EPL: Chelsea Routs Swansea As Man U Struggled TO Beat QPR

Chelsea routed Swansea 5-0 for the leader’s biggest win of the English Premier League season on Saturday, while Manchester United produced only its third away success of the campaign at Queens Park Rangers.
Diego Costa and Oscar both scored twice before Andre Schuerrle completed Swansea’s home humiliation, to go provisionally five points ahead of Manchester City, which hosts Arsenal on Sunday.

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“The team is playing with high quality and has a clear identity of playing,” Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said. “Sometimes teams are good and play well without the clear identity, but all this season we are going in a certain direction.”

United labored through the first half at QPR before a second-half turnaround saw substitutes Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson clinch a 2-0 victory. QPR remains in the relegation zone after a fifth straight winless league match, while United remains fourth, two points behind Southampton.

The south-coast team won 2-1 at Newcastle after the first goals from Eljero Elia since joining on loan from Werder Bremen this month.

Tottenham moved up to fifth with a 2-1 victory over Sunderland, Liverpool won 2-0 at Aston Villa, bottom-place Leicester lost 1-0 to Stoke, and Crystal Palace came from two goals down to beat Burnley 3-2, making it two wins out of two under Alan Pardew.

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There were also five goals in south Wales but they were all scored by Chelsea – four in the opening 36 minutes. And the first came 49 seconds into the match from Oscar’s 20-yard (meter) shot.

Cesc Fabregas’ 15th assist of the league season set up Diego Costa’s first, and the striker then seized on poor defending to score his 17th goal of the campaign.

Costa’s cut-back allowed Oscar to net Chelsea’s fourth with ease. The only surprise was it took Chelsea until the 79th to net again, with Schuerrle tapping Branislav Ivanovic’s cross into an empty net.

By contrast, United has been struggling to score. Fellaini’s opener at QPR – from Antonio Valencia’s pass – was only the team’s second goal in six hours of league action.

The second at Loftus Road came in stoppage time on the counterattack, when QPR was pushing for an equalizer, with Wilson netting from the rebound after first being denied by goalkeeper Robert Green.

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At White Hart Lane, there was no debut goal from Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe against his former club.

Jan Vertonghen’s second-minute opener for Tottenham was canceled out by Sebastian Larsson’s curled free kick, but Christian Eriksen struck the hosts’ winner in the 88th.

There was a fourth win in five games for seventh-place Liverpool. Fabio Borini volleyed in his first goal of the season before Rickie Lambert’s low strike at Villa, which has gone nearly nine hours without scoring.

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QPR Vs MAN U: Super-Sub Goal From Marouane Fellaini

In arguably the pick of this afternoon’s 3pm kick-offs in the Premier League, Queens Park Rangers play host to 13-time PL winners Manchester United at Loftus Road.
The game endured a rather subdued start – indeed, both sides seemed void of all creativity going forward as they went in at half-time without scoring. The Old Trafford outfit appeared to be struggling with their 3-5-2 formation, once again, whilst the West Londoners were trapped in an endless cycle of pumping the ball forward to Bobby Zamora.

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But finally, the deadlock was been broken by a relatively unlikely source. Marouane Fellaini started the match on the bench but came on at half-time for a lackluster Juan Mata and had a huge impact, netting United’s first of the afternoon.

The Belgium international’s Red Devils career has often been shrouded in controversy, but if the score remains the same for the next half hour, he’ll be United’s hero of the afternoon.

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EPL: LVG Is The First Coach To Win 6 Matches In A Row This Season

Van Gaal’s Manchester United may not have started the season well enough to be regarded as Champions; however, the club has in the last 6 matches set a record in the EPL as the first club to win 6 games in a row.
However, a recent run-in form from the Red Devils who between match day 8 and 10 were still languishing in the seventh position, has seen them climbed to the third; eight behind leaders, Chelsea

Since the 1-0 loss to neighbours Man City on Sunday, November 2; following the 1-1 draw with Chelsea seven days before, United have been on a troll, first a slim 1-0 win overCrystal Palace at Old Trafford, then the biggest of all; the 1-2 win disappointing defeat of Arsenal at the Emirates.

Van Gaal and his boys would continue on the high performance whilst still going through test; four wins from three home games against Hull City (3-0), Stoke City (2-1), in between an away victory over Giant killers, Southampton at Saint Mary’s Stadium (1-2) and on Sunday, Liverpool (3-0).

