Winners
Manchester City finally turned on the style and underlined their Premier League title credentials with the performance of the season so far in the 4-1 drubbing of Manchester United. Manuel Pellegrini went quietly about his business of strengthening and reshaping the Citizens over the course of the summer transfer window. The Chilean spent in excess of £90m on six new players, but it was the club’s old guard who delivered the telling blows in this heavyweight clash. Captain Vincent Kompany started his first Premier League game of the season and produced a dominant centre-half performance to frustrate Wayne Rooney. In midfield, Yaya Toure bullied United’s £27.5m signing Marouane Fellaini as the Belgian was handed a firm reminder about the leap in quality required at the Red Devils following his move from Everton. Up front, Sergio Aguero netted his fifth and sixth derby goals to provide the cutting edge so often lacked last season. Aside from the three points, the manner of the victory was an added bonus for Pellegrini as the Citizens laid down an early marker after mixed performances from their title rivals Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and United this season.
Robbie Brady and Hull City Giovanni Trapattoni’s successor is yet to be named as the FAI take their time identifying the next Republic of Ireland manager. Despite having no boss to impress, Robbie Brady was Hull City’s star man as Steve Bruce’s side came from behind to seal a 3-2 win at Newcastle United. The former Manchester United forward netted his second Premier League goal of the season as the 21-year-old continues to excel since leaving Old Trafford. Brady also turned provider as he delivered a dangerous free-kick which Ahmed Elmohamady duly converted past Magpies goalkeeper Tim Krul. Trapattoni resisted calls to use the Hull forward in Ireland’s recent World Cup qualifier losses to Austria and Sweden. On current form, Brady is the standout Irishman in the top-flight. Whether Roy Keane, Martin O’Neill or Mick McCarthy (all touted as potential Trapttoni successors) take over the Ireland job, Brady can expect a chance to impress in his country’s remaining competitive fixtures this year.
Leighton Baines England left-back Leighton Baines has taken over the mantle of Everton’s star player since Fellaini’s move to United on deadline day. However, the 28-year-old received a stark warning from team-mate Leon Osman ahead of the trip to Upton Park. The Toffees skipper informed the defender that he’d been dropped from his Fantasy Football team after a series of ineffectual performances (at least in Fantasy terms). Baines duly responded with a brace of free-kicks – and his timing couldn’t have been better, with Roy Hodgson present at Upton Park on Saturday. The former Wigan man proved he is a canny operator as he exploited Jussi Jääskeläinen’s poor positioning for the first set-piece strike before staying poker-faced and placing his second in the opposite corner. It wasn’t just the left-back’s potency from free-kicks that will have impressed Hodgson. Baines was an irrepressible force, joining Everton’s relentless attacks when the Toffees were trailing 0-1 and 1-2 in east London. England’s first-choice left-back Ashley Cole was handed a torrid time by Basel’s Mohamed Salah last Wednesday, and if Hodgson is going to see through his promise of picking players on form, Baines merits a place against Poland and Ukraine on the evidence of this match-winning display.
Losers
David Moyes It’s too early for a knee-jerk reaction following the derby thrashing, but David Moyes was clearly bitterly disappointed following the rout at The Etihad. Moyes may have some ground to cover before convincing United supporters that he is a worthy successor to Sir Alex Ferguson, but his post-match swipe at the fixture list was reminiscent of the Red Devils legend. It’s been a tough start to his reign as United have already visited the hostile arenas of Anfield, Eithad Stadium and Liberty Stadium. With all their rivals dropping points, United’s start is still below par. But title races aren’t won or lost in September. Moyes will have been desperate to beat City, Chelsea or Liverpool after his miserable record against the ‘top four’ as Toffees boss. For now, Moyes will have to shoulder that undesirable monkey on his back.
Paolo Di Canio and Sunderland Paolo Di Canio’s brief Sunderland reign was ended on Sunday night as the Black Cats parted company with the feisty Italian. In typical fashion, Di Canio’s last act as Sunderland boss was unconventional as the 45-year-old confronted his travelling supporters (albeit from the confines of the pitch) following a 3-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion. Di Canio was brought in as a short-term solution to a long-term problem as he replaced Martin O’Neill and guided a stagnating Black Cats squad to safety last season. His injection of energy burnt out fast, and despite 14 new arrivals this summer, he leaves Sunderland rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. Deserving of more time as he sought to bring Sunderland out of its inertia, his successor will be tasked with gelling a squad (composed of four Italians). Continuing the Azzurri theme, Roberto Di Matteo is the early favourite to succeed his compatriot.
The ‘experts’
Earlier this week, former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys expressed his doubts over the long-term success of the broadcaster’s Saturday Night Live programme. Saturday evening’s showpiece was the west London derby and Chelsea bounced back from their midweek loss to Basel by securing a 2-0 win against rivals Fulham. Whilst the derby itself was a drab and unexciting affair, Jose Mourinho’s post-match confrontation with Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp brought the spectacle to life. The former Liverpool and Tottenham midfielder had criticised Mourinho’s omission of Juan Mata from the starting line-up – a reoccurring theme this season. The Chelsea boss was interested viewer of Redknapp’s pre-match analysis, and when questioned by the former England international after the win, launched a spirited defensive of his selection policy which left Redknapp squirming. He said: “Chelsea manager is Jose Mourinho, not Jamie Redknapp”. Redknapp’s co-pundit, Ruud Gullit, a former Blues manager was not immune to the Special One’s wrath either. “Ruud Gullit is a different pundit because he was also a manager. I think he shouldn’t be a very proud manager for what he did in the last three years”. More episodes like this, and Kevin Keegan’s infamous rant after being questioned by Keys could see the ex-Sky man pushed further into the past.