Tim Sherwood is a very unhappy man right now.
Brendan Rodgers is battling to save himself from being replaced by Jurgen Klopp, while it was down to two teenagers to do the business for both Manchester clubs.
As for Jose Mourinho? Well, nobody really knows. It’s just another eventful weekend in the Premier League.
With that in mind, here were the biggest talking points of the weekend.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1T93S5xOQE
Martinez heaps more misery on Mourinho
The Premier League was back with a bang, and all eyes were on Goodison Park, to see if Chelsea could turn around their dismal start to the season.
In a match deemed ‘The John Stones Derby’, Jose’s team went from bad to worse, with Everton running out 3-1 winners in an enthralling tie.
It was Steven Naismith, on for the injured Muhamed Besic, who scored a hat trick to leave a beleaguered Mourinho reeling.
Chelsea had two good players – Asmir Begovic and Nemanja Matic, and it was the Serbian’s wonder strike that gave Chelsea a fighting chance – but credit to Everton who impressed and clinched the three points with fight and endeavour.
This time Jose’s excuse was that his tactics computer didn’t work.
A petty squabble with Roberto Martinez over the post-match press conference running order has also made headlines. He went as far to say that refugees are under more pressure than him.
Mourinho claimed people will finally be happy to see his supposed suffering, drowning in a sea of paranoia. With four points from a possible 15, where does the Chelsea manager go from here?
The big names are still yet to get started and a lack of cohesion throughout the side is desperately worrying for the reigning Champions.
Let’s give credit where it’s due to Everton though, as it certainly wasn’t all down to a lacklustre Chelsea performance. The Toffees put on a passionate and capable display, with star turns from youngsters Ross Barkley and, ironically, Stones.
As the pressure mounts, Chelsea face Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League, but the real test is a clash against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Is the problem really his players or is it time to hold his hands up and admit responsibility?
No more dodging, no more migrant comparisons and no more walking out of interviews – or the clock really will start to tick for Jose.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jng1CaBimOE
City leave it late, but come up with the goods again
Pacesetters Manchester City kept their unbeaten run going, with a 1-0 win in a feisty encounter at Selhurst Park against a spirited Crystal Palace.
City had the strength in depth to cope with injuries pre-match to David Silva and Raheem Sterling, but star striker Sergio Aguero limping off after a tackle from Scott Dann was a sight most City fans had feared.
Enter Kevin De Bruyne, making his debut after his megabucks move from Wolfsburg, and he helped pull the strings and propel City to their fifth straight win in a row.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZke7UXlcE8
Jesus Navas should’ve done better after he put his shot wide when he was through on goal, but it was Nigerian youngster Kelechi Iheanacho who wrapped up all three points for Manuel Pellegrini, after coming off the bench to score a late winner.
At points it threatened to boil over, not least on the touchline, with Pardew and Pellegrini coming to blows.
Although the game had been a relatively even affair, City cranked the pressure up throughout the second half and a late winner always looked likely in a wonderfully open and entertaining encounter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlV4WW-Nxws
It’s West Ham United at the Etihad next in the league for City, but not before their Champions League campaign gets underway, with a tricky home tie against last season’s finalists, Juventus.
Pellegrini will be happy to have Sterling and Silva fit and available again, but Aguero’s knee injury is a big blow.
Incredibly, it’s been 450 minutes since Joe Hart has conceded a goal – City’s defence look colossal.
Alan Pardew’s side can take solace in running the early favourites close, as Palace looked invigorated and it was a battle to the finish.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJiwn7WHoi0
Great character from teenager Martial piles the pressure on Rodgers
It was the battle of the history boys over at Old Trafford with Manchester United taking on their old school nemesis Liverpool.
Both sides desperately needed a win after their pre-international break defeats – and it was the home side that came up trumps. After a dour first half, United drew first blood with Daley Blind breaking the deadlock.
That lead was doubled by an unstoppable Ander Herrera penalty, before a magnificent overhead kick by Christian Benteke offered Brendan Rodgers a glimmer of hope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WSfkU4eVls
Enter new signing Anthony Martial.
Making his debut after his #DeadlineDay move from Monaco and with Wayne Rooney ruled out with a hamstring injury, the 19 year old went on a mazy run through the Liverpool defence and slotted coolly past Simon Mignolet, to make it 3-1.
It was an instant statement. After critics and the press questioned the Frenchman’s capabilities, a goal on his debut can do nothing but lift a bit of the weight that hefty price tag has bestowed onto his young shoulders.
United’s next focus is a trip to PSV in the Champions League midweek, before facing Southampton at St Marys on Sunday.
The defeat heaps more misery on Brendan Rodgers – sitting mid-table with seven points from a possible 15, his side face Bordeaux in the Europa League on Thursday before Norwich visit Anfield on Saturday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzHgpk0EyJQ
The suspended Philippe Coutinho and injured Jordan Henderson were always going to be big misses for Liverpool, both big presences in midfield, with most opportunities coming through Coutinho.
That being said, the team have to learn to adapt and cope and Benteke was a lone figure upfront with little support of note. Time is on Rodgers’ side – for now – and Jose is providing more than a welcome distraction in that regard.
But if Liverpool’s fortunes don’t change, after their manager has spent that fortune, expect those Klopp rumours to really start to ramp up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzHgpk0EyJQ
Super Sherwood was gutted, but Ranieri’s men are on fire
Arguably the best game of the weekend came at the King Power Stadium. Under the leadership of new manager Claudio Ranieri, Leicester have made a blistering start to the season, sitting third in the League.
Aston Villa had struggled to get their campaign underway, but it was Tim Sherwood’s side that took the lead with a breath-taking strike from 20-year-old Jack Grealish.
The visitors doubled their lead through Carles Gil to leave the home fans reeling.
Ritchie de Laet scored to give the Foxes a lifeline but it was the tenacious Jamie Vardy who pulled his side level. With 8 minutes left to play, the pendulum had swung the other way and the momentum was with Ranieri’s men.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB-8mbdb-ek
Passing and searching for a winner with the home crowd roaring their team on, it was Nathan Dyer whose brave header past the onrushing Brad Guzan confirmed the most enthralling of comebacks, to continue his side’s sparkling run of form.
Praise should go to the dearly departed Nigel Pearson for starting the Foxes off on their outstanding run, securing their place in the league for this season.
Ranieri has come in and hit the ground running: Leicester are joint top with City as the form side, winning six of their last nine unbeaten games, and second in the league, with Stoke at the Britannia next.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8kwr-7w2js
In stark contrast, a seemingly inconsolable Tim Sherwood admitted he had ‘never felt this bad’ after the Villans threw away a two goal lead away from home.
Sherwood, known for his entertaining and frank views, admitted his side rolled over to gift the three points to Leicester.
With a derby against rivals West Bromwich Albion next for Villa on Saturday, he’ll be hoping his side can learn from their costly errors to avoid being dragged into another relegation fight this season.