United’s next six fixtures are four away games against Aston Villa (Dec. 20), Spurs (Dec. 28), Stoke City (Jan 1), QPR (Jan 17) and two home games Newcastle (Dec 26) and Southampton (Jan 11).
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MAN U vs. LIVERPOOL: De Gea Saves The Day Yet Again

Louis van Gaal admitted man-of-the-match David De Gea had a “big influence” in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Liverpool in the Premier League at Old Trafford but insisted it was a team victory.
The hosts claimed their sixth league triumph in succession with goals from Wayne Rooney, Juan Mata and Robin van Persie, yet it was goalkeeper De Gea who produced the most sparkling performance.

The Spaniard denied Raheem Sterling and Mario Balotelli three times apiece with fine saves on a day in which Liverpool could have taken all three points themselves.

“You can always say that some players are the most influential in a game and, of course, David De Gea had a big influence,” United manager Van Gaal told Sky Sports.

'In his capacity'

“The balls were in his capacity, but he did it very well. I can mention other players who were also very good and had a big influence in this game today.”

Victory saw United consolidate third place in the Premier League table and close to within five points of second-placed Manchester City.

Although delighted to keep his side’s purple patch going, Van Gaal admitted he was concerned by aspects of his team’s performance against Liverpool.

“We have scored wonderful goals and we kept the shape very good, but in spite of the goals we gave a lot of chances away, and that was every time we gave unnecessary balls away,” he added.

Sloppy passing
"It was so easy playing because we had so much space, but nevertheless, we gave the ball away.”
It was the second match in a row in which United triumphed despite being far from their best, but Van Gaal believed there were improvements on last Monday’s 2-1 win at Southampton.

“Today I think we were the better team and we deserved to win,” he said. “It was not the same match as in Southampton. We pressed more in front, and that was also the key.

“It’s very important that we win the games, because then they [the players] believe in the philosophy, but we have to improve.”

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FOOTBALL TRANSFER: Board Backs Van Gaal TO Spend As He Wishes

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has been told money is no barrier if he wants to improve his squad. Van Gaal spent £150m in the summer, including a British record £59.7m on Angel Di Maria, but still trail Chelsea by 11 points in the Premier League.
Defensive midfielder Kevin Strootman and defenders Mats Hummels and Diego Godin are all targets for United.

However, United chief executive Ed Woodward has already said any "short-term fixes" in January are unlikely.

Speaking last month, he revealed: "We have targets we are looking at for next summer.

"Should any of them become available in January, which is obviously rare, we will consider acting. But it is a low probability."

United sources question whether Roma would allow Dutch international Strootman, 24, to leave when they are still battling for the Serie A title.
 

Injury problems
All of Manchester United's six major summer signings - Ander Herrera, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Angel Di Maria, Daley Blind and Radamel Falcao - have had spells out injured this season

Similarly, Borussia Dortmund would probably be reluctant to release Hummels, 25, with the club in a surprise relegation battle.

As for 28-year-old Godin, his Atletico Madrid team still have a chance of retaining La Liga and remain in the Champions League.

With fourth-placed United targeting a spot in next season's Champions League and with their commercial arm continuing to raise huge sums, Van Gaal has been told he can eclipse last summer's spending.

He will also be allowed to decide the United futures of defenders Rafael, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and striker Robin van Persie, who are all out of contract at the end of the next season.

The club are expected to open talks with goalkeeper David De Gea - he is also out of contract in 2016 - while midfielder Michael Carrick is set to be offered a deal to keep him at the club beyond next summer.

Out-of-favour midfielder Anderson is almost certain to leave, although United have ruled out the option of paying the Brazilian the remainder of his contract to get him out of the club sooner.
Source: BBC sport

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5 things we learned this Premier League weekend (everyone is rubbish)

The Premier League race continues to be characterised by a handful of decent performances while the majority flounder in a battle to the top of the scrap heap.If you'll permit a slightly pretentious opening, Newton's third law of motion states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
In other words, things should - in the grand scheme of things - balance themselves out.

Looking at the Premier League after another weekend, it seems that it takes three-quarters of the league doing terribly so that a small handful at the top can flourish.

In that case, Jose Mourinho, Ronald Koeman (probably still after tomorrow's game) and, yes, Alan Pardew too, have a lot to answer for.

Their teams' copious amounts of recent success mean we've had to put up with some awful rubbish on the side.

Arsenal are rubbish
Their worst start in 33 years with only 17 points after 12 games. A team playing with no confidence. Struggled to score against one of the league's dodgiest defences. Another shambolic display at the back and a second-half collapse to boot.

This really is Groundhog Day and the Premier League is Punxsutawney. Now where's that pesky woodchuck?

I never really understood that film. I got the moral dilemmas and the ethical questions that it explored, but not the fundamental hows or whys. But maybe that was the point?

It seems Arsene Wenger has a similar problem at Arsenal. Whatever he tries, this group of players just aren't performing like they should.

