It’s time for Soccerblog’s Knaves and Knights. Who were the week’s heroes and villains? The clubs who soared and the ones who crashed and burned.
The knights:
Romelu Lukaku: The Belgian striker was originally drafted into Chelsea as an answer to Didier Drogba. He was cast off by Jose Mourinho who found Diego Costa. There were off course, the highlights, the precise adjustment for his opening goal and a sweet finish off Ross Barkley’s cutting edge pass. But throughout the match he terrorized Soton, Drogba like into overpowering the defense with his strength, quick feet, and quick thinking.
Sergio Aguero: What stood out in Aguero’s performance was he tried the direct route three times against Asmir Begovic. The first one was a heads up block, the second was a sharp save far post, the third an even better one near post. Aguero, only too human had to congratulate the Chelsea goalie. The fourth time, he juggled the ball around in the box, adjusting his feet, drawing the keeper out of position and with the most delicate of touches curled the ball away. You’ll rarely see Aguero frustrated. He just knows how to score goals.
Stephen Ireland: Is he the lying prevaricator? Or the gifted midfielder who while at City needed to get “his mind changed” according to Roberto Mancini? Ireland has always been someone of an ambivalent character. On again, off again. Against Spurs who were leading two goals up, there was no ambivalence. He made an instant impact for Stoke coming off the bench as his measured pass forced Toby Alderweireld into fouling Joselu in the box. An Arnautovic penalty and Stoke was in the game. Minutes later, the comeback was complete, as Ireland provided the flashing cross which Mame Biram Diouf got his head to for the equalizer.
Special mention:
Mesut Oezil: He ghosts, he glides, he gilds. The Turko-German was very germane to Arsenal’s success uncovering space with his subtly worked passes and parabolic vision for Cazorla and Ramsey to run into. Shifting effortlessly from the centre to the flank his whipped cross found Giroud improvising for goal. Oezil is like a vintage no one can put a year on.
The knaves:
Wayne Rooney: Despite what Louis Van Gaal might say, Rooney remains the only proven and consistent goal scoring weapon at Utd’s disposal. Which is what makes his disappearance in the match against Aston Villa so inexplicable. He got his first touch on the ball in Villa’s box in stoppage time and in general, was disjointed. A few more descriptives. He was slow, lost the ball a lot, and played too deep. A performance panned by pundits and fans alike.
Daryl Janmaat: Steve McLaren needs all the help he can get. But there was none forthcoming from the Dutch full back left foaming in the mouth by the motoring Jefferson Montero. Two very silly bookings and Janmaat was gone in the 41st minute leaving the Toons exposed to the blistering Swans bombing down the flanks for the rest of the match. The overwrought Toons could not hold as Montero made them pay with a cross to Andrew Ayew for Swansea’s second goal.
Erik Lamela: The first part of his last name is about right. He’s not just been lame for Spurs but he’s got this irritating preening persona. You can get a rabona or two from him but when it comes to really delivering, Lamela did what he’s done for two seasons now, a disappearing act against Stoke. And to think Daniel Levy paid $48m for him. Fans are about fed up.
Special mention:
Frances Coquelin: Last season was how the Coq grabbed the mantle in the absence of Mikel Arteta making the holding position his own. But against Crystal Palace, he showed he’s got some ways to go before he’s the finished product. He was lucky to have survived that long into the second half after his reckless lunge at Yannick Bolasie earned him a deserved yellow. But that did not hold him back as he cynically tripped Wilfried Zaha which ref Lee Mason strangely chose to ignore. Another clumsy challenge on James McArthur and Wenger had seen enough. He was subbed off for the Ox.
Best team:
Manchester City: David Silva was not exceptional by his high standards. He committed as many fouls as passes served. But City were predatory going forward, Jesus Navas was a bustling presence down the right, Toure is back as a marauding presence in midfield, and Kun Aguero is one of a kind. On defense, Vincent Kompany is returning to his ferocious self and Eliaquim Mangala was a force Chelsea could not get around in one of his best performances. To say Chelsea escaped with a three nil mauling would be an understatement. That was not a fake result.
Special mention:
Swansea City: What is not to like about the turbo charged Jefferson Montero, the cultured foot of Jonjo Shelvey, the silky Gylfi Sigurdsson, and the big man decoy of Bafetimbi Gomis letting slip in small man Andrew Ayew to do damage. Against Newcastle, Montero tore Janmaat to ribbons and then supplied the crosses and free kicks to keep the attack purring. The Gomis goal came after a 20 pass exchange as Shelvey who’s been reincarnated found nirvana under Monk (how’s that for a pun?) found the big man with another slide rule pass. The bench too has not let up in speed with the likes of Kyle Bartley, Nathan Dyer, and Wayne Routledge.
Worst team:
Sunderland: Dick Advocaat’s side have conceded 7 goals so far in two matches. Against promoted Norwich City they gave up three. Lee Cattermole attracts more cards than he does the ball. Patrick van Aanholt might have a grand name but he was terrible and so was Younes Caboul. We’re not functioning as a team,” conceded the worldly-wise Advocaat. “We do things I don’t expect at this level. It is very strange for me.” He might be gone before long. A malaise that is now a Sunderland staple.
Special mention:
Southampton: No, say it can’t be true. The Saints, that wellspring of young Brit talent, the discoverer of bargain basement foreign gems. But they were unimpressive against an Everton side who has struggled against them in the past. Defensively, they were vulnerable against the counterattack. Both Maya Yoshida and Matt Targett were bullied of the ball by Lukaku and Barkley. The build up was slow and very lateral. Shane Long was invisible. Sadio Mane was erratic and Soton’s best player Graziano Pelle had his moments but was increasingly frustrated. Not a good home outing.