Barclays Premier League review: Weeks 1 and 2

With just two rounds of the 2014-2015 Premiership season completed, it would be entirely too early to make any long-term predictions. Current form, good or bad, may yet turn out to be the exception rather than the norm as the season progresses. No title has ever been won in August, after all.

What can be gleaned, however, is certain trends or performances to highlight. The first weeks of the season are prime opportunities for teams with intentions of setting themselves apart from the pretenders to lay down a marker.

Having said all that, what can we say about the first 2 weeks of the season now?

MOST IMPRESSIVE

CHELSEA

Jose Mourinho’s tenure at the various clubs he has managed in his managerial career has always been marked by a sharp improvement in his 2nd years. With Cesc Fabregas and Diego Silva making the move to Stamford Bridge and Thibault Courtois taking over from an aging Petr Cech in goal, there has been much anticipation surrounding Chelsea’s season after Mourinho’s return to England last year. The early returns have been good, with 2 convincing wins against Burnley and Leicester. While critics may point to the lower caliber of the opposition in those wins, it is also worth noting that in both games, Chelsea did not look like they had to exert themselves too much and still dominated.

Fabregas has adjusted nicely to his return to England, and already leads the league in assists, with this sublime pass to Andre Schurrle in their season opener against Burnley the pick of the lot:

MANCHESTER CITY

The defending champions have begun their title defense in some style as well, with equally-convincing wins over Newcastle and Liverpool, and similar to Chelsea, they have not looked like they were playing past third gear. With no major changes to the preferred starting lineup that won the title last season, manager Manuel Pellegrini will rely on consistency and chemistry among his first-team squad.

A solid team effort in the 3-1 win over last season’s runners-up Liverpool punctuated City’s impressive start to the season, and Pellegrini and City fans will be looking forward to the type of play that delivered this Sergio Aguero goal following a delightful through ball from Jesus Navas from midfield:

TOTTENHAM

For decades now, Spurs have been a mainstay in the top flight of English football, and the club has seen some incredible talent suit up for them. Unfortunately, they have been unable to muster a serious challenge for the title in that span, toiling in the shadow of their north London rivals Arsenal. Today, they sit at the top of the Premiership in the early days, and have looked impressive in doing so. Under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, Érik Lamela and Nacer Chadli are blossoming in their 2nd year with the club, and new signing Eric Dier has made a tremendous early impact on both sides of the ball with composed defending and 2 goals to his name already.

Highlighting their early games was this footballing masterpiece: a forty-six (!) pass move that culminated in Lamela creating space to deliver a cross into the box for Chadli to finish. You would be hard-pressed to find many better examples of a team goal, especially considering that all 11 players on the field were involved in the buildup. Below is the passing graph for the buildup and a clip of the finish:

MOST UNDERWHELMING

MANCHESTER UNITED

Much was made of new manager Louis van Gaal’s appointment, following the David Moyes debacle last season, and after an impressive preseason tour in the US that included wins over Roma, Inter, Real Madrid, and Liverpool, optimism was high in the United camp. That has since been tempered following a shocking defeat to Swansea, who did what no other team has been able to do to United for more than 40 years in handing United an opening day loss at Old Trafford, and a flaccid display against Sunderland, who looked like the better team for large portions of the match.

With new signing Angel di Maria confirmed, the Red Devils will be looking to right the ship soon, beginning with this weekend’s fixture against Burnley. Many observers have been counseling patience, as van Gaal, whose record speaks for itself, deserves some time at the very least, and the squad is still adjusting to his preferred tactical approach. Time, however, is always at a premium for clubs who want to be contenders.

A HARSH WELCOME

Leicester City, back in the Premiership after a decade’s absence from the top flight, fought back gamely against Everton to snatch a draw in their opening fixture. That has been the lone highlight (and point) thus far for the newly-promoted teams, as 5 of the 6 fixtures involving Leicester, Burnley, and Queen’s Park Rangers have all ended in defeat for the new boys.

WONDERSTRIKES

49 goals have been scored in the 20 matches so far, and besides the ones already pictured, these stand out as the pick of the bunch.

1) Mauro Zarate volleys home from 25 yards through a crowd in the Crystal Palace box:

2) Raheem Sterling slots home the finish after a through ball from Steven Gerrard:

3) Scott Arfield gives Burnley a shock lead against Chelsea:

4) Lee Cattermole drives home a screamer against West Brom:

And on the flip side, Southampton’s Shane Long with an absolute howler of a miss near the end of their tilt against Liverpool, a goal that would’ve saved a point for the Saints:

Only 2 rounds done, and this season’s Premiership has already provided plenty of action in the early going. This bodes well for the coming months, as the process of crowning the champion of English football unfolds.

(Featured image: Barclays Premier League)