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26 November, 2012 - 10:52

Premier League Weekend: Chelsea draw with City, United go top

Benitez’s first game in charge of Chelsea was arguably the most boring match for the Matchday 13. Both teams struggled to create any chances with the creative force of Hazard, Mata and Silva coming to nothing and the efforts of Torres and Džeko remaining almost unobservable. By contrast the defenders of both teams did really well with Vincent Kompany claiming the Man of the Match award.

Chelsea 0-0 Manchester City

Due to the draw Man City dropped one place to second in the Premier League table, with Man Utd climbing above them. Chelsea occupy the fourth spot, while WBA lie in the third place.

Currently Benitez’s main task – reaching the balance between the defensive and attacking lines. Until recently Hazard, Oscar, Mata, and Torres acted effectively in front of goal, while the defense seemed to be extremely vulnerable (yesterday’s game has been their first of the season without conceding a goal). Consequently Benitez should bend every effort to preserve Chelsea’s attacking might (hopefully under Benitez Torres will return to his best) and make the defensive line more reliable.

What concerns The Citizens, yesterday’s solid defensive performance could reassure Mancini that Nastasić is ready for more first team football and that Vincent Kompany is capable of cementing the defensive line. At the same time the major concern for Mancini - Yaya Touré’s recent poor run of form. The Ivorian has shown arguably his worst performance of the season in the game against Chelsea.

That game was also marred by the wrathful fans who met the new boss with the “Rafa Out!” banners. One can hardly expect the fans to accept humbly the dismissal of coach who has recently claimed the first Champions’ League title in the club’s history. Likewise one can hardly expect the fans to be excited with the appointment of the controversial person who has sharply criticized the Special One. And yet such a fierce reaction seems to be inappropriate to say at least. Hopefully fans did that in the heat of the moment. They directed their anger towards Rafa Benitez as it could be strange to boo Roman Abramovich the only one to blame for Di Matteo’s dismissal. Sooner, rather than later Chelsea fans will accept Benitez’s appointment as a given and start acting as though there were not any banners.

Swansea City 0-0 Liverpool

Probably Liverpool could count themselves unlucky to only draw against the Rodgers´ former side at The Liberty Stadium. The Merseysiders were the better side with Sterling hitting the bar and Enrique having his goal disallowed. The result allowed Swansea jumping on the 9th spot, while Liverpool are still occupying disappointing 11th place.

Tottenham Hotspurs 3-1 West Ham United

Carroll ended his goal drought scoring his first goal in nine matches for West Ham after moving on loan from Liverpool. Unfortunately his only goal was not enough for West Ham to escape the 1-3 defeat against The Spurs.

Manchester United 3-1 Queens Park Rangers

Comeback kings did it again against QPR. After Mackie’s goal in the 52nd minute Evans, Fletcher and Hernández scored three to overcome Rangers. Hopefully new boss Harry Redknapp will bring fresh momentum to the struggling team and save it from the relegation.

Sunderland 2-4 West Bromwich Albion

WBA continue their remarkable run of form after securing the win over the The Black Cats. An efficient performance by WBA players saw them confidently overcome a lackluster Sunderland 2-4 at The Stadium Of Light. Their fantastic start of the season has seen The Baggies rise quickly to the third spot in the Premier League Table.