The really stinging thing - and what really rubs up Gunners the wrong way - is that even when they outclass Manchester United for the first hour at the Emirates, they just can't beat this team.

And, yet again, they only have themselves to blame. At least Wenger hasn't resorted to blaming some sort of Red Devil hoodoo, even if his post-match explanations have been particularly desperate of late.

Liverpool are rubbish
Their worst start in 22 years with only 14 points after 12 games. A team playing with no confidence. Struggled to score against one of the league's dodgiest defences. Another shambolic display at the back and a second-half collapse to boot.

This really is Groundhog Day and the Premier League is Punxsutawney. Now where's that pesky....arrgggh! [Head explodes].

What to say about Liverpool that hasn't already been said?

I think the 22 years stat is a new one, courtesy of a 3-1 defeat to struggling Crystal Palace.

How about the fact that, with his first goal for the club, Rickie Lambert has now outscored Mario Balotelli for Liverpool in the Premier League, a fact that probably wasn't wasted on the club's senior players.

The manager didn't mince his words at full-time when he said: "We have no one to blame but ourselves."

Many suspected that Rodgers would be unable to replicate Liverpool's form from last year without Luis Suarez and with a Champions League campaign to juggle.

But even the most negative of fans probably thought they'd be better than 12th after 12 games.

During that sequence of games, the Reds have scored just 15 and conceded 18, many of them calamitous in nature. At this point, it's hard to know which end Brendan needs to sort out first...

Spurs are rubbish (despite the result)
Don't feel too smug Tottenham fans. An hour into your game against Hull and things were looking even bleaker for Mauricio Pochettino than either of his Arsenal or Liverpool counterparts.

As Spurs sought to re-enact their fortuitous victory over Aston Villa, down to the minute of their winner, Steve Bruce's side protested loudly before begrudgingly obliging.

Gaston Ramirez, playing the part of Christian Benteke, took to his role as slightly unfortunate pantomime villain with gusto and aplomb, picking up a soft and ridiculous red card for which he nevertheless only had himself to blame.

That leaves Spurs level with Arsenal and Everton on 17 points - two behind Manchester United in fourth and three ahead of Liverpool in 12th. Oh, the mid-table cramp!

As long as their opponents keep on getting players sent off for no particular reason, Tottenham's bid for those lucrative Champions League spots still has life left in it.

Manchester United are rubbish (despite the result)

At this point, it seems slightly redundant talking about the problems at Old Trafford. For their most recent trip to London, United were struck down with an even more ridiculous injury crisis than usual.

That meant a back line of McNair, Smalling and Blackett and a reversion to 3-5-2.

And for an hour, it was a move that seemed to have backfired horribly on the manager.

Arsenal should have been out of sight, but as we learned further up, Arsenal are rubbish, so they weren't.

To be fair, Manchester United deserve credit for the way they managed the Gunners after going ahead in fluky fashion to secure LVG's first away win in the league.

Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team's second goal

And by the end it was the visitors who may have felt aggrieved that they hadn't won the game by a larger margin.

This will surely be a confidence boosting win, but it's important Manchester United don't get too carried away.

It's not every week that they'll face a team so suicidal in its tactics, that it will willingly and repeatedly leave Wayne Rooney and Angel Di Maria in 2v2 situations on the half-way line - despite possessing a pairing in central defence with all the pace of a Steven Gerrard backpass.

Speaking of Rooney, he does love to score against Arsenal. Apparently his strike on Saturday means that he has now scored more Premier League goals against the North London club than any other player - which is impressive when you remember how much Robbie Fowler and Didier Drogba enjoyed doing the same.

Chelsea are not rubbish

In a seemingly parallel universe, where rubbish stays in the bin - where it belongs - things really are rosy at Stamford Bridge.

It's almost like Jose Mourinho didn't get the memo from Premier League headquarters that this season would be the most exciting ever, as long as everyone promises to play equally rubbish.

That same memo was also lost in the post en route to St Mary's, but I'll hold off on lavishing too much praise on Ronald Koeman's side until they have emerged victorious from the seeming formality known as Aston Villa vs Southampton in 2014.

Meanwhile, back in West London, the thing that characterises Jose Mourinho's reign right now is a distinct lack of drama.

Cesc Fabregas hugs Eden Hazard after he scored their second goal

He doesn't even need to wind up his opponents if he doesn't want to these days - although he undoubtedly will.

Another routine win over West Brom leaves the Blues seven points clear of Southampton, who admittedly have a game in hand, and eight points ahead of Manchester City, who admittedly don't.

But the real fun comes in comparing their points tally to last year's two biggest pretenders to the throne. They're now 15 points clear of Arsenal and a staggering 18 points ahead of Liverpool.

That's right. Chelsea have more than double the points that the Reds have mustered after 12 games.

