A tale to two Derbies : English Premier League
This weekend could well be season-defining in the Premier League. It was one of rude awakenings for some and continuing hopeful runs for others.
Ten Haag's "ten"acious bunch delivered a counterattacking punch to their mostly listless neighbours to paint Manchester red. In the next few hours, Arteta's Arsenal dished out a display of beauty on the field and painted London red.
Manchester City, with a team good enough to field two teams in the league, was looking haggard. They kept the ball and passed it around like they always do. Opposing teams find it dizzying at times, and as their defensive formations start melting, the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Mahrez whip in crosses for Haaland, and these days, unfortunately, only Haaland can feed on them. This time it was different: United kept their formation, Fred clung on to De Bruyne's coattails, and Haaland was left ambling aimlessly like a predator hunting in the barren. They did score first, but then this was a different United unit, one that is cohesive, more rounded, and has found a purpose, with all distractions gone. Some great substitutions, a change in pace, and two blistering counterattacks later, the Champions were left embarrassed twice in a matter of days.
Painting Manchester was done.
The Red Devils are getting back into the hunt to the delight of their fans, who have suffered for a long time. They can see hope in the silent efficiency of Casemiro, the buzz of Garnacho, and the rebirth of Marcus Rashford. This is a team on the rise, and this time it looks like a more assured and possibly long-lasting rise.
Sunday was a bit different and a bit the same too; Arsenal, fielding the youngest lineup in the league, continued to impress. Against their arch-rivals, Tottenham, and away from home, it had been a nightmare. At the end of it, they set that right. It was a dream display, and when you dream well, nightmares are put away.
In a display of delightful football, the Gunners demolished Tottenham. The first half could not have been more dominating. Saka and Martinelli toyed around with the backline. The ever-changing geometric patterns forming in the middle of the field with Zinchenko, Partey, Xhaka, and Odegaard left the Tottenham midfield chasing shadows. While Partey stayed steady, the others were fleeting around, and Tottenham could never get the hang of it.
Down by two before the break, Tottenham did come back hard; for about a quarter of an hour, they were right back, but if you give away a mile, getting back a few metres is often not good enough. Arsenal displayed their newfound resilience in the back, and with Ramsdale in sublime form, Arsenal rode it out.
It was London's turn to be red.
The scene on the table is changing; Manchester City aren't looking menacing, Liverpool is wobbling, and Chelsea needs a hospital of its own. Newcastle is defending its way up the table, Manchester United is galloping, and Arsenal is perched at the top.
Arsenal and United are heading the right way. Their coaches are circumspect, their supporters are a happy lot, and their towns are red.
There are a lot of pundits waiting at the bottom of the cliff, predicting their inevitable drop.
The fans don't care; they are having fun, and that is what matters. The next weekend could prove otherwise for one of these two fan bases.
=======================================================================Sudhir Bhattathiripad
Be A Sport
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