Final scores
Aston Villa 0-0 Wolves
Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Everton
Chelsea 3-1 Norwich City
Liverpool 3-1 Bolton Wanderers
Swansea 0-0 Sunderland
Wigan Athletic 2-0 QPR
Final thoughts
- This was the kind of display Liverpool fans had designs on when Kenny Dalglish returned. For the vast majority of their 3-1 win over Bolton, they were vibrant and utterly rampant. Stewart Downing was causing all kinds of problems, Charlie Adam was producing piercing ball after piercing ball and Dirk Kuyt was dynamic. But the most important thing, of course, was how all 11 individuals linked up. This was a supreme team performance from Liverpool, which would have been crowned by Suarez’s narrow strike wide – after a glorious move – in the 67th minute. And more’s the pity because that would have been a fitting way to finish it. The Uruguayan was the key to everything. Most of Liverpool’s moves came off because of his runs and he also supplied two glorious passes down the line of his own. A truly complete modern striker.
- The big caveat to this though: both Liverpool and Suarez looked even sharper than usual today because it was Kuyt – rather than Carroll – who was partnering him. This is not a criticism of Carroll or another pop at his price tag. But, for the moment, he just doesn’t fully fit the team. With Kuyt complementing Saurez, they produce better angles and interchanges. Because, again, as soon as Carroll came on, the team attempted to hit his head much more often. But that may not be to his strengths. At one stage Downing played a supreme cross from the left that simply invited a surging run and header. Carroll remained immobile. If Liverpool are truly to have a tilt at the title – although, even after today’s display, that may be premature – then Dalglish may have to make a bit if hard decision. Carroll may have to be kept aside as an impact sub, with Kuyt and Suarez instead fully integrated.
- That finish to open the scoring will also do Jordan Henderson’s confidence the world of good. Previously shaky, he was much more assured thereafter. But still not totally confident. There was a telling moment in the 60th minute when Suarez ran around the side and was awaiting a killer pass, yet Henderson instead went for the safe option and apologised. If both Henderson and his team are to move on to the next dimension, then he’ll have to lift his game to that level.
- If Owen Coyle is to lose Gary Cahill, then he’ll have to sign two replacements not one. His central defensive partner, Zat Knight, was abysmal today. And only carrying on last week’s form. At the moment, he’s a liability.
- We’ve seen a glimpse of Chelsea’s future. If still only a slight one. For at least 70 minutes against Norwich, they were laborious and lacking in spark. Norwich were full value for their 1-1 draw and looked capable of getting another as they grew into the game. Then, however, Villas-Boas brought on Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku and their attack took on a completely different complexion. More fluid and lively. Lukaku showed a hunger missing in many of Chelsea’s older heads; Mata a spark and invention that was otherwise absent. Despite his few minutes on the pitch, the Spaniard delivered a perfect cross – that Branko Ivanovic really should have finished – as well as a smart finish to open his account. Ramires also adds a different drive in midfield. This, clearly, is the Chelsea Villas-Boas wants to create.
- There are still a few concerns though. Their defence is clearly not comfortably with that high line and coughed up a worrying amount of chances. Florent Malouda, despite last week’s goal, has seemingly lost any impetus or variation. Worse, Torres has seemingly waned from his sharper performances in the first two weeks.
- Blackburn look doomed. To be fair, they could take heart from the manner of their performance today. But not the nature of the defeat. Nothing is going right for them. Despite Rovers dominating the game, Everton ultimately did what they couldn’t. After Blackburn had missed two penalties, Arteta converted his. In the last minute. After a dubious decision in the first place. With the likes of that going on, you wonder what chance you have.
- On that note, though, the penalty-conversion rate has been a disgrace this season. Three from nine. We’ve said it before and will continue to do so. A professional player missing a penalty is inexcusable. A goalkeeper can physically not reach the top corner of the net unless he is standing by the post – which is obviously ludicrous. As such, players should train to be able to hit that top corner flawlessly.
- Of course, the missed penalties only tie in to a wider trend: the lack of goals in the Premier League. Today saw another three 0-0 draws – in other words, half the matches. It’s hard to put forward any reason for this. Many of the games, after all, have been open. Swansea against Sunderland today certainly was. Some have said it’s down to disrupted pre-season schedules (although that generally favours attackers since games become more open). Others have said that teams need time to gel after a spate of pre-season signings. And that looks to particularly be the case with Sunderland. All in all, though, the goals-per-game rate is barely two a match. So much for the most exciting league in the world.
Team of the day
1. Wayne Hennessy (Wolves)
2. Jose Bosingwa (Chelsea)
3. Leighton Baines (Everton)
4. Wes Brown (Sunderland)
5. Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)
6. Ramires (Chelsea)
7. Stewart Downing (Liverpool)
8. Charlie Adam (Liverpool)
9. Franco Di Santo (Wigan)
10. Luis Suarez (Liverpool)
11. Juan Mata (Chelsea)
