EPL Tops & Flops: Scene set for magnificent Manchester showdown

TOPS

MATCH OF THE WEEKEND: Manchester City 3 West Ham 1

After the dreary 0-0 stalemate played out by well-known entertainer Tony Pulis and the unbeaten Jose Mourinho discipline Aitor Karanka, it was certainly a treat to have the experience made up by Manchester City.

Raheem Sterling started things off by capping a sexy passing move in the 7th minute to give City the lead.

Fernandinho then powered home a tantalising Kevin de Bruyne free-kick and while a tactical switch saw West Ham pull one back through Michail Antonio, who earned his first England call-up, Sterling struck again to calm Guardiola's frayed nerves.

And while much has been made of Pep's duel with Jose Mourinho, let's drop that side plot and recognise what's really happening here - the re-awakening of football in Manchester.

PLAYER OF THE MOMENT: Raheem Sterling (Man City) & Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)

PHOTOS: REUTERS

Sterling deserves every ounce of praise for showing why City were willing to spend £49 million ($87.2m) last season after his dismal showing at Euro 2016.

His fellow forward on the opposite side of town had a bit of a point to to prove after failing to play in Manchester United's opening fixtures.

And when the time came, Rashford sent out a stark and timely reminder to Jose Mourinho by tapping home the stoppage-time winner aganst Hull City.

Sept 10 can't come any sooner.

BEST BOSS: Antonio Conte (Cheslea)

PHOTO: REUTERS

Chelsea still have kinks to sort out, but Antonio Conte seems to be handling the problems he is facing well.

While he clearly wants more signings, the Italian has ripped away the cloud that was hanging over Stamford Bridge and having the Blues believing again.

Even though Eden Hazard's form started to take off at the Euros, it looks as if he has successfully transferred his performances to London.

TOP TEAM: Manchester City

PHOTO: AFP

That tentativeness against David Moyes' Sunderland feels like an eon ago, doesn't it?

For the first 45 minutes, it looked as if Pep Guardiola's men were bypassing West Ham like they were shadows.

The Citizens are clearly gelling as a unit and accepting Guardiola's methods, leading to a mouthwatering derby encounter with neighbours United in two weeks' time.

MEANEST DEFENCE: Curtis Davies (Hull City)

Easily Hull's one-man-show at the heart of the Hull's brave defensive rearguard action against United.

Davies probably would've repelled Jose's kitchen sink all the way back to Portugal if the Red Devils boss decided to use it.

A real shame he had to be on the losing team.

 

 

BEST GOAL: Eden Hazard (Chelsea v Burnley)

PHOTO: REUTERS

The imperious turn. The effortless slalom. The nimble change of direction. The elegant strike.

If you cannot appreciate how easy Eden Hazard makes football look at times, you should be following another sport.

After the tumultuous 2015/16 season, the Belgian wizard is certainly back to his best under Conte.

FLOPS

DUD OF THE WEEKEND: West Brom 0 Middlesbrough 0

PHOTO: REUTERS

No goals, no fun.

I hope you're happy with your unbeaten status, Boro.

FLOP ON THE PITCH: Anthony Martial (Manchester United)

PHOTO: REUTERS

He was unusually magananimous after his United side stole a last-minute winner against Hull, but Jose Mourinho will no doubt be left contemplating about the lone fly in his ointment.

Despite starting United's games on the left, Anthony Martial has hardly shown even a sparkle of the form the carried United through the dreary times under Louis van Gaal.

With Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford pushing strong cases to start under Mourinho, the Frenchman needs to improve his performances or face time on the bench in the Manchester derby.

 

 

MANAGERIAL MORON: Slaven Bilic (West Ham United)

PHOTO: AFP

West Ham put up a decent fight against Guardiola's delightful City in the second half, but they might have left the Etihad wondering if they needed to battle back from a two-goal deficit in the first place.

Slaven Bilic's second-half introduction of Sam Byram allowed goalscorer Michail Antonio to adopt his more natural position in midfield to affect the game.

It did the trick, but shouldn't a manager be starting with his A-game in a match against one of the league's best?

WORST TEAM: Crystal Palace

PHOTO: REUTERS

They've spent nearly £50 million, but even club record signing Christian Benteke can't stop the Eagles' worrying slide - they've won just two out of 22 Premier League matches in 2016.

Alan Pardew really, really needs a win.

 

 

DEFENSIVE SHAMBLES OF THE WEEKEND: Arsenal

PHOTO: REUTERS

They might have their first win of the season under their belt and made two signings to address two significant shortcomings in their squad, but nothing highlighted Arsenal's need for a defender like the comical defending that led to Watford's goal on Saturday (Aug 27).

None of the Gunners' backline dealt with Daryl Janmaat's cross decisively, allowing Roberto Pereyra to smash home after the ball pinged around the Arsenal penalty area.

While Arsene Wenger's men withstood the Hornets' second-half assault, they will be hoping that Shkodran Mustafi immediately improves their defence following his move from Valencia.

D'OH AWARD: Shay Given (Stoke City)

These tweets basically sum it all up...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At least the fantasy leaguers who picked him will get points for the save.