And they're still unbeaten...

Elsewhere...

• Crystal Palace were great value for their win over Liverpool. Yannick Bolasie was the best player on the pitch and Mile Jedinak's free-kick was a thing of beauty. Dwight Gayle now has four goals in three games against the Merseyside club.
• Without most of their star performers, West Ham changed up their tactics and Andy Carroll was absolutely immense in the air, winning more aerial duals against Everton than any other player has in a Premier League match this season (via WhoScored.com), but it wasn't enough to stop them leaving Goodison Park empty-handed.
• Everton are quietly climbing the table, having put together a run of better performances. After an atrocious start to the current campaign, they've won three and drawn two of their last six, which is enough to place them sixth in the club form table, ahead of the Hammers.
• A 0-0 draw with Sunderland secured what was only Leicester's second point from six games. Their impressive start to the season is well-and-truly behind them. In front? A long and probably arduous relegation dog fight.
• From 18th to fifth in the table for Newcastle in just 28 days is a mighty impressive turnaround by Alan Pardew. In their first eight games, they managed just seven points. In their last four, they've managed 12. Can anyone think of a good use for all that redundant #PardewOut merch?

Credit: Mirror

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Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United: Rooney seals gritty win against wasteful Gunners

Manchester United claimed their first away victory of the Premier League season with a 2-1 win at Arsenal, with the three points seeing them climb above the Gunners into the top four.

Kieran Gibb’s second half own-goal handed The Red Devils the initiative before captain Wayne Rooney’s dinked finish clinched an important victory for Louis van Gaal’s side.

Arsenal managed a late consolation when Olivier Giroud’s crisp finish beat the outstretched David de Gea to the top corner, but it proved just a consolation for the misfiring hosts.

Worryingly for the Gunners Jack Wilshere hobbled off with an ankle injury after a heavy collision with Paddy McNair, while anti-Wenger protests could be heard during and after the final whistle as Arsenal slipped 15 points behind league leaders Chelsea.

The home side started the brighter as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain delivered an intelligent pass into the path of Danny Welbeck, but the ex-United man was denied by McNair’s late intervention, before heading over the bar moments later.

Wilshere, who excelled for England in midweek, then tested David de Gea with a low strike having run 40 yards unopposed into the United area.

And the Gunners should have been ahead when Wilshere ran through on goal again after a poor clearance from De Gea but the Spaniard atoned for his error with a vital stop, before the 22-year-old’s penalty appeals were waved away by referee Mike Dean following a challenge from Luke Shaw.

United’s fragile defence was breached once again when Oxlade-Chamberlain evaded the offside trap, but the 21-year-old was kept at bay by the impressive De Gea.

And no Arsenal-United fixture would be without a heated exchange, with Wilshere perhaps fortunate to avoid a booking, or worse, after an altercation with Fellaini on the half-hour mark, with the Englishman leading with his head towards the Belgian.

Despite the Gunners' rampant first-half display, Louis van Gaal’s side went agonisingly close to taking a surprise lead when Angel Di Maria’s curling effort had Wojciech Szczesny scurrying to his right.

The Argentine was involved again minutes later, attacking the makeshift Arsenal defence with speed and purpose down the right, before Rooney’s effort was superbly blocked by Calum Chambers.

The hosts started the second half strongly, with chances for Per Mertesacker and Welbeck, but they were dealt a huge blow when Wilshere hobbled off after a late challenge from McNair – Santi Cazorla introduced as his replacement.

Matters got worse for the Gunners when United took the lead on 55 minutes, Ashley Young’s sweeping cross from the left causing confusion between Szczesny and Kieran Gibbs, before Valencia’s volley cannoned off the full-back into an open goal.

And the Gunners suffered a further blow when Polish goalkeeper Szczesny was forced off after suffering an injury during the build-up to United's opener, with 22-year-old Damian Martinez taking his place.

Arsenal responded with a headed chance from Sanchez, but the Chilean was unable to add to his eight Premier League goals for the season, while Cazorla then stung the hands of De Gea after good interplay with Welbeck on the edge of the area.

The introduction of Giroud added an alternative method to Arsenal’s attacking play, but they were unable to prevent Rooney from sealing their fate five minutes from time.

The England skipper rounded off a sweeping counter-attack involving Fellaini and Di Maria with a composed, clipped finish over the on-rushing substitute keeper Martinez.

An almost identical attack should have added a third to a much-improved United in the second half, but Di Maria was unable to emulate his captain, chipping the ball inexcusably wide with no Arsenal defenders in sight.

With eight minutes of stoppage-time signalled, Giroud marked his return from injury with a venomous left-footed strike into the top corner, but Van Gaal’s men held on for victory.

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