Part – 1 English Premier League: 7th Weekend’s winners
As the seventh weekend of the English Premier League came to its conclusions, it is safe to say that the nature of English football has definitely changed and one can’t admit the fact that one hasn’t seen it coming.
In a weekend which has seen the giants of English football lose to a little known team from the seaside, some teams emerged as victorious while others sustained losses that will make their job in the English Premier League harder
than anticipated. Over the past decade or so the English Premier League has earned global fame for its unpredictability, uncertainty not pertinent to the English league title race itself but the way that teams can pull off surprising results on their given
day.
In Chelsea’s case such a result was expected but not certain. Arsenal versus Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge was the highlight of the weekend. It was looked upon as the blockbuster encounter as far as the seventh English league
weekend was concerned and it was blockbuster indeed. It was also a dam buster for Arsenal fans and their elevated hopes of capturing their first English Premier League title in five years whereas for Chelsea it was a matter of cementing their lead at the top
of the English Premier League table along with the little issue of establishing themselves as London’s most powerful club football team.
Didier Drogba was highlighted before the match as the man to watch out for by many pundits and experts alike and the Ivorian captain didn’t let his employers down. Recently, there has been speculation that Drogba has not been happy
at Chelsea despite his incredible on the field form.
However, such reports seem of little importance now as the bulky striker led his team to an outstanding victory over Arsenal. It was Drogba’s skilful finish due to which Chelsea took the lead at their home stadium. This advantage
was made permanent when during the last ten minutes of the match, Alex; Chelsea’s Brazilian defender almost ripped the back of the Arsenal net with a thunderbolt of a free kick.
One cannot say that such an emphatic display was not expected by the Blues who have now won their last eight matches against Arsenal in the English Premier League. This in other words means that Chelsea have not lost to their neighbours
in an English Premier League match as far as the last four seasons are concerned. Such an intimidating record is complimented by their form so far last season, despite losing in their sixth league game of the season to Manchester City, Chelsea have shown a
form that is only showcased by true champions.
After the defeat to City, many fans were starting to doubt Chelsea’s ability to perform against the so called big teams. Arsenal are a big club in their own right but the Gunners will be aware of the fact that if Chelsea indeed
do win the 2010-2011 English Premier League title, they will better Arsenal’s record of three English Premier League title wins by increasing their own count to four English league titles.
Another note of pride for Chelsea is the fact that Drogba absolutely loves scoring against Arsenal, in his last thirteen matches against the Gunners; he has netted total number of thirteen goals that is one goal per match.
Chelsea’s next match comes after a two week International football break against Aston Villa. Villa under their new manager, Gerard Houllier are resurgent and it will be a strong test of character for Carlo Ancelloti’s team who
have shown that they are truly capable of winning their second title in a row.
With Frank Lampard and Jose Bosingwa expected to be back to full fitness for Chelsea before the Villa clash, the Champions taking the field free of fitness concerns is a mouth watering prospect for all genuine football fans.
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