Football News: Matchday 2 - Quick Round Up

Match Day 2 Round Up

Friday 22nd August

West Ham United 1-5 Chelsea

It started off so well for the Hammers, taking an early lead, which got the crowd fired up and behind the team. It quickly fell apart as West Ham reverted to the disorganised mess they have been in since David Moyes left. That is not really all about Moyes, as what he left behind was a bit of a shambles and an ageing squad in desperate need of a rebuild. The problem has come from the way the board have handled things ever since and now they are looking like a team in dire trouble. This is a team with 'relegation' written all over it, no matter who is coaching it. Chelsea barely had to break sweat to beat them and beat them comprehensively. The one thing that stood out is that both teams have dodgy keepers who cost them goals. It is so difficult to judge Chelsea on this match, simply because it was so easy for them that no one needed to do anything much for them to win. It was probably the easiest game they will have this season.

Starman:
It is difficult to pick out anyone. West Ham players were all dreadful to a man. Chelsea players never had to do enough to really shine, as the game was just a stroll to them. So I am going to choose Cole Palmer, as he obviously heard the next player profile I am intending to do is Estevao and was watching the game in the hope of getting a look at him. So it was very nice of Palmer to drop out injured so Estevao would get a start. Thanks Cole!

Flops:
Hermansen - one of the worst goalkeeping performances of all time, threw away a couple of goals and was woeful and flappy throughout. He did not even look particularly good when he had the ball at his feet either.
Wan-Bissaka - spent the game ball watching defensively, allowing players to steal in at his post all game. Was poor anyway, but he was badly at fault on at least two of the goals conceded. Just an all-round terrible performance.
Sanchez - should have saved the shot by Paqueta, but he was badly positioned and not set. He also never looks comfortable playing out from the back.

Saturday 23rd August

Manchester City 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Bizarre how often Spurs have beaten Man City under Pep Guardiola, no matter how Spursy they are, they still seem able to pull one out of the bag when they face the Cityzens. Make no bones about it, Tottenham fully deserved this victory, they were by far the better side. Spurs were excellent and gave City a torrid afternoon. City were ponderous and porous and, nope that's me out of words beginning with P to use to try and sound clever! It was reminiscent of all the features in games of Liverpool with Pep Lijnders controlling the tactics. Defensively disorganised, wide open to any kind of counter, with full-backs and midfielders mixed up all over the pitch getting in each others' way. They still look a very beatable side, which will certainly give heart to the rest of the teams in the league. Spurs, on the other hand, look a much better side under Frank than they did under Postecoglou. They have a much more solid feel about them as a unit. More organised and more incisive, a potent combination.

Starman:
Palhinha - not just for his goal, but because he shut down the City midfield. He was exactly what was missing from the City midfield, energy and bite.

Flops:
Trafford - it is no wonder he is the butt of jokes about the new Trafford being as full of leaks as Old Trafford. It was a truly horrendous performance from a truly terrible keeper. I have no idea why they signed him, even less why he is first choice now. He flaps, he fails to command his box, he is horrible under pressure on the ball. His arrogance is astonishing as well.
Dias - he was an excellent defender at one time, but a string of injuries has left him looking like a shadow of the player he once was and so prone to errors.
Reijnders - he was excellent last week, but double Pep outthought themselves and moved him into a different role where he had a shocker.
Johnson - I know he scored and so this is going to seem harsh, but god this lad is lazy. He never makes any effort to get back onside after a forward run, costing the team chances to get out when defending. Also far too fond of diving for my liking, when there really is no need of it.
Romero - if anyone was going to give City hope, it would be Romero. He is so wild and could easily have seen at least one more yellow to add to the one he got. If you are looking for a visual representation for the word rash, it is a Romero challenge.

Bournemouth 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers

One of the games I was unable to watch in full, but it never felt like there was any reason to turn over in case Wolves mounted a fightback. From the moment the Cherries scored, it was pretty much game over. Vitor Pereira got a lot of plaudits last season, but this season he has started off abominably. I know he lost Cunha, but the whole team looks worse under him now, every player looks to have lost a step. Even more bizarre, why would you bench Andre? His partnership with Gomes was the foundation of everything Wolves did last season.

Starman:
Iraola - he has built this Bournemouth side into something that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

Flops:
Bellegarde - when you are replacing one of very few top quality players in a weak side, you need to be at it from the moment the game kicks off. Instead Bellegarde made a silly early error to cost his side the goal.
Toti Gomes - a needless foul to get sent off, any chance of Wolves mounting a comeback went with his red card.

Brentford 1-0 Aston Villa

A surprise result, with Villa lacking any kind of pace, Brentford were able to take advantage and get the first win of the new Keith Andrews-era. Villa were extremely disappointing, though they did improve after their substitutions, they were still too slow to move the ball around. They are looking a shadow of the team they were initially under Emery. There is a real lack of pace to the attack and defence right now. It is clear they are suffering badly under PSR restrictions as they attempt to build a side to compete for the Champions League places. The Bees, on the other hand, were hard working and willing to launch the ball forward at every opportunity to get in behind the Villa defence. They got their tactics right from the start and that was the key to their victory.

