Players of the Week
Coutinho, Hazard and Zlatan all impress…
Coutinho ran the show for Liverpool against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday. He was mesmeric at times; the anchorman, in a stellar attacking performance from Klopp’s men. Fielded as an inside forward, but as a very narrow attacker, he was able to easily pick off an Arsenal backline which was incapable of tracking his impeccable movement and elusiveness. His stunning free kick, just before half time, acted as the catalyst for Liverpool’s goal surge in the second half. A long, long way from goal, Coutinho was able to bend a strike around both the Arsenal wall, and through Petr Cech before he was able to get anywhere near it. What was most impressive about that particular piece of skill was the fact that the little magician hadn’t had too much impact on the game until that point, it was as if he was awaiting for a chance to stun, and he grabbed it.
It was the first in a series of goals that Coutinho was involved in. Lallana’s second goal, a superb team effort, was in part down to Coutinho’s impulsive and spontaneous flick which found Wijnaldum, who was able to pull it back for the Englishman to find the net. The Brazilian’s impact didn’t stop there, as he grabbed himself another goal by superbly volleying past Cech. In a game where the quality of goals was so high; Mane and Chamberlain also getting in on the action, Coutinho’s second was under appreciated. A sweeping Liverpool move on the right hand side, with Nathanuel Clyne at his bombarding best, culminated in a wonderful run and finish from Coutinho. A goal worthy of high praise. Liverpool fan’s will be licking their lips at the idea of more to come from there talisman. Indeed, with the attacking threat at the disposal of Jurgen Klopp, it’ll be harder than ever to defend and track the Brazilian, expect Coutinho to do big things this season.
Eden Hazard took 34 Premier League matches to find the net last season, in what was the worst slump in form of a PFA Player of the Season winner in recent memory. Many would be forgiven for beginning to doubt the capabilities and the commitment of Hazard… except for the man himself, who was clearly determined to make amends.
The Belgian was back to his best on Monday night, as Antonio Conte and Chelsea got off to a 2–1 winning start against West Ham at Stamford Bridge. Hazard smashed in a penalty to put his team ahead just after the break and was instrumental throughout as Chelsea created plenty of chances. In the end, a late Diego Costa strike sealed all three points, but Hazard looked like his old self. It would surprise no one if Conte managed to inspire Eden to reach the form that he displayed in the 14/15 Premier League season, where he guided Chelsea to the title.
‘I am God of Manchester’… Zlatan Ibrahimović has landed in the Premier League. The giant Swede was instrumental in Manchester United’s opening day 3–1 win away at Bournemouth. It was a sign of things to come when Zlatan threw himself, head first, at a looping Antonio Valencia cross in the first half, managing to take out not one, but two defenders, whilst returning to his feet instantly. The eccentric striker dropped deeper and deeper as he began to take control of the United attack. Picking up the ball in acres of space and finding United runners was crucial in Mourinho’s men creating chances. Zlatan’s positional awareness was devastating and a major contributing factor to United’s third goal, as he evaded the Bournemouth midfielders to fire straight past Artur Boruc from 25 yards. It was a great goal, to cap off an even greater day for Mourinho’s men. Of course, this is only Zlatan’s first game, and the real test is whether or not the 34 year old has the physical capabilities to last the entire season. But, on the basis of the Community Shield and now the opening weekend, the wise money is on him having a great debut season in England.
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