I think with FFP, you won't see sides like that Derby side promoted again. Clubs relegated from the Prem will be far too strong thanks to parachute payments.
Meh maybe, again it's the premiership, get used to it. Besides, doesn't mean it's not a foul. Ivanovic got in front of him and he pushed him with both hands. It's there for all to see.
Jack if you thought that was a good punch you clearly didn't watch the match. My arthritic gran punches harder than that. If you're gonna punch a player, make sure its a proper punch!
Oh dear. No established Premier League Club would have been able to cope with Chelsea's first 35 minute performance. That was Title-winning performance. 2nd half we came out much better and began to get bodies forward and pressed in the box. At the end of the day, nobody expected us to get a result there anyway so all your attempts to take digs at us are just pointless and completely predictable. I watched Leicester vs Leeds on SkySports and I have to say, it was one of the most boring games I've watched in a long time, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Leicester are a **** team at all (although you were playing TWS).
Bringing a little perspective ... Chelsea will undoubtedly win most of their home games this season and a 2-0 reverse therefore may not be that bad in an overall context - I suspect they will double that against a number of teams. I also watched Swansea playing Man United on Saturday and in terms of approach play etc the Swans more than matched them for long periods and indeed caused several jitters in theUnited defence ... the difference was the exceptional finishing (combined with some poor defending)... and that's what the Premier League is all about, the top teams have players that, invariably, take their chances. For me that will be key for the clubs that survive. Very difficult to make much of a first round of games and it may be that some clubs are able toturn their home grounds into veritable fortresses, which could be key to surviving - but based on some highights, reports and the games that I got to see on the box my current assessment of the likely relegation fight is as follows: Cardiff - virtually toothless at West Ham - will need massive and rapid improvement - home form and passionate crowd likely to be key West Brom - could be a long hard season - early days but Long and Anelka didn't seem to compliment each other one bit Fulham - got away with a ram raid - outplayed for most of the game but I think will be in for a tough season Sunderland - goalscoring a problem? - dominated but lost at home to Fulham Stoke - combative but clearly second best - missing a penalty and the chance of a 'lucky point' won't have done their confidence much good Hull - seemed shellshocked for the first half hour but did seem to get better as the game went on - could be argued that Chelsea never really felt threatened after the second so there was an element of coasting. Danny Graham looked like he'd wandered in off the street and somebody handed him a shirt because they were a man short. Next game is winnable but Norwich have some dangerous players (van wolfswinkel CAN finish) Palace - put up a spirited fight but look very vulnerable Newcastle - I think they are danger of getting a right spanking this evening - if they do the fans will place the blame firmly at Kinnear/Ashley's door and it could throw them into turmoil - very interesting situation. I think the relegation places will be a bit of a lottery this season and could change week by week ... but wouldn't expect any other teams than those mentioned above to be involved.
LOL very true ... but I do think it is going to be very close to call this season ... I also think the battle for the title will be intriguing, Michu, Bony and Nathan Dyer caused all sorts of problems for Man United ....
Purely on the weekend's displays (which of course can soon be put right) - Cardiff looked, let's call it, the 'least well equipped' at this stage ...
All three promoted teams couldn't manage a goal between them, and only mustered 5 shots on target I believe. None of them have the quality up top to score enough goals IMO.
Cardiff will be fine IMO Steven Caulker was an unbelievable signing for them. They will pick up enough points at home I think