Starmen:
Kayode - an excellent performance from the youngster, he looks to be ready for a higher level.
Ouattara - he just had too much pace for the Villa backline to contain.

Flops:
Watkins - he is really struggling at the moment, but he also needs better service.
Rogers - he is offering very little to Villa right now, but he is young and learning his craft so it will probably get better in time.
Torres - his lack of pace was woefully exposed time and time again.
Emery - he got it completely wrong. There was no width or pace up front to push Brentford back or get in behind them if they stayed high. He seems unwilling to give his new signings a chance when they are desperately needed.

Burnley 2-0 Sunderland

The other game I was unable to watch in full, but it was a very interesting result and shows how close the battle is going to be to avoid relegation. By the looks of it, they will all be taking points off each other this season and it could be a proper scrap between 5 or 6 clubs to survive.

Arsenal 5-0 Leeds United

The big question in this game is what happened to Leeds? Against Everton they were physical and played at pace and with intensity, none of that happened against the Gunners. They were so disappointing, just rolling over to let Arsenal tickle their belly. The only concern for Arsenal were injuries, with both Odegaard and Saka having to be withdrawn early. Other than that, it was an absolute stroll in the park and they could easily have put a few more past Leeds with a bit of effort. Though I have to say the penalty was a terrible decision and a blatant dive by Dowman, who clearly threw his leg into the Leeds man, rather than the other way round. I have come to the conclusion that Mr Magoo has been placed in charge of VAR for this season, judging by the abysmal decisions it is making.

Starmen:
Timber - scored two and got an assist from right-back. He was outstanding and they just need to keep him fit.
Rice - always the driving influence in midfield. He does not need the armband to be the leader of the team.
Gyokeres - there were some signs of Arsenal players understanding what he needs to be a success and his goal was a result of one of those moment.

Flops:
Daniel Farke - bottled it completely and sent his team out to try not to get beaten too heavily. He failed completely. Such a shame as they would have been high on confidence after last week.
Perri - has he even seen a football before? It is hard to believe he has ever kicked a ball before!
James - had so many chances to attack with the ball at his feet and just passed back every time. Cowardly, weak performance from a player that always looks out of his depth at this level.

Sunday 24th August

Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest

I was really disappointed as this game was not the main game to be shown on Sunday here. It was the one that looked really tasty, as Palace fans, who are not particularly nice at the best of times, were wound up and for some reason angry at Forest over their own boards' incompetence. I am not sure why Forest and their owner Marinakis are getting targeted over a spat between UEFA and their own club, but there you go. But just to continue the theme of incompetence at the club, you have to question how the tifo got in, surely the stewards should have realised that was going to cause problems? Still, I am sure Parish will find someone else to blame, it is his way after all, rules are rules when anyone else is involved, but when it is him, then it becomes a miscarriage of justice! Can you say 'tool'? The match itself was a proper game of two halves, Palace the better side in the first half and Forest in the second, it was probably a fair result in the end.

Starmen:
Nuno Espirito Santo - despite all the speculation and the awkwardness caused by his press conference he still managed to pick up a result away to Palace, not an easy thing to do.
Munoz - the Palace wing-back is always a threat and picked up an assist.
Ndoye - looks to be an improvement on Elanga.

Flops:
Steve Parish - stop whining man, you messed up get over it and stop blaming others. It is embarrassing.
Gibbs-White - badly at fault on Palace's goal, he has not looked at it yet this season.

Everton 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion

A very disappointing game, Brighton look a much weaker side this season and it is entirely possible they end up in a relegation battle. You can only sell your best players so many times before it costs you badly. They look like the side that struggled after promotion with some pretty play but no cutting edge. The problem is that their defence is a mess too, with Dunk never having been good enough and it being built around him. That cost them in this game and it is likely to do so a few more times this season. As for Everton, new stadium, crowd at fever pitch of excitement at finally getting in there and they were very up for it. It was also fitting the Ndiaye was able to score the first competitive goal there in Dick's Hill, as he was also the man who scored the final goal at Goodison. No doubt a future quiz question there.

Starmen:
Garner - playing out of position at left-back, Garner has been a standout player for Everton so far this season.
Iroegbunam - covered so much ground, breaking up play and getting involved in Everton's attacks. Looked a completely different player from the one wearing his shirt against Leeds!
Grealish - he got the crowd off its feet, even just by getting the ball. Sometimes a player just fits a club and it seems Grealish is a good fit at the Toffees. So far at least.
The Everton Crowd - have to give it to them, they were excellent and loud throughout. The joy at finally having a modern stadium really brought them to life and gave them a new lease of life.

Flops:
Welbeck - missed chances which would have changed the game.
O'Riley - not sure what he has done to get in the team, he was poor, except for one moment of anticipation to break through and get onto the ball, only to hit it straight into Pickford.
The Brighton Defence - as a whole it is a shambles right now. It got worse when Hurzeler took off Baleba at half-time as it got no protection. The back four and keeper need drilling on basics badly.
Hurzeler - got it completely wrong tactically and made it worse with his changes.

