Crystal Palace finally managed to score a goal, beating the champions, Chelsea, in what must go down as one of the biggest upsets in Premier League history. That upset has really put Chelsea off the title pace, which is being set by the relentless free-scoring Manchester City. While, Mourinho, bored everyone to death, with his defensive tactics in the big game of the weekend: a tedious 0-0 draw that didn’t really help either team (whatever Mourinho thinks). Then on Monday Leicester, finally parted company with the traitorous Craig Shakespeare, a manager no-one will be unhappy to see the back of, after his treatment of, the universally popular, gentlemen Claudio Ranieri. Here is how week 9 of the Premier League will do down:
West Ham vs Brighton
West Ham’s uninspiring season continued, with a 1-1 draw against Burnley away (although if the fans weren’t so arrogant, they might see it as a good result given Burnley’s current league position). While Brighton, have steadied the ship after a shaky start and are beginning to put a run of decent results together. This game will be dull and a terrible advert for Friday night football, but I think there is an upset on the cards: 1-0 Brighton.
Chelsea vs Watford
Chelsea’s bubble seems to have unhappily burst, not only did we suffer the ignominy of losing to Man City, we then compounded that result by somehow allowing Crystal Palace to beat us. You already get the feeling that it might be one of those seasons, where we are only playing for the Champions League, come February. It is such a shame, given what a good team we looked, when we finally managed to get all our players on to the pitch at the same time against Atletico Madrid. Then Kante and Morata got injured, which makes you worry about Watford, although I believe that we will scrape through the game 2-1.
Huddersfield vs Man United
Mourinho’s bore-draw tactics at Liverpool were effective, as he and his charges managed to scrape a 0-0 draw (although I personally, don’t believe it is the best plan, to close your eyes, cross your fingers and hope that Man City, lose more games than you). While Huddersfield’s defeat at Swansea, signalled the beginning of their spiral towards the lower regions of the table. Man United will win this game, but their fans must be wondering, if unexciting 0-0 draws against the big teams is really a strategy that will land them the title: 3-0 Man United.
Man City vs Burnley
Guardiola’s seemingly all-conquering Manchester team comes up against, plucky Burnley, who are punching well above their weight this year. In normal circumstances, this is exactly the kind of game that City would slip up in: after a dogged defensive display from Burnley and a late goal scored from a corner. This season doesn’t appear to be normal so far, so you have to fancy City to win, although I still think Burnley will make them more uncomfortable than most: 2-1 City.
Newcastle vs Palace
After 7 long games, Crystal Palace finally managed to put the ball in the back of the net on Saturday (or to be more precise Chelsea put the ball in the back of the net for them) and then they managed to do it themselves and eek out an impressive 2-1 win. Who would begrudge their long-suffering fans this moment of glory? Me of course as a Chelsea fan. I expect normal service to resume on Saturday and Newcastle to manage a rather tedious 1-0 win.
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Stoke vs Bournemouth
Stoke were on the wrong end of a thrashing in Manchester, while Bournemouth became the first team to lose at Wembley to Spurs: neither result was especially surprising, although Bournemouth fans will be starting to sweat about their Premier League future. This game will be close, with a 1-1 draw being the most likely result.
Swansea vs Leicester
The Shakespearian tragedy has finally finished: as Leicester finally got rid of the unpleasant villain, while Swansea, continue to look like a team that will finish just above the relegation zone. Despite sacking their Judas manager, there remains, something rotten in the state of Leicester, which means I fancy Swansea to beat them on the back of another Tammy Abraham goal: 2-1 Swansea.
Southampton vs West Brom
These two teams are the very definition of boring consistency, and if this isn’t an early season play-off for 10th place, I don’t know what is. Neither team is sparkling, but a combination of defensive fortitude and hard-work, pulls them through, meaning that this game will not be one for the neutrals. The most obvious result in the definition of mediocrity play-off is a draw, which is exactly what will happen, with 1-1 being the most likely score line.
Everton vs Arsenal
The two unhappiest teams in the league face off (now that Palace have beaten Chelsea), in a game where both managers are under immense pressure (or they should be, because Wenger is never under pressure). Arsenal were looking good against Watford, 1-0 until they brought their lazy superstar, Ozil, on who then conspired to help them lose 2-1: yet Wenger still plans to pay him £300,000 a-week. While, Everton, managed to draw with Brighton, thanks to a late goal from Shrek: this game could really go either way and I wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal won 7-0 and people spent next week discussing them as genuine title contenders, before they squashed that with a 1-0 loss to West Brom. But, since I dislike Arsenal, I am going to go the other way and predict that Everton snap out of their funk and beat Arsenal 3-1.
Tottenham vs Liverpool
Spurs finally got the Wembley monkey off their backs, by beating Bournemouth 1-0 and then managed an impressive away draw at Real Madrid, while Liverpool were frustrated by Mourinho, before taking out those frustrations on lowly Maribor in a 7-0 thrashing. This game has all the makings of a classic, and you have to fancy Kane to score at least one goal against Liverpool’s porous defence. However, you also get the feeling that Liverpool will score a few, since confidence is flowing, meaning that I believe this game will end up 2-2 in the end.