You know the season is truly underway when the Community Shield contest has been settled; and losers lambast it as a worthless piece of silverware that would have taken too much space in their trophy cabinet.
Instead of letting the loss to Arsenal go quietly, the Chelsea brigade, led by their manager José Mourinho, has been shouting at every opportunity about how this is such an insignificant development.
For the first time ever, Arsene Wenger claimed victory over José Mourinho after amazingly trying for 14 times! Never say never!
The Blues ruined the occasion of Wenger’s 1,000th game in charge of the Gunners in March 2014, knocking Arsenal for six in a stunning afternoon of football. It’s a theme that’s dogged Wenger’s career—Mourinho has been there to topple him at every turn—and this victory can be seen as symbolic, both for the manager and the Gunners.
Previously, the only other time that Wenger appeared to have ‘beaten’ Mourinho is when he shoved him so hard at the touchline, Mourinho nearly landed at the advertising hoardings!
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Arsenal is in the title race this season for the first time in more than three years. Wenger has produced a squad capable of matching the big boys, and the Community Shield win is affirmation of his work.
Chelsea’s business this summer has consisted of selling Petr ?ech and Filipe Luís and bringing in Asmir Begovi? and Radamel Falcao.
With the departure of Didier Drogba at the end of last season, Mourinho has replaced like for like. He hasn’t added anything different to this Chelsea team; there’s nothing new.
On Sunday, we saw how dangerous that is going to be over the coming season. We can look too much into friendlies, and in isolation, they are worth little to a team other than an exercise in refining tactics and improving fitness.
Collectively, however, a dangerous pattern can emerge, as it has for the Premier League champions. Chelsea has not had an inspiring preseason and wins have been elusive. It all started with defeat to New York Red Bulls, before back-to-back draws with Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona were followed up by the Community Shield loss to Arsenal.
Rather than outline the Gunners’ genius, defeat at Wembley was confirmation of everything silently feared: Chelsea haven’t moved forward.
Tomorrow the EPL returns with a bang with some mouth-watering clashes.
The Manchester United-Tottenham clash opens the campaign proper and Man United will be hoping to depart from their usual sluggish start in the league.
A die-hard Man United fan once remarked to me that the team is a like a big ship; it has to move slowly from the harbour. But when it hits the high seas, the nautical speed is cranked up.
But against Tottenham Hot-Spurs, you cannot be too sure. Truth be told both teams would have wished they were facing easier opposition as the first game. There is never a good time to face Man United, but going by the past sluggish opening ties, Tottenham should be thankful.
However, there is some revival of some sort at Old Trafford after the arrival of the new buys. This feel good factor may just sway the tide in United’s way. If you spice it up with the Old Trafford atmosphere, United have a slight edge over Spurs. I will reluctantly call it for United 1:0.
Swansea will visit Stamford Bridge to play a team that is still smarting from the Community Shield loss to arch-rivals. While as Swansea made a good account of themselves last season, they could easily open the league with a loss.
Chelsea will do to Swansea, all the things they would have wanted to do to Arsenal but they were unable. For this reason, Mourinho will make sure he comes out flat out to win the game. Chelsea also have an added advantage in that they will have already known the results of the day’s matches and motivation will be in plenty in their dressing room. I expect Chelsea to take it 2-0.
New entrants Bournemouth or if you like ‘Burn your Mouth’ have been welcomed into the league with a kind fixture. It is like going to a corporate party to find the hospitality tent laden with all your favourite drinks.
Aston Villa escaped the chop with the thickness of their teeth and they have not done much in the transfer period to warrant a change of fortunes. They have actually let their star player Christian Benteke join Liverpool so unless they have been to Gambia or Zanzibar and consulted a serious witch doctor, I see more of the same as last year in their performances. I can bet ‘Burn your Mouth’ may surprise Aston Villa with a 1:0 win.
Liverpool against Stoke will be a draw. I will be thoroughly surprised if this match can spark the action. In fact, if I were a Liverpool fan, I would be a bit concerned with this tie.
Traditionally Stoke are a difficult team to beat, not because it is one of the best teams in the league, but because it’s one of the best in stifling swashbuckling football. Not that Liverpool really has much to complain about, they rarely play sexy football. Their spark came at a premium last season.
Even in the Auditor General’s books, this is still a boring 0:0.
Twitter: @tonyngare