Fulham 1-1 Manchester United

For the first ten minutes or so, it finally looked like the Amorim-era Manchester United that was promised had turned up. Then it reverted to the same as last season, just small flashes of decent play mixed between ponderous possession-based slow passing around. Even with the officials doing their best to help them, with a goal that should have been ruled out for a clear two-handed push by Yoro and a penalty that was never a penalty. If anything the initial foul was by Man Utd players, it was just that Bassey outmuscled his man and they all ended up in a heap together. At worst it was six of one and should have just been waved on. Fulham, despite having been unable to strengthen so far this summer (with some of the worst excuses ever emanating from the chairman much to Silva's chagrin), were able to bring some quality off the bench to change the game. While Marko Silva was turning the game for the better, Amorim was doing his usual swapping around of centre-backs, a habit that I find utterly bizarre. Why does he feel the need to sub off at least 2 centre-backs in every match and replace them with another pair of centre-backs? It is never to change the system, just a like-for-like swap.

Starmen:
Lukic - a very good performance from the midfielder. He was popping up everywhere.
Silva - made positive changes which produced a result for his team.

Flops:
Bruno - lost the plot after the referee brushed against while preparing to take the penalty. It was an embarrassing meltdown blaming that for being why he missed.
Casemiro - games just pass him by now. He lacks the mobility to cover the ground in a two in there up against opposing three man midfields. Added to that, his passing is terrible.
Amorim - seems incapable of tweaking the tactics to beat the opposition. And there is that obsession with swapping out centre-halves all the time that I really do not understand, especially when his midfield is being overrun and is in desperate need of fresh legs to help it out.

Monday 25th August 2025

Newcastle United 2-3 Liverpool

An exciting game, though not in the vein of the original 4-3, despite a similar ending. This Newcastle team is nothing like the Keegan team, they are extremely physical and set out to damage Liverpool players from the start in order to gain an edge. They tried to bully their way to victory and it nearly worked, in part thanks to the referee, who was abysmal. The Gordon assault he was only giving a yellow card to, despite looking straight at it. Trippier in the opening minutes was able to stud Wirtz and only gave away a free kick. Burn was able to throw and pull Liverpool players around at set pieces, but Simon Hooper kept having a word with the Liverpool players for some reason. The challenge Burn made on Salah, which resulted in his booking, was thigh height even though the ball was on the ground, that could easily have been a red. Then there was Bruno Guimaraes, who somehow survived to finish the game, despite numerous fouls that could have been bookings, both before and after he was booked. Even after he lunged in to get a final warning, he went over the ball on Gravenberch, amongst a whole catalogue of bookable offences. Yet, somehow, Liverpool found a way to win, despite not playing well throughout. They struggled badly against the physicality but they came away with three points. Newcastle will be gutted they never held on to at least a point, but they have real problems in scoring from open play. Their threat was all from set pieces. If they had been good enough to actually play, rather than just bully physically, they would have taken the 3 points themselves, but they let the occasion get to them. It was very reminiscent of an early round FA Cup match, when a lower league team gets a plum tie with a Premier League team and, knowing they lack quality, try to compensate with physicality. One thing that Newcastle cannot be accused of is lacking effort - they gave everything in that match and managed to make it look like they were the team with the man advantage at times. All they lacked is a bit of quality in the final third.

Starmen:
Livramento - had an excellent game and it is telling that Salah popped up with an assist only after he was moved to the right.
Guimaraes - scored the goal, but his skill in somehow avoiding a second yellow, despite a ridiculous number of fouls that warranted it, can only be marvelled at.
Gravenberch - despite picking up an early yellow, he managed to keep himself in the physical battle in midfield for the full 90 minutes and even popped up to open the scoring.
Ekitike - despite taking a battering, he was still always a danger and showed that he can handle the physical side of the game.
Szoboszlai - spent most of the game out of position at right-back and looked better than the actual right-backs at the club! His dummy for the winner was excellent as well.
Ngumoho - yes, it was only a few seconds, but to come on in that bear pit and score the winner late in injury time at just 16 years old deserves praise. It would have been very easy to snatch at that chance.

Flops:
Trippier - supposed to be a good crosser of the ball, but his crosses were abysmal. His only contribution were a series of fouls.
Elanga - can run very fast, but looks like that goal last season for Forest has gone to his head and he forgets he is part of a team.
Barnes - completely shut out of the game by a makeshift full-back.
Gordon - his only positive contribution, from a Newcastle point of view, was slipping over on the edge of the box to win a free kick as Szoboszlai was close by him. His sending off was idiotic and it had been coming for a while as he was getting increasingly more reckless as the game went on. He played like a player whose head was gone from the kick off.
Kerkez - his defending on the first goal was embarrassingly bad.
Konate - took the heat off Kerkez by defending even worse throughout the game. He is a liability right now.
Bradley - lost the ball and then gave away a needless foul for the equaliser.

Written by Tris Burke August 26 2025 11:46:19