Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="IthacaMatt, post: 5525122, member: 405"] Weekend Recap. Week 7 is in the books, and it's 2 weeks for an International Window. Chelsea beat Liverpool at the death, in the weekend's biggest game. Nice goal by Estevao, the 18 year old Brazilian. Chelsea really needs their offense to step up. Joao Pedro hasn't done anything since Cole Palmer has gone down with a groin injury. He'll be out for 4-6 weeks. The break comes at a good time for Chelsea as pretty much all of their center backs are out injured. Liverpool is not yet in synch, after 7 games. Mo Salah isn't clicking with his new attacking teammates, and seems out of sorts. Ekitike is playing well for them, and their midfield is pretty solid, but their defense is frail in the middle, and the fullbacks are not just getting it done. They are very open on the counterattack down the flanks. Isak is still settling in, but they don't look great. Man City is creeping back to who they have been in recent seasons, but of course, Rodri pulled his hamstring, and is out for probably another month. They are not the same team without him. Just like Spurs are so much better now that they have a quality holding midfielder in Palhinha, the guy they bought from Bayern Munich in the summer. Haaland is a monster, but where are the goals going to come from if Phil Foden doesn't really get going? Spurs are doing great, considering they are still without 3 of their best attackers - Dominic Solanke, James Madison and Dejean Kulesevski. They are looking like a top 4 team, if their center backs stay healthy. Arsenal have the best defense in the league, by far. That is their trump card so far in the title race. They are very deep, even if the attack is not purring yet, and Arteta is coaching them a little too cautiously. But they have first place, and look like they might hold on to it for a while. Bournemouth are still doing great, thanks to Antoine Semenyo who has been the new star to emerge so far this season (6 goals and 3 assists in only 7 games). Senesi and Petrovic are anchoring a very solid defense, too. They're currently 4th, and Andoni Indaola is a fine technical coach. They're going to need goal contributions from other guys, if they wish to remain among the European positions in the table. Speaking of surprise teams, Crystal Palace has been on a tear, unbeaten in 19 games (!) going back to last year. Everton ended their streak, as Jack Grealish keyed a 2-1 come from behind win for Everton at home, after Daniel Munoz got the opener for Palace. 6th place Palace are a good team to watch, and David Moyes has Everton up to 8th. Their new home, Hill Dickinson Stadium is a beauty, and Everton have gained points in 4 of their last 5 matches. They need a few more players, but they are a solid team that you don't want to play. Manchester United beat new boys Sunderland (unbeaten in 4) to keep Ruben Amorin's job safe for a while longer. There is such a big problem in their midfield and with the wingbacks in his 3-4-2-1 that they have to buy 2 or 3 guys in January if they want to stay above mid-table. Newcastle bounced back from losing late to Arsenal last week with a nice 2-0 win vs. helpless Nottingham Forest. What a mistake they made hiring Ange Postacoglu. I think he will be the first manager fired, probably around Christmas. Eddie Howe has Newcastle with only the Arsenal loss in their last 5, and is up to mid-table in 11th after a rough start. They seem to be stabilizing, and St. James Park is a really tough place to play. Newcastle plays Brighton when the Premier League returns for match week 8 in a couple weeks. Brighton had a poor draw with Wolves, a big let-down after coming back late to beat Chelsea 3-1 last week. Aston Villa are finally coming back to life, and now have 4 straight wins in all competitions following a 2-1 win vs. Burnley, behind a double from Donyell Malen. West Ham were put to the sword by Arsenal after Nuno Espirito Santo's first game in charge resulted in a draw last week against Everton. I think Nuno is a good enough coach to keep them from the drop and get them up to mid table this year. They have a lot of quality guys in the lineup, and honestly shouldn't be this bad. Brentford will have to find some goals somewhere. Forest, Burnley and Wolves look like the worst teams this year. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?