Big teams stutter on super weekend, but Jamie Vardy makes history

By Hilton Yip Source:Global Times Published: 2015-12-1 0:08:02

This weekend's Super Saturday was one of the Premiership's liveliest ones this season, with a whopping 25 goals in six matches.

However, amid the multiple-goal thrillers, what will stand out is Leicester's 1-1 draw with Manchester United when Jamie Vardy made history and broke the scoring record for consecutive games.

Besides the occasion of Vardy's ­heroics, the match was between the league's numbers one and two coming into the weekend. Leicester fans must have been pinching themselves to see their club under such a big spotlight.

The game highlighted the divide between Leicester's fast-flowing attack and Manchester United's safety-first approach. While Leicester maintained their usual attack-minded approach ­regardless of their more illustrious ­opponents, United on the other hand were more cautious. Even in the second half, when Leicester seemed to have faded, the Red Devils spent some time passing the ball around and backwards.

United's 0-0 draw at midweek in the Champion's League raised a lot of ­concern about their lack of goal scoring and cautious tactics, but in the Premiership, they are still near the top and have one of the best defenses. Both sides are still in the top four and not showing any sign of dropping off.

The same cannot be said for Arsenal, whose loss to West Brom a week ago was followed by a disappointing 1-1 draw with Norwich on a not-so-super Sunday. No disrespect to those two teams, but Arsenal must surely have expected to get more than one point against them.

Worse, Arsenal's injury crisis continued, as first Laurent Koscielny, then Alexis Sanchez had to be substituted due to injury. After just losing Francis ­Coquelin in the game against West Brom and with key players like Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere still out, the Gunners are in dire straits.

Arsenal play Sunderland next weekend and will be desperate not to drop points or players.

At least Arsenal are not in Chelsea's situation.

The defending champions eked out a tight 0-0 draw with Spurs on Sunday that saw little action. Both sides disappointed, though it must sting Chelsea to be in a situation where getting a 0-0 draw with Spurs is a worthy result. As Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino said, "I think Chelsea will be happy with the point. It is more important to them than us." It might have sounded a bit patronizing, but it was also the truth.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho still has to contend with Diego Costa, whose ­latest display of insolence was against his own manager. Costa was on the bench for the whole game but got up to leave before it was even over, throwing his substitute's bib over his shoulder towards Mourinho.

It does not bode well for Chelsea, though few will pity them.

The author is a Beijing-based freelance writer. hcpyip@gmail.com

Posted in: Extra Time

blog comments powered by Disqus