Thoughts across the Premier League

Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard before Tottenham vs Chelsea Premier League match

Frank Lampard, who made 140 Premier League appearances under Jose Mourinho, is aiming to become only the second manager to win his first two league matches against the Portuguese after Boavista’s Jaime Pacheco in September 2001. (Source: premierleague.com)

VAR and the beauty of Karma

Martial scores a brilliant header to give Man United the lead at Stamford bridge in the premier league

Man Utd completed their first league double over Chelsea since the 1987/88 season as they beat Chelsea 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, while this is the first time they’ve done so without conceding since 1964/65 (Source: premierleague.com)

Remember when Jorginho was excused from getting a second yellow against Arsenal at the Emirates at the end of December?

Arsenal were a goal up, the Italian was already on a yellow, he clattered into Maintland Niles, obviously intentionally, but Craig Pawson carded Alexander Lacazette instead on the ground of remonstrations, Jorginho went on to score the equalizer that changed the game in the Blues’ favor, the rest is history.

Fast forward a few weeks later, Chelsea at home to Manchester United, Anthony Taylor refused to send Harry Maguire off when he obviously launched an attack on Batshuayi to the bemusement of everyone within and around the walls of Stamford Bridge.

Even the staunchest of United fans expected the Red Devils’ skipper to be having an early bath, it wasn’t to be, VAR revisited Chelsea, wearing red with no blue stripes, ruled in favor of the former Leicester defender and he went on to score the second goal that ultimately decided the encounter.

It’s worthy to note that Kourt Zouma’s goal should have stood too, VAR ruled it out because Ceaser Azpilicueta pushed Brandon Williams, replays showed clearly that Fred had nudged the Spaniard into Williams which should either have gotten the goal counted or awarded a penalty in favor of Chelsea… V A R

A City on a ban

How does City respond to the hefty ban by the football ruling body? Was it even a fair call in the first place? While the teams below fourth in the premier league are all licking their lips at the prospect of a possible qualification through the fifth place if City remained banned from the UEFA champions league, the big question would center around the response of the club and her galaxy of stars.

To be honest, not sure there’s any rule that could have been flouted by Manchester City that wouldn’t have by the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, and even Chelsea, is City being hunted as a scapegoat?

What are the implications especially on the array of talents at the Etihad?

Some players and Pep Guardiola have spoken out recently to reiterate their support for the club and declaring loyalty even if they’re being thrown into the lower tiers, but it remains to be seen what happens at the CAS.

Manchester City has it all to do in the ongoing Champions League, they have Real Madrid to negotiate, and will the ban affect their psyche?

Will they respond on the pitch with strong showings?

Will they lose steam and careless when they won’t win the league or feature in the elite competition next term?

Too many questions… Waiting for City to answer.

Who did Jose Mourinho offend?

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard and Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho

News broke out late on Monday that Heung Min Son will undergo surgery and be subsequently sidelined for a long time with Jose Mourinho, the Spurs manager stating clearly that he doesn’t expect the Korean forward to return this season.

Son’s elbow injury said to have been copped in the early stages of their epic win in stoppage time against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday adds to the unavailability of Harry Kane, another long term absentee for the north London club.

Heung Min Son scored his 50th Premier League goal in the weekend encounter, miles ahead of every Asian that has played in the premier league he has scored more than the next three behind him combined, a list that contains illustrious names like J.S Park and Shinji Kagawa.

What next for Mourinho and Spurs? False 9 certainly is the way forward with new boy Bergwijn and Lucas Moura juggling the forward role between themselves.

With Chelsea next after the home fixture in the champions league, the race for top four or five as City’s situation revealed might have become more difficult for spurs than imagined just after the victory at Villa Park.