With another weekend of Premier League action behind us, it’s time to take stock of everything that’s happened, gloss over the mundane and harp over the spectacular.
The ‘What Were You Thinking?’ Moment Of The Week
Short who was understandably upset with the direction his team was headed in, under the stewardship of former Villa boss Martin O’Neill, decided Sunderland’s loss to Manchester United was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. The camel, of course, being Short’s patience with O’Neill.
But then seemingly taking a page out of Roman Abramovich’s playbook, in which entire chapters are dedicated to thumbing your nose at your own supporters, Ellis Short picked a new manager who doesn’t exactly share the political leanings of the predominantly socialist and left-leaning Sunderland crowd. And that’s putting it mildly. The new manager is 44-year old self proclaimed fascist Paolo di Canio, with a penchant for raised-arm salutes and a fascination for Benito Mussolini. Seriously.
All of this has presumably been lost on the Sunderland owner, who presumably has a short attention span (see what I did there?). I suppose it’s time for Chelsea fans to forgive Roman Abramovich for the appointment of Rafa Benitez. It could’ve been so much more worse.
The Least Surprising Moment of the Week
Instead with the odds supposedly stacked against them, Manchester United dug deep into that blob of dark matter commonly known as Sir Alex Ferguson’s soul and called on the services of one of their most loyal servants across the ages, the dreaded own goal.
So while United did their best to slow down the pace of the game, so that Sunderland could keep up with them, there was precious little to write home about the game. In any case, when he was done toying with Sunderland, Robin van Persie decided to include the peripheral Titus Bramble in the proceedings, and get the latter onto the scoresheet.
And that own goal will live in infamy as having brought di Canio onto England’s shores.
The ‘Shooting Yourself In The Foot’ Award for the Week
When Chelsea should have been looking to get into steamrolling mode, they ceded the initiative and the mojo (if there is even such a thing). To make matters worse, their FA cup replay opponents Manchester United have started the mind games with Ferguson insisting Chelsea’s FA pedigree have been solely because of a fortuitous run of easy draws. And there’s also the subtle one-year extension to Rio Ferdinand, something that will not go unnoticed by the more deserving Frank Lampard.
The Nod for the Quickest Rehabilitation In A Season
A Top 4 spot looks almost certain, and while that wouldn’t be an improvement over Harry Redknapp’s performance, it will do. It most certainly will.
The Most Consequential Return of the Week
As Alan Pardew pointed out, it’s amazing what the knowledge of there being no chance of a shot at the title can do for you. Roberto Mancini, who doesn’t believe in last minute miracles anymore, seems to agree.
Chalk this up for game of the week to. There’s very few sights in the Premier League that can match that of Carlos Tevez, David Silva, and Vincent Kompany at their best.
Team Of The Week
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