Players of the Week
GW 2: Aguero, Pogba and Davies all impress…
It’s no surprise that Sergio Aguero has begun the Premier League in scintillating form. Having moved to Manchester in 2011, Kun Aguero has become a fan favourite, scoring plenty of goals in the process, including multiple derby winners and, of course, the most famous City goal of all time in their title seizing 3–2 win against QPR in 2012. Yet, there was a feeling last season that Aguero was running out of steam. Another campaign plagued by injury, meant that he was unable to inspire a lacklustre City team. Unfortunately, for Aguero, there have been many seasons like that. In 2012/13, Kun managed a mere 22 Premier League appearances and only 20 in the 2013/14 season. No one has ever doubted Aguero’s ability, as it would be foolish to do so, but people have questioned his durability. At Stoke on Saturday, the City number 10 was emphatic. Dispatching a cool penalty when City were under some pressure from the home team, and following the effort up with a fantastic guided header following De Bruyne’s wicked ball in. Aguero had put the game beyond Stoke in a blink of an eye.
Pep Guardiola’s tactics suit the dynamic striker. When attacking, Manchester City’s wide defenders become central midfielders, dragging the Stoke wingers in with them. However, this creates space for both Nolito and Sterling who able to create one on ones against their defenders. Both City wingers are fantastic in these positions, certainly Raheem Sterling who can twist and turn anyone into oblivion. Not only does Aguero benefit of this, as his movement is of such high quality that he can be found more easily, but De Bruyne and Silva also gain the freedom and space to dictate the play and pick out Aguero. Sergio has now scored 3 times in the Premier League, as well as bagging himself a hat trick in the first leg of City’s Champions League qualifier against Steau Bucharest, and he looks in no mood to slow down, with West Ham arriving at the Etihad on Sunday.
#Pogback. The World’s most expensive footballer made his second Manchester United debut under the Old Trafford lights. Fitting with its name, ‘The Theatre of Dreams’, plenty of United fans must’ve been pinching themselves when the news of Paul Pogba’s transfer arrived, certainly after the immense disappointment of Louis Van Gaal’s second season. For Pogba, it was a dream re-debut. He absolutely dominated the midfield and recorded impressive statistics. The Frenchman had the most shots (4), most touches (103), most dribbles (8) and most interceptions (5) of any United player on the pitch. Pogba gave the type of midfield performance which the Red Devils have been desperate for since the retirement of Paul Scholes and the departure of Roy Keane prior. The Southampton midfield were incapable of dealing with the power and technical ability of the young man, who dazzled past them with ease. Of course, in the end, it was Zlatan Ibrahimovic who grabbed both United goals to win the game 2–0, but Pogba’s performance will inspire hope and excitement for the season to come.
Do we have another Leicester City on the cards? Almost definitely not, but Hull City have started the season brilliantly when no one gave them a chance. The departure of Steve Bruce in the run up to the season caused serious concern in Hull. Further, the transfer of key players; such as Mo Diame to Newcastle, didn’t inspire much hope. Plus, we haven’t even mentioned the horrendous ownership situation and the fan protests which occurred at the KCOM (formerly KC) stadium last weekend. Yet, despite all the doom and gloom, Mike Phelan and the Tigers have won both their opening Premier League games. First, a 2–1 shock home win against the Champions and now, a comfortable 2–0 away win at Swansea.
Hull fans are no strangers to shock results, in their debut season in the top flight, Hull won at both the Emirates and White Hart Lane and claimed a draw at Anfield. One man who epitomises Hull’s great start to the season, is their defensive rock Curtis Davies who has been emphatic. Leading by example at the back, Davies was a key reason as to why Hull were able to keep Jamie Vardy quiet on the opening day. At the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, Davies was equally inspiring; blocking, tackling and, even assisting, for his team, as the Tigers picked up all three points. No one expected Hull to stay up this season, and perhaps they still don’t, but if they are to have a fighting chance, Davies will have to keep this level of performance up.
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