Premier League Picks Of The Week 9

Sports - Football - Premier League - Week 9

The 9th week of the Premier League action saw:

174 shots - most by Liverpool and Crystal Palace = 14 each - least so far (227, week 7)

19 goals - most by Chelsea = 4 - least so fat (20, week 7)

238 fouls - most by Man United = 17

39 bookings - most by Sunderland = 5

No red cards not penalties first time this season - but there should have been at least one, see below... => What the hell?!

This week has seen the least number of shots and goals so far this season (after week 7 which saw 227 shots and 20 goals).

Stamford Bridge made sure they were heard - "You're not special anymore!" adding salt to United's wounds.

And José Mourinho did take it personally and let Antonio Conte know how he felt. Very sour grapes indeed.

What a game! Chelsea's 4-0 thrashing of United not only showed how far Chelsea have come since Conte's takeover and Mourinho's departure, but also how far United have fallen since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement and the Portuguese's tenure. The Blues broke down the Red bus in the first minute - 30 seconds to be exact - thanks to Pedro and took over total control from there, riding high and all over United. The Red Devils were all over the place, missing organisation and stability, skipper Wayne Rooney being absent due to injury (apparently/allegedly, although rumour has it, Mourinho wants the Scouser out). Gary Cahill smashed one in from close range, Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante completed the rout with all the space and time in the world, United's non-existent back line and keeper David de Gea just watching. This dire defeat keeps United on 14 points, which means even much-demonised LVG had recorded more points after nine games at this stage last season (= 19) and only in 2014/15 under David Moyes had they recorded less (= 13).

What a team! It was not pretty, but Burnley did it again! The Clarets recorded another strong home win, making teams dread more and more to come and play at Turf Moor. With only 34% possession, Sean Dyche's men were less dominant, but more and better organised defensively with some old-school blocks at the back and reliable challenges in the middle. Criticised as "ugly" and "dirty work", it still ended up being rewarding = three points in the bag, hard-earned and well deserved. Ask high-flying Liverpool how it is to play here...!!!

What a man! Pep Guardiola's change did the job, after seeing John Stones gifting Southampton the opener after 27 minutes, Nathan Redmond taking advantage of the giveaway. Substitute Kelechi Iheanacho equalised in the second half, nine minutes after coming on, making it eight goals in his last 11 Premier League games for Man City. But still, the Saints ended up grabbing a point at the Etihad, taking the Sky Blues' winless run to five games. They have certainly lost their way after ten straight wins and everyone had already crowned them champions a bit prematurely. I'm sure the former Barca man does not have to worry too much with his side still top of the table on goal difference. However, he did have his say after the disappointing draw, keeping his side locked in and listening, the media and press calling it an "angry 50-minute inquest". What would be a better way of coming back on track than beating bitter rivals United in the EFL Cup midweek.

 

What a goal! Hull's misery continues thanks to a brilliant strike by Stoke's Xherdan Shaqiri, from nearly 25 yards, it was an unstoppable stunner, leaving keeper David Marshall hopelessly beaten. And a lovely curling free-living from 20 yards made it 0-2, handing the Potters a crucial win and a deserved man of the match award for the Swiss star.
Winston Reid left it very late and controversial for West Ham, scoring in the 90th minute to record the Hammers' first home win at the Olympic Stadium since August...

What the hell?!...  But Moyes was not happy that goal counted and is looking at facing charges after a tunnel bust-up with referee Bobby Madley. Replays did show at least two West Ham players did look offside. Desperate times for Sunderland, stuck at the bottom of the table, luck is definitely not going their way...
Much in contrast to Moussa Sissoko, what were you thinking?! How the officials did not spot the big fat elbow beats me! Bournemouth's Harry Arter accepted the Spurs sub's apology and said all was forgiven, but the three-match ban he has received in the meantime is appropriate to say the least!

My Predictions - Actual Results
Bournemouth 2:4 Tottenham - 0:0
Arsenal 2:1 Middlesbrough - 0:0
Burnley 1:2 Everton - 2:1
Hull City 0:0 Stoke - 0:2
Leicester 1:0 Crystal Palace - 3:1
Swansea 0:0 Watford - 0:0
West Ham 2:0 Sunderland - 1:0
Liverpool 4:2 West Brom - 2:1
Man City 3:1 Southampton - 1:1
Chelsea 0:0 Man United - 4:0

Click here for last week's Premier League Picks

All pictures taken from the BBC match reports