for Jurgen Klopp as he looks to restore the club to its former glories. It will take time, it won’t happen overnight, but he’s moving Liverpool in the right direction.
Wenger must shoulder the blame
It could be bad luck or it could, as many have pointed out, be an underlying issue. Not only did Arsenal spurn the opportunity to climb into second place in the Premier League but their draw at Norwich came at an even greater long-term cost.
Both Alexis Sanchez and Laurent Koscienly hobbled off at Carrow Road, adding further to Arsene Wenger’s injury woes while Santi Cazorla also required treatment.
Wenger faces an anxious wait to determine the exact prognosis of Sanchez’s hamstring strain after admitting the Chilean came into the game with a slight problem. It was a gamble which has spectacularly backfired.
In his post-match press conference, the Arsenal boss took unkindly to the suggestion that he made a huge blunder by playing Sanchez. He snapped at the media for questioning his decision to risk Sanchez.
“The players are there to play football, not to be rested when the press decides when they need to be rested,” he said.
“Nobody is scientifically developed enough, not even the press, to predict when a guy will be injured. I must say with all our humility, we are not in a position to predict. We are not in a position where we can predict. Despite our tests he looked alright.”
It was another nightmare afternoon for the Gunners on the injury front. It would be stretching it to say a draw away from home has ended Arsenal’s hopes of winning that elusive title but Wenger needs to take some responsibility.
Too often he questions those questioning him. The medical team take the brunt of the blame but could it be the case he ignores their advice to rest a player vulnerable to injury.
Wenger can have no complaints if enduring injury problems undermine their title challenge – because you can hardly see him going out in January to bring in reinforcements.
Fletcher enjoying a new lease of life
On a busy Sunday of top-flight action, West Brom’s trip to West Ham wasn’t the headline act – but it was arguably the most entertaining game.
Mauro Zarate’s stunning first-half free kick set the Hammers on their way at Upton Park but West Brom are a side packed with experience. Granted, the likes of Darren Fletcher, Jonny Evans and Rickie Lambert have moved on from bigger things but they add nous and backbone to a club perennially at the wrong end of the standings.
Fletcher, in particular, rolled back the years as he single-handedly inspired a Baggies fightback to come away from East London with a hard-earned point.
Lambert may have stolen the headlines after forcing the equaliser five minutes after coming off the bench but Fletcher was central to their comeback. The former Man United midfielder has won an array of honours and knows what it takes to win.
He won’t be guiding West Brom to silverware any time soon but with solid professionals like the Scot in the side, Tony Pulis knows he has players in key positions he can rely on